Getting the AC-Vanden football matchup back is a good thing

Sometimes a change in plan is a good thing even if it involves a more difficult path.

At a recent Solano County Athletic Conference league meeting, officials and administrators agreed to have American Canyon and Vanden High Schools play each other on Friday, Oct. 27, rather than their regularly scheduled games against Fairfield and Vallejo respectively.

The American Canyon Wolves and Vanden Vikings were slated to play each other in a highly anticipated SCAC showdown on Oct. 13. Mother Nature, however, had other plans with wildfires raging throughout the North Bay destroying numerous structures and producing unsafe air quality. As a result several games throughout the the region were cancelled. Various other games around Northern California, however, were cancelled on Oct. 20.

Vallejo Times Herald sports editor Matt O’Donnell wrote a column suggesting that the league forgo the regularly scheduled matchups involving American Canyon and Fairfield along with Vanden and Vallejo. O’Donnell’s column ran prior to the meeting. I can’t quantify if the league’s decision was based on what he wrote but I’ve got to think O’Donnell making his opinion known in the public domain opened some people’s eyes.

One solution would have been to make up the cancelled games, which would have lengthened the regular season and subsequently postseason. The problem is that the fires only affected certain areas because the ones unaffected still played their games. Since football only plays a game once per week, recovery time is a greater emphasis than other sports because of the physical nature. I would have been in favor of making up the cancelled games and shortening the playoff field. At most every level of sport, playoff formats are more watered down than a flat Budweiser.

From a personal and professional standpoint, I’m glad the league made this decision. For openers, there would have been nothing compelling about an American Canyon-Fairfield or Vanden-Vallejo matchup. While I mean no disrespect to Fairfield or Vallejo, those teams are a combined 3-10 overall and have mostly been God awful the past decade while American Canyon and Vanden are a composite 8-6 and have been perennial contenders.

Translation, American Canyon and Vanden likely would have railroaded Fairfield and Vallejo respectively. Sure, I could drum up a scenario like what happened in 2012 but I could also tell you that I’m a psychologist in Romania. To refresh your memory, Vallejo finished 3-7 overall and 3-2 in SCAC but in consecutive weeks beat American Canyon (33-28) and Benicia (28-19). That season, Benicia went 8-4 overall and 3-2 in SCAC and along the way defeated Patteson in the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III playoffs 27-24. American Canyon went 11-2 overall and won sole possession of the SCAC, reaching the semifinals of the SJS Div. III playoffs before losing Oakdale, which reached the State title game.

The narrative before the 2017 campaign was that the SCAC title was going to be a battle between American Canyon, Vanden and Benicia. The reason would have been considered well-founded because one of those team’s has won the SCAC title since 2012, either sole possession or shared. The last time someone else won the SCAC title was 2011 with the Bethel Jaguars taking the crown.

After last night’s proceedings, both American Canyon and Vanden are 2-0 and tied for first atop the SCAC. American Canyon defeated Bethel 41-12 while Vanden boatraced Benicia 52-7.

American Canyon finishes the regular season at Benicia (1-1 in SCAC) on Nov. 4. The biggest reason I like the decision for the change is that with all three teams playing each other, it takes “what if” or “yeah but” out of the equation.

Vanden and American Canyon enter this contest 3-4 and 4-3 overall respectively.

Vanden’s nonleague foes have a combined record of 31-7 with a calpreps.com ranking average of 34.1. American Canyon’s nonleague opposition has a combined record of 28-10 with a calpreps.com ranking average of 20.24. The two teams have one common opponent: Vintage. Vanden handed Vintage its only loss of 2017, 14-0. Vintage defeated American Canyon 28-14. By that logic, Vanden should win this game 42-14. It always works out that way, right? Except the game has to play on the field. Sorry, I never resist the chance to throw shade at those who say, “Team A beat Team B by 17 while Team B only beat Team C by 14. Therefore Team A should beat Team C by 31.”

American Canyon is seeking its sixth SCAC title (solo or shared) in as many seasons before heading to the CIF North Coast Section. The interesting subplot to this game was that last season’s matchup at Vanden featured a Wolves team that was 6-0 and was outscoring teams 328-118, an average of 54.7-19.7. Vanden knocked the Wolves off the ranks of the unbeaten 24-21.

Given the fact that the Wolves were already humbled by starting 0-3, this game had their attention the moment they walked off Corbus Field on Friday. By no means am I suggesting the Wolves were overconfident last season but let’s also be honest, when a team goes 6-0 and wins decisively, it’s human nature to believe your own hype regardless of how much the coaches say all the right things.

Also, while the Wolves have won four straight after an 0-3, they have made enough mistakes that will prove costly against a better team. American Canyon, from coaches to players, know there are no more mulligans.

We should be thrilled we are getting the Vanden-American Canyon showdown after all.

It seems like forever since I wrote about sports

The date was October, 6, 2017. Why is that significant? I went to work like many Americans that day, more regionally like those who live in the Northern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Napa, CA. Forty-hours later, however, lives would take a few off-ramps.

I went to work as a route sales representative for Alhambra Water in Contra Costa County with the route day going everywhere between Brentwood and Concord. After work, I proceeded to Napoli’s Pizza in Vallejo, CA for a pregame/post work meal. From there, it was off to Corbus Field in Vallejo as a freelance writer to cover the high school football game between the American Canyon Wolves and Vallejo Redhawks for the Napa Valley Register as I keep my passion afloat after leaving the newspaper industry with 18 years of experience as a sports reporter. I have enjoyed the career change but I love writing too much to let it go. On that night, the Wolves looked very solid in their Solano County Athletic Conference opener in beating Vallejo 41-12.

The two Napa Valley matchups I was eagerly anticipating the following week, with no slight at the others, were American Canyon hosting Vanden and Vintage visiting Vacaville. Could American Canyon avenge last season’s 24-21 loss and take a step toward winning sole possession of the SCAC? Could the upstart Vintage Crushers beat traditional Monticello Empire League power Vacaville?

Unfortunately, these questions were never answered. As of this writing, October 6, 2017, was only 11 days ago -- but it feels like 11 years ago.

There were 17 wildfires spread over four counties, burning thousands of structures and changing numerous lives. As of this writing, the death toll had reached 40 and the fire was collectively about 70-80 percent contained.

The Napa Valley Unified School District and most others had hoped to reopen schools Wednesday, more than a week after fires swept through the area and closed all the county's districts.

"We committed to making attendance decisions based on air quality, and the forecast for the week continues to include periods in the red (unhealthy) and purple (very unhealthy) zones," the NVUSD said on its Facebook page around midday. "There is just too much variability in air quality to be confident for an entire school day.

"We are committed to getting students back in school as quickly as possible, but only when the air quality situation is more reliably orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) or better."

The district said it would communicate separately with staff and faculty about when they would be expected to return to work.

As it pertains to athletics, the entire week of sporting events were cancelled and it’s not a slamdunk anything changes this week despite hope. NVUSD athletic director Jill Stewart said in an e-mail that practices were scheduled to resume Tuesday with both the district and county having a detailed plan pertaining to air quality due to the

fires.  Stewart added that as the air quality improves student-athletes will begin

practice and competition outdoors.

As of this writing, rain is in the forecast for Thursday night into Friday morning. If such is the case, that would speed up the containment of the fires and thus improve air quality. The only question is, would teams be given enough practice time to prepare for games? The real answer is no.

As a sports fan/blogger/freelance writer, I have conflicting emotions. I understand the safety aspect. Don’t get anything twisted, I believe safety should come first. As a sports parent myself, I understand that aspect even more. Selfishly, however, I want to see the student-athletes have sports as a healthy outlet.

Come to think of it, wasn’t I at Corbus Field 11 days ago? Or does it seem like 11 years ago?

What Napa strong means to me as a native

Life can be full of curveballs. The curveball that Northern California had thrown at it last Monday, Oct. 8, in the wee hours of the morning was nastier than anything Sandy Koufax or Bert Blyleven ever dealt.

Being a native of Napa, CA, I mainly focus on Napa County along with neighboring ones such as Sonoma County to the West and Solano County to the East and Lake County to the North. The 17 wildfires spread over four counties, burning thousands of structures and changing numerous lives. As of this writing, the death toll had reached 40 and the fire was collectively about 40-50 percent contained.

On the surface, last Sunday was like most any other, watch NFL games, relax and enjoy dinner with my wife and three kids. In between, I spent time blogging about two key upcoming high school matchups that involved Vintage at Vacaville and Vanden at American Canyon.

Posting the aforementioned blog item became a moot point when Napa Valley Unified School District athletic director Jill Stewart alerted that all school events throughout the week would be cancelled. Also as of this writing NVUSD closed all schools with sessions tentatively scheduled to resume on Wednesday.

As it pertains to my family, fortunately since we live on the valley floor here in Napa, CA, we are safe but breathing in the smoke has been unpleasant to say the least. Five of my immediate and/or extended families with D’Adamo and/or Santi lineage, however, evacuated their homes. As of this writing, they are safe and so too are their homes. I have friends and/or acquaintances, however, that were not so fortunate.

Even those not affected by the fire were forced to make due without electricity, phone service and internet access. As one who grew up without the internet, that was not a big deal but the lack of power and phone service made acquiring information and communicating a slow process. Many people not affected in Napa regained all three elements by Tuesday afternoon, as in Oct. 9. Given that I grew up without cell phones and internet, not having those elements were not a huge deal but having friends and family from afar text and instant message via Facebook not knowing our well-being was difficult. Lacking the aforementioned elements also made acquiring information and communicating a slow process.

While at present, the fire is far from over, things seem far less frightening now. Having lived in Napa for 39 of the 45 years I have been alive, we have seen earthquakes, floods and fires. This event, however, has been the most difficult to endure bar none. The earthquakes and floods were singular events. They come and go but within a few days, you are on to rebuilding your life. With this fire, wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour on Monday morning set the blaze out of control. The containment was also a process: a) evacuate lives, b) bring in resources from surrounding states to fight the fires and c) the actual process of containing the fire.

Granted, this disaster has been trying on the communities but it is also a reminder why I am proud to be a native Napan. Sure, the community has changed, for the better in some ways but in others not so much, but unless you are small town Mid-America how many hometowns stay the same? That story, however, falls into the “another discussion for another day” category.

The common denominator about Napa through all the aforementioned natural disasters, the community bands together. Local media (Napa Valley Register and KVON 1440 AM) gave round the clock updates. KVON opened its phone lines to eyewitness reports. Whether it was donating items to evacuation centers, providing a safe haven for those that had to leave their homes, or simply being neighborly has been absolutely refreshing. Granted, there are isolated incidents of selfishness but the outpouring of helping hands outshine that act.

As I drive around town and see signs reading things like “Napa Strong,” “We Will Rebuild,” “Thank a First Responder,” etc. gives the community like feeling that we are in this battle together. I get that Napa Valley is known as the Wine Country and people from all over the world come to see it. Tourists feed this valley but in times of crisis, this community’s ability to band together takes a back seat to very few. Translation, you don’t see nonsense such as looting and if it happens, it’s not tolerated. I hope we never lose that element where we circle the wagons in times of crisis.

I also hope life doesn’t deliver anymore curveballs like this one.

SIDEBAR STORY

While the fire avoided my parents’ home, they were evacuated for a week before returning on Saturday night. With roads being closed, I could not see if their home in rural Napa was spared since it was within a couple miles of the city limits. Based on information I heard from my oldest sister along with one of their neighbors, I was confident. However, when road closures were lifted, I had the chance to drive to the house and see it still upright. Regardless of how confident you are in second hand information, nothing beats visual evidence.

Sometimes passions take a back seat

Sometimes life delivers a dose of humble pie.

My Sunday, as in Oct. 8, went like most, watch Sunday NFL games, relax and enjoy dinner with my wife and three kids. In between, I spent time blogging about two key upcoming high school matchups that involved Vintage at Vacaville and Vanden at American Canyon. My narratives for both games were: a) Can the resurgent and upstart Vintage Crushers take down traditional Monticello Empire League powerhouse Vacaville? b) Could the American Canyon  Wolves deliver an I Owe You to Vanden, which defeated American Canyon 24-21 to knock them off the ranks of the unbeaten? Right now, thinking about those games seems like a lifetime ago.

I was ready to post that blog item before leaving Monday morning for work. Late on Sunday night, however, Mother Nature had other ideas as wildfires began tearing through Northern California including but not limited to Napa and Sonoma Counties. By Monday afternoon, 14 major fires burned throughout the state, according to Cal Fire. As of Wednesday, more than 20 fires are burning in Northern California over 170,000 acres. I’m not going to update anything beyond that information since the unpredictable wind patterns make the situation extremely fluid. Posting the aforementioned blog item became a moot point when Napa Valley Unified School District athletic director Jill Stewart alerted that all school events throughout the week would be cancelled.

As it pertains to my family, fortunately since we live on the valley floor here in Napa, CA, we are safe but breathing in the smoke has been unpleasant to say the least. Five of my immediate and/or extended families with D’Adamo and/or Santi lineage, however, evacuated their homes. As of this writing, they are safe and so too are their homes. I have friends and/or acquaintances, however, that were not so fortunate.

Even those not affected by the fire were forced to make due without electricity, phone service and internet access. As one who grew up without the internet, that was not a big deal but the lack of power and phone service made acquiring information and communicating a slow process. Many people not affected in Napa regained all three elements by Tuesday afternoon, as in Oct. 9. The good news on that front was being able to regain communication. I had people, family and friends, texting and/or instant messaging via social media curious as to our well-being. When I was slow to respond, they naturally became concerned.

I will resume blogging about my passion, sports, before too long but until there is at least reasonable resolution, that passion will remain on the pause button. Stay safe and use good judgment, people.

Time Out with Dawson Trent -- 2018 Napa High senior

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

Dawson Trent: My favorite thing would have to be winning and that athletics has opened up many opportunities for me.

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

Trent: My plans are to play college football.

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

Trent: I would like to get into law enforcement and become a game warden because I want to protect animals from people who hunt illegally.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at Napa High? What have you enjoyed most about it?

Trent: My favorite class at Napa High would have to be my TA period for Mr. (Ian) MacMillan last year. He was my football coach and he was always there for me no matter what.

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

Trent: My dad because he has always guided me in the right direction through everything.

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?

Trent: Ryan Shazier, who is the middle linebacker for the Steelers. The way he plays the game is amazing and I would love to get some tips from him.

Time Out with Ethan Castillo -- 2018 Calistoga High senior

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

Ethan Castillo: What I have enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout my life is that it made me more determined and competitive in everything I do.

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

Castillo: My plans after high school are to go to a college of my choice then move out to a bigger city either Los Angeles or New York.

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

Castillo: I am leaning towards business. What intrigues me about going that direction is that I want to be my own boss and working on my dream not building someone else's dream.

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

Castillo: My favorite class at Calistoga High has to be Mr. Guttman's English class because he challenges me to work harder and he lets us expand on what we would like to learn throughout the year.

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

Castillo: The most influential people within my family have to be my parents and my older sister because my parents always have my back and even though they take care of me and my sisters and also are paying bills they always manage to get their work done and still have time to relax and spend time with us. My sister is influential to me because she worked hard in high school and is now studying her major in college and even though she had struggles to make it there she didn't give up.

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?

Castillo: A historical figure that I would like to meet is Michael Jordan not just because of his success but because of his backstory he was just an average kid who didn't make his high school basketball team his sophomore year but that didn't stop him from going after his dreams next thing you know he's one of the greatest players of all time and has a shoe brand that to this day people of all ages are still wearing.

MacMillan enjoying his return to St. Helena

He has been here before -- as in the West sideline at Patterson Memorial Field at St. Helena High.

He’s back for another tour of duty. He’s Ian MacMillan. The 1997 Justin-Siena High graduate is well-travelled on the coaching front in the Napa Valley: (1999-2003, JV head coach Justin-Siena; 2004-2006, varsity head coach St. Helena High; 2007-2009, defensive coordinator Napa High; 2010; JV head coach American Canyon High 2010; American Canyon High varsity head coach 2011-2013; Napa High assistant coach 2015-2016).

MacMillan’s last coaching stint did not end well, not so much for him personally but what had in association. With regard to Napa High football, the program had alleged hazing incidents. The extent of what took place is open to conjecture but it led to a power struggle between now former head coach Troy Mott, who is a close friend of MacMillan, and the Napa High administration and Napa Valley Unified School District. Mott and the entire staff walked out. MacMillan and fellow assistant Kirk Anderson, who is now on Larry Singer’s American Canyon staff, were qualified to replace Mott based on varsity experience. Both said no.

Though in a lesser role, MacMillan is back in familiar yet different territory. He enjoyed a tenure of leading his teams to a 21-11 record in three years, two of which included CIF North Coast Section playoff appearances, as Saints varsity head coach. MacMillan resigned and the ill-fated Dave Collinsworth era ensued. The Saints went 2-8. Five months after a nationwide search concluded, Brandon Farrell emerged. He has been here for a decade. In these parts, Saints fans knew coaching changes very well. The football program underwent 13 changes in 28 years. Farrell, who enters Friday’s road game at Fort Bragg with a 79-33 record, has ended that trend. The program needed a JV coach with David Bos moving back to his home state (Michigan).

MacMillan applied for a teaching job at St. Helena, which also accompanied a coaching position. The Saints are midway through their JV season with a record of 4-0-1.

“Brandon has done a great job here,” MacMillan said. “I’m glad to be part of it. We have a great staff. We’re all on the same page. The kids, the administration are great. Now, we’ve got FieldTurf. Everything has improved. It’s amazing how far they have come in 11 years. The environment around the school is great.”

MacMillan’s situation here is also different. He was teaching at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. With his current position, he is at St. Helena High in the math department with Farrell. The landscape has similarities with Tom Hoppe as athletic director and differences, Ben Scinto is the principal and Greg Fetters as vice principal. Jim Zoll and Julie Synyard were in those positions when MacMillan was here previously.

“The school system is great up here as far as supporting teachers,” MacMillan said. “I’m a teacher first, coach second. Working with the people I get to work with such as the teachers, Mr. Scinto, Mr. Fetters and Brandon and his staff along with being back with Tom. All of the pieces are here.”

Throughout his career, MacMillan has learned from various great coaches like Mott at Napa, Rich Cotruvo and Steve Vargus at Justin. Vargus is St. Helena’s defensive coordinator now. MacMillan values what he has learned from Farrell since joining forces in May.

“Brandon has established a great culture as far as the attitude, the weight-room, the work ethic, all of those things are amazing,” MacMillan said. “I know how much work it takes because I’ve had to do it at other schools. It’s nice to come into a system where it is already built. I’m very lucky to have worked with some great people that make me a better coach and brandon is one of them.”

Though MacMillan is known as a varsity coach, JV is not foreign to him.  Justin went 38-11-1 under his guidance. American Canyon was 6-4.

“It’s still all about coaching kids,” MacMillan said. “You’re still teaching life lessons. I don’t have an ego in that I don’t have to be a varsity coach. That’s not important to me. Football is a teaching tool for life and I can teach things I can’t teach in the classroom. In football, you have to put other people before yourself. The kids don’t know a lot of football, now they are picking things up and telling me things. It’s great to see.”