This is the third story in a series featuring nonleague schedules for Napa Valley
high school football teams. Today, the focus is the Vintage Crushers:
high school football teams. Today, the focus is the Vintage Crushers:
If you are a Vintage Crusher football fan, times appear very promising on the surface.
After more than a decade of playing second fiddle to rivals such as Napa, and to a
lesser degree American Canyon and Justin-Siena, the Crushers now find themselves
in the role of hunted rather than hunter. Granted, Vintage and Justin have not played
on the field, the success of the former under then head coach Rich Cotruvo elevated
the program.
After more than a decade of playing second fiddle to rivals such as Napa, and to a
lesser degree American Canyon and Justin-Siena, the Crushers now find themselves
in the role of hunted rather than hunter. Granted, Vintage and Justin have not played
on the field, the success of the former under then head coach Rich Cotruvo elevated
the program.
Don’t get the wrong idea, Vintage is plenty hungry for success but opponents will
likely be as eager to defeat them. The 2017 season was a perfect storm for the
Crushers and the program seeks to continue riding the crest of momentum built last
season. After 16 years of being mostly fair-to-midland with back-to-back 1-9 seasons
in 2009-2010 along the way, the Crushers went 7-3 last season, their best since going
8-3 in 2000. Vintage reached the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs as the No.
15 seed, falling to No. 2 Inderkum 35-24. Vintage actually once led 24-21 in that
contest.
likely be as eager to defeat them. The 2017 season was a perfect storm for the
Crushers and the program seeks to continue riding the crest of momentum built last
season. After 16 years of being mostly fair-to-midland with back-to-back 1-9 seasons
in 2009-2010 along the way, the Crushers went 7-3 last season, their best since going
8-3 in 2000. Vintage reached the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs as the No.
15 seed, falling to No. 2 Inderkum 35-24. Vintage actually once led 24-21 in that
contest.
With head coach Dylan Leach entering his third season, the Crushers appear poised
to continue that trend of upward mobility. Vintage’s main rivals, Napa and American
Canyon, face uncertainty. Napa went sideways last season largely because of a
hazing scandal that led to a power struggle between former head coach Troy Mott
and the administration. Add to the recent dismissal of his replacement, Jesus
Martinez. Newly hired athletic director Tom Petithomme has been named the interim
coach but the enormous shakeup brings uncertainty. American Canyon, which went
7-4 last season, faces uncertainty because it is looking for a new head coach in lieu
of Larry Singer having resigned.
to continue that trend of upward mobility. Vintage’s main rivals, Napa and American
Canyon, face uncertainty. Napa went sideways last season largely because of a
hazing scandal that led to a power struggle between former head coach Troy Mott
and the administration. Add to the recent dismissal of his replacement, Jesus
Martinez. Newly hired athletic director Tom Petithomme has been named the interim
coach but the enormous shakeup brings uncertainty. American Canyon, which went
7-4 last season, faces uncertainty because it is looking for a new head coach in lieu
of Larry Singer having resigned.
In the meantime, the Vintage looks like a picture of stability. The Crushers have
gone 12-8 in Leach’s two seasons. Year 3 represents a huge change on another
front. Vintage, Napa and American Canyon are vacating the SJS for the North Coast
Section. The Crushers will now compete in the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic
League with Napa, Justin-Siena, American Canyon, Casa Grande, Petaluma and
Sonoma.
gone 12-8 in Leach’s two seasons. Year 3 represents a huge change on another
front. Vintage, Napa and American Canyon are vacating the SJS for the North Coast
Section. The Crushers will now compete in the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic
League with Napa, Justin-Siena, American Canyon, Casa Grande, Petaluma and
Sonoma.
Before each high school football season, one of the most comical things to listen to
is fans, parents and even coaches talking about their team’s strength of schedule or
someone else’s lack of schedule strength.
is fans, parents and even coaches talking about their team’s strength of schedule or
someone else’s lack of schedule strength.
Each time I hear such sentiments I ask myself, “OK, and what exactly are you basing
your statement on?” Is it last year’s record? Is it based on how many starters a team
has returning? Even though an opponent is subpar now are you basing it on
remembering them as a powerhouse?
your statement on?” Is it last year’s record? Is it based on how many starters a team
has returning? Even though an opponent is subpar now are you basing it on
remembering them as a powerhouse?
The formula used for breaking down the nonleague is looking at last season’s record
and the collective mark of the past five seasons. In addition, what are that team’s
trends within the five-year period? Is that record skewed by one really good or bad
season? The problem with solely going by last season’s record is that one season
does not transfer to the next?
and the collective mark of the past five seasons. In addition, what are that team’s
trends within the five-year period? Is that record skewed by one really good or bad
season? The problem with solely going by last season’s record is that one season
does not transfer to the next?
The Crushers’ 2018 nonleague foes have gone a combined 133-78 the previous
five seasons and 23-30 in 2017.
five seasons and 23-30 in 2017.
Here is a closer look:
At Will C. Wood (Vacaville)
August 17
The Crushers and Wildcats were MEL adversaries for 26 years and meet this time
as nonleague foes. Wood was 5-5 in 2017 and 34-21 the last five seasons. That
record is skewed by a 10-2 mark in 2015. The Wildcats have seven starters returning
but lose quarterback Carson Strong and running back Daniel McFadden. Wood’s JV
team was 1-9 last season. In head-to-head competition, however, the Wildcats have
had the upper hand on Vintage, winning four of the previous five. The lone win in that
span by the Crushers was in 2016, 28-27. Wood won the matchups in 2013 (24-6),
2014 (42-28), 2015 (56-39) and 2017 (24-21).
as nonleague foes. Wood was 5-5 in 2017 and 34-21 the last five seasons. That
record is skewed by a 10-2 mark in 2015. The Wildcats have seven starters returning
but lose quarterback Carson Strong and running back Daniel McFadden. Wood’s JV
team was 1-9 last season. In head-to-head competition, however, the Wildcats have
had the upper hand on Vintage, winning four of the previous five. The lone win in that
span by the Crushers was in 2016, 28-27. Wood won the matchups in 2013 (24-6),
2014 (42-28), 2015 (56-39) and 2017 (24-21).
Vs. Acalanes (Lafayette)
August 24
Acalanes, which is led by former Solano Community College head coach Floyd
Burnsed, has endured a checkered last five seasons in going 33-26. The Dons were
a combined 16-8 in 2013-2014; 8-15 in 2015-2016 and 9-2 in 2017. Acalanes has a
combined 11 starters returning and its JV team went 7-2.
Burnsed, has endured a checkered last five seasons in going 33-26. The Dons were
a combined 16-8 in 2013-2014; 8-15 in 2015-2016 and 9-2 in 2017. Acalanes has a
combined 11 starters returning and its JV team went 7-2.
Vs. Lincoln (Stockton)
August 31
Lincoln went 5-6 in 2017 and has compiled a 24-30 mark the last five seasons,
going 4-7 on the low end and 6-5 on the high end. Between 2004-2012, the Trojans
never had a season of fewer than eight victories. The two teams met last season
with Vintage winning 24-21, rallying from a 21-0 deficit.
going 4-7 on the low end and 6-5 on the high end. Between 2004-2012, the Trojans
never had a season of fewer than eight victories. The two teams met last season
with Vintage winning 24-21, rallying from a 21-0 deficit.
Vs. Bellarmine Prep (San Jose)
September 7
Bellarmine Prep carries much name recognition as a West Catholic League team
with perennial powerhouses like Serra (San Mateo). Despite a record of 42-21 the
previous five years, the Bells are in stock down mode, going 4-7 in 2017 and 7-5 in
2016. From 2014-2015, Bellarmine went 23-5. The Bells lost the CCS Open
championship to Serra in 2014. The following year, the Bells defeated Milpitas for
the CCS Open I title and advanced to the CIF State I-AA Bowl game before losing
to Mission Viejo.
with perennial powerhouses like Serra (San Mateo). Despite a record of 42-21 the
previous five years, the Bells are in stock down mode, going 4-7 in 2017 and 7-5 in
2016. From 2014-2015, Bellarmine went 23-5. The Bells lost the CCS Open
championship to Serra in 2014. The following year, the Bells defeated Milpitas for
the CCS Open I title and advanced to the CIF State I-AA Bowl game before losing
to Mission Viejo.
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