Week 5 of Napa Valley high school football teams could be described as Happy Days and we
don’t mean Richie Cunningham.
don’t mean Richie Cunningham.
Three of the four teams that took the field were winners. Napa and Calistoga did not play.
The former had a scheduled bye week.
The former had a scheduled bye week.
American Canyon and Vintage each throttled their opponents, 47-0 over Sonoma and 44-0
over Casa Grande (Petaluma) respectively. St. Helena defeated Clear Lake 25-14 while
Justin-Siena fell to Petaluma 31-28. American Canyon and Vintage meet on Oct. 5 for what
could be a pivotal showdown in the Vine Valley Athletic League.
over Casa Grande (Petaluma) respectively. St. Helena defeated Clear Lake 25-14 while
Justin-Siena fell to Petaluma 31-28. American Canyon and Vintage meet on Oct. 5 for what
could be a pivotal showdown in the Vine Valley Athletic League.
Here’s a closer look in alphabetical order:
AMERICAN CANYON
Looking back: Trips to Sonoma are like a step back in time: football field mixed with a
baseball diamond and a grass field. The Wolves, however, threw Sonoma back about a
century. Sonoma recovered a fumbled American Canyon kickoff at the Wolves 16 to open the
game but turned it over on downs. One could make the argument that if Sonoma took
advantage of the early miscue, perhaps the game becomes more competitive. However, you
can’t ignore getting outgained 425-8 in total yardage. The Dragons achieved just one first
down, which was on an American Canyon penalty. American Canyon rolled up its yardage
total without having an 100 yard rusher.
baseball diamond and a grass field. The Wolves, however, threw Sonoma back about a
century. Sonoma recovered a fumbled American Canyon kickoff at the Wolves 16 to open the
game but turned it over on downs. One could make the argument that if Sonoma took
advantage of the early miscue, perhaps the game becomes more competitive. However, you
can’t ignore getting outgained 425-8 in total yardage. The Dragons achieved just one first
down, which was on an American Canyon penalty. American Canyon rolled up its yardage
total without having an 100 yard rusher.
Looking ahead: Though the Wolves schedule has featured better landing spots than their
brutal nonleague slate, American Canyon appears to be righting its ship at the right time.
The Wolves host a winless Napa team that had a bye. The Wolves offense went to a no
huddle approach on three of their first four possessions against Sonoma. Could a similar
approach be in store to get a stumbling Napa team on its heels?
brutal nonleague slate, American Canyon appears to be righting its ship at the right time.
The Wolves host a winless Napa team that had a bye. The Wolves offense went to a no
huddle approach on three of their first four possessions against Sonoma. Could a similar
approach be in store to get a stumbling Napa team on its heels?
JUSTIN-SIENA
Looking back: For the second time in as many weeks, the Braves showed they could go
toe-to-toe with a large school in its new league. However, Justin finds itself 0-2 in the
VVAL despite two losses by a combined four points. The Braves had no answer for Petaluma
running back Garrett Freitas, who had 232 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. Braves
quarterback Barrett Donohoe completed 14 of 26 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
He also scored on a 62 yard run. For the second time in as many weeks, Justin dug itself a
two-touchdown hole only to fight back and fall short.
toe-to-toe with a large school in its new league. However, Justin finds itself 0-2 in the
VVAL despite two losses by a combined four points. The Braves had no answer for Petaluma
running back Garrett Freitas, who had 232 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. Braves
quarterback Barrett Donohoe completed 14 of 26 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
He also scored on a 62 yard run. For the second time in as many weeks, Justin dug itself a
two-touchdown hole only to fight back and fall short.
Looking ahead: Justin gets what appears to be a good landing spot, which is a trip to
Sonoma. The Dragons entered Friday’s matchup against American Canyon riding the crest
of a two-game winning streak. Sonoma, however, crash-landed with a 47-0 loss to the Wolves
in which it was outgained 425-8 in total yardage. If the Braves want even a decent seed in the
CIF North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs, they can’t let this game slip.
Sonoma. The Dragons entered Friday’s matchup against American Canyon riding the crest
of a two-game winning streak. Sonoma, however, crash-landed with a 47-0 loss to the Wolves
in which it was outgained 425-8 in total yardage. If the Braves want even a decent seed in the
CIF North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs, they can’t let this game slip.
ST. HELENA
Looking back: The win was no work of art but it was a crucial one nonetheless for a Saints
team that has visions of a return trip to the NCS Div. V playoffs. St. Helena’s defense, which
had been beset by big plays, pitched a shutout in the second half after trailing 14-6 in the
second quarter. The Saints also did not allow a 16-play game-opening drive by Clear Lake
that resulted in a touchdown after chewing up nine minutes affect them. The defense’s heavy
lifting gave the offense a chance to give the Saints the lead for good.
team that has visions of a return trip to the NCS Div. V playoffs. St. Helena’s defense, which
had been beset by big plays, pitched a shutout in the second half after trailing 14-6 in the
second quarter. The Saints also did not allow a 16-play game-opening drive by Clear Lake
that resulted in a touchdown after chewing up nine minutes affect them. The defense’s heavy
lifting gave the offense a chance to give the Saints the lead for good.
Looking ahead: While St. Helena is far from being a great team, it gets what appears to be a
favorable landing spot with a road matchup at Willits. The Wolverines are 0-5 and have been
outscored 189-79. Willits also lost 32-13 to a Clear Lake team that was shutout three weeks in
a row. For the Saints, the task is simple. Get to Willits safely and avoid mistakes.
favorable landing spot with a road matchup at Willits. The Wolverines are 0-5 and have been
outscored 189-79. Willits also lost 32-13 to a Clear Lake team that was shutout three weeks in
a row. For the Saints, the task is simple. Get to Willits safely and avoid mistakes.
VINTAGE
Looking back: The Crushers looked exactly like the team they have tried to build in the
offseason, they may not be the most athletically gifted team but they can maul opponents with
the best of them. Vintage led 8-0 after one quarter before scoring 22 unanswered in the second
quarter and it was game, set, match for Casa Grande. The Crushers won with an age old
football adage: run the ball and stop the run. Vintage outrushed the Gauchos 422-31. This
performance came against a Gaucho team that features multiple linemen that weigh North of
300 pounds.
offseason, they may not be the most athletically gifted team but they can maul opponents with
the best of them. Vintage led 8-0 after one quarter before scoring 22 unanswered in the second
quarter and it was game, set, match for Casa Grande. The Crushers won with an age old
football adage: run the ball and stop the run. Vintage outrushed the Gauchos 422-31. This
performance came against a Gaucho team that features multiple linemen that weigh North of
300 pounds.
Looking ahead: The first six quarters of the season, Vintage was outscored 63-15. From that
point on, the Crushers have outscored foes 117-35. It’s safe to say that Vintage is performing
like the team most people (myself included) thought they would be. The Crushers visit
Petaluma on Friday. The Trojans are a triple option team. The key for the Crusher defense will
be staying sound with assignments.
point on, the Crushers have outscored foes 117-35. It’s safe to say that Vintage is performing
like the team most people (myself included) thought they would be. The Crushers visit
Petaluma on Friday. The Trojans are a triple option team. The key for the Crusher defense will
be staying sound with assignments.
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