Time Out with Alex Fragoza: 2017 Napa High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Alex Fragoza: Throughout the seven years of playing football and two years of playing rugby I’ve enjoyed the person it made into. The discipline you get from football and rugby really contributed to the way I act at home and in the classroom. I also really enjoyed building relationships with people, who battled with me for the four years I’ve played football at Napa High, and it’s a really good feeling that they will have my back forever.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Fragoza: My plans after high school is too hopefully continue my football career at a university or junior college, or potentially enter the military. As of right now I’m still undecided on what I want to do.  

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Fragoza: The major I’m choosing is criminal Justice(BS). I choose this major because my ultimate goal is to be a police officer, and to study this field, it will give me advantage from other applicants.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at Napa High?

Fragoza: My favorite class here at Napa High would have to be physics. I don’t know why but it really connected wit me and I had lots of fun.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Fragoza: The most Influential person within my family would have to be my older brother. He always pushed me to be a better person, and pushed me to be the player I am in the field. I’m very thankful for him.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet.

Fragoza: I would love to meet Jerry Rice because he is my favorite football player of all time. I would love to get the opportunity to go one on one with him.  

Season-ending loss does not tarnish Wolves 2016 resume

Sometimes a good story does not have a happy ending. Such was the case for the American Canyon High football team.

The No. 2 seeded Wolves’ season came to a screeching halt with a 29-0 loss in Friday’s CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III semifinal playoff game to the No. 3 seeded Christian Brothers (Sacramento) Falcons.

Though the loss stings now, and will for a few days if not a few weeks, but as time passes and you get further removed from the defeat, you will remember the many great moments the team produced rather than Friday’s loss.

American Canyon has established its mark in the sport of football since the school opened its doors in 2010. The Reader’s Digest version is in that span the Wolves have gone 49-22. That record is deflated by going 4-6 in 2011 when the program had no seniors and to a lesser degree by going 5-6 in 2015. American Canyon has won five straight Solano County Athletic Conference titles, shared and/or sole possession. The Wolves finished the 2016 campaign going 11-2 and reaching the SJS D-III semifinals, just as they did in 2012 before losing to eventual champion Oakdale.

You hear the phrase so much, “you’re only as good as your last game.”

I agree with that but only to a point. I tend to think that a person’s or team’s resume is the body of work over a period of time. All I know is this, the 2016 American Canyon Wolves were a treat to watch. Well, in my case, cover on a weekly basis.

Whether as a full-time sports reporter or as a freelance writer, I have covered Wolves football for three seasons. The 2011 and 2015 seasons had their peaks and valleys. The former, you can chalk up to having no seniors. The latter, you can chalk up to having its third coaching change in three seasons from Ian MacMillan to Ernie Lawson to Larry Singer. Since Singer has been with American Canyon since Day One be it as the freshmen head coach, JV head coach or varsity head coach, hiring him made sense. However, asking 17-year old kids to enduring three changes in as many seasons can be unsettling.

I’m not just saying this to be politically correct but all three coaches have sweat equity in the Wolves’ success. Singer is front and center now but as the previous JV head coach has played a role in their development. They also learned under the tutelage of Lawson and MacMillan. I would also be remiss not to mention assistant coaches Chris Yepson, Chris Rapacon, Joe Beachum and Mike Morofsky. Like Singer, they have been with the Wolves from Day One.

The senior class is to be commended. Last season, they stayed the course after a 1-5 start and went 15-3 thereafter. Among those seniors that should take a bow are Darren Antes, Andrew Rapacon, Anthony Gobert, Gamon Howard, Vaughn Johnson, Lorenzo Peterson, Jonathan Roeder, Oscar Lopez, Carlos Chavarria, Nelson Jarquin Aleman, Ethan Hughes. My goodness, I could go all night.

What stood out about this team was that the roster had players that genuinely wanted to be there, wanted to work to get better every week and played with the passion that competitors of the past like like Jon Bade, Chris Seisay, Jomon Dotson, Nate Gutierrez to name a few would have  appreciated.

Was it disappointing to see the season grind to a halt?

Yes. However, when the aforementioned players walk into the gym and see a league championship banner, chances are, they will be talking about the good memories on and off the field, not Friday night’s loss to the Falcons.

I’m not trying to channel my inner Dr. Phil, but if a resume is the body of work over a period of time, the 2016 Wolves have an impressive one.

Sideline slant

I have mentioned before in this online journal that I was a full-time sports reporter for 18 years before I changed career. For the past two seasons, I have been a route sales representative for Alhambra Water the last two years. However, when my former employer (Napa Valley Register) reached out to me before the 2015 season to cover games, I was floored in a good way.

I figured, why not, I would have been going to games as a spectator anyhow. However, running my route that involves physical work for 8-10 hours followed by covering a football game expends a lot of energy. Sometimes more than I imagined. That said, I’m taking this one year at a time. I’m tired now but who knows, by June, I’ll be excited again and say give me another year.

This is my inner Brett Favre.

Time Machine: My Thanksgiving/Black Friday high school football memories

“It’s always a good thing to be practicing on Thanksgiving.” That narrative is a consistent refrain for high school football coaches who are fortunate enough to see their teams play at such time of year. Here in Napa Valley, CA, American Canyon High head coach Larry Singer is preaching that tune.

For the second time in school history, the Wolves get the distinction of practicing on Thanksgiving as they prepare for their CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div-III semifinal matchup against the Christian Brothers (Sacramento) Falcons on Friday at 7 p.m. at Wolf Den Stadium. American Canyon reached this point of the postseason in 2012 only to lose 42-19 to Oakdale, which was the eventual SJS D-III champ.

From 1998-2014, I was a sports reporter for a living. I have since changed careers to become a route sales representative for Alhambra Water but I have not given up writing. I operate this online journal and help my former employer (Napa Valley Register) in Friday nights during football seasons. In the meantime, I have had a chance to cover many American Canyon games in that span. As the Wolves’ postseason game beacons, I thought about another thing -- this will be the eighth time I have covered a high school football game that coincided with Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend.

Here’s a further look through the years but I guess that means I have been blessed with covering some very good teams:

1998-1999 Calistoga Wildcats: Calistoga reached the CIF North Coast Section Class B title game twice in as many seasons. The first of which was a 25-0 loss to the Tomales Braves in 1998. One week earlier, the Wildcats upset the St. Bernard (Eureka) Crusaders in the muck and mire of Humboldt County.

Despite the memorable 1998 campaign, the loss to Tomales left a sour taste in the Wildcats’ mouths as they returned 17 of 23 starters one year later. Calistoga went 9-2 in 1999 with the two defeats coming by a combined total of five points. In the title game against St. Bernard, Calistoga fell behind 18-8 at halftime before rallying for a 22-18 win.

2000 Justin-Siena Braves: Justin entered the season having left the SJS with the Superior California Athletic League having disbanded. The Braves joined the Marin County Athletic League, where they have been since 2000. Justin visited No. 1 seeded Kelseyville as the No. 5 seed.

I remember driving to Lake County and walking into the gate, Kelseyville fans were convinced Y2K was their season to win a NCS Class A title. The Braves, however, reached into their chest cavity and ripped their hearts out with a 34-21 win.

2001 Vallejo Apaches: They are known as the Vallejo Redhawks now thanks to political correctness but I digress. The 2001 season was Vallejo’s last sniff at greatness. The then Apaches went 9-1 in the regular season and scored their first postseason win since 2001 in defeating Atwater 16-14.

One week later, the ride would end with a 21-14 win over Lincoln (Stockton). That game proved to be the last high school football game in Vallejo quarterback DeMarcus Nelson’s career. Nelson committed to Duke University in May of his sophomore season on a basketball scholarship, therefore bypassing football for the remainder of his career at both Vallejo and Sheldon (Elk Grove), where he transferred after his junior season.

2002 Jesse Bethel Jaguars: From a Jaguar standpoint, there is very little about the SJS D-II 35-7 semifinal loss to Granite Bay to remember as far as the game is concerned.

What I do remember is marvelling at the journey of Bethel opening its doors in 1998-1999. I also remember the Jaguars amazing ascent from 2-8 in its first varsity season to 8-3-1 two years later and a Monticello Empire League II title. Though I don’t like emphasizing individuals over team, Dallas Bernstine is by far the best high school football player I covered on a week-to-week basis.

2012 and 2014 St. Helena Saints: With the exception of this year’s American Canyon team, my most vivid memories of high school football teams I covered were these Saints. I spent 10 years on the Upvalley beat and knew the likes of Charles Bertoli, Richard Hoppe, Alex Quirici, Joey Brink and Danny Brink, Gannon Laidlaw, Jack Preston, Robert Archer, Austin Cia and Mark Martin to name a few since youth sports. It was fun to watch them grow into stars in high school.

Hoppe is bar nine the best high school quarterback I covered on a week-to-week basis. He prepared and could read defenses better than any quarterback at the high school level I saw.

In 2012, the No. 6 seeded Saints upset the Salesian (Richmond) Pride 29-25 in the NCS D-IV quarterfinals despite Hoppe leaving the game with a mild concussion. One week later, Hoppe was a game-time decision against San Marin (Novato). The Saints lost 32-26 despite Hoppe’s two touchdown passes.

In 2014, St. Helena reached the NCS D-V title game only to lose 14-7. One week earlier, however, and two days after Thanksgiving, the Saints travelled to St. Bernard and pillaged the Crusaders 37-14. I have never seen a defense bufuddle an offense quite like the Saints, who spent the day rushing three defenders and dropping eight. St. Helena raced to a 24-0 lead with Archer’s 82-yard interception return being the knife to the throat.

Black Friday special in AC -- more playoff high school football

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday because it is the busiest shopping day of the year.

The American Canyon High football team, which has black and gold in its color scheme, will be shopping for a victory that would send them to the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div-III title game for the first time in school history. The Wolves enter the game ranked 12th in the maxpreps.com SJS poll (accounting for all divisions). American Canyon and Christian Brothers are tied for No. 25 in the Prep2Prep.com poll (also accounting for all divisions).

The hurdle the No. 2 seeded Wolves (11-1) will have to clear Friday is the No. 3 seeded Christian Brothers Falcons at Wolf Den Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff in the semifinals. The last time the Wolves played this deep into the postseason was 2012, losing 42-19 at eventual champion Oakdale. Speaking of Oakdale, the top-seeded Mustangs host No. 5 seeded Merced on Friday.

The Wolves have a score to settle with Christian Brothers. In 2013, the No. 8 seeded Falcons reached into American Canyon’s chest cavity and tore its heart out with a 30-27 upset over the top-seeded Wolves. Though revenge can be an overplayed angle, that is recent enough to resonate. The current seniors were freshmen at the time. Though they were JV players, they were in the program. Assistant coaches Chris Rapacon, Chris Yepson and Joe Beachum were members of then head coach Ian MacMillan’s staff and remain members of current head coach Larry Singer’s staff. At that time, Singer was the Wolves’ JV head coach.

However, once the ball is kicked off, the revenge angle goes out the window. From there, it’s a question of which team executes its game plan and scheme better. Sure, that notion sounds trite but self-inflicted wounds become magnified at this stage of the season.

The Falcons enter this game 10-2, losing their first two games to Manteca and Jesuit (Carmichael), 39-6 and 25-7 respectively. Manteca is the No. 1 seed in the SJS D-IV bracket while Jesuit is the No. 4 seed in the SJS D-II bracket. Christian Brothers has won ten straight since those defeats by an average margin of 39.8-17.6. The Falcons defeated No. 14 Cordova and No. 11 Burbank in the playoffs 30-20 and 21-14 respectively.

American Canyon, meanwhile, has spent the 2016 boat-racing teams by an average margin of 50.7-19.8 with the lone hiccup being a 24-21 Game 6 loss at Vanden. The Wolves offense has resembled a rushing version of the Greatest Show on Turf in amassing over 4,000 rushing yards in 12 contest engineering by quarterback Darren Antes. The running backs have akin to the pick your poison approach between the speed and shiftiness of Anthony Gobert and Kama Aalona along with the freight-train approach of Andrew Rapacon.

The Wolves have also shined defensively but because this unit has played with monster leads, it is easy to overlook them. The positive sign for American Canyon was that its tackling, which has been spotty, was much better in Friday’s quarterfinal win, 39-8 over Yuba City.

American Canyon’s defense will have to be on point against a diversified Falcons attack. Christian Brothers’ quarterback Tyler Vander Waal (178-291-23-7-2,630) spreads the ball around to receivers Matt Marengo (61-983-6), Spencer Webb (36-597-4). The Falcons running game has a by committee approach as Jamarri Jackson poses as a two-way threat. Jackson has 69 carries for 511 yards and eight scores. As a receiver, he has 27 grabs for 467 yards and five touchdowns. Carlos Stahl (43-302-4) and Aarmon Euwing (64-258-9) also receive ample carries.

The team the Wolves faced that is most similar in this approach was Wood (Vacaville), which American Canyon beat 71-36. Granted, at 5-5, Wood is not in Christian Brothers’ galaxy but quarterback like the Falcons with Vander Waal, Wood had Carson Strong leading a diversified attack. Wood threw the ball 27 games per game compared to Christian Brothers’ 24 times per contest. The only difference is that Wood was less committee oriented in its ground attack with Daniel Macfadden and Christian Catlin accounting for 91.4% of the Wildcats’ rushing yardage.

In that game, the Wolves offense offset Wood’s diverse attack by scoring on 10 of 11 possessions. Though Wood’s offense gained 402 yards of offense, it took 69 plays to accomplish that feat. This game is similar, Christian Brothers will get its yardage, the key is making the Falcons burn up 8-12 plays to try scoring.

Another advantage for the Wolves in this contest is the special teams. Gobert has three kickoff returns for a score while Aalona has a kickoff and punt return for a score. Having a dangerous return man is an advantage even if the opponent tries to kick away from them because it can create field position edges.

The teams have one common opponent -- El Camino, which earned the No. 15 seed in the SJS D-III playoffs and competes in the Capital League with Christian Brothers. American Canyon beat El Camino 64-42 to open the postseason. Christian Brothers beat El camino 37-27.

Fasten your seat belts. It should be a good ballgame.

See ya Friday.

Wolves notebook: Spectacular plays break Yuba City's will

Every game has various scenarios that can be considered turning points. On the surface, the No. 2 seeded American Canyon High football team was clearly the superior team in a 39-8 win over the No. 7 seeded Yuba City Honkers in Friday’s CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III playoff win.

The numbers would strongly suggest as much as the Wolves outgained Yuba City in total yardage 577-264. There were three plays in the game that while they did not change the outcome, they changed the complexion. To be fair, at this stage of the season every play is magnified:

Scenario No. 1: American Canyon leads 6-0 late in the first quarter and is forced to punt on its own 6 yard-line. Yuba City is set to get advantageous field position but gets called for roughing the kicker. Wolves get new life and march down the field with quarterback Darren Antes completing the drive with a 25-yard scoring run. The roughing the kicker call was legitimate as Wolves punter Lavar Seay was mauled. However, Yuba City goes from potentially taking the lead to trailing 13-0.

Scenario No. 2: Trailing 13-0, Yuba City takes advantage of an Antes fumbled snap and converts it into a touchdown with Brice Rogers scoring from 1-yard away followed by a Brenndon Shalowitz’s two-point conversion, making it 13-8. Suddenly, Uncle Mo was wearing a Yuba City jersey.

On the ensuing drive, Antes lofted a pass that appeared to be intercepted by Yuba City cornerback Keith Halsey. However, American Canyon wide receiver Gamon Howard ripped the ball out of his hands like a thief in the night. The two players went to the ground and continued to wrestle for the ball but since it was joint possession, the tie goes to the offense. American Canyon retained possession and later scored with Andrew Rapacon hammering across the goal-line from 2-yards out, making it 20-8 Wolves.

Scenario No. 3: Midway through the third quarter, Wolves lead 26-8 with the ball at their own 15 after forcing a punt. Antes fakes the ball on a dive play to Rapacon, runs to his right with Kama Aalona following him as the pitch man. Antes was getting tackled and on his way to the ground as he pitched the ball at the last possible instant. Aalona fielded the pitch and raced 85-yards to paydirt.

Antes pitching at the last possible second was like several throws NFL Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre made. Your first thought is, “What are you thinking!” The next thought is, “Great play!”

“The boys were saying, that’s (John) Madden stuff,” Wolves head coach Larry Singer quipped. “I don’t play video games so I have no idea what they are talking about but they are dynamic playmakers.”

Wolves showing an “all in” mentality

With the win, American Canyon advances to the semifinals of the SJS Div. III playoffs for the second time in the school’s six-year history. Offensively, this team has a pick your poison mentality whether it’s Rapacon, Aalona, Anthony Gobert, Antes, Gamon Howard or Lavar Seay. There is also only one football.

“It’s a testament to (American Canyon assistant) coach Chris Yepson and what he’s been able to accomplish with our offense,” Singer said. “We have so many playmakers. Everybody is trying to do what’s best for the team. Nobody is out here saying, I need more touches.”

“As coaches, it’s hard when you get into this part of the season and the boys are not into it, it is hard,” singer said. “Now, it’s easy. It’s great watching a ton of film and putting things together because we know these guys are going to come out to play. We just told them their schedule for next week. They’re like, OK. We’re ready to go.”

Wolves honor Wallace

Before the contest, Dennis Wallace was honored in a moment of silence. Wallace, who was a Stanislaus County deputy sheriff, was killed in the line of duty on Sunday in Hughson, CA, about 10 miles from Modesto, CA. Wallace also served as a youth soccer coach and refereed high school football games in the SJS. He also served as a liason between schools and law enforcement.

Sideline slants

• American Canyon is now 11-1, tying the school record for wins in a single season, set in 2012.
• Since starting 1-5 under Singer in the first six games in 2015, the Wolves have gone 15-2 since that stretch.

Wolves put together complete performance in win over Honkers

Thanksgiving may fall on a Thursday but the American Canyon High football team can satisfy its hunger to an even greater extent one day later.

The No. 2 seeded Wolves ushered the No. 7 seeded Yuba City Honkers out of the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III playoffs with a 39-8 win.

“It’s one of those things where it doesn’t happen very often,” Wolves head coach Larry Singer said of the Thanksgiving and football combination. “It’s happened just one other time in school history. We get to do it again and it is just awesome.”

The Wolves will host No. 3 Christian Brothers (Sacramento), which defeated Burbank 21-14, in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. American Canyon reached the semifinals in 2012, losing to eventual SJS Div. III champ Oakdale. In 2013, Christian Brothers, which was the No. 8 seed, upset top-seeded American Canyon 30-27.

Though the Wolves have had bigger victory margins, in the grand spectrum, Friday’s triumph was their most complete win of the season when one considers the quality of opponent.

On offense, the Wolves generated 577 yards of total offense (449 rushing, 128 passing) behind the offensive line of Jonathan Roeder, Lucas Gramlick, Lorenzo Peterson, Paulo Respicio and Nelson Jarquin-Aleman. On defense, the Wolves limited the Honkers to just 264 yards on 62 offensive snaps.

“It was a complete effort all the way around,” Singer said. “I think the boys put together a complete game on offense, defense and special teams. They didn’t get any big plays on us. They didn’t have any really long runs. They are a big, physical team. We don’t get a lot of big boys but the boys we get have passion. They came out and played hard tonight.”

On offense, Andrew Rapacon amassed 168 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns, coming from 72 and 2 yards away. Quarterback Darren Antes scored on a 25-yard run and threw for two more scores of 40 yards to Lavar Seay and 21 yards to Gamon Howard, Kama Aalona scored on a 85 yard run.

Defensively, Rapacon had three impact tackles (gains of 0-3 yards). Isaiah Abdalla, Eric Gresham, Vaughn Johnson, Alfredo Calderon and Peterson each had one. Carlos Chavarria had two tackles for loss while Peterson, Ethan Hughes and Aalona each had one. Howard added a quarterback sack. Howard and Seay each had interceptions.

“They did a great job of getting hats to the ball tonight,” Singer said. “Being disciplined and wrapping up with their tackles was important. That’s something we’ve struggled with. Everyone wants a woo hit. You have to wrap up, especially against big boys like this that will churn their legs. Hats off to No. 5 (Brenndon Schalowitz). That kid is a tough runner. He can ground and pound.”

Time Machine: 2010 JV football: American Canyon at Oakdale

Junior varsity wins are often looked at as an afterthought but when an athletic program is in its infancy, such victories are celebrated as if they occurred on the varsity level.

In late September 2010, the American Canyon High (American Canyon, CA) JV football team ventured into the Central Valley to face a tradition rich Oakdale Mustang program. Oakdale is in California as far as physical geography but the landscape and community vibe is akin to Mid-America. On this night, American Canyon scored a 28-22 win over Oakdale.

Setting the stage: Despite skyrocketing population through the 1990s and especially the 2000s that eventually reached 19,000, American Canyon did not open its own high school until the 2010-2011 school year thanks to Measure G, which was passed in 2006 thanks to Napa County voters.

American Canyon had two elementary schools and a middle school but youngsters had to go to high school somewhere else. They would scatter to places like St. Patrick’s (Vallejo) or Justin-Siena (Napa) if they went the private school route. If they stuck with public schools, they would go to Napa or Vintage but mostly the latter.

Without getting too editorial, American Canyon kids were often looked at as outsiders on these various campuses. Though the community markets itself as “Gateway to the Napa Valley,” it is not looked upon favorably in some circles. In fact, American Canyon is looked at as a halfway house between Napa and Vallejo in that you either live there because you can’t afford the former or want to escape the latter.

The vibe of the American Canyon community began to change when the school opened its doors in August 2010 because it gave the kids of that town their own identity. There is a big emotional difference for a local kid wearing a shirt that says, “American Canyon” draped across the front as opposed to the name of another school.

On this night, Oakdale’s football program had four SJS titles to its name but the JV team was 0-2. The Wolves entered the contest with a 2-1 record with wins over Pacheco (Los Banos) 34-20 and Gregori (Modesto) 44-26 with a 20-6 loss to Deer Valley (Antioch) sandwiched in between.

Thumbnail of the game: Though the two programs were miles apart with established tradition, the giddiness with which American Canyon celebrated might as well have been a playoff game.

The Wolves clung to a 28-22 lead but Oakdale threatened when facing third and 9 at the AmCan 19. Robert Wilkes intercepted a pass to clinch the win for the Wolves. Earlier in the same drive, AmCan appeared to have the Mustangs stopped when Chris Seisay broke up a Eddie Machado pass on fourth and 7 from the Wolves 47. American Canyon, however, was flagged with its second sideline warning of the game which amounted to a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct infraction to keep the Oakdale drive afloat.

In the earlygoing, the Wolves looked poised for a trip down Easy Street as American Canyon took a 22-0 lead in the first half as quarterback Justin Corpus opened the scoring with a 13-yard run. Justin Miller added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Wilkes extended the Wolves' edge to 14-0 on a 5-yard TD run, and American Canyon made it 22-0 on Corpus' 77-yard pass to Chris Seisay, who recorded three grabs for 104 yards. The pair connected on the ensuing conversion with 2:39 left in the first half.

Oakdale, however, clipped the lead to 22-14 at the break - and did so in short order — as Joshua Watts posted scoring runs of 37 and 3 yards. One of those scores came after an American Canyon fumble gave the Mustangs the ball at the American Canyon 31.

Oakdale later tied the game at 22-22 with four minutes left in the third as Jordan Miller scored on an 11-yard run and added the two-point conversion.

The Wolves responded with 58 seconds to go in the quarter as Jomon Dotson reeled off a 42-yard scoring run. The conversion failed. Dotson was the Wolves leading ground-gainer with 89 yards on five carries while Miller did some heavy lifting with 50 on 16 attempts.

Defensively for the Wolves, Bailey Gardner and Derrick Hughes had fumble recoveries while Miller and Riley Williams teamed up on a tackle for lost yardage. Dotson added a solo stuff.

What it meant: From a head-to-head standpoint, very little. The two programs met in the SJS Div. III semifinals two years later with Oakdale returning the favor, beating the Wolves 42-19 on the way to beating Vista Del Lago (Folsom) 22-9 for the title.

This win, however, for American Canyon is as remembered as a JV win could ever be. Entering Friday, SJS Div. III playoff home game against Yuba City, American Canyon is 48-21 against varsity foes since 2011.

In the 2016 version of the SJS Div. III playoffs, the Wolves are the No. 2 seed while Oakdale is the No. 1 seed. Could a future meeting be on tap? Stay tuned.

Time Out with Dylan Martin: 2017 St. Helena High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Dylan Martin: I love competition and that is one of the biggest reasons that I found myself playing sports year round. One thing I have really enjoyed throughout high school is playoff football. It is just a fun time of year, with holidays rolling around. Nothing brings out the competition in me like playoffs, I love the win or go home aspect to it. In high school I have also loved competing against the same people year after year, it’s fun to develop relationships that are strictly sports based.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Martin: After high school I plan on attending a four year university. Some of my top schools are: Syracuse University, University of Oregon, University of Connecticut. I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my life. Although I will not be playing sports for a college, I do plan on playing as many intramural as possible.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Martin: In college I plan on majoring in Sports Management or Business Management. I just figured that I spent so much of my life invested in sports that it would be silly not to apply myself academically with something I know, understand, and am passionate about. I love sports and I love business. I have always been been a numbers guy, so the idea of studying basically the numbers and mechanics that go into the sports industry seriously excites me.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at St. Helena High?

Martin: My favorite class that I have taken in high school would have to be Anatomy and Physiology with Mr. O’Connor. Although it was one of the hardest classes that I have taken at Saint Helena high school it was an incredible experience. As we studied different parts of the body and their functions, we dissected cats so we could make visual connections. On top of it all Mr. O is the man, he makes the class very exciting.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Martin: For me the most influential family member in my life is my grandmother Alice Martin, my dad’s mother. Alice died when I was very young, and I really never got to meet her. However, there are nothing but good things to say for Alice. She was so resilient in her fight with cancer, and to me she was just as strong of a competitor as any athlete.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Martin: I would love to meet Michael Jordan, he is such an incredible competitor. I just want to pick his brain and talk about how he was able to find so much motivation. I would absolutely love to talk to him about “Flu Game”. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to play a full basketball with the flu, and not only play but to lead his team to a victory. Ever since I was a little kid I loved Michael Jordan. I remember always watching Michael Jordan highlights on youtube. My dad also had a DVD set of a ton of Jordan highlights including some of his most iconic games. I would love to be able to talk to a competitor as great as Michael Jordan. He has been an idol to me most of my life.

Time Out with Carlos Chavarria: 2017 American Canyon High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Carlos Chavarria: I love competing in the sport and I love grinding to get better at my position, but the thing I loved the most was the bond that I have created with my teammates. I can honestly say that I love those guys and I know they love me too. We have grown to be a family and we not only play the game of football because we love it, but also to play for each other.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Chavarria: My plan after high school is to go to a state or community college and major in something that will allow me to do something I've always had a passion for doing; helping people.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Chavarria: I might choose kinesiology as a major because I am very interested in the body. I've always been a pretty smart kid but I would have to say that learning about the body's anatomy and physiology is the only thing I enjoy learning anymore. It just really fascinates me.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at American Canyon High?

Chavarria: I have two top classes that I have enjoyed while going to high school and those classes are: Anatomy and Physiology and Sports Medicine. These are two classes that have given me a wider range of knowledge about the body and I just enjoy learning in both classes.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Chavarria: I would say that the most influential person in my family would have to be my grandmother. She truly is a person with a loving and kind soul. She has done so many good things in her lifetime and impacted a lot of lives along the way. She has also helped me when I was in need and I can honestly say that I love that woman to death.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Chavarria: I would say that a historical figure that I would like to meet is a former football player named Inky Johnson. He has not made history in the game of football but he makes history even time he gives a speech and influences the lives of others. I've never really had any good role models in my lifetime so far but I would say that he is the closest thing to it and honestly, he has impacted my life in a few different ways. He has taught me that respect is the key to everything, even though he didn't directly state this, and respect will get you far in life. He is a brilliant and influential person and I love what he stands for.

Football playoffs on tap for Napa Valley high schools

Playoff football season is underway in the Napa Valley with four teams (if you factor in Calistoga’s Redwood Bowl) punching their tickets to the postseason.

For the Sac Joaquin Section, American Canyon drew the No. 2 seed in the Div. III bracket and will host El Camino, which is the No. 15 seed on Thursday. Napa garnered the No. 8 seed in Div. I and will host Sheldon (Elk Grove) on Friday. Both are 7 p.m. kickoffs. The SJS moved all football playoff games to Thursday night because of Veterans Day falling on Friday but games can be moved to Friday if both schools agree to it.

For the North Coast Section, St. Helena drew the No. 10 seed and will travel to No. 7 Ferndale on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.

Here’s a closer look:

American Canyon

For the Wolves, this position is similar to 2013 entering the postseason. Except American Canyon fans hope for a different outcome. That season, the Wolves went 9-1 and entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed. American Canyon struggled to beat No. 16 El Dorado (Placerville) before losing to No. 8 Christian Brothers (Sacramento) 30-27.

Fast forward to 2016, American Canyon is 9-1 and has sealed its fifth consecutive Solano County Athletic Conference title (sole possession or shared). The Wolves enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed and, like 2013, is seeking a deep postseason run. Oakdale is the No. 1 seed. El Camino, which competes in the Capital League, went 6-4 overall and 3-2 in league play. The Eagles’ wins came against teams that had a combined record of 13-47. The four losses came against foes with a combined mark of 26-14.

Napa

Despite a 2-3 start before Monticello Empire League play, the Indians rebounded to win their eighth MEL title since 2002. It should also be dually noted that one of Napa’s nonleague defeats came against Pittman (Turlock), 7-6. Pittman is the No. 7 seed in Div. I and will host Monterey Trail. The winner of the Napa-Sheldon game likely plays at No. 1 seeded Folsom, which hosts No. 16 Kennedy (Sacramento).

Sheldon, which competes in the Delta League, finished the season 7-3. Like most 8-9 matchups, the tail of the tape would indicate two evenly-matched teams. For openers, both teams finished 7-3. The Huskies seven wins came against teams with a combined record of 26-44. Sheldon’s three losses came against teams with a composite mark of 19-11. Napa’s seven wins came against teams with a combined record of 25-45. The three defeats were against teams with a combined mark of 20-10.

St. Helena

Exactly one decade later, the two programs meet again in the postseason. In 2006, Ferndale defeated the Saints 18-14 in a game that to this day is remembered for controversial calls. That game, however, matters none today as the current seniors were in second grade at that point. St. Helena enters this postseason heading in the wrong direction, having dropped three of its last five games after a 4-1 start. The Saints have lost their last two, 24-0 to Middletown and 50-44 to Clear in a game that saw the Saints cough up a 16-point second half lead.

Like St. Helena, Ferndale went 6-4. The Wildcats compete in the Humboldt Del Norte Little 4. For what it’s worth, the two teams have one common opponent, Willits. Ferndale beat the Wolverines 62-30. St. Helena beat Willits 72-28.

Calistoga

The Wildcats otherwise successful season ended with a thud on Saturday, losing 56-12 to Rincon Valley Christian (Santa Rosa) in the Redwood Bowl. Calistoga made its move to the North Central League III last season. That league plays 8-man football. After several peaks and valleys playing 11-man football, the Wildcats opted to move to the 8-man league in 2015 at least for the foreseeable future.

Though Calistoga has the enrollment, about 220 students plus or minus a few, and the roster size to play 11-man football, finding a nearby league where it can be consistently competitive is another matter. Eight-man football probably is the best option. The Wildcats have gone 11-5 since making the move.

Vintage

The Crushers finished season No. 1 of the Dylan Leach era going 5-5. Though losing 35-0 to Napa in the Big Game marked the 11th straight rivalry game defeat, Vintage would appear to be in a position to trend up either next season or the following.

Leach replaced Kyle Hofmann last March. The fact that Leach will have a full offseason to lead the program his way should already be a plus. When 14-18 year old youngsters go into an offseason knowing what to expect, it makes a difference. Couple that with the fact that the Crushers JV and freshmen teams each went 8-2. The reasons for optimism are well-founded, getting them to translate to success is another matter.

Justin-Siena

The Braves finished up the first season of the Brandon LaRocco era going 3-7. Injuries didn’t help but Justin went from good to bad without even stopping at mediocre. In the previous 19 seasons with Rich Cotruvo as head coach, the Braves went 144-74 with six NCS titles and were twice the runner-up. This past season, the Braves lost six games by double-figures, five by 20 or more points and three by 30 or more points. With a JV team that went 6-4, the question becomes can the Braves get back to respectability?