Both of our live blogs tonight are originating at our sister blog, the Prep Corner.

Here’s the link to the California vs. Washington live blog. 

Here’s the link to the Berkeley vs. Deer Valley live blog.

This afternoon around 3 p.m., we’ll be switching our blog server. You’ll still be able to read posts and what not, but you won’t be able to comment. From what I’m told, the commenting function won’t be up until tomorrow morning. So, sit tight, and we’ll get them all approved tomorrow morning.

Got an athlete who is signing a national letter of intent on Wednesday? Let us know. Email prepscores@bayareanewsgroup.com so we can include them in our list of signees.

The Spartans were able to hold on, beating the Padres 29-28.

Serra was on the move, but De La Salle stuffed them on 4th-and-1 and got the ball back with 2:43 to go.

The Spartans went up 29-28 with 4:30 to play after Quarterback Blake Wayne scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run. De La Salle was playing for the 28-all tie when the PAT attempt broke down and Terron Ward managed to run in a 2-point conversion.

The Spartans were up 21-7 at halftime, but Serra scored twice in the third quarter to tie it at 21.

The Padres Cody Jackson made it 21-14 on a 5-yard run with 6:10 to go in the third and minutes later a 9-yard run by Alex Bravo tied it at 21.

Serra quarterback Cody Jackson hit wide receiver Patrick Bowler on a 25-yard pass to put the Padres up 28-21 with 11:15 to go in the game.

Well, it’s a little late in the day, but we’re still getting things done and making big plays. Today we’ll stick to the coaching ranks.

Chace’s question: So yesterday we talked about the return of Matt Sweeney to the Foothill sidelines, and the obvious impact it will have on the Falcons. But coaches like Sweeney, Bob Ladouceur (De La Salle) and Herc Pardi (Clayton Valley) are pretty much household names to East Bay prep football fans. Who are the up-and-comers, or the most underrated coaches out there right now?

Ben’s answer: When it comes to new coaches, I’m excited to see if Justin Lowell can keep the improvement going at Northgate. Now-departed coach Darin Owens gave the Broncos something to believe in last year and Lowell knows the kids, will run the same system Owens did, and is a young face for the kids to work with. I think Northgate could continue to improve.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s question takes us to Pleasanton, home of the Alameda County Fair.

Ben’s question: Perhaps the biggest coaching hire this season wasn’t really a hiring at all. Foothill’s Matt Sweeney, after spending a year away from the sidelines, is back to lead the Falcons this season. There’s no doubting the man’s chops. I can’t remember the last time a Sweeney-led football team had an unsuccessful season. This time around though, he inherits a young team that didn’t necessarily set the world on fire last year. So, that begs the question. What kind of an impact will Sweeney have in year one of his comeback?

Chace’s answer: Nobody can argue that John Mannion had an almost impossible job last season in replacing Sweeney. Still, he managed to get the Falcons to a 6-4 finish and keep their string of playoff appearances alive. And, with the exception of Rob Andrews and Austin Day, the Falcons were fairly unproven heading into last season.

Enter Sweeney, a master motivator who already has a team eager to erase last year and make a name for itself. Read the rest of this entry »

My colleague Jonathan Okanes sent me a rather funny notebook from yesterday’s L.A. Times written by Jerry Crowe. It seems that Nick Montana, the recently transferred quarterback from De La Salle, is being targeted by a filmmaker to star in a movie.

Nick Montana, a recent transfer from Concord De La Salle High to Westlake Village Oaks Christian, has caught the eye of filmmaker Waide Riddle, who e-mails to note that he would like the junior quarterback and son of Joe Montana to read for the lead role in his new movie, “Red River County.”

Notes Riddle: “Nick looks exactly like my character Josh, what I had envisioned when I wrote the short story and screenplay. This is a star-making role.” . . .

Welcome to Hollywood, Nick.

I have to admit, I had a good laugh when I read that.

Well, we put an end to yet another high school sports season last night with our Top 100 banquet at the Concord Hilton. Las Lomas’ Jason Welch and Kasey Carlson were named athletes of the year and I think I speak for everyone on staff when I say we had a great time.

Now, if you weren’t there, you should check out a few of the multimedia pieces we put together to recap the season. First, check out the final Two Geeks episode of the season, starring De La Salle’s Mike MacGillivray and Ms. Carlson herself.

Two Geeks: The Banquet Episode

Next, check out the multimedia slide show that Karl Mondon, Ray Saint Germain, and the multimedia staff put together.

Top 100 Athletes slide show

And, finally, if you don’t even have a clue who the top 100 athletes are, check ‘em out on our Top 100 presentation.

Top 100 Package

There is some interesting discussion going on about the controversy surrounding the Cal High baseball program at our sister blog, “aPARENTly Speaking.” Perhaps it should be required reading for parents whose kids play competitive sports!?!