High school football made its triumphant return around much of the
United States and the Napa Valley was no exception.
United States and the Napa Valley was no exception.
Five of the six teams were in action on Friday, with Calistoga having
a bye, and began their seasons in auspicious fashion. Vintage (41-0
over Wood-Vacaville), American Canyon (40-8 over Deer Valley-
Antioch), Justin-Siena (35-9 over Piedmont), Napa (33-13 over
Middletown) and St. Helena (46-27 over St. Patrick’s-Vallejo)
delivered decisive wins to open the 2018 campaign.
a bye, and began their seasons in auspicious fashion. Vintage (41-0
over Wood-Vacaville), American Canyon (40-8 over Deer Valley-
Antioch), Justin-Siena (35-9 over Piedmont), Napa (33-13 over
Middletown) and St. Helena (46-27 over St. Patrick’s-Vallejo)
delivered decisive wins to open the 2018 campaign.
Here is a closer look in alphabetical order:
AMERICAN CANYON WOLVES
Looking back: This game was a contest of role reversal. In last season’s
meeting in the season-opener, Deer Valley took a 22-0 first half lead on
the way to a 36-21 win at American Canyon. On Friday in Antioch, the
Wolves returned the favor on the Wolverines as American Canyon
scored 40 unanswered points before a late Deer Valley touchdown
averted a shutout. Ezekiel Anderson’s interception for a touchdown was
the game’s first score and American Canyon never looked back. Anderson
also added a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Vance Eschenburg threw
one touchdown and ran for another.
meeting in the season-opener, Deer Valley took a 22-0 first half lead on
the way to a 36-21 win at American Canyon. On Friday in Antioch, the
Wolves returned the favor on the Wolverines as American Canyon
scored 40 unanswered points before a late Deer Valley touchdown
averted a shutout. Ezekiel Anderson’s interception for a touchdown was
the game’s first score and American Canyon never looked back. Anderson
also added a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Vance Eschenburg threw
one touchdown and ran for another.
Looking ahead: With the exception of the 2016 season when the Wolves
went 11-2, slow starts have plagued the program in recent years, 1-5 in
2015, 0-3 in 2017 and 0-4 in 2018, only to bounce back with strong
second halves of the season. American Canyon appears positioned for a
strong start in head coach John Montante’s second season. The Wolves
host St. Patrick’s (Vallejo) in what is compelling on the surface due to the
regional proximity of being about 10 miles apart. The Bruins lost 46-27
to St. Helena, which figures to be a series threat in Div. VII of the CIF
North Coast Section. The Wolves, meanwhile, have the look of a team
that is a serious threat to win the Vine Valley Athletic League.
went 11-2, slow starts have plagued the program in recent years, 1-5 in
2015, 0-3 in 2017 and 0-4 in 2018, only to bounce back with strong
second halves of the season. American Canyon appears positioned for a
strong start in head coach John Montante’s second season. The Wolves
host St. Patrick’s (Vallejo) in what is compelling on the surface due to the
regional proximity of being about 10 miles apart. The Bruins lost 46-27
to St. Helena, which figures to be a series threat in Div. VII of the CIF
North Coast Section. The Wolves, meanwhile, have the look of a team
that is a serious threat to win the Vine Valley Athletic League.
JUSTIN-SIENA BRAVES
Looking back: The Braves overcame a slow start to beat Piedmont for
the first time in the regular season since 2013. Justin, however, defeated
the Highlanders in the 2014 and 2018 NCS Div. IV playoffs. Junior
quarterback Hudson Beers made good on 12 of 24 passes for 212 yards
and a pair of touchdowns. Miles Williams was on the receiving end for
a touchdown and returned a blocked punt for a score. The Braves defense
also had an outstanding night in allowing just 175 yards on 60 plays.
the first time in the regular season since 2013. Justin, however, defeated
the Highlanders in the 2014 and 2018 NCS Div. IV playoffs. Junior
quarterback Hudson Beers made good on 12 of 24 passes for 212 yards
and a pair of touchdowns. Miles Williams was on the receiving end for
a touchdown and returned a blocked punt for a score. The Braves defense
also had an outstanding night in allowing just 175 yards on 60 plays.
Looking ahead: Justin visits the Healdsburg Greyhounds on Friday.
The once perennial contender forfeited its 2016 season after two games
based on a lack of roster size. That second game was a 61-0 loss to Justin.
Though football has returned to Healdsburg, it has not been a triumphant
one. The Greyhounds lost 46-6 on Saturday to the Sir Francis Drake
(San Anselmo) Pirates, who entered the season having recorded a 12-37
record the past five seasons. The score could have been worse if not for
two Drake touchdowns being nullified by penalties.
The once perennial contender forfeited its 2016 season after two games
based on a lack of roster size. That second game was a 61-0 loss to Justin.
Though football has returned to Healdsburg, it has not been a triumphant
one. The Greyhounds lost 46-6 on Saturday to the Sir Francis Drake
(San Anselmo) Pirates, who entered the season having recorded a 12-37
record the past five seasons. The score could have been worse if not for
two Drake touchdowns being nullified by penalties.
NAPA GRIZZLIES
Looking back: Eleven games and 665 days later, Napa football is back
in the win column in head coach Richie Wessman’s debut. The last time
that happened, the Grizzlies were known as the Indians. Napa put the
reigning NCS Div. V champs in the hole early as junior phenom Brock
Bowers returned the opening kickoff 75 yards to paydirt. Bowers, who
has received various offers from Div. I schools, caught two touchdowns
from quarterback Isaiah Newton. Trey Dennis carried 28 times for 117
yards. The Napa defense, which was routinely shredded in 2018,
yielded 240 yards on 45 plays. The Grizzlies took a 20-0 lead before
Middletown vut it to 20-6 midway through the third quarter but Napa
was never in danger of losing.
in the win column in head coach Richie Wessman’s debut. The last time
that happened, the Grizzlies were known as the Indians. Napa put the
reigning NCS Div. V champs in the hole early as junior phenom Brock
Bowers returned the opening kickoff 75 yards to paydirt. Bowers, who
has received various offers from Div. I schools, caught two touchdowns
from quarterback Isaiah Newton. Trey Dennis carried 28 times for 117
yards. The Napa defense, which was routinely shredded in 2018,
yielded 240 yards on 45 plays. The Grizzlies took a 20-0 lead before
Middletown vut it to 20-6 midway through the third quarter but Napa
was never in danger of losing.
Looking ahead: While you don’t want to anoint a youngster prematurely,
Bowers has the potential to be among the all-time greats in Napa Valley
high school football history by the time his career ends. Though the
program can feel good again about getting into the win column, fair or
unfair, a Div. II team beating a Div. VI is not going to help the NCS
playoff resume. The Grizzlies would appear to have a good chance to
start 2-0 as they host the Nevada Union (Grass Valley) Miners. Nevada
Union, which was once a revered program, lost 31-12 to Yuba City and
has not had a winning season since 2011.
Bowers has the potential to be among the all-time greats in Napa Valley
high school football history by the time his career ends. Though the
program can feel good again about getting into the win column, fair or
unfair, a Div. II team beating a Div. VI is not going to help the NCS
playoff resume. The Grizzlies would appear to have a good chance to
start 2-0 as they host the Nevada Union (Grass Valley) Miners. Nevada
Union, which was once a revered program, lost 31-12 to Yuba City and
has not had a winning season since 2011.
ST. HELENA SAINTS
Looking back: Though St. Helena only trailed once, 7-6 in the first
quarter, this game had a back and forth feel, before the Saints slammed
the door. St. Helena clinged to a 30-27 lead later in the third quarter
before George Cutting and Cody DiTomaso touchdowns iced the game.
The latter capped an 11 play, 97 yard drive. DiTomaso also intercepted
a pass near the goal-line to halt a Bruins drive. The Saints piled up 477
yards rushing led by Ivan Robledo (15 carries, 217 yards, three
touchdowns), DiTomaso (17 carries, 150 yards, two touchdowns).
The Bruins brought a potent rushing attack of their own led by Ja’vione
Sheppard (16 carries, 166 yards, one touchdown) and Bobby Brooks
(24 carries, 150 yards, one touchdown).
quarter, this game had a back and forth feel, before the Saints slammed
the door. St. Helena clinged to a 30-27 lead later in the third quarter
before George Cutting and Cody DiTomaso touchdowns iced the game.
The latter capped an 11 play, 97 yard drive. DiTomaso also intercepted
a pass near the goal-line to halt a Bruins drive. The Saints piled up 477
yards rushing led by Ivan Robledo (15 carries, 217 yards, three
touchdowns), DiTomaso (17 carries, 150 yards, two touchdowns).
The Bruins brought a potent rushing attack of their own led by Ja’vione
Sheppard (16 carries, 166 yards, one touchdown) and Bobby Brooks
(24 carries, 150 yards, one touchdown).
Looking back: The Bruins may not be the State Championship level
team they were in 2016 and 2017 but they have enough athletes to be a
problem for opponents. All told, a gratifying win for the Saints who
have a talented but small roster with 17 players. St. Helena would appear
to have a good chance at 2-0 as Drake comes to North Napa Valley. Drake
pounded Healdsburg 46-6 but it’s hard to put much stock in that win
given that the Greyhounds forfeited the 2018 season after two games.
team they were in 2016 and 2017 but they have enough athletes to be a
problem for opponents. All told, a gratifying win for the Saints who
have a talented but small roster with 17 players. St. Helena would appear
to have a good chance at 2-0 as Drake comes to North Napa Valley. Drake
pounded Healdsburg 46-6 but it’s hard to put much stock in that win
given that the Greyhounds forfeited the 2018 season after two games.
VINTAGE CRUSHERS
Looking back: Wood has been a headache to the Crushers, having won
seven of the last ten head-to-head matchups dating back to 2009 but on
Friday it was the Wildcats that needed Excedrin as Vintage delivered an
“I Owe You” to the Wildcats. The Crushers beat the Wildcats from pillar-
to-post in out gaining them 367-85 in total yards. Mauricio Castro rushed
for two scores while Pedja Zivkovic rushed for one touchdown and
returned a fumble for a score. Harrison Barrett also produced a takeaway
for the Crusher defense with an interception.
seven of the last ten head-to-head matchups dating back to 2009 but on
Friday it was the Wildcats that needed Excedrin as Vintage delivered an
“I Owe You” to the Wildcats. The Crushers beat the Wildcats from pillar-
to-post in out gaining them 367-85 in total yards. Mauricio Castro rushed
for two scores while Pedja Zivkovic rushed for one touchdown and
returned a fumble for a score. Harrison Barrett also produced a takeaway
for the Crusher defense with an interception.
Looking ahead: The Crushers have the look of a well-oiled machine and
there’s every reason to think they will be in line to repeat as VVAL
champions, though American Canyon and Napa could have a say in that
matter. Vintage travels to El Cerrito on Friday. The Gauchos lost 42-6 to
Marin Catholic but given the opponent’s perennial status as a high-level
program, it’s hard to put any negative stock in that defeat.
there’s every reason to think they will be in line to repeat as VVAL
champions, though American Canyon and Napa could have a say in that
matter. Vintage travels to El Cerrito on Friday. The Gauchos lost 42-6 to
Marin Catholic but given the opponent’s perennial status as a high-level
program, it’s hard to put any negative stock in that defeat.
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