The week that was in Napa Valley high school football involved a) Returning to the field,
b) Two teams’ seasons ending against higher seeded teams and c) Another finding resolution
to who their opponent is.
b) Two teams’ seasons ending against higher seeded teams and c) Another finding resolution
to who their opponent is.
Various wildfires throughout California caused everything from deaths, missing people,
unhealthy air quality and other forms of devastation that led to cancellations and
postponements of many CIF football playoff games throughout the state. In Northern
California, the Camp Fire in Butte County was the epicenter.
unhealthy air quality and other forms of devastation that led to cancellations and
postponements of many CIF football playoff games throughout the state. In Northern
California, the Camp Fire in Butte County was the epicenter.
Most teams last played a game on Nov. 2 but those who had first round byes had not taken
the field since Oct. 26. Focusing attention to Napa Valley teams, the American Canyon
Wolves and St. Helena Saints saw their respective seasons end on Saturday. In the CIF
North Coast Section Div. II playoffs, the No. 8 seeded Wolves fell to No. 1 Rancho Cotate
(Rohnert Park) 42-7. The Cougars will host No. 5 Marin Catholic, which defeated Granada
(Livermore) 14-7, on Friday. In NCS Div. V, the No. 7 seeded Saints lost to the No. 2
Salesian (Richmond) Pride 49-28. Salesian will host Stellar Prep (Oakland), which defeated
Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) 32-27.
the field since Oct. 26. Focusing attention to Napa Valley teams, the American Canyon
Wolves and St. Helena Saints saw their respective seasons end on Saturday. In the CIF
North Coast Section Div. II playoffs, the No. 8 seeded Wolves fell to No. 1 Rancho Cotate
(Rohnert Park) 42-7. The Cougars will host No. 5 Marin Catholic, which defeated Granada
(Livermore) 14-7, on Friday. In NCS Div. V, the No. 7 seeded Saints lost to the No. 2
Salesian (Richmond) Pride 49-28. Salesian will host Stellar Prep (Oakland), which defeated
Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) 32-27.
In NCS Div. I, the No. 8 seeded Vintage Crushers discovered their next opponent as No. 4
seeded San Ramon upended No. 5 Monte Vista (Danville) 21-17. Vintage was one of only a
few teams that played on the weekend of Nov. 10-11, upsetting No. 1 Antioch in double
overtime 24-21.
seeded San Ramon upended No. 5 Monte Vista (Danville) 21-17. Vintage was one of only a
few teams that played on the weekend of Nov. 10-11, upsetting No. 1 Antioch in double
overtime 24-21.
Here’s a closer look:
AMERICAN CANYON
Looking back: The Wolves appeared poised to give Rancho Cotate a four quarter battle
when trailing just 14-7 at halftime but then the second half happened as American Canyon
committed five of its six turnovers in the second half. The Cougars also unleashed their
version of triplets (quarterback Jared Stocker, running back Rasheed Rankin and wide
receiver Connor Barbato). In the first half, the Cougars offense spread the Wolves defense
out and followed with power formations in the second half. Rancho Cotate scored 21 third
quarter points to put the game out of reach.
when trailing just 14-7 at halftime but then the second half happened as American Canyon
committed five of its six turnovers in the second half. The Cougars also unleashed their
version of triplets (quarterback Jared Stocker, running back Rasheed Rankin and wide
receiver Connor Barbato). In the first half, the Cougars offense spread the Wolves defense
out and followed with power formations in the second half. Rancho Cotate scored 21 third
quarter points to put the game out of reach.
The Cougars defense limited American Canyon running back Eddie Byrdsong to 79 yards
on 23 carries. In the Wolves 43-29 win over Montgomery, Byrdsong had 356 yards on 43
carries. Darrius Thomas supplied the lone Wolves touchdown.
on 23 carries. In the Wolves 43-29 win over Montgomery, Byrdsong had 356 yards on 43
carries. Darrius Thomas supplied the lone Wolves touchdown.
Looking ahead: The Wolves finished 6-6 under first year head coach John Montante.
Though the team had its streak of six consecutive league titles (solo or shared) snapped,
American Canyon had a tremendous in-season turnaround in turning an 0-4 start into
winning six of its last eight contests. The lone defeats came to Rancho Cotate and eventual
Vine Valley Athletic League champ Vintage. Granted, the Wolves turnaround is partially
attributable to a brutal nonleague schedule followed by better landing spots in VVAL but
most teams that start 0-4 go into circle the drain mode. American Canyon, however, did not
succumb to a mental shutdown.
Though the team had its streak of six consecutive league titles (solo or shared) snapped,
American Canyon had a tremendous in-season turnaround in turning an 0-4 start into
winning six of its last eight contests. The lone defeats came to Rancho Cotate and eventual
Vine Valley Athletic League champ Vintage. Granted, the Wolves turnaround is partially
attributable to a brutal nonleague schedule followed by better landing spots in VVAL but
most teams that start 0-4 go into circle the drain mode. American Canyon, however, did not
succumb to a mental shutdown.
The biggest loss will be Byrdsong because he was the team’s No. 1 weapon. Other key
losses will include Brandon Seay (wide receiver/defensive back) and defensive stalwarts
Kekoa Wilson and Derrick Conner. The program, however, has more than enough talent to
keep up its winning ways. The biggest hurdle in VVAL will continue to be Vintage.
American Canyon will be able to hit the ground running in ways it could not this season.
Montante, who was not hired until June after Larry Singer resigned, will have the benefit
of a full offseason and built-in familiarity with the roster.
losses will include Brandon Seay (wide receiver/defensive back) and defensive stalwarts
Kekoa Wilson and Derrick Conner. The program, however, has more than enough talent to
keep up its winning ways. The biggest hurdle in VVAL will continue to be Vintage.
American Canyon will be able to hit the ground running in ways it could not this season.
Montante, who was not hired until June after Larry Singer resigned, will have the benefit
of a full offseason and built-in familiarity with the roster.
ST. HELENA
Looking back: The game could not have started more auspiciously for the road underdog
Saints. The defense produced a three and out to start the game. On the next series, the
offense generated a two play drive that quarterback Daniel Martinez completed with a
26-yard touchdown run. Luis Robledo added the PAT for a 7-0 advantage. The problem
thereafter was multiple for the Saints: a) The defense had no answer for Salesian’s ability
to repeatedly strike for explosive plays. b) The offense produced plenty of points to stay
remotely in the game but also wasted two short fields as a result of takeaways.
Saints. The defense produced a three and out to start the game. On the next series, the
offense generated a two play drive that quarterback Daniel Martinez completed with a
26-yard touchdown run. Luis Robledo added the PAT for a 7-0 advantage. The problem
thereafter was multiple for the Saints: a) The defense had no answer for Salesian’s ability
to repeatedly strike for explosive plays. b) The offense produced plenty of points to stay
remotely in the game but also wasted two short fields as a result of takeaways.
The Pride’s offense was like an octopus, if one arm didn’t get you, any one of seven others
did. Salesian recorded 511 yards of total offense (252 passing, 259 rushing) and tallied 29
first downs in the process. The two lost opportunities that were costly were a Jake Lehman
interception return to the Salesian 24 -- no points. The other one was a George Cutting
fumble recovery on a kickoff at the Salesian 26 -- no points. Does the outcome change?
Probably not. Salesian’s athletic prowess is no joke. In big games when you are at a
disadvantage, you cannot waste those chances.
did. Salesian recorded 511 yards of total offense (252 passing, 259 rushing) and tallied 29
first downs in the process. The two lost opportunities that were costly were a Jake Lehman
interception return to the Salesian 24 -- no points. The other one was a George Cutting
fumble recovery on a kickoff at the Salesian 26 -- no points. Does the outcome change?
Probably not. Salesian’s athletic prowess is no joke. In big games when you are at a
disadvantage, you cannot waste those chances.
Looking ahead: Ivan Robledo, Cody DiTomaso and Daniel Martinez. That is one
dynamite threesome. Robledo is a freshman and for the fourth straight game, led St.
Helena in rushing with 186 yards on 16 carries. He also caught two passes for 24 yards
and a score. DiTomaso added 58 yards on eight carries. Martinez had seven carries for
35 yards and a score. He also completed 4 of 5 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
dynamite threesome. Robledo is a freshman and for the fourth straight game, led St.
Helena in rushing with 186 yards on 16 carries. He also caught two passes for 24 yards
and a score. DiTomaso added 58 yards on eight carries. Martinez had seven carries for
35 yards and a score. He also completed 4 of 5 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Losing Luis Robledo will hurt but by all accounts, the next three seasons are in head
coach Brandon Farrell’s wheelhouse. St. Helena hit a valley at the end of 2016, losing
three out its last four followed by a 3-5 campaign in 2017. The 2018 season marked a
return to respectability and the first postseason win since 2014. Farrell will also be
getting a JV team that went 19-1 under Ian MacMillan. I’m usually the first one to say
“pump the brakes” on JV success but with a solid program foundation, I believe that
success will translate on the varsity side.
coach Brandon Farrell’s wheelhouse. St. Helena hit a valley at the end of 2016, losing
three out its last four followed by a 3-5 campaign in 2017. The 2018 season marked a
return to respectability and the first postseason win since 2014. Farrell will also be
getting a JV team that went 19-1 under Ian MacMillan. I’m usually the first one to say
“pump the brakes” on JV success but with a solid program foundation, I believe that
success will translate on the varsity side.
VINTAGE
Looking back: The last time the Crushers were on the field, they broke the hearts of
top-seeded Antioch with the aforementioned double-overtime win. With the win, Vintage
won its second playoff game in seven days after not having won a postseason contest in 32
years. The Crushers have ten wins in a row after an 0-2 start.
top-seeded Antioch with the aforementioned double-overtime win. With the win, Vintage
won its second playoff game in seven days after not having won a postseason contest in 32
years. The Crushers have ten wins in a row after an 0-2 start.
Looking ahead: Awaiting the Crushers is a trip to San Ramon on Saturday for a 7 p.m.
contest. The Wolves, who compete in the East Bay League’s Mountain division, defeated
league foe Monte Vista 21-17 on Saturday to advance. That league features perennial power
De La Salle (Concord) along with San Ramon, Monte Vista and California. Winning at San
Ramon will by no means be an easy task but the Crushers are riding high with confidence
after a) Having won 10 straight and b) Taking down the No. 1 seed in their building.
contest. The Wolves, who compete in the East Bay League’s Mountain division, defeated
league foe Monte Vista 21-17 on Saturday to advance. That league features perennial power
De La Salle (Concord) along with San Ramon, Monte Vista and California. Winning at San
Ramon will by no means be an easy task but the Crushers are riding high with confidence
after a) Having won 10 straight and b) Taking down the No. 1 seed in their building.
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