Part of the thrill of forming a new league is preserving long-standing rivalries. Then
again part of the intrigue, or consternation, is forming new ones.
again part of the intrigue, or consternation, is forming new ones.
The formation of the Vine Valley Athletic League brought Napa, Vintage,
Justin-Siena, American Canyon, Petaluma, Casa Grande and Sonoma under the
same umbrella. Casa Grande and Petaluma along with Napa and Vintage are two
rivalries preserved.
The former is known as the Egg Bowl but the two teams were not always in the
same league. Before joining the VVAL, Casa Grande was in the North Bay League.
Sonoma and Petaluma were in the Sonoma County League. Napa and Vintage,
which is known as the Big Game, have always been in the same league whether the
NBL or the Monticello Empire League, the former since 1976.
Justin-Siena, American Canyon, Petaluma, Casa Grande and Sonoma under the
same umbrella. Casa Grande and Petaluma along with Napa and Vintage are two
rivalries preserved.
The former is known as the Egg Bowl but the two teams were not always in the
same league. Before joining the VVAL, Casa Grande was in the North Bay League.
Sonoma and Petaluma were in the Sonoma County League. Napa and Vintage,
which is known as the Big Game, have always been in the same league whether the
NBL or the Monticello Empire League, the former since 1976.
By my own admission, I’m not familiar with how often Sonoma has played either
Petaluma and Casa Grande as nonleague opponents. However, I presume they have
met from time-to-time because of proximity. After all, only 13 miles separate Sonoma
and Petaluma. Before 2018, American Canyon played Sonoma twice, splitting the
two matchups. Napa played Casa Grande seven times in the previous ten years,
winning five of seven. Of the newly formed VVAL teams, Justin had only played
Sonoma, which was in 2002. Vintage played Petaluma twice, winning the 2014 and
2015 contests.
Petaluma and Casa Grande as nonleague opponents. However, I presume they have
met from time-to-time because of proximity. After all, only 13 miles separate Sonoma
and Petaluma. Before 2018, American Canyon played Sonoma twice, splitting the
two matchups. Napa played Casa Grande seven times in the previous ten years,
winning five of seven. Of the newly formed VVAL teams, Justin had only played
Sonoma, which was in 2002. Vintage played Petaluma twice, winning the 2014 and
2015 contests.
In the Napa Valley circle, Napa and Vintage playing each other is old hat as it has
happened every year since 1972. That rivalry, however, has become uncompelling
despite the great fan support and general attention it draws. Until Vintage broke
through with a 14-7 win last season, this rivalry had the “Napa is the hammer,
Vintage is the nail” feel with Napa winning 14 of the previous 15 matchups. With
Vintage seemingly on the upswing at 3-2 ad Napa trending down at 0-5, could things
be turning the other way? Keep in mind, last season Vintage went 7-3 while Napa
was 3-6.
happened every year since 1972. That rivalry, however, has become uncompelling
despite the great fan support and general attention it draws. Until Vintage broke
through with a 14-7 win last season, this rivalry had the “Napa is the hammer,
Vintage is the nail” feel with Napa winning 14 of the previous 15 matchups. With
Vintage seemingly on the upswing at 3-2 ad Napa trending down at 0-5, could things
be turning the other way? Keep in mind, last season Vintage went 7-3 while Napa
was 3-6.
The newly compelling rivalry is Vintage and American Canyon. I would never go as
far to say that this rivalry will replace Napa/Vintage, it has a natural rival feel. The
latter opened in 2010 but many American Canyon residents attended Vintage before
their hometown school opened. The two met as nonleague foes the previous two
years. In 2016, American Canyon’s speed won out, 42-14. In 2017, Vintage’s brute
force was the winning edge 28-14. The two teams meet for what could be the
deciding game for the VVAL title on Oct. 5. This is a styles make fights type of game
that I will expound on next week at this time.
far to say that this rivalry will replace Napa/Vintage, it has a natural rival feel. The
latter opened in 2010 but many American Canyon residents attended Vintage before
their hometown school opened. The two met as nonleague foes the previous two
years. In 2016, American Canyon’s speed won out, 42-14. In 2017, Vintage’s brute
force was the winning edge 28-14. The two teams meet for what could be the
deciding game for the VVAL title on Oct. 5. This is a styles make fights type of game
that I will expound on next week at this time.
The Napa Valley centric matchups that have never taken place are Justin vs. Napa,
Vintage and American Canyon along with American Canyon vs. Napa. Though
people have their theories on how the games will play out, the matchups are
compelling for the very reason that they have never taken place. I would love to have
seen American Canyon and Napa square off in say 2012 and 2016. I would love to
have seen Justin and Napa meet in 2004.
Vintage and American Canyon along with American Canyon vs. Napa. Though
people have their theories on how the games will play out, the matchups are
compelling for the very reason that they have never taken place. I would love to have
seen American Canyon and Napa square off in say 2012 and 2016. I would love to
have seen Justin and Napa meet in 2004.
Meeting now will not bring resolution to the what if game of those matchups but there
is an emotional side. The winning side will have alums saying, “I told you so.” The
losing side will say, “Big deal, the matchup didn’t happen then.”
is an emotional side. The winning side will have alums saying, “I told you so.” The
losing side will say, “Big deal, the matchup didn’t happen then.”
Next year at this time, we won’t be having this level of conversation because the
novelty will have dissipated.
novelty will have dissipated.
Though I no longer have a say since I do not work for the Napa Valley Register
anymore, it will take much of the guesswork out of All-Napa County voting in that
there is a common opponent/competition factor.
anymore, it will take much of the guesswork out of All-Napa County voting in that
there is a common opponent/competition factor.
The other half of the equation is newspaper recognition. I know that sounds trivial
but one narrative that I heard more than a few times in my days at the Register were
the heavy fixation of Napa/Vintage coverage. I don’t mean this to be a troll but it sells.
Justin beating Terra Linda or American Canyon beating Bethel is not going to carry
the same horsepower. People don’t want to hear that but it’s true. Now, Justin and
American Canyon can get recognized for their achievements just by osmosis.
but one narrative that I heard more than a few times in my days at the Register were
the heavy fixation of Napa/Vintage coverage. I don’t mean this to be a troll but it sells.
Justin beating Terra Linda or American Canyon beating Bethel is not going to carry
the same horsepower. People don’t want to hear that but it’s true. Now, Justin and
American Canyon can get recognized for their achievements just by osmosis.
In a sense, American Canyon had that benefit for years in the Vallejo Times Herald
because it was in the SCAC with two Vallejo schools and Benicia.
because it was in the SCAC with two Vallejo schools and Benicia.
To that end, the VVAL begins another subchapter.
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