86 Responses to “EBAL analysis/predictions”

1. 925 Says:
   October 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm

   Sierra plays in Oakdale’s league though. Oakdale beat Novato and a very good Whitney-Rocklin team that are both better than Granada. I think Oakdale will be the VOL team to go undefeated, not Sierra. Silva may feel that way, but looking at strength of schedule I don’t think so.

2. Kyle Bonagura Says:
   October 1st, 2009 at 10:24 pm

   I noticed that too 925, Oakdale is definitely the team to beat on paper.

3. HAAL Fan Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 3:04 am

   925 and Kyle are absolutely right. Oakdale is amazingly talented. Sierra is a very good team as well, but when it comes down to it, Oakdale’s better.

4. Matt Rempel Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 8:55 am

   I think Kyle makes a lot of great points. Nice to see the Cowboys get a couple wins before the reality of the EBAL sets in. Having seen Granada last week, I think they could really surprise, they have a lot of weapons. But running against Foothill will be much tougher than Castro Valley, needless to say. Having lived in Livermore, I’d really like to see their teams win some EBAL games…we’ll see.

5. MoellerMan Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm

   I also agree that the Granada/Foothill game could be very close. Granada was beating Foothill at the line of scrimage last year, but threw too many picks. If Granada can keep the game close, and stay in their offensive game plan, they have a shot. If they fall behind and have to get aggressive on offense, the game could get out of hand.
   I will be surprised if Amador Valley makes a game of it.
   And I have no clue how the SRV/Cal game plays out. Cal started out badly but looked more like we expected two weeks ago. SRV has not had a schedule that tells us much.
   Very exciting.

6. THE WHISTLE Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm

   I think Foothill puts up 28 by halftime — Granada will be wondering what the hell hit them through the air. Here’s the key though – Granada may very well get their points as well. I am thinking the over/under should be like 65.5 for this game.

   Talk about three games which did nothing to get you ready for the regular season — well meet Amador Valley. I don’t know what to expect from the Dons, because those three games are equal to playing local middle school teams. Amador would have been bettered served playing its JV team. The game will massivly speed up for the Dons, while slow way down for the Spartans.

   Cal-SRV the best game of the night — both coaches trying to prove themselves…here’s your best bet of the night…

   MV-Liv — hahaha, stat night for nottingham… seen this many a time before. How about 10-of-11 for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.

7. Paydirt Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm

   Kyle, Great job with the EBAL preview. I expect Matt to overplay the run and hold Mats to less that 160 on the ground. If the Mats get an early lead and run for 200+ then Matt will not see #201 tonight. Regarding your Cal pick to beat SRV, if they do not do it on the ground then it probably won’t happen. The other two games will be over at the half.

8. 925 Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 pm

   Yeah I agree with Kyle and the Whistle.

   SRV at Cal game of the week, but I think AV will play a look more close to DLS. Their non-league didn’t help them, but they will be able to run their plays. Now if only they execute and play a perfect game…

   Granada will surprise somebody, but not Foothill. More likely Cal, SRV, or even AV if any of the 3 overlooks them.

   Nottingham will definitely have over 300 yds and it will be another 40-50 point rout

9. billjohnson Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 8:19 pm

   Is the De La Salle game that lopsided Amador 14 De La 3 at the half. Wow

10. NovatoDAD Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Looks like De La is a winner

11. JJ Henderson Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    Was at DLS/AV game – DLS looked very sloppy this evening. They must have had over 100+ yd of penalties, and looked very mortal tonite. They were lucky that MV was not their opponent tonite.

    AV surprised them with some passing. AV played error free in first half- DLS had 4 turnovers. In 2nd half AV had 2 lost fumbles that DLS converted to touchdowns – that was the margin. It was alot closer than the score indicated. DLS went ahead for good with only 6 min to play. I predict DLS will have their first EBAL loss this year.

12. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    EBAL BOXES

    California 31, San Ramon Valley 7
    SRV 0 0 7 0— 7
    California 14 3 7 7— 31
    C — Alvarez 4 run (Kale kick)
    C — Javier 6 run (Kale kick)
    C — Alvarez 13 run (Kale kick)
    SRV — Comes 3 run (Rider kick)
    C — Alvarez 34 run (Kale kick)
    Statistics
    Rushing: SRV — Summers 11-39, Clancy 1-6, Bowen 1-5, Robinson 2-3, Reed 1-(-3), Comes 4-(-10). Totals 20-45. C — Alvarez 15-138, Javier 12-52, Davis 5-25, Dunn 4-18, Spalliero 2-14, Kaehler 4-2, Muniz 1-1. Totals 38-250.
    Passing: SRV — Comes 15-32-0 209, Love 5-10-41-0. Totals 20-42-250-0. C — Kaehler 5-15-1 114. Totals 5-15-1 114.
    Receiving: SRV — Berger 5-85, Anderson 4-64, Blair 5-41, Summers 2-12, Robinson 1-18, Kragen 1-11, Brooks 2-7. Totals 20-250. C — Muniz 1-68, Smith 2-22, Farley 2-24. Totals 5-114.
    Fumbles/lost: SRV — 2/1. CSD — 1/0.
    Records: San Ramon Valley 3-1, 0-1; California 2-2, 1-0.

    De La Salle 32, Amador Valley 21

    Amador Valley 0 14 0 7— 21
    De La Salle 0 3 15 14— 32
    DLS — Lyon 35 FG
    AV — Turay 3 run (Anderson kick)
    AV — Stancil 5 run (Anderson kick)
    DLS — Shapiro 17 pass from Houston (pass failed)
    DLS — Ward 15 run (pass failed)
    DLS — Lyon 30 FG
    AV — Ewanich 26 pass from Stancil (Anderson kick)
    DLS — Ward 10 run (Lyon kick)
    DLS — Anderson 7 run (Lyon kick)
    Statistics
    Rushing: AV — Turay 11-80, Stancil 14-66, Banahan 2-11, Osterholt 1-4, Ewanich 1-0. Totals 29-161. DLS — Ward 13-112, Anderson 14-90, Herting 13-40, Dunne 4-13. Totals 43-255.
    Passing: AV — Stancil 12-18-1 160. DLS — Herting 9-15-1 99; Houston 3-3-1 86. Totals 12-18-2 185.
    Receiving: AV — Christiansen 4-34, Ewanich 3-74, Worsey 2-42, Banahan 2-14, Turay 1-(-4). DLS — Walter 5-73, Laird 2-64, Williams 2-23, Shapiro 1-17, Ward 1-10, Dunne 1-(-2).
    Fumbles/lost: Amador Valley 4/2; De La Salle 1/1
    Records: Amador Valley 3-1, 0-1 EBAL; De La Salle 2-2, 1-0

    Granada 35, Foothill 28

    Granada 14 7 14 0— 35
    Foothill 0 14 0 14— 28
    G — G.Atkinson 66 run (Thomas kick)
    G — Kearney 35 run (Thomas kick)
    F — Quan 2 run (Langford kick)
    G — G.Atkinson 80 run (Thomas kick)
    F — Quan 4 run (Langford kick)
    G — G.Atkinson 95 kickoff return (kick failed)
    G — G.Atkinson 20 run (G.Atkinson run)
    F — Berrigan 13 pass from Mannion (Langford kick)
    F — Quan 2 run (Langford kick)
    Statistics
    Rushing: G — G.Atkinson 11-200, Kearney 11-108,#2 3-82, Ortuno 9-30. Totals 34-420. F — Quan 26-118, Kacinski 15-73, Moore 3-21, Mannion 6-5. Totals 55-196.
    Passing: G — Kearney 4-10-0 59. F — Mannion 18-31-1 160, Mann 1-1-0 23. Totals 19-32-1 183.
    Receiving: G — G.Atkinson 1-22, Guy 1-18, #2 1-14, McKee 1-5. F — Kacinski 9-107, Rowland 5-37, Berrigan 2-23, Moore 2-2.
    Fumbles/lost: Granada 1/1; Foothill 0/0
    Records: Granada 3-1, 1-0 EBAL; Foothill 3-1, 0-1.

    Monte Vista 55, Livermore 13

    Monte Vista 21 16 12 6— 55
    Livermore 0 0 7 6— 13
    MV — McGovern 15 pass from Nottingham (Eidman kick)
    MV — Turner 16 pass from Nottingham (Eidman kick)
    MV — Labarbera 3 pass from Nottingham (Eidman)
    MV — McGovern recovered fumble in endzone (Eidman kick)
    MV — Turner 11 pass from Nottingham (kick failed)
    MV — Eidman 34 FG
    MV — Johnson 1 run (kick blocked)
    L — Torres 5 pass from Allen (Chaidez kick)
    MV — Sullas 4 run (kick blocked)
    L — Andrade 12 run (run failed)
    MV — Bruce 7 pass from Lockie (kick failed)
    Statistics
    Rushing: MV — Johnson 12-101, Sullas 12-82, Bruce 1-8, Nottingham 1-(-5). Totals 26-186. L — Zaremba 12-120, Andrade 11-39, Drew 6-24, Lacombe 1-4, Niessen 2-2, Allen 2-(-11). Totals 34-178
    Passing: MV — Nottingham 17-21-0 328, Lockie 3-6-1 35. Totals 20-27-1 363. L — Allen 5-18-2 56.
    Receiving: MV — Turner 7-107, McGovern 4-108, Johnson 3-96, Bruce 3-22, McClaskey 2-27, Labarbera 1-3. Totals 20-363. L — Lacombe 2-42, Drew 1-8, Torres 1-5, Andrade 1-1. Totals 5-56.
    Fumbles/Lost: Monte Vista 3/1. Livermore 3/2.
    Records: Monte Vista 4-0, 1-0 EBAL, Livermore 2-2, 0-1 EBAL.

13. 925 Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    Cal showed they definitely are much more balanced and talented than SRV tonight. They ran all over the Wolves. Would have had a shutout if not for the pick, but offensively SR had no push. They ran the ball too much when they had some luck passing, I didn’t agree with it, but it’s a new offense. Wouldn’t have matter anyway though, the defense couldn’t tackle even with 3+ players ganging up to stop the ball carrier.

    Cal with Reggie Davis has a great playmaker, athlete, and leader. Different team without him, shouldn’t have lost to Washington now, that was a wake up call and a sign that with a complete team Cal is very good offensively and defensively. Good win for the Grizz. 2 in a row now against SRV after 8 straight years of SR dominance. Wolves looked outplayed and overwhelmed, they are not going to beat anybody in the EBAL like that.. but they get Foothill at home next week..

    Speaking of Foothill, wow didn’t see that one coming. Biggest win for Granada since a while?

    And with Amador showing they are that good and DLS is that bad, MV looks like the best team yet. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Mustangs went undefeated.

14. KillerD Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    This loyal EBAL follower picked Granada to beat Foothill, check the posting and congratts to Granada.

15. renegades10 Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    DLS did play a sloppy game, but don’t forget they had some drives in the first half that ended with turnovers. Yes they could have lost the game but they also could have blown AV out. DLS is not bad they are still growing as all Spartan teams do throughout a season. Yes it is a very real possibility they might lose to MV next week, but I think no matter the outcome of that game DLS will still win NCS this year. No team gets better throughout a season like the Spartans do. The O-Line came together in the second half and looked like a unit finally. If DLS cuts down on the turnovers I think they should beat MV. That has been the killer this year is the turnovers. Also remember the Spartans are battle tested against top teams in the country.

16. 925 Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    DLS had this same problem with amador a year ago, but won decisively. this year, they made the same mistakes, and should have lost. Amador blew them open for their miscues, but because they got too complacent they turned it over and gave DLS chances.

    MV won’t give DLS any chances. If each EBAL team learned from the mistakes of the others, one would have beaten DLS by now. That should happen especially this season, given how weak the Spartans are and young as well. MV is looking like the 9th team in state and DLS doesnt look like the 8th. (calhisports.com)

    That nonsense about how the get better doesnt help, especially each of the past 3 years they have lost the state championship twice out of three times, and this year might not even make it back. this year, they are so bad because of the youth that they will lose. When they don’t have a solid qb, and stars everywhere, they dont play good at all. yes their speed and rb’s and secondaries are better than most, but their wr’s certainly aren’t, and aside from wynn and renaud, their lines aren’t star studded like they used to be.

    yes im a public school fan of the traditional ebal, and when flaws about dls need to be pointed out, i try to

17. anonymous21 Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 am

    925 you are crazy to think that DLS will get beat this year by MV. DLS still is top dog in the bay area. Until they are beat by a local team than you cant say anything else. They may have played sloppy tonight but they still won and thats all that counts. You know how good a team is when they can turn the ball over all night trail 14-3 at halftime and still win. Trust me they will be up for MV and beat them badly like they always. Why all they hype for MV anyways, they only beat a 2-3 Logan (should of lost if not for a dropped pass at the 2 yard line with 30 seconds) by 3 points.

    Anyways don’t talk bad about a team until some team around here dethrones them.

18. anonymous21 Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 am

    925 one other thing they just played toe to toe against Lakeland team that would have blown out out any other EBAL team.

19. norcalfball Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 am

    well looks like we have some changes up top in d1 rankings…

    #1 DLS – still haven’t lost
    #2 Deer Valley – see DLS, played logan same
    #3 Monte Vista – close call here and berkely, but blew pitt out so get the nod, plus more quality wins.
    #4 Berkeley – still looking good, but going to need some losses from top teams to move any higher.
    #5 Granada – wow wow wow…we will see if it was just one game mirage w/ coach playing former team.
    #6 Amador – despite DLS lackluster play still impressive loss (if that is such a thing)..their loss was more impressive than either 3 wins!
    #7 foothill – still a good team.
    #8 washington – beat cal…don’t care the reasoning…nobody gets a free pass for injuries. and davis did play in that game. otherwise everyone could argue they might have won if played during day, on turf, better reffing, etc. etc. some of these writers are completely ignorant in not recognizing this. good thing not on ncs panel.
    #9 cal – could be turning the heat up.
    #10 logan – some near wins keeping them down here. showdown w wasington looms
    #11 pittsburgh – better team than this..will rise i think
    #12 san leandro – tough non league…plus going to win haal so might as well put them here anyways.

    outside looking in all these teams need a good win, plenty of opportunities, srv, heritage, liberty, newark

20. chs1012 Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 10:19 am

    “This loyal EBAL follower picked Granada to beat Foothill, check the posting and congratts to Granada.”

    KillerD-
    Full disclosure!
    Spot on so far (Granada is on the rise) but -38 Mac and a lock? We’ll slide you on that since McK is out of the loyal zone, i.e. North of Tehama County…
    But SRV +14?…could have been a blanking. Your only two misses for Friday and exact amount! (-38)…put down your $1 on todays super lotto! (or send it to to MDUSD, they need it.)

21. outsider Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am

    Cal did not use Reggie Davis much in the SRV game. A play here and there as running back and a play here or there as cornerback. The running game was pretty balanced between four players with Kyle Alverez making the most big plays. If Cal goes to pounding up the middle with Gio Javier and Reggie Davis and Kyle around the outside they will be hard to stop especically if they can rest Gio on defense. Also keep an eye out for Jorrell Dunne as a running back. He is only a ophomore but is looking good. The Cal passing game did not work very well against SRV but when it does, Quinn Kaehler is a pretty good quarterback. I am looking foreward to more good games for Cal this year.

22. litleman Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 am

    anonymous21: First I understand your comments (even if they are wrong) but let’s not forget that last year if Nottingham doesn’t throw an interception for a TD it is 38-35 DLS over MV with the Mustangs having the ball last, and this DLS team isn’t anywhere close to last years team. Also talk about playing sloppy and still winning that was MV versus Logan (1st game of season on the road also 1st time MV has beaten Logan Away) they pretty much destoyed Pitt and Heritage (Livermore was a given). MV has the players to outscore DLS plus they have the confidence so don’t think this is a blowout for DLS because you are going to be suprised.Give MV some credit this is going to be GREAT game and you just might see DLS winning streak come to an end.

23. litleman Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 11:51 am

    Also you have to count on Granada, Cal, and Foothill giving them a test it just so happens that MV will be up first

24. junior Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    Litleman-easy on the revisionist history. Those IF’s go both ways in the DLS win over MV last year. IF Perio holds on to the pick, MV doesnt score a TD. etc. MV trailed by 3 scores most of that game.

    This years game will likely be more contested than last years IF DLS continues to turnover the ball and pile up the penalties. IF DLS clears that up they beat MV by 10. DLS is more physical/better conditioned than MV and the Spartans have the pshycological edge.

25. litleman Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Junior: no revisionist here I was at the game and got it on film MV was never down 3 scores, most they were down was 10-14 but I will give you that DLS was more physical last year this year not so sure and don’t you forget that MV scored 35 against them last year when they (DLS) had a better team you think that MV isn’t going to put that many or more on them this year? Like I said earlier this is going to be a great game just don’t give DLS the win yet. Anyway I am looking forward to it…

26. Prep Fan Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Monte Vista has a solid offense that is going to put up some points again this year on DLS. If MV can focus on stopping the run and force DLS to throw the ball, they will have a chance. DLS is still the favorite here, but with MV playing at home and DLS seemingly vulnerable this year, it could happen.

    Cal completely shut down SRV last night (45 yards rushing?), and could have even had a shutout if they hadn’t been throwing the ball with a 24 point lead late in the game. SRV picked off a screen pass deep in the Cal zone for their only score.

    Granada looks to be the real deal this year with junior Atkinson leading the way. Or maybe Foothill just played a bad game? If nothing else, it sure makes things interesting in the EBAL this season.

    Next week has Amador at Granada which should be a great battle, along with the much anticipated DLS at Monte Vista. The interesting game could be Foothill at SRV as one of these teams will start 0-2 and both still have DLS, Amador and MV yet to play. Cal should have an easy win at Livermore and a chance to gear up for Granada the following weak.

27. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    NorCal- Doing a straight top-to-bottom ranking of the D-I teams, vs who-will-get-in playoff seeding is going to be a lot different.

    Lot up for debate after what happened last night.

    #1 De La Salle (2-2) – until they lose…

    #2 MV (4-0) – Knocked for playing Logan close on the road (Logan is a tough place to play with the turf), but simply dominated Pitt and Heritage, both of which will be in the NCS D-I picture. Next week’s game vs DLS needs no explanation of how big it is.

    #3 DV (4-0) – Also struggled with Logan, but at home (edge MV). Two toughest games left on the schedule are against Pitt and Heritage, so figure DV will probably go undefeated and end up 1 or 2.

    #4 Berkeley (5-0) – 5-0 record, opponents combined record 3-18-1. No doubt Berkeley goes undefeated, but seeding wise its schedule won’t do them any favors (9-1 record last year got the the 8-seed).

    #5 Amador (3-1) – I’ve had AV 5 or 6 in most of my East Bay polls all year based on what the Dons had coming back from last year. From a seeding standpoint AV is probably behind Granada and Foothill because there are no key wins. From a rankings standpoint AV was legitimized by taking DLS down to the wire and I’ll give them a slight edge over Granada. If Amador were to play Berkeley tomorrow, I’m sure a lot of people would pick Amador.

    #6 Granada (3-1) – Last night was no fluke. Granada was the better team and only struggled in its run defense phase of the game. Atkinson’s speed is amazing to watch, no one in the state catches that kid in the open field. QB Kyle Kearney is a really good athlete who made some great plays last night.

    #7 Foothill (3-1) – Had an easier time with Logan than both MV and DV, but after last night’s loss Foothill has to be behind Granada. In a seeding situation, Foothill’s 3-1 with wins against Logan, Novato and Miramonte is more impressive than AV’s 3-1 with wins against Del Norte, Mt. Eden and Freedom.

    After the top-7, not a whole lot makes perfect sense.

    Points to think about:

    - If Washington (2-2) didn’t get beat by three touchdowns in its losses to Deer Valley and Tracy, it would have be the clear-cut No. 8. The Huskies could have gone the Berkeley route and scheduled themselves to a 10-0 or 9-1 season, but didn’t and will be better off come playoffs for its tough non-league games. Will either finish 8-2 or 7-3 and is a lock for the playoffs.
    - Logan (2-3) was in position to beat No. 2 MV and No. 3 Deer Valley. Will finish 7-3 or 6-4. Needs to beat Washington to ensure it gets in, definitely among the 12 best D1 teams.
    - Cal (2-2) finally looking like the team most thought it would be after a 0-2 start. Seeding standpoint Cal is definitely behind Washington, ranking standpoint Cal has been the better team since that game. Needs three wins just to qualify. Remaining schedule: Livermore, Granada, AV, Foothill, Monte Vista, DLS. Talk about a tough road.
    - San Ramon Valley (3-1): Cal showed the Wolves probably are looking at a 7th place finish in league. Concord is good for D2 standards, but that win means nothing as far as playoffs go. I think SRV beats Livermore and loses out to finish 4-6.
    - Pittsburg (1-3) has all the talent in the world, but not the wins to show for it. Granted, its 3 losses were to MV, Granite Bay, and Berkeley. If Pitt beats Deer Valley on 10/23 it finishes 7-3, if not, 6-4.
    - Heritage (3-1): Avoids upsets and the Pats get to 7-3. If it could avoid upsets and knock off Pitt or Deer Valley 8-2 is possible. Liberty or Antioch could spoil potential playoff bid.
    - San Leandro (2-2): Will finish 8-2. Easiest 8 wins in the section, no idea what to expect from this team.
    - Newark (2-2): You lose to Arroyo, you don’t belong in the playoffs.
    - Liberty (2-2): Might lose its next 5.
    - Antioch (2-3): Don’t see 3 more wins on its schedule.
    - College Park (2-3): Would need to win out to have a prayer at getting in. Not going to happen in the tough DVAL.

28. renegades10 Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    how does it not help to get better. Look at last year. that team played like crap through the beginning of the season. You could hear everyone saying this was the year they would lose. MV would give them a run for their money and many thought Pitt would beat them based on the scrimmages. Low and behold the Spartans get better with each game and by the end of the year they blew out Pitt and barely lost to Centennial. If you put the team that barely beat Serra at the beginning of the year last year against that Centennial team they played at the end CC would have destroyed them. Lol at the their lines aren’t star studded. What team has run with great success against the front seven? Look I’m not saying MV can’t win because they can but every year it seems like we hear that some team won’t give DLS any mistakes and look what happens. You have to pretty much play mistake free football to beat the Spartans and AV almost accomplished that and then turnovers came and the Spartans capatalized. no two games are alike. if DLS plays like they did against lakeland it will be a long night for the mustangs.

29. Jimmy Durkin Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Kyle,
    Gotta object a little bit to this statement “The Huskies could have gone the Berkeley route and scheduled themselves to a 10-0 or 9-1 season.” There’s no way you can knock Berkeley’s schedule. To say they “scheduled themselves to a 10-0 or 9-1″ just isn’t true. They are stuck playing in the ACCAL, it’s not their fault the league’s strength has gone down. In the nonleague, they scheduled a Ponderosa team that is ranked in the Sacramento area, Pittsburg, the defending NCS finalists, and Freedom, the No. 5 seed in Div. I last year. The only game you can semi-knock is Castro Valley, but that’s a Div. I school plus their coach last year, Jordan Seiden, was a former assistant to ‘Zo so I’m sure that played a role in signing that two-year deal. It’s not Berkeley’s fault that Freedom has dropped completely off the map and that Pitt’s Erick Dargan got hurt (he makes that much of a difference). Based on how those nonleague opponents did last year (which is all you can base things on when you set up a schedule in advance), you could argue that Berkeley was scheduling potentially a 2-2 or 1-3 nonleague. Yes, they’ve got a pretty easy road the rest of the way, but they went out and tried to schedule a tough nonleague slate. It’s not their fault their opponents didn’t live up to it.

30. litleman Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Renegades: It isn’t the front 7 (161yrds for AV)you have to worry about it is the back 4 (185yrds for AV and their a running team) with the way MV throws the ball (Avg 350/g) don’t you think that Nottingham has gotten better, just look at the numbers so far this year plus I have to say he has alot of options out there (probably more than last year). Also if MV stuffs the run game of DLS what are they going to do? It is going to be fun…

31. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    Didn’t mean for it to read that Berkeley was scheduling like that on purpose — although it did end up pretty bad. Ponderosa and Freedom were good last year, but Ponderosa is 1-4 and Freedom is 0-5. Castro Valley was bad last year and is winless this year.

    I’m still not ready to give up on Pitt, so that’s a good win for Berkeley.

    The main point I was getting at was that Washington’s non-league schedule will help it prepare for playoffs. More so than Berkeley, regardless of what they were hoping for when they scheduled Ponderosa and Freedom.

32. renegades10 Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Nottingham is more of a drop back quarterback then Stancil. With Stancil you have to respect his ability to run not so much with Nottingham. AV exploited this several times with some trick plays against the Spartans including a flea flicker that went for 30+ yards. Dylan Wynn, who by the way is battling the flu since last week, and the D-Line are gonna be in Nottingham’s face all night. Plus with the return of Alex Taylor next week it will help shore up the secondary. yes they have had their problems, but Nottingham is going to have to make throws with the DLS line breathing down his neck. He has not played a D like this since, well last years game against DLS. in regards to the offense well I guess we will find out how physical MV’s defense really is. The DLS O-line started to find their rhythm in the second half. plus it looks likes DLS is returning to the two qb system and Houston can throw the ball. Trust me when I say that these Spartans are not far from becoming a dominant team, they just need to cut down on the mental errors. Three trips inside the twenty last night that ended because of turnovers and penalties.

33. junior Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    litleman- here is the scoring from last years game:
    mv 7 DLS 0
    dls 7 mv 7
    dls 14 mv 7
    dls 16 mv 7
    dls 23 mv 7
    dls 23 mv 15
    dls 31 mv 15
    dls 31 mv 21
    dls 38 mv 21
    dls 38 mv 28
    dls 45 mv 28
    dls 45 mv 35

    2009 DLS defense is better than last years team at this point.

34. cash flow Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    When is Logan Washington and whr is it at

35. litleman Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Renegades:I am going by what I saw with the Lakeland game plus reading from yesterday you may be right I just think that the MV offense is going to put up points… Junior I watched the game again and I apologize you were right but there were some plays (back to the IF’s) that could have gone either way…
    Like I said it is going to be a GREAT game

36. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    Nov. 6 at Washington.

37. norcalfball Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    i agree kyle…your list right on…

    tough time distinguishing between dv and MV…i went with MV should have lost to logan, while DV should have tied logan. but no argument there, i do like th way MV has been playing lately.

    and as you pointed out put granada ahead of av only because they have a big win now. but between av, foothill, and granada it is a toss up. actually cal high too, but for seeding purposes like you said cal can’t be ranked ahead of washington. so as long as they both keep winning they both keep going up the charts. but they start losing both slide.

    who gets 3rd place in the ebal? that is the question. i think dls & MV will be 1 and 2. but wow between granada, av, cal, and even foothill who gets there…going to be fun.

    yes berkeley tried to schedule a tougher non league but it didn’t pay off. just like washington have to get the top non league games to prove their worth because there leagues arent strong enough. but more so this year than in past both teams proved their worth among the playoff teams with key wins against ebal and bval respectively.

    i agree heritage needs to pull an upset to get in or hope sl doesnt win league. i just dont see it happening. but if they beat pitt and pitt loses to dv then irrelevant because pitt would be watching from the seats this year. which would be crazy, don’t see that happening.

38. ebalfan Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    Kyle is spot on about MV. The Logan game was much closer than it should have been, because Logan is tough at home. Since then MV has dismantled both Pitt and Heritage. The scores weren’t indicative of the games. MV’s 1st team D only gave up 3 TD’s total in those two games.

    The key to the MV/DLS game will be MV’s D. No doubt Nottingham and company will put up 35+ points. The question is can the EBAL’s best group of Linebackers-Wilkerson, Labarbera, Sherwood shut down the DLS ground game.

39. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am

    I agree that Oakdale is the the top team in the Valley Oak League (VOL). Manteca could also be a threat. Among Manteca’s non-league games, was a loss to Tracy (4-0).

40. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 10:18 am

    I think DLS will once again beat MV. For starters there is know way, MV could beat that Lakeland, FL school. In fact the Mustangs would have a serious challenge, beating Partick Walsh’s Serra HS Fighting Irish (A team that DLS has beaten this year).

    As for AV going toe-to-toe with DLS. Well the E.B.A.L. schools are adjusting to the Spartans. But the league has yet to catch up. So yes schools like MV; FH; AV and possibly Granada, might give them an occassional scare. But mistakes will allow DLS to prevail. Not to mention that they know how to win. The Lakeland game is a perfect example. DLS did not win. But they battled and forced overtime. Only a coaching decision to go for 2, prevented them from a possible win.

    On that note. I liked that decision to go for 2. It took perfect defensive excecution by Lakeland to stop them short. Otherwise DLS steals another win.

41. KillerD Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 10:32 am

    Monte Vista will defeat De La Salle by 17 points or more.

42. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Hey anyone been paying attention to Tracy (4-0) ? Their junior QB Casey Wichman (6’1 185) has completed 20 of 37-passes for 437-yards with 6-TD’s and only 1-INT. But even more impressive is his 48-rushes for 367-yards and 6-TD’s. They also have two running backs, that each have over 360-yards. Both being 3rd year varsity starters.

    Quality wins:
    - Los Banos: A top-7 area ranked, large school team (Modesto Bee). Only 2-2. But besides the Tracy loss. There other defeat at the hands of #4 NorCal ranked St. Mary’s (Stockton). Los Banos has a strong chance at earning an SJS D-I playoff berth.

    - Manteca: Another tough Modesto area ranked team. Will battle Oakdale and Sierra, for the Valley Oak League (VOL) title.

    Washington (Fremont): Considered among the top NCS 4A schools. Could challenge James Logan for the MVAL title.

    West (Tracy): Tracy throttled their cross-town rival, 42-21. But West (1-3) should still be a factor in the Tri-Cities Athletic League (TCAL). St. Mary’s will win that league. But the Wolfpack should still wind up 4-1 in league action (Meaning a playoff berth). West also had some other tough non-league opponents besides Tracy. In the form of Deer Valley and California.

    Tracy should be 5-0. Once they begin SJAA play in two weeks. Next Friday they host Beyer (Modesto). Before traveling to Lincoln (Stockton) for their league opener. Lincoln was ranked #10 NorCal, before getting whipped by St. Mary’s on Friday. Lincoln has also won the past (4) SJAA titles. With Tracy finishing 2nd the previous two seasons.

    But with Lincoln getting beat up by St. Mary’s this year. I sense Lincoln is weaker this year. Because the past two seasons, Lincoln nearly beat St. Mary’s in the playoffs (As well as in their two non-league matchups).

    This coupled with a talented and experienced Tracy team. I think the Bulldogs have an excellent chance to beat Lincoln. A game that has decided the league title the past two seasons.

    So come November and the playoffs.
    Remember these names:
    Casey Wichman; Dupray Celestine and Jordan Strong.

43. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am

    DLS Spartan “D” will slow down MV’s Nottingham. They did pretty well , against an explosive Lakeland offensive unit. An offense I think is superior to MV’s. The Lakeland QB (Florida St. recruit) is probably the top signal caller DLS will have faced this season. Same goes with Lakeland’s running back duo.

    It is true that MV also possess a really good wide receiver. But so did Lakeland. Their talented and highly recruited junior wideout, made some big plays. But DLS still forced overtime and had a chance to win at the end.

    But what beat DLS at the end ? No it was not Lakeland’s offense. Instead a big clutch defensive stop, prevented a game winning two point coversion attempt by DLS.

    As for NorCal school’s that could really challenge DLS in 2009 ? Well besides Serra. I would say St. Mary’s (Stockton). This despite the Rams losing QB Cody Vaz to Oregon State. But they have enough talent remaining from their SJS D-I title team. One that narrowly lost their state D-II bowl game.

    Last year it is highly debateable that Grant (Sacramento) and St. Mary’s could have beaten DLS. Grant was the state champion. By virtue of their state open division bowl win over LB Poly. Grant also won the SJS D-II title last season.

    MV had their chance last year but failed.

44. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Hmm…3rd place in the EBAL ? It should come down to either Foothill or Granada. The Falcons did lose their league opener to the Matadors. But I think they can rebound. They have a better shot than AV (Both being 0-1).

45. Prep Fan Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Serra Padres Danish

    And for the last time, DLS is DOWN this year stop thinking they’ll go undefeated. The Streak is DEAD, and the NCS Streak is DYING

46. THE WHISTLE Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    You know what’s funny — Amador plays DLS tough and everyone rallies behind the De La Salle sloppy play with giving little or no credit. In the end, it may actually by true, but DLS gets more free passes than any other team. Look at MV and Logan. Instead of downgradin the performance, you should be saying ”MV played sloppy.” Give other teams the same width you give the mighty Spartans.

    I am sure if MV wins next week, once again, it’s because DLS played sloppy..

    As for the rest of the games — WOW GRANADA — nice job. I knew there was going to be no shortage of points in this game, but really thought Foothill would get the win.

47. 925 Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Kyle, San Ramon Valley is rebuilding, but how can you say they lose out to go 4-6? that’s writing them off a little early. EBAL is so up and down they could beat more than one team at home: livermore, amador, foothill, monte vista. now they’re probably not going to beat de la salle this year, or monte vista for that matter, but you never know. they fell apart against cal high, but all along you’ve been saying cal high isn’t rebuilding when I thought they were. they still could “upset” granada on the road to earn a second ebal win at least, but I think they’ll play both pleasanton schools close. amador’s more talented, im not sure about foothill outside Mannion anymore, so I think they will give them a close game. They need to step up their D, Cal high looked like San Leandro a few years back running all over them

48. 925 Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    it’s not the same, but last year they lost 3 straight, almost upset foothill on the road, then came back to win 3 straight in the playoffs. I dont know if they have a chance to make the playoffs this year, and they have nobody left from 08, but it seems like each time they start off bad, their luck turns around just a little bit and they get something done.. im not a doubter, because they’re always written off but manage to surprise and have done so many times in recent years

49. MV fan Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    Dutch B…. Seriously doubt that the Lakeland QB is gonna be the best QB De La Sale faces this year. They will face two pac ten bound QB’s in MV and Foothill. The team from Lakeland had an athletic QB but not a good thrower at all. So I have to disagree about that qb being the best they see all season. Also I would say the Spartans inexperienced secondary got it pretty easy when u consider the team from lakeland only throwing the ball around 16 times. The team from Florida finished with about 150 yards passing on the night. P.S. the qb from lakeland wont even play QB at florida state he is considered an Athlete and Florida State alredy recruited a true QB recruit in their 2010 clss.

50. Dutch B Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    THE WHISTLE said:
    “You know what’s funny — Amador plays DLS tough and everyone rallies behind the De La Salle sloppy play with giving little or no credit. In the end, it may actually by true, but DLS gets more free passes than any other team”.

    Okay until MV or some other Bay Area school, can beat nationally ranked teams. Or go 17-seasons without losing to an area school. DLS will be a target. Let’s face it folks. No matter what they do. DLS will be scrutinized. Other schools and fans are plain jealous. But they will not openly admit it. Instead they say things like “free passes”.

    So if you want to be the best. You have to beat the best. No doubt that the best team in the Bay Area is DLS. Do not worry about who is best in NorCal; State or Nationally. Because no other school in the Bay Area, is ready for that level yet. You have to defeat DLS first. Perhaps in the near future. MV should begin scheduling some top tier SoCal schools. It would better prepare them, for a battle with DLS.

    Another thing DLS has done is “raise the bar”. If DLS had not become a national juggernaut. Schools like Pittsburg; San Leandro and James Logan would have been powerhouses. But those schools would have been slighted by the SoCal powers. Because we all know that San Leandro would not have been able to beat a Mater Dei or LB Poly. It is true too. If DLS could beat San Leandro by 30 or 40 in an NCS title game. No way San Leandro could compete with LB Poly or Mater Dei and etc.

    So over time. The Bay Area schools have gradually been learning and adapting because of DLS. The EBAL will become a much tougher league because of DLS being a part of it. I think they call that evolution.

    Would I like to see MV beat DLS, go undefeated and win the NCS ? You bet I would ! But I don’t think they are there yet. Plus MV under Craig Bergman, has a history of slipping late in the regular season. But the legendary Rob Stockberger and his 87′ Mustangs , were a different breed. Probably the greatest non-DLS Bay Area team ever.

51. Big Joe Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    De La Salle and the EBAL are the top league in the EastBay. It will be a close game with MV, De La knows how to win. De La’s taking NCS again this year. Watch out Deer Valley and BHS.

52. Rodgers Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    I would like to see them play Grant-Sacto. I think Grant will be up to the challenge to determine who has the best team in Nor Cal now.

53. MVAL Fan Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    I agree with you Kyle. Newark doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs after losing to Arroyo.

54. Tony G Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    I agree with Kyle and MVAL fan. Don’t see Newark beating either Logan or Washington. I’ve seen them 3 times (CV, Arroyo, Kennedy) and they haven’t been impressed at all. Especially after they lose to Arroyo, Arroyo gets beat by 30 vs. Hayward.

55. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    925- Before the season started I would have pegged SRV at 1-6 in league. I’m not writing them off completely, but at this point I think the other teams in the league are just better. Not saying they can’t win one of those other games, but SRV will be the underdog from here on out against every team but Livermore.

    Big difference between this years and last years team. Joe Southwick was a player who could put a team on his back — this team doesn’t have a guy like that. Also, the supporting cast last year with Gruendl (playing as a true freshman at UC Davis), Peterson, Trimble, Goodman etc was very talented.

56. 925 Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    yeah i know they have all new faces. every other team graduated players too, and for that reason i think they’re on par with foothill talent wise. foothill doesn’t have a ton of big name athletes, just Mannion about all I know. Comes is an average qb like Kaelher in my comparison, but SR usually has good receivers and if they passed more they’d score more. i doubt the run game, but in any fashion, it’ll be interesting to see how they respond against foothill next week. i see them playing more solidly, because i thought their 3 wins showed if they don’t make mistakes they can play.

    Likewise Cal made a ton of mistakes in their losses, but against SR played great and showed what they can do. They’re also more talented with their RB’s because thats the system they’ve had in place, run the ball, where SR it seems is adjusting to being a more run-focused team this year. Cal also had a greater defense than any team the Wolves had previously played, so I give them credit.

57. 925 Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Whistle is right. It’s a double standard the way De La Salle plays sloppy and not the other team playing really good. He is right people saying MV played sloppy where Logan just had a clear advantage on their special turf. Some teams play grass, turf, etc and it affects their game, but when you constantly say it’s just sloppiness, you gotta look at both teams and see that one was doing well. Amador did a great job, when was the last time DLS was down 11 at the half?

58. Prep Fan Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    The Wistle is right – again. It seems like when DLS fumbles, it is just playing sloppy. But when Amador fumbles, it is because DLS wore Amador down and they bacame focused. Let’s face it, the EBAL teams for the most part have been playing DLS close since they came over last season, and someone is going to get them one of these days, when they are sloppy again. Cal and MV both played DLS tough last season, and already Amador put a scare into them in week #1. That is 3 sloppy games in just 8 league games since they joined the EBAL.

59. #5 is the truth Says:
    October 4th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    DLS is still the team to beat in the bay but don’t sleep on galvin and berkeley Carter will have them ready to face any top school in the area.

60. anonymous21 Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 1:50 am

    #5 is the truth please do not put Berkeley in the same breath as DLS that’s an insult to DLS. Berkeley beat Pitt (1-3) by 2 points and Pitt played without their star player. Not very impressive. Berkeley has yet to even play a 500 team and they wont for most of the year. Weak schedule means early exit in playoffs.

61. football phenatik Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 8:33 am

    Anonymous 21

    Pittsburg did play with Erick. He was hit and was taken out the game. DLS is weak this year…not very impressive. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

62. football phenatik Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am

    Actually, Erick played up until the late 3 quarter with only 1 touchdown.

63. Matt Rempel Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Congrats to Granada on a great game, Amador too.
    Granada/Amador should be a great one this week.

    All the best to M. Bower as he has taken on a career change. Great guy to work with.

64. Fast and Physical Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Every year is a new year, we will have to wait and see spartanville, maybe its not your year, but Berkeley has to learn how to prepare for teams that they (kids)know they will beat, having a weak schedule, until rival games, and playoffs, to really compete, we have to wait and see. #5 is the real deal, and the real coach carter has that defense playing fast and physical. Cant wait till november, Change is good, dont hate, not Berkeley’s fault league is weak, stop taking kids form the other side of the tunnel and maybe El Cerrito, Pinole, DeAnza, Richmond, Hercules, Alameda, and Berkeley, woulb be more competetive,help us to be in a perfect world, like spartanville.

65. old former meddling coach. Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    I may be wrong,(But i don’t think so.)But i believe this is the year that the East bay Monster in the North will fall.

66. Prep Fan Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    Salesian, St. Mary’s, Bishop O’Dowd are where all the athletes go on this side of the tunnel. They aren’t all going to De La Salle. Most of them play in the BSAL, which is why the ACCAL is so weak. Pinole used to run the table in that league, but power has since shifted to that junior college berkeley. with 3500 they are the ones that have all the kids. richmond has the soccer players, de anza is being talked about shutting down, alameda is rebuilding from 07, pinole is rebuilding from 07, el cerrito is on the rise from their playoff runs in 05/06, Hercules ?

    If they split up the ACCAL and BSAL and HAAL and did it by division all the competition would equal out. Berkeley would be playing the likes of SPSV and Encinal and San Leandro in the top league, and everybody else would be playing Div 2 or Div 3 teams in their own leagues. no more inequality and excuses for weak leagues

67. Dutch B Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    MV Fan…Yes I know that the Lakeland QB bound for Florida State will not be a QB there. Nonetheless against DLS he quite active with his feet. Passing wise he threw for more than 150-yards. Their star junior wide receiver, had over 100-yards receiving alone. So I see no other EBAL QB, that has his all-round attributes. Nor do I see DLS facing an NCS playoff opponent, with his kind of skill sets.

    I am also aware that Sean Mannion and Brett Nottingham are bound Pac-10 bound. But both are not the caliber of ex-EBAL greats, Kyle Wright (MV / Miami, FL) and Sam Keller (SRV / ASU & Nebraska). Perhaps Nottingham will be enjoy a respectable collegiate career. But I doubt Mannion will have a major impact in the Pac-10. In all reality ex-Foothill great Kevin Lemmo (1986-87), was better than Mannion is. Nottingham could be similiar to Willie Tuitama (St. Mary’s- Stockton). Tuitama had a nice career at Arizona. I know Wright gradually fizzled at Miami. While Keller sort of ran into bad luck. Keller was having a great junior season at ASU. Until a mid-season injury , allowed Rudy Carpenter into the equation. Keller never got his job back. So as a result transferred to Nebraska.

68. Dutch B Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    I agree that the EBAL teams are hot on the trail of DLS. But in 8-games, no one has been able to “seal the deal”. That remains the bottom line.

    DLS will go 7-0 in league play this season. They will beat MV 31-20 and slam Granada 40-20. Those two teams will wind up #2 and #3 in the league standings.

    So DLS will still dominate EBAL opponents. But not like they were doing against foes in their previous league. So again the EBAL is gradually closing the gap.

69. Dutch B Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    Rodgers…I agree with your post about Grant (Sacramento). The Pacers are 4-0 so far. Following their “magical” 2008 state title campaign (15-0). They lost a few impact players. But that team always seems to be able to “reload”. They do return their starting running back. A kid with D-I level talent.

70. renegades10 Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    okay something needs to be specified here. there are some posts saying DLS is weak. so are you guys saying they are weak overall or weak by DLS standards because I am sure there are many teams that would like to be as good as DLS this year.

    in regards to Grant the numbers speak for themselves. Four shutouts in four games including Bellevue of Washington. On the flipside of the coin their offense seems to be struggling. So it’s early to tell about them this year.

71. 925 Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 12:27 am

    i think weak by DLS standards. meaning EBAL teams have a chance if they play a near perfect game. Amador gave them a scare alright, like Cal and MV last year, but had those key turnovers. DLS helped them with their own turnovers, but in order to beat them, you need everything going for you. A reporter at the Tri-Valley Herald used to always go for the EBAL team in NCS matches with DLS, in part because he believed as much as I do that one day it’ll happen, but this year is the closest we’ve seen where it just might happen.

    Nottingham may have one of the most fortunate college careers out of the Danville QB’s. But if Joe Southwick does great things at Boise State, that’d be a good bet for a possible BCS bowl again in the near future with the Broncos success’ in crashing the BCS.

    McAllister plays safety at USC and had a great game at UC Berkeley the other night backing up Taylor Mays. He’s successful if you ask me. Louks transferred from Utah to Nevada because he wasn’t more talented than a freshmen from San Diego, but strange things happen. Look at Keller. bad luck Dutch is right. Wright had the Alex Smith treatment a la 49ers. 2 or 3 offensive coordinators rotating in and out, hard to buy into an system like that at Miami. It’s just too bad that the Canes are back and Wrights not there to share the spotlight. He was one of the most deserving EBAL greats to go on to an NCAA power, and got their when they were out to lunch…

72. THE WHISTLE Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Dutch B — you have given me one of the better laughs I have had in some time. Lemmo was better than Mannion??? You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s not to take anything away from Lemmo, as he did a very nice job while at Foothill, but Mannion is the best QB Foothill has ever had. In fact, I would list Brandon Crawford behind Mannion, then we could have the discussion of Lemmo along with Jon Evans for the next spot. Man, that was classic, just classic.

73. Dutch B Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    THE WHISTLE…Kevin Lemmo had a huge game against MV in 1987. Something like 340-yards and 4_TD’s. Which 22-years ago, was awesome for a Bay Area / Tri-Valley school (I believe Lemmo was All_NorCal that season). Falcons lost that game 36-35, went for a 2-point conversion and failed. That game decided the EBAL title. MV went on to win NCS and and enjoyed an undefeated season. Not to mention the #1 NorCal ranking. Best EBAL team ever. Won the NCS title by edging DLS, 14-13. Which ended their 44-game winning streak.

    Foothill went 10-2 (Both losses were against MV). Up to that point, was the greatest season in Falcon history. Foothill was a doormat prior to that 1987 season. If not for the greatest team in EBAL history. Foothill could’ve been the league champ and probably a spot in the NCS title game vs. De La Salle.

    Mannion could not handle that. He would have to beat DLS or MV to equal what Lemmo accomplished. Nor could Crawford (Now an S.F. Giant farm hand). People will say that Mannion does not have a great supporting cast this season. Well Lemmo’s team was average for the most part. Wide receiver Roger Siebe was pretty good. But besides them, no real star power. Yet they gave MV everything they could handle. MV during 1986 and 87, were like having DLS in the league now.

    Again I will take Lemmo.

74. Dutch B Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    925…I agree that Southwick will be great one day at Boise State. He will eventually replace Kellen Moore (Once Moore graduates in a few seasons).

75. Dutch B Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    Grant’s “D” is what enabled them to defeat LB Poly last season. But their reputation prior to that game. Was being a high scoring team. Not until that title game, did people really take note of their “D”.

    They will be the SJS D-II champion again. Definitely a team to watch for a state bowl berth.

76. old former meddling coach. Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Dutch B.,Jon Brown(Former of Encinal) Says Southwick looks great in practice and is throwing darts. Jet Pride!

77. 925 Says:
    October 6th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Alright! Thanks for the News Old Former Meddling Coach!

    Encinal looking sharp again this season and Dutch and Whistle thanks for the history lesson. Really interesting! It’s strange to think Foothill being a doormat at sometime, there are so good now. They entered the same time as Cal did right? New schools got it tough until they establish something, like Dougherty Valley is doing under Bob Spain. BTW was Sweeney coach back then? I thought he became coach in 91 or something the same year Kravitz did at SRV

78. Dutch B Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    925…Matt Sweeney became Foothill’s head football coach in 1986. They were 1-9 that season. Though enroute to that mark. The Falcons lost some close games. But in 1987 they began like 7-0. Before that 36-35 thriller. The Falcon passing attack that season, was like what you would see in today’s game.

    Foothill’s Kevin Lemmo (St. Mary’s College) and Monte Vista’s Stewart Hansen (Played at an Ivy League) were two of the best QB’s in the East Bay and Northern California that year.

    The Mustangs were powerful and loaded with D-I players. Besides Stewart Hansen they had RB/DB Shawn Abrams (Utah St); WR Chris Schwartz (Indiana); backup QB Christian Hansen (San Jose State); LB Shad Hansen; wingback/DB Trent Strickland and a few others receive D-I scholarships. They also had RB Schon Branum. Branum broke the EBAL career rushing yardage record in 1987.

    The 87′ Mustangs wound up as the #1 ranked team in Northern California. Also wound up ranked in USA Today’s Final Super 25 Poll and a #4 state ranking !! The Falcons went 10-2. With there only losses being against the Mustangs. Up to that point, it was the greatest season in Falcon history. The 88′ Falcons (9-3) won the EBAL and lost in the NCS semi-finals for a 2nd straight season…this time to Granada. Granada then lost to De La Salle in the finals. Beginning a current 21-season NCS title streak.

    The Spartans 14-13 NCS title game loss to MV in 1987. Ended a 44-game winning streak. A streak that is not mentioned to much anymore. At the time they were trying to eclipse the state record of 58-games.

79. Dutch B Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    Grant is now 6-0. They creamed their opponent on Friday. Think they put up 64-points. Meanwhile St. Mary’s whipped Central Catholic (Modesto). Central Catholic is a top ranked small school (But capable with going toe-to-toe with even the top ranked large school’s).

    St. Mary’s was the SJS D-I champ and Central Catholic the SJS D-IV champ last season. The SJS D-II champ was Grant. They won the state open division bowl over LB Poly, enroute to claiming the state title. St. Mary’s narrowly lost the state D-II bowl to Cathedral. While De La Salle lost the D-I bowl.

    I see Grant gaining the open bowl bid once again. With St. Mary’s not De La Salle earning the D-I bowl berth. The Spartans could be a D-II bowl qualifier. But so could Monte Vista…if they win the NCS. Especially if it is over De La Salle. However I have a strange feeling about Berkeley going all the way.

80. junior Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    BOTH St Mary’s and Grant cannot go to a CIF bowl game this year as they are in the same division and section (D2-SJS)-only one of them can survive.

    DLS is not eligible for D2 game- only open or D1 game based on attendance.

81. Big Joe Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    If De La wins the rest, they go to the Div.1 bowl.

82. Dutch B Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    There is still a chance that Grant will compete in the SJS D-I playoffs. It is not concrete that they will be SJS D-II like last season.

    Regardless of their section classification. That does not determine what bowl division they will be in.

    Examples: Last year St. Mary’s was the SJS D-I champ. But played in the D-II bowl game. While Grant was the SJS D-II champ. But won the open division bowl.

83. Dutch B Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Big Joe…If DLS wins out. They will have a case for strong argument, as to why they should be D-I bowl recipient. But if it somehow came down to Grant; St. Mary’s or DLS. I am not certain that DLS would get the D-I bowl.

    In all reality if Grant wins out. They should be an open division bowl recipient. But St. Mary’s could challenge DLS for a D-I bowl berth.

    Also the possibility that a CCS team could get recognized too.

84. Dutch B Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Old Former Meddling Coach…Are you attending Boise State now ?

85. Kyle Bonagura Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    Here is the revised plan for how the SJS will determine playoff teams:

    32 teams will qualify for the playoffs. Those 32 teams will be divided in half by enrollment. The 16 schools with the largest enrollment will be Division I. The remaining 16 schools will be Division II.

    There are 63 schools in the D1/D2 group. St. Mary’s is the third smallest school, so it will definitely play in the D2 playoffs. Grant is No. 41 in total enrollment of the 63, so odds are it will also be in D2, which would prevent both St. Mary’s and Grant from winning a section title. Granite Bay and Del Oro are also on the smaller side enrollment wise in the D1/D2 group, so that could be a very competitive playoff bracket.

    http://cifsjs.org/playoffs/football/fb_divisions_0910.pdf

86. old former meddling coach. Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Dutch B, #84 I’m a 47 yr old Former Coach. Jonathan Brown is in Boise with Southwick. Jet pride!

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