- East Bay Prep Corner
NCS football bracket — Division I
By Stephanie Hammon
Sunday, November 4th, 2012 at 12:14 pm in East Bay Football.
Division I
First round
Friday
No. 13 Antioch (6-4) at No. 4 San Ramon Valley (5-5), 7 p.m.
No. 14 Irvington (4-6) at No. 3 James Logan (9-1), 7 p.m.
No. 9 Pittsburg (7-3) at No. 8 Monte Vista (6-4), 7 p.m.
No. 10 Deer Valley (6-4) at. No. 7 Foothill (5-5), 7 p.m.
Saturday
No. 12 Castro Valley (5-5) at No. 5 Amador Valley (6-4), 7 p.m.
No. 11 Berkeley (5-4) at No. 6 Freedom (8-2), 7 p.m.
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 16
Monte Vista/Pittsburg winner at No. 1 De La Salle (10-0), 7 p.m.
Deer Valley/Foothill winner at No. 2 California (8-2), 7 p.m.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
November 4th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Wow, Freedom got hosed again, this time a #6 seed?? The Logan-Freedom 2nd round matchup should be a good one. I had Cal at #3, but #2 was not out of the question. SRV at #4 with a 5-5 record was a big surprise, as was AV at #5 with 6-4, but I guess the secret committee really factored the AV win over Freedom in the preseason heavily. Pitt at #9 gets a rematch with MV but the winner heads over to Winton as a parting gift. Cal gets the winner of Foothill-DV which could be a good game.
November 4th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
How the hell is Berkley a 11th Seed when we won our league?! Also, how do we not get a home playoff game. I thought it was guaranteed you get one if you win league?! NCS i trying to screw us over once again, and we just have to prove them wrong once more!
November 4th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Looked at all the seedlings. Complain all you want but the committee did its best job in years. Not perfect of course. but no teams were undeservedly high or low. And if you have to go on the road, it’s your own fault!
November 4th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
91… Freedom also won their league and they have the higher seed.
November 4th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I agree oh boy. They did a much better job this year, but I was just surprised at Freedom, as I thought they had an outside shot at the #3 seed but slipped to #6. Cal, Logan & Freedom are in the same bracket, but I’m sure all are glad just to be on the opposite of the Green Machine until the finals.
November 4th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Thank you very much NCS for getting it exactly right this time. I mean EXACTLY. I know a lot of people thought Logan would get seeded ahead of Cal but you took Cal’s much stronger schedule into account. (which was pretty difficult to see, I felt it could have gone either way) And the 4-9 seeds are absolutely indisputable, as with the exception of MV’s win over Cal and a Foothill team with a lower record than the 8-11 seeds (but still seeded properly as they had a combo of a much tougher schedule and the win over MV), every single head-to-head is accounted for (going back to last year when it was taken way too much into account to give MV the easiest possible route to the semifinal, now it gives them the hardest this year, whereas Cal was unfairly thrown into the hardest route last year and now has the easiest to the D1 championship in a 99% more justified bracket). And the 10-14 seeds are also all very accurate, as every team is separated either by a sizeable difference in ratings or a head-to-head victory. Verdict: last year’s bracket was completely botched in favor of MV (making me very suspicious of how it became so), and NCS deserves points for sticking with a much more assured and correct playoff bracket this year. It is working out at its’ finest. Go Grizzlies!
November 4th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
WOW! Screw the EBAL and the NCS! Definitely in bed together! The playoff brackets in EVERY sport, every year, are always in favor of the EBAL! Get your heads out of the Gold Plated sand too EBAL fans, you know you get preferential treatment. Screw you and your 5-5 and 6-4 teams! Spoiled uppity brats through and through!I hope Logan, Pitt and Freedom roll you. This thing is obviously set up so the EBAL doesn’t face each other in the 1st round.
November 4th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Terrible..two 5 & 5 teams ahead of pitt..lmao ebal bias in full effect
November 4th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@ 91…. Berkeley got screwed because they weren’t going to put you ahead of DV(who is obviously floundering, and has 2 suspended players now) because that means Foothill would’ve had to come to your house. Now what Pleasanton resident in their right mind would want to visit MLK Blvd. at 7pm on a Saturday night! So they make you an 11 and send you out to Oakley.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Maxi,
The EBAL teams already have faced each other. What more is there to prove? They also all faced DLS. Other leagues did not. I do hope Logan, Pitt and Freedom look at this as opportunity to knock off EBAL teams. What is the use of playoffs if you’re running from competition?
November 4th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Hey committee….way to go by DOGGING Pitt yet again…putting them in another potential 2nd Round Match w/DLS. Last yr…they win BVAL…beat Berkeley in Rd 1…get DLS in 2nd Rd. This yr…Pitt is #2 in BVAL (lost to Freedom 49-48)…have to deal w/MV again; I predict that this game was be MUCH different than the 1st one. If (when) Pitt gets past MV…we get DLS again…(?) Hell….Pitt would be better off getting DV’s seed (10) or Antioch’s (13)…!! How does the #2 BVAL team have a harder road than the #4 & #5 teams from the BVAL…?
3 things…16 teams are just too many; it should be cut off at 12. Also…I know some may scoff at this…but if you win your league…you should be a Top 6 team & host a playoff game. Lastly…I don’t like this “predetermined” ranking/playoff slots; DLS & Cal…& everyone that falls in line behind them should be playing the LOWEST seeds that advance to the next round (i.e.- like the NFL). So…if Irvington upsets Logan…Irvington as the LOWEST seed that is moving on…should be the one going to DLS. Cal would get the next lowest seed to move on…etc…
November 4th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Maxi, the hatred you spew is the exact reason why your teams don’t do well in the playoffs. It is a social issue with your teams and your communities. It is very self interested rather than looking at the facts. No matter how you slice it the EBAL is the toughest league in the Bay Area probably with the exception of the WCAL. You bring up the EBAL as being uppity rather it is parents who have brought up their kids right to be respectful and play for the right reasons. Team, unity, self respect, loyalty, and love. Love of the competition love to succeed. Rather than placing blame you should take a look at yourself and the poison you spew on message boards. Bottom line Success breeds success.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Pitt01,
Please correct me if I’m wrong. That 5-5 foothill team you’re whining about beat a MV team that whipped you at home? And put up the 2nd most pts of the season on DLS. I would pick a better argument.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Forget about it Berkeley, your record is 5-4, what makes you think you should be higher than what you got? You won league, thats good for a banner in the gym, but so did your opponent who is a higher seed; no home game for you.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
I think for the most part these brackets are pretty good. The only arguement you can make is that SRV should be lower than 4, but in fairness to them they did play a real tough schedule.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@ATrueSav: I couldn’t agree more with the last part of your proposal that the NCS should do it the way the NFL and almost any other playoff system does it, with respect to lowest seed playing highest seed, second lowest playing second highest, etc. The NCS has always set it up so it is that way in the first round, but assumes that the highest seeds always win (so if a lower seed comes up with an upset, they are now treated like the seed of the team they upset, which is a better seed than who they were originally seeded below). And this helps me to understand the non-EBAL teams frustration, especially Pitt since they have suffered a similar fate as Cal high last year, because the thing is Pitt was seeded exactly where they should have been, but it is not fair that they have to play DLS in the second round if a lower seed comes up with an upset, because that lower seed (provided they are the lowest seed remaining) should have to be the one who plays DLS. But don’t blame the EBAL (who got what they worked hard for), blame the NCS there. They got the seedings exactly right, but their system of fixed bracket lines is wrong, and that is the next thing that they need to fix.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Berkeley you are 5-4… play in a terrible football league… that is a mix of D1, 2, and 3, teams
BVAL is all D-1 and honestly Berkeley and Castro should have been behind every BVAl team, even Antioch
Berkeley and Castro valley have not beaten a single good team
Freedom got SCREWED and Pitt should be at least 1-2 spots higher
EBAL bias like always
November 4th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
SRV would love to have been seeded lower, it would have been a much easier road to the finals (no DLS to the end). Remember like them or not they played the toughest pre-season of just about anyone. There wins were all quality ones and with the exception of Logan they were in every game, but again I think they would have been happy to get the lower seed if they had a choice.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
*I stand corrected; my kid tells me that Pitt beat Antioch in Rd 1 last yr…beat Berkeley in Rd 2…THEN played DLS in Rd 3*….Ok…fine…it brings me to another point: In 2010…Pitt is #1 in BVAL, Heritage is #2. Someway…somehow…Pitt plays Heritage in Rd 1. Heritage beats the ish out of Pitt…guess who’s waiting for them in Rd 2? Yeah…ole Sparty. Last yr…Pitt plays Antioch in last game of BVAL (as they do every yr). Playoff seedings announced…guess who plays in Rd. 1 the next week: you guessed it…Pitt vs. Antioch AGAIN for the 2nd week in a row. Then of course…Pitt is again on DLS side of the bracket…lol.
My point is…I can understand the concern about EBAL favoritism…whether it be scheduling BVAL teams against each other in Rd. 1 to cancel one of them out….to coordinate it so that EBAL can only meet in later rounds….or having DLS lurking to finish off any remaining BVAL team before the gms get to The Coliseum. You can’t help but to wonder.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@BVAL,
I wouldn’t say Berkeley’s league is terrible but they are definitely the big dog. And your teams were placed fairly. You can’t put Pitt ahead of Foothill or Freedom in front of Amador Valley.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
If a team wins its league–and Berkeley is finally in a league with competition–doesn’t it get a home game? Worthiness or not, is there a rule on winning a league? If not, then leagues are somewhat meaningless and BHS’ undefeated league season is not very meaningful either.
And about visiting MLK on a Saturday night, Maxi, are you aware of any issues with safety at BHS in recent years? I think not. BHs has a new stadium. In fact, downtown Berkeley (where BHS is located) is a destination for folks with class and wisdom who visit the many music and theater venues and fantastic world-class restaurants. Get over your 1970s false ideas of Berkeley and live in the present.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@oh boy how can u not put pitt above foothill and amador..they been ahead of them all year in the rankings..now all of a sudden there below them..are u serious..yes u are..ebal bias at its finest
November 4th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Freedom league champ also. Goes to seeding.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Freedom did not get screwed… they lost to Amador… Amador lost to SRV… Easy seeding… SRV #4, AV #5, Freedom #6… decided on the field that’s how it should be decided.
Pitt lost to Monte Vista and Freedom… it’s pretty clear cut.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@THEanonymous: Yes indeed…i.e.- Irvington upsets Logan….why should DLS have to deal w/either Pitt or MV in 2nd Rd…when there’s a #14 seed that’s out there still playing? Having NFL-type seedings & playoff advancing would also KILL the “EBAL favoritism” arguments (for the most part)…because no one would know what the potential matchups would be beyond the 1st Round.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Freedom gets screwed once again! EBAL bias? Absolutely! Don’t understand why San Ramon is number 4 and Amador Valley is number 5. Freedom scored more points on against foothill then Amador Valley did. Just because you beat the Freedom 1 on 1 doesnt necessarily mean your better. How do you explain Foothill vs Amador then? Doesn’t make any sense.
This is not exactly right. Berkeley, irvington, Antioch shouldnt be on this list and have no business in the playoffs. Period
November 4th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
So the fact a 5 & 5 srv lost to deer valley means nothing..
November 4th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Just because you beat the Freedom 1 on 1 doesn’t necessarily mean your better.
That is a ridiculous statement… Freedom got beat head to head they get a lower seed… very simple logic.
Foothill is lower than AV because Av finished higher the league standing than Foothill.
It really isn’t that hard to figure out!
November 4th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
SRV did not play Deer Valley… nice try.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
I doubt if Maxi speaks for very many BVAL bloggers. BVAL fans are all about stepping up to the challenge. I’d put money on any BVAL team wanting a crack at DLS at any point of the playoffs, first or final game.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
It is what it is. Play the game that’s it. If you’re team can compete, let ‘em. Too much complaining. It’s put up or shut up time.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Brackets for DI, DII and DIII look pretty good to me. Always something to complain about, SRV seems a little high as an example, but all in all they got it right.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
All my predictions were right. MV an Pitt shouldn’t be below foothill in my opinion… And can someone explain to me cal over logan?? But other than that, it wasn’t looking good for BVAL… Calling a DV and berk victory though…
November 4th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Hey BVAL fans… Pitt LOST to Cal and MV. Freedom LOST to AV. Quit your whining!
November 4th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
This seeding is no worries for Pitt. Pitt will take its sweet revenge on Monte Vista at their home turf. Then move on to take its best shot at DLS. Even if its the quarterfinals round, it’ll look like its the championship game.
DLS Coach Lad said during his interview by Norcalpreps.com after their sloppy win over California, any strong team of BVAL can beat anybody (and that includes DLS). So, 1991 history could repeat itself and the Pitt Pirates had that experience of beating DLS in Northern California during the NCS championship. It’s not farfetched (Coach Lad thinks so himself) and that’s why you’ll see the throngs of old and new Pitt fans swarming to the games. Any game where Pitt is playing makes tons of money because of the Pitt crowd==they come in big numbers larger than the home team. If you watch them play, you’ll see visibly the strong community support for the Pitt Pirates–it has a strong history and unique culture.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Foothill beat MV and MV beat Pitt… again decided on the field. Seedings are correct on #7-#9.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@ Maxi, do you have a CDC #?. Reason I asked your comments have criminal over tones. Unfortunately this is all about crime, hoods and so forth. Please leave your reality at home. Berkeley is a nice place to visit I am sure there are a few graduates from cal. who live in foothill’s zip. Remember this is for the kids please put energy into getting our kids recruited. We still have a few D1 level players who don’t have offers. Go NCS !!!!
November 4th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@anonymous
Yeah I figured that would have been the reason… But then again.. That would favor any EBAL in that case… But I guess that explains SRV a bit.
@atruesav
don’t agree with you on the league champs being in top seeds… Homefield advantage is good enough in my opinion
November 4th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Last time I checked if you win your league you get a home game in the first round. If thats not the case then whats the point of even having leagues
November 4th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I agree with you there NCS guru.. Good point. Just thought MV’s huge win over cal would have helped along with a better showing vs Pitt as well, foothill losing to freedom with Pitt doing better stood out to me.. But on the field is the best way to go
November 4th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Castro Valley play MV and Cal pretty tough and has also played 8 playoff bound team. But everyone can talk about it on blog and complain but the games are played for a reason I wouldnt be shocked if a few team get upset.
November 4th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@observer
PREACH. BVAL defenders as a Logan fan I would think I’m unbiased when it comes to EBAL vs BVAL this rankings are as accurate as hell. AV being viewed as the third best team from EBAL beat league champ Freedom? Who’s is above freedom? 3 EBAL teams Logan and DLS. right under freedom is foothill, the only EBAL team beaten by a BVAL team. MV beat pitt convincingly and there you have Pitt right under MV. DV right under Pitt but no other team inbetween. Had heritage applied it would have been Pitt, heritage, DV in that order…
All these folks are complaining about BVAL getting it rough, but no one is making a true legitimate statement other than records when the best way to prove a point would have been ON THE FIELD. yeah SRV, AV, MV and foothill have worse records. But only one victory over foothill ruins any case.
November 4th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
i’m expecting a freedom vs logan showdown. it should be an exciting good game. i’ll give an edge to freedom. freedom is more battle tested the last few games. logan is good but not as tested the last few games. and before someone mentions heritage again as a comparison. i am just stating the facts that freedom had a much tougher schedule than logan. i see both freedom and logan beating their first playoff games. this year logan will get passed their first playoff game. good luck to all the teams. all roads leads to dls.
November 4th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Good point Spectator2012.
All roads lead to DLS and until everyone else in D1 can figure out a way to beat them then you’re arguing over their scraps! Notice this is the 1st blog post in 3 months that hasn’t gone DLS vs the World?
D1′s need to stop complaining about travel too since all the large schools are in large cities and fairly close (1-2 hours). For playoffs, D3 and D4 schools have to travel 4-6 hours to the middle of nowhere
November 4th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Nobody in the EBAL wants to see Pitt, talk all you want Pitt will roll MV then takes it’s shot at the green machine. As a man I respect any other mans opinion doesnt man I have to agree with it.. this is what I disagree with.. yes Pitt play horrible against MV in wk 3 and we got rolled by like 30 so that’s why we got seeded 9th??? MV beat Cal by 17 so why isn’t MV ranked about CAL – because one bad game dont mean SHIT, it should be based on how you did all year. Why do you all comment and support Norcal preps, CCTimes, Maxpreps, all the rankings all year long.. where teams like Pitt and Freedom are clearly ranked higher for good reason. Then throw it out the window come seeding..
Props to DeLa till they are knocked off, but CAL is the best EBAL has to offer, the same Cal we lost to by 6 with 3 turnovers, and 7 first times defensive starters on the field.. wish we could see you all again. But we slipped up early and have to take our medicine like men. We put ourselves in this spot, so will take it out on Mvista and show up to fight DLS. Book it Pitt – DLS second round.
November 4th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Not disagreeing with any of the last posts. Pitt is still dangerous. Everyone in the single digit seeds are too. Seeding may be accurate but seem unfair to people, but nows’ the time to put up or shut up. Ratings are disregarded and should be. ratings are all about who you beat and how good that team you beat is. Playoff seeding is all about who you beat and how that team you beat fairs against relevant teams.
November 4th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
KIR… you blow your own argument out of the water. Pitt lost to Cal, Freedom and MV but we should throw all those out the window because Pitt had a couple bad games. All I see is a bunch of excuses for Cal and your ass kicked by 30 to Monte Vista.
Pitt is seeded exactly in the spot they earned.
November 4th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Excuses for Pitt… not Cal
November 4th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
NCS learn to read wasn’t making an argument.. I gave my opinion. I admitted we got our ass whipped by MV just like Cal did.. we didnt have a couple bad games we had one against MV.. we lost to Cal by 6 and freedom by 1. I also stated we slipped up early and have to take our medicine.. no excuses here Im calling EBAL out! And if you beat us in playoffs I will tip my hat like a man.
I call it like I see it, overall EBAL has better teams then BVAL this year. But don’t agree that 4 or 5 ebal teams are better then top two in BVAL ( Pitt and Freedom). Congrats on your seeding – MV will be out Friday by 8:30 PM..
If I’m wrong I will come back on this blog and eat Crow and take all blows you have to give. Pitt wins by 10 game will not be as close as the score, will run for at least 200yds on you..
November 4th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
KIR… fair enough and good luck Friday!
November 4th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
If I am Freedom, I would rather be 6 than 4 or 5, so this could be a blessing in disguise for the Falcons. Now they have a legit shot at making it to the title game. Everyone else may be complaining, but I guarantee you their coaches are doing a bit of smirking. They know they can beat Logan in the 2nd round, and Cal is not out of the question for them either, a rematch of last year’s great game. Then DLS in the finals instead of the semis. If I am Freedom, I am completely okay with this . . .
November 4th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
KIR… you also lost to Freedom who lost to AV. Cal’s other loss was to DLS
November 4th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Pitt will come out hungry for revenge at MV. Pitt has always proven they’re stronger come playoffs. All key players and they have tons of them are all healthy. Galli can unleash all game plays in their arsenal with a very deep team at all positions. The preseason defense that MV defeated is gone. If MV becomes overconfident and don’t study the new Pitt, they’re in for a big surprise. MV won’t see itself scoring high at all. Pitt’s offense will overwhelm and run a high score over MV. We might have a very quiet MV throughout the game. The game will be settled at the playing field with loud noise and great fun on the Pitt stands. See you there!
November 4th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I agree,freedom has a easy game with Logan and Berkley. They need to get ready for cal
November 4th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
I agree Kriart – MV has dropped 3 in a row, they have no OL or DL. They rely on out gunning there opponent, and don’t worry about defense at all. QB is average when he is under pressure (just look at the last 3 games. If Pitt moves on they will have a tough game against dls, but they are beatable this year. I’m and ebal guy but can see that MV is beatable, good luck Pitt
November 4th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Don’t sleep on Logan. A school with 5000 students is bound to have a few good football players. They beat the living crap out of SRV and SRV is a good team.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Berkeley is going to put up a fight like always
They had a bad preseason but who cares they went undefeated in league
beat castro and beat bishop o’dowd
they pulled it together and to not have a home game is disrespectful
November 4th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Cant complain about the seedings this year as the commitee got it right. Cal & Logan both have arguments about the 2 seed but it could have gone either way. I like how people think its a lock that freedom beat Logan in the matchup cause freedom has “athletes” Logan has just as much or even more than freedom. What you have to look at is Logan’s defense. One of the best not only in the bay but Norcal.
November 4th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
I must truly agree with everyone I think the committee did a much better job this year. Now, let me say this I as well as other Logan Football Alumni wanted Zuber out after last year. He couldn’t even get out of the 1st round. So this year he did the right thing by leaving the MVAL. So now they play Irvington(MVAL) which isn’t a very good squad and then more then likey Freedom. Now if I’m not mistaken Logan killed Freedom earlier in the year. So for the 1st time in I don’t know how many years Zuber and his LOGAN SQUAD should and that’s a BIG SHOULD win their 1st 2 games. But I remember something Fromson said to us durning the 94 season. That year we played an Antioch team that on paper was better then us. They even scheduled us as their Homecoming game, they didn’t even score that night. Then we played a Berkley High Squad who had 2 futre pro on that team in Mr Hannibal Navies(sorry if I misspelled it) and Jerod Cherry. For sure on paper they where way better then us but that was on paper and we ended up winning. So to this years Logan Squad on Paper you are better then Irvington and Freedom but that’s why the game is played. You guys better come ready to play and don’t take no one lightly. Cause I don’t know how Zuber can continue to be the head coach at Logan if he cant make it pass the first 2 games of thos years playoffs. Zuber I believe is on the hot seat.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:01 am
I like Pitt over MV, they get there revenge from earlier this year!! Castro over Amador. Deer valley over Foothill.
November 5th, 2012 at 7:13 am
Kir
It is pretty simple. Cal and SRV are co ebal champs. Had MV beaten SRV, cal would have been sole ebal champ because of the better lesgue record. Thus the higher seed. DLS moved to automatic independent bid.
Pitt got rolled by MV. Cal put up 40 pts on them.
Anyway it all goes through DLS. I think teams would want to get a crack at the best as a barometer of how good they are. If you want a shot at state you need to get through the north.
November 5th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Why don’t they just make DLS have a bye, its obvious they are going to Finals. Let all these team have a chance to play and make it to final, so battle it out on Semi, whoever wins, plays in Final. This way every team gets a chance, rather than being knocked out by DLS in the 1st couple brackets? just a thought.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:29 am
The seedlings are what they are, and the EBAL has won thier respect on the field.
However, there is some faulty logic. For example
Amador is ranked ahead of freedom and Pitt because they beat freedom, and freedom beat Pitt. Fine makes sense.
But then why does Amador losing to Div 2 Concord, who lost to Div2 Clayton, who lost to Pitt not factor in. Same (some might say more complling because of the lower division angle) argument.
Sometimes league champ matter, sometimes overall record, sometimes head to head. And then sometimes it doesn’t.
Bottom line is there is zero transparency on the process which is the real problem.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:34 am
@FootballFan. Zero chance they ever just bye DLS to the finals. For one thing that is a lot of gate money to pass up, but more importantly it would be a severe disadvantage to DLS – the boys on that team should not be punished and denied the joy of playing in a high school playoff game just because their predecessors had undeniable success.
At the end of the day the experience for high school children far outweighs who wins the NCS championship, which is only important to those who are directly connected to it.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:40 am
For the record Cal and San Ramon are NOT co-ebal champs. They both finished 5-1 in league but Cal won the head to head, so they are recognized as league champs and San Ramon is not.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:50 am
I would rather have DLS get a few brusies before the final game. No need to get them any fresher than they are.
November 5th, 2012 at 10:04 am
North Coast Section Division 1 1st Round
*league champ
Friday 7pm
#14 Irvington-MVAL 4-6 @ #3 Logan 8-2
played eachother 2 weeks ago. Logan won 66-0.
CalPreps: Logan 62-0
Friday 7pm
#13 Antioch-BVAL 6-4 @ #4 San Ramon Valley-EBAL 5-5
antioch started 5-0 agianst soft competition then finished 1-4 in league. san ramon started 0-3 against some of norcals best and finished 5-2 only losing to dls and cal.
CalPreps: San Ramon Valley 35-14
Friday 7pm
#9 Pittsburgh-BVAL 7-3 @ #8 Monte Vista-EBAL 6-4
played each other earlier this year MV won 44-14. pitt is 6-1 since with the only loss 49-48 against #6 freedom. monte vista finished the year on a 3 game slide losing streak. D1 Game of the Week.
CalPreps: Monte Vista 31-28
Saturday 7pm
#12 Castro Valley-WACF 5-5 @ #5 Amador Valley-EBAL 6-4
castro valley is going to need to bounce back quick after losing last week on a blocked field goal because amador valley is 4-1 in the last 5 games only losing to dls.
CalPreps: Amador Valley 35-21
Saturday 7pm
#11 Berkeley-WACF* 5-4 @ #6 Freedom-BVAL* 8-2
berkeley went 0-4 away from league and 5-0 in league. freedom is way out of thier league. this wont be close.
CalPreps: Freedom 35-6
Saturday 7pm
#10 Deer Valley-BVAL 6-4 @ #7 Foothill-EBAL 5-5
deer valley started strong at 6-1 but finsihed 0-3. foothill played up and down all year.
CalPreps: Foothill 31-26
November 5th, 2012 at 10:34 am
@ Lo-Hi & Rancher
I’m a logan alum from the 2006 team, graduated 07. I played under zuber as a senior when he first came in as head coach. I’m going to tell you now, we haven’t had a talented team since the 2007 team of rashad evans, blake lebeau, danny godfrey etc.
The year before that, we showed huge improvement with the guys mentioned above as well as dejon gomes, josh neal, fenuki foketi etc. We were a mess that year as we got blasted by Monta Vista for our opening that game. We turned it around somehow and almost knocked out #2 foothill as a 7th seed. That same foothill team made it to the finals.
The 2007 team made it to the semi-finals but fell short to Cal, rashad evans our star player was in an out with a leg injury.
Since then it’s been a huge dip. especially the 2008 team after 2 straight talented teams left, we didn’t even win league with all junior starters. 2009 wasn’t much of an improvement either..
But I think we can get a pass on 2010 and 2011. Our starting QB, RBs and key linebacker were sophomores. They were expected to be terrible as we were practically starting a JV team in 2010, yet they still won league. expected to lose first round right? they did..
2011 we had a bye and made the 2nd round, and ran into the team that made it to the finals. that’s nothing to be proud of but it’s worth mentioning
This 2012 team has a chance to make it to the finals, and a strong chance at that. But we haven’t had a player that went D-1 since 2007, which is something to think about. Almost every EBAL team sends someone to a D-1, and the top BVAL teams has atleast 1 every 2 years.
The talent around our area has either went down a bit or the talent around us has gotten way better. Cal was such a weak team in the early 2000s and look at the EBAL now, almost all of their D-1 teams make the playoffs and at high seeds at that. Teams like San Leandro & Skyline have struggled like crazy to get around. When Zuber left SL, the pirates has not seen success since then. If any of the 2008-2011 teams are reading this, no disrespect, but I know they’ll vouch for zuber in saying that he’s not a bad coach at all. Coach billeci of Cal who was our Defense coordinator stuck around for only 3 years and left right away, it makes you think… why would he do that? Zuber is under pressure but I really think he’s trying to do the best he can. The move to get out of the MVAL was the best thing to do. Coach Quesinberry had a 40 game winning streak in MVAL but didn’t do much when it came to the playoffs. Zuber did the same thing and got the same results as Coach Q did.
November 5th, 2012 at 10:34 am
The first Pitt-MV game was the main reason why Pitt got stuck at #9, behind #8 MV. But that wasn’t that only game that factored into the “EBAL bias” that some are alleging.
Freedom’s loss to AV was huge as well, since that meant the 3rd place EBAL team (without DLS) beat the 1st place BVAL team. Freedom did beat Foothill which looked great at the time, as “everyone” thought Foothill would win the EBAL this year, but instead they finished tied for 4th, ahead of just the 2 Livermore schools. Throw in Cal’s win over Pitt, Heritage’s loss to Granada, and Liberty’s loss to Livermore and the EBAL went 5-1 over the BVAL this year.
Call it bias if you want, but it was earned on the field with hard fought victories. The BVAL has a chance to redeem itself in the postseason with games like Pitt-MV and DV-Foothill (I won’t count Antioch-SRV as I don’t think that will be much of a game). Pitt unfortunately has DLS in their bracket, so even if they beat MV, they won’t be around long. But Freedom and Deer Valley are both good teams that could make some noise this postseason. Good luck to the BVAL teams, except when they are playing Cal 8).
November 5th, 2012 at 11:07 am
@ LO-HI football alum. Logan has never played freedom, not in the last three years?. Scouted Freedom, Logan better be ready to stop the various trip sets that Freedom runs. Freedom’s QB is on sometimes, their running game is average. Logan needs to cover the fade rout to Daniels. Logan also has to defend the trips tight formation, Freedom runs well from this set with inside dives and sweeps. On offense Logan needs to be extremely run heavy. their backs can expose Freedoms defense but Coach Zuber needs to trust the run it’s the reason we are in the playoffs again. Logan’s QB needs to make better reads and be willing to tuck and run at first opportunity, also if Logan plays possession football and keep daniels and co. off the field they can win this game. Bill Cower of the Steelers used his running game to ice teams and so should Zuber. Short intermediate passes with quick release from the pistol will kill Freedom and also methodically move Logan down the field. One word of caution take all teams serious and leave it on the field every game !!!.
November 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@ deuce, problem with teams in the inner city areas compared to the teams in the valley & suburbs is one thing: the support. Although they have the talent, the programs don’t compare to level of support those teams receive in those area. From the youth football programs 2 schools 2 fund raising the inner city schools can’t compare.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@rancher
I was gonna mention that, but that’s far beyond the coaches and players’ control, and I know everyone (me & you) already knew that. That kind of truth hurts but hey, Logan sports were about to be pulled all together just about 2-3 years ago. Still proud of these colts on making it work.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
I’m sorry, but these brackets just never make sense. Seriously, these poeple at NCS get PAID for making stupid decisions? It’s just like Obummer and our government,getting paid to act stupid. And the fact that teams like Irvington, Antioch, and Livermore accepted bids to the playoffs despite having LOSING records shows what integrity and honesty they all have. Then again, our society is watered down to please everyone, not like back in the day. Unfortunately, that will lead to the eventually downfall of our country. Makes me hate being alive to see stupidity exist in our generations, we are sorry God.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
i didn’t know union city wasn’t the suburbs. that’s news to me. as far as i know, union city, fremont, newark are also the burbs. not in the valley, but also suburbs. you guys make it seem like union city is like oakland or sf.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/zip/94587
November 5th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
#65 The demographics have changed in some of those areas. That could have an impact on whether a kid wants to play football, has the size to play football, of whether football is important in the parent’s mind as part of a well-rounded education.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@spectator
It’s not the suburbs, nor is it a corrupt area.. Compared to fremont and newark, Union City is the roughest out of the 3. Basically you take Fremont and Hayward and combine the two, you have UC…
November 5th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
whatever 7deuce. hayward is the ghettoest out of all in that area. check the crime stats. if you’re comparing uc, nwk, and fmt, you must be joking? those are all suburbs. nothing in those 3 cities cry out “innercity”. only rough part of uc is decoto and maybe contempo area, and they’re still nice compared to a lot of inner city areas.. and yes, it is the suburbs. union city is a high-end middle class area. by the way, i was raised in union city and graduated from logan, 1994. when it was really a hood. so don’t tell me union city is hood. ask your elders, they’ll tell you. that place has been cleaned up, son. i was there when it was rough and it still was not compared to inner city. if you think union city is rough, then you wouldn’t know how to survive in the real inner city. logan kids are privileged then and now.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@spectator
Union City is no brentwood, antioch, danville, san ramon either. I can tell you that. It might better off than places like san leandro or alameda. but you gotta think about a city with only one high school but is packed with 4000 students… the city’s money is going elsewhere or it’s not enough..
November 5th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@ Spectator , dude have u been Union City? Compare it 2 places like concord, Livermore, & San Ramon, it’s not exactly Eden.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@ Spectator, if u are a Logan alum, why have u been doggin them all season long? U got a personal beef with the program. Please explain.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
SO IN CLOSING if an eagle hangs around with chickens he’ll never learn 2 fly LMAO
November 5th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
i understand the money situations. it’s the same thing comparing antioch to san ramon, it’s apples and oranges. the support is not the same. have you been to antioch hs? logan looks like a university compared to it. really old and ugly. some parts of antioch are nice, and brentwood has a lot of new homes, and a new school which makes it look rich, but it’s not. people moved here because it was affordable, but it still is middle class. it’s not danville or san ramon that’s for sure. with 4000 students, you would think you can get support form the parents for fundraising and other activities. antioch, brentwood schools doesn’t have that kind of numbers, but they make it happen somehow. so, something is missing if you can’t get the 3000-4000 families involved.
November 5th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@spec
point i was trying to make is that another high school should have been built. instead of another HS, union landing was built as they wanted to go with money. now we’re stuck with 35-40 kids a classroom and furlough days.
November 5th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
i’m not dogging logan. nothing against their program either. i actually want them to do good. i’m just a realist. i watched logan, and other teams, and what i put out there is my opinions. logan is good but not great. they are not battle tested and having to play the weak mval teams never helps them. specially, before the playoffs. they should try to move to the ebal. i know it’s more than just for football to consider a move. i have nephews that play for logan and other nephews that play in the ebal/bval/dval/dls schools. if logan was in the bval/ebal league, they would not go unbeaten, and will be tested every year. these teams beat each other up each season. in return, it would make logan a better team and earn more respect. i realize that logan tried to schedule playoff teams this season, and it’s not their fault these teams were down this year. as in comparing cities, antioch seems more ghetto than uc. some, parts of antioch is really bad. union city is comparable to concord imo. i wish logan the best of luck this playoff season. i can’t wait to see the freedom/logan match-up, unless one or both teams loses to berk/irvington.
November 5th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Good job by the Grizzlies much maligned defense in holding DLS to just 27 points Friday. That is the 3rd year in a row they held DLS to more than 10 points under their season average in week 10. After a rough 1st series in which DLS ran through them as if they weren’t there, they went to work. Cal held DLS without a 1st down for 3 straight series, including a 4th down stop. Cal was in the red zone down just 7-0 with 2 minutes left in the half, but couldn’t capitalize. A sack, a penalty and a missed FG left them still down 7-0 with about a minute to go and it looked like that would be the score at half, but Das took one to the house for 80 yards, breaking several tackles in what was a back breaker.
Cal again stopped DLS on the first couple of 2nd half series, and then Johnson scored to make it 14-7 late in the 3rd quarter. DLS scored quickly to make it 21-7 after 3, and then added another in the 4th but missed the PAT to make it 27-7. Cal scored late on a couple of nice Owen to Cornwell plays to close to 27-14 with about a minute left, and then put a scare into Sparty with another apparent onside kick recovery but it was ruled (I think) that the whistle hadn’t blown. DLS ran 1 more play and when Cal didn’t call a TO they took a knee to end it.
Cal had plenty of chances, taking over with great field position on the 4th down stop and a botched punt, but DLS’ defense rose to the occasion each time. I thought Owen played well and counted about 5 dropped passes by Grizz receivers as they may have heard Sparty footsteps approaching. Cal also had a sure INT slip through their hands at about midfield, missed an opportunity on the botched punt as the Cal player just let it drop instead of catching in the air as it bounced within 5 yards of the LOS and there was a lot of daylight had he grabbed it.
DLS’ defense looked great as usual, but the offense, although they got a lot of yards, sputtered at times. They’ll need to be more consistent from here on out as they’ll surely be facing much better defenses than Cal’s as they progress. Williams has a solid build and looks much more like a RB than Houston’s classic QB look. He’s a crafty lefty and moves well but needs to learn to hang onto the ball, which I’m sure the DLS coaching staff is working on. It was a good tune up for both teams as they head into NCS.
November 5th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Billeci needs to let Owen attempt a pass more than 8 yards in the air. It took until inside of 2 minutes to go In the 4th qtr before he threw those fades. Johnson ran a little timid all night-of course, he faced probably the top front 7 -8 in the state. I’m sure that had something to do with it.
DLS held the top 3 teams in the EBAL to an average of 214 total yards per game and 10.7 points per game.
November 5th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@ Spectator, although I disagree , respect your opinion . U can only do so much when it comes to putting your team in position 2 win such as Zuber did in the off season. Will see if it all comes to fruition.
November 5th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Junior, the INT was more than 8 yards in the air 8) . I completely agree Johnson looked timid, especially in the first half. Are you counting MV as one of the top 3 teams in the EBAL, or is that using AV, Cal & SRV?
November 5th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I like how everyone seems to think Berkeley has no chance of putting up against Freedom. I mean come on, not even a second thought? i know they weren’t up to their par during the preseason with the schedule that they had and their offense playcalling was predictable during that time as the ratio of run to pass was almost 80-20. but right now with them going unbeaten and finding some passing games, they have come up big time. they are leading the league in passing and both recieving yards. Plus their defense are terrific. They step up when they’re most needed.
Even though i know Freedom is one hell of a team, i just think when the saturday night comes, the game’s gonna be a lot different than what computer or stats shows us. WE BELIEVE! JACKET PRIDE
November 5th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
PLUS, we had 3 interceptions playing against Monte Vista. and specifically Akil Bordelan. that player has had interceptions in almost every game he played. And when we visited the sun set field to play Hayward, that same guy had 3 picks on the same night. He’s a weapon on both side of the field as he’s the same reciever who’s leading the wcaa league in recieving yards. A guy of 5:8 ft and about 150 pounds, you don’t normally expect these types of performances from these types of players
November 5th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@seven72deuce, Logan does have a player that will be playing on Saturdays. Warren M. Long#42 holds D1 offer from Big Ten , Pac 12 and mountain west schools.
November 5th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
@BHSGUEST, please have Akil cover Daniels lord knows Berkeley high is going to need some divine intervention to pull this one off. All my prayers are heading towards Berkeley. 5’8″ 150 lbs against 6’4″ 210 , yes lets pray.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:33 am
@DJ falong
I am highly aware of that. I just didn’t mention it because I’m sure a lot of folks on this media site know about it.
November 6th, 2012 at 7:30 am
bhigh will need to contain freedom’s offense early. if not, it will be a long night. bhigh had a rough preseason. the question is can bhigh score enough to win the game. against all preseason teams played, bhigh was outscored. even with the 3 int vs monte vista, bhigh got shutout. freedom’s defense is not that good at all, but freedom’s offense can put up points and will outscore bhigh for sure. i’m predicting 42-7, freedom. good luck to both teams.
November 6th, 2012 at 8:22 am
@ seven72, my apologies was not sure if you had that info. I am not only gonna pray for bhigh but for all of us who even care enough to make a comment. Hope everybody’s team do well. Remember if anyone has footage on these NCS players don’t hesitate to forward to college coaches around the country, it is nice to see former Bay Area/San Jaq. players doing well on the next level and beyond.
November 6th, 2012 at 9:04 am
one mans thoughts;
San Ramon 52- Antioch 14…..antioch is not good
Monte Vista 31- Pitt 24……it’s the same old Pitt!
Amador 38- Castro Valley 14….CV has no answers for AV
Freedon 52- Berkeley 24….Mixon Daniels Mayes vs Berkeley….stop two of the three and you change the game
Foothill 41- Deer Valley 21…DV has no discipline and bad coaching…just look at Heritage game! If Heritage were here I’d pick them….but their head coach resigned and left them hanging!
November 6th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Everyones had some pretty interesting picks this week.. here’s mine..SRV 35-Antioch 16…step up in competiton for a weak ant. Team….Irvington 6-Logan 52…Lowest seed in the playoffs will get steamrolled by Logans high powered O Again…Pitt 29-Monte Vista 28..the game of the week will all depend on if MV’s struggling D comes out strong early..Deer Valley 17-Foothill 21..you have to like foothills’s chances at home, especially the way they fought back in their rivalry game with AV after turning the ball over 7 Times!…Castro Valley 10-Amador Valley 38..a middle of the pack wacc/haal team will strugle on the road against a surging Amador squad that really should have only lost 2 games this year..Berk. 13-Freedom 28. The 3 headed moster too much for a weak b high team..I think everyone has pretty much the same picks this week with the pitt/mv game going 50/50..should be a good 1st week of playoff football!
November 6th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
A stab at Friday’s games first:
Deer Valley – Foothill
Two teams trying to pick up their first playoff victories since 2009, after not making the dance last year. Just one common opponent – Freedom – who both teams lost to in fairly convincing fashion. Deer Valley must reverse a few trends from the last three weeks if they want to have a shot. Their defense racked up 25 sacks in their first seven games, but just one in their last three games, all losses. Likewise, their offense turned the ball six times in their last three games, and their potent rushing attack averaged just 3 yards per attempt against Heritage. Foothill, meanwhile, has been a back and forth team all year, whose signature win came back in mid-September against Monte Vista. Both teams have struggled in recent playoff history; remember Foothill’s loss to College Park in the first round two years ago? And quick, name Deer Valley’s biggest playoff victory? They don’t have one? Newark three years ago doesn’t quite cut it. This one could definitely go either way. Coaching edge goes to Foothill, and that says a lot in the playoffs, where DV has perenially underachieved. But the athletic edge has to go to the Wolverines. And if Deer Valley can have a shot to win late with the ball in the hands of Nsimba, Pooler, and company, I can see the upset happening. As long as they fix some problems from the last few weeks, getting back out of the BVAL this week will probably be the best thing for Deer Valley. Prediction: Deer Valley 34 Foothill 31
Antioch-San Ramon Valley
Unlike the game discussed above, not much mystery to this one. The Wolves have a great recent playoff tradition, while Antioch can only point to their six-point loss to Pitt last year as their best moment in recent years. In Antioch’s six wins this season, their lowest rushing total was 284 yards, led by the tandem attack of tailback Elbert Robinson and quarterback Hunter Karnthong. Meanwhile, the two teams that were most effective shutting them down – Freedom and Pitt – both held them under 100 yards rushing. On the other side of the ball, Marcus De La Pena has ran for over 100 yards in four of SRV’s five wins, and had 88 yards in the win over Granada. He also had over 20 carries in each of those instances, indicating their ability to be balanced and control the game, something they will want to do against Antioch’s up-tempo pace. A lot will fall on the shoulders of Antioch linebackers Markie Beltram and Larry Larsen if they are going to stay in the game. Prediction: SRV 42 Antioch 13
Monte Vista-Pittsburg
Two teams that have never missed the playoffs this century. How can one not be intrigued? The Mustangs throttled the Pirates early in the season, but have to be concerned about the pattern from that game. Pittsburg ran for a season-low 138 yards on just 15 carries in that game, while averaging 285 yards rushing per game during the season. Against Freedom, Pitt scored what would have been the game-tying touchdown by running off tackle power out of 22 personnel on a 4th-and-6 play from about the 30-yard line. The Pirate coaching staff has made a full commitment to a power attack following those early-season setbacks, and the results have been resounding. Jamal Lockett and Harris Ross will be ready to carry the rock this time around. Meanwhile, maybe the best thing going for Monte Vista is that they are not playing San Ramon Valley in the playoffs, as the Wolves have been their kryptonite in the post-season, having beaten their rivals four consecutive times when it matters most. But for this matchup, Monte Vista comes limping in with three consecutive losses, and has been held to under 80 yards rushing in each contest. They will need another great game from Nikita Zamora, who shredded the Pitt defense for 244 yards and two scores the first time around. Also, look for them to try and get Zach Chang going early, as he was a major factor in their early victories. The Pirates must try and slow down the three-headed receiving corps of Jalen Avery, Marco Zamora, and Mason Melin, something they could not do against Freedom’s solid trio of receivers. Prediction: Pittsburg 38 Monte Vista 30
Logan-Irvington
Really? This is what Irvington applied for? Of all the rematches I have ever seen in the playoffs, this is the only time I can recall a rematch of a 66-0 regular season game. NCS gate revenue, that’s all I can say. Logan outscored opponents from the MVAL to a tune of 224-14 down the stretch, raising concerns that they will be rusty for a good game in the playoffs. But they can worry about that in the next round. For now, they can simply dispatch the Vikings. In Irvington’s four wins, they ran for 345, 380, 389, and 451 yards. Against their three toughest opponents, they ran for 78 (Newark), 131 (Logan), and 122 (Washington). The Vikings need to have a productive game on the ground from quarterback Jack Shank and running back Ariel Hercik. Meanwhile, Logan is looking to move to 4-0 against D1 playoff opponents this season, having also posted lopsided wins over San Ramon and Berkeley. The Colts are also seeking their first playoff victory since 2007, when they beat Foothill in the quarterfinals. Irvington, meanwhile, is back for the first time since 2006, when they played in the 3A bracket. 2005 featured their run to the title game with Robert Turbin. Prediction: Logan 56 Irvington 7
November 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Well, after all that, I remembered that Deer Valley had two key players suspended during their game against Heritage. Without their star tight end/defensive end and stud fullback/defensive lineman, I can see the Wolverines coming out of the gates with intensity and emotion, but Foothill’s discipline and consistent effort being the difference maker. I thought DV had a good shot at turning it around in this one; they played outside league during the first half of the season. But without these two key cogs, and the downward momentum to finish the season, I see Foothill prevailing. Revised Prediction: Foothill 28 Deer Valley 17
November 6th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Island Chief, your post #73 is incredibly rude and disrespectful to everyone on this blog, as well as the teams (Irvington, Antioch, and Livermore) that you called out for having no integrity. I know many feel that those teams do not deserve to be in the playoffs, but you make it sound like that they should all be crucified for being there. For God’s sake their just high school children having fun. I just hope you realize the weight your comment carries. There was also no need for the comparison to politics, so your hate-filled comment is that more ridiculous.
Besides, you shouldn’t be talking because your Alameda team wasn’t so hot either, so I would not say anything if I were you.
November 6th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Predicitions for week one
Logan vs Irvington: no brainier on this one Logan 55-6
SRV vs Antioch: another no brainer, expect SRV to play conservative in this one though as they need to stay healthy after this round. SRV 40-14
AV vs Castro valley: Castro should not be taken lightly at all as they held their own against other EBAL teams. But AVs momentum should carry through. AV 31-20
Freedom vs Berkeley: if there’s any to note in this game, Berkeley has improved this season. How much though is the question. Both sides have athletes in the receiving and DB areas, it will all come down to the trenches in my opinion, and judging what i saw in the logan/berk game, berk line better step it up as they will need to get in the pocket. If they can this game might go either way. I’ll throw an upset alert. Freedom 30 – 21
Foothill – DV: Deer valley has been the most streakiest team in the BVAL. Luckily for them the face the most streakiest team in the EBAL. But when DV is good, they’re really good. No one has seen a perfect outting by foothill and might not know if they even found the switch to get all that talent to work for them. Upset alert, DV 28-24
MV – Pitt: everyone says this should be game of the week, and it better be being the fact it’s the 8/9 matchup. MV has been slipping a bit the season coming off a 3 game losing streak, but AV is no fluke, SRV is not bad at all, and DLS is DLS. The question will be is if they are too beaten up by now because of it. Pitt on the other hand is expected to be full healthy and could be dangerous. Both teams are battle tested but can Pitt outlast MVs passing attack? MV 41-38
November 6th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
interesting comment on DLS to play so they can get dinged up. DeLa is going to do the dinging up.
November 6th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Bigdog, Which post refers to DLS getting dinged up?
November 7th, 2012 at 6:00 am
Prep Fan, Bigdog’s referring to StopDropAndRumble’s post #66.
November 7th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@seven72deuce
Not sure how you can include the cities of antioch, brentwood, san ramon, and danville in the same sentence…
Have you been to the city of Antioch? It is very different from the other cities mentioned
November 7th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
@bval
that’s kind of missing the point.. i wasn’t saying all 4 of those cities are alike. I was only saying union city is different from cities such as the following..
November 7th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Thanks Stuck @104. I guess I only went back about 25 posts or so and couldn’t find anything. The other teams they would be playing might get bruises as well, but their seasons would likely be done. Only 1 bye week to rest anyway.
November 7th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
I think if Pitt (especially) wants to close the gap on DLS…they’re gonna have to start to schedule tougher gms in the preseason. Don’t get me wrong…their schedule is not a soft twinkie schedule that Antioch, D.V. Freedom historically have. However once BVAL starts…there’s usually 1 competitive game. Maybe Pitt needs to drop games like Berkeley…Clayton Valley…Granite Bay…& start scheduling teams like Serra…Bellarmine….St. Mary’s-Stockton….etc. Hell…travel to SoCal once every couple of yrs for a gm. What do they have to lose if teams are making playoffs w/under .500 records anyways?
DLS is a great school & program…but let’s call it what it is: it’s an All Star Team. I’m not gonna get on my “Public vs. Private” soapbox….but I’d be hard pressed to believe that Coach Lad could go to (i.e) Liberty High & do what he’s doing (w/only Brentwood residents & the talent pool being split w/Heritage). Not to mention…DLS seems to have a more “exclusive” feel to it being THE Top program in the region. I’d go as far as saying that if DLS were in SF or down The Peninsula playing in the WCAL w/schools like Serra…S.I….Riordan…Bellarmine…etc…their talent pool would be thinned out…because players have more options in that region. In closing…the schools (public especially) need to schedule the TOUGHEST games possible to even think they’re ready for DLS…
November 8th, 2012 at 2:31 am
@ Prep Fan. Yes, his post was in response to post 62 which stated:
“Why don’t they just make DLS have a bye, its obvious they are going to Finals. Let all these team have a chance to play and make it to final, so battle it out on Semi, whoever wins, plays in Final. This way every team gets a chance, rather than being knocked out by DLS in the 1st couple brackets? just a thought.”
November 8th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Final EBAL thoughts before the playoffs!
1. The Best of RB & QB & WR in EBAL:
RB:
K. Johnson at CHS, DeLa Pena at SRV, Chang at MV, Gates at FHS, Hernandez at Liv, Granados at GHS , Peters at AHS
QB:
Owen at CHS, Birse at SRV, Moreno at AHS, Zamora at MV, Kearns at FHS, Offill at GHS, McPherson at Liv (even though Kreger has been playing)
WR:
Melin at MV, Hudson at FHS, Miller at AHS, Zamora at MV, Turner at SRV, Finney at FHS , Campiotti at GHS
1. California: Coach Belicci should win EBAL coach of the year but if not him, then what coach? Grizzlies are a steady pounding machine week after week and they pulverize opponents without mercy. QB Owen is the unsung hero of this team, his play at QB improved each week for the most part with one or two snags along the way, he should easily win 1st team all-league honors to go along with KJ at RB. Grizzly defense showed big improvement against Sparta but then again DLS cannot throw the football to save their lives. This year’s Sparta team is one of the most beatable DLS teams I’ve seen in years, it would not surprise me at all to see DLS lose in 2012 up here or in SoCal. Karris Johnson can take the Grizzlies a long way but they will need Owen and his teammates to play awesome to win NCS title which they can do if DLS turns the ball over a few too many times and suffers from their nearly complete inability to throw the football well. Grizzlies will host the winner of Deer Valley vs. Foothill game, so a rematch is very likely against Falcons.
2. San Ramon: Coach Kessler’s tweaking of the offense to better fit QB Birse has improved Wolves greatly and they should be feared in the playoffs. Birse has really stepped up his production because the running game is relied upon behind an improving O-Line and excellent RB DeLa Pena. It seems Wolves defense gets better after they have been punched in the face a few times by the other team’s offense, kind of like a boxer. The secret weapon on the Wolves is the Kicker, he drills the ball like a young Morten Anderson routinely blasting the ball out of the end zone on kick-offs which helps the Wolves defense by pinning the other team deep every time having to go 80 yards for TD’s. This Wolves team might be peaking at the right time and Wolves believe they can beat anybody on any given day. Their come from behind victory over MV fit their pattern. SRV will win their playoff opener over Antioch and they catch a break after turnig their season around.
3. Amador: Coach Sira has Dons running very hot behind very good QB Moreno. WR Miller is putting fear into opponent’s defenses by catching balls left and right. Amador’s defense is selectively stingy and opportunistic. Against Freedom their defense was the story and their defense was the difference in their showdown too, scoring twice on Foothill’s offense to help the Dons win. QB Moreno might be peaking at the right time and this team can beat any of the seeded teams other than Sparta. Dons might be on a new mission with QB Moreno locked and loaded. If Dons are to go beyond round 2 of the playoffs their defense will need to keep the pressure on full throttle. Amador will beat Castro Valley but the Trojans will score 21 points. I like Amador to pull away in the 2nd half of this game with a final score of Dons 30 to 21 over CV, with QB Moreno throwing for 4 touchdowns this weekend.
4. Foothill: Coach Sweeney had way too much confidence in this year’s team and it’s really odd Falcons finished a .500 team. WR Hudson is playmaker that would start for every team in EBAL including Sparta. But Falcons defense has been pushed around and their offense has sputtered in every big game. QB Kearns tossed too many picks against Amador and Falcons unpredictable running game was below average. Foothill will not progress past 2nd round of playoffs but will win vs. a very dysfunctional Deer Valley team without two star players. DV goes down to Foothill by 21 points and Falcons get to face Grizzlies next week.
5. Monte Vista: Coach Bergman is known for his offenses but he had everybody fooled this year by presenting a good defense out of the gate. But just as people were starting to talk about Mustang D, he pulled the rug out from under the EBAL watchers as MV dropped three straight games to end the season with a gigantic fizzle out. QB Zamora needs to connect better under pressure but his EBAL season numbers are very good. WR Melin is their best player on offense, followed by Chiang and Zamora’s. MV could win their opening playoff game vs. Pitt, but I am picking Pitt to win over MV. I like Pitt in this game playing with revenge and also Pitt is a better team than they were in the beginning of the season. MV knows they can blow leads in the 4th quarter and against Pitt they have the playmakers to pull out a close game with one big play in the end. Pitt drops MV by 10 points this weekend.
6. Granada: Coach Silva saved his best for last literally. His team’s pounding Livermore was meaningless other than for earning pride of Livermore button over hapless Cowboys. QB Offill needs a lot of work but what will help him most is a powerful Granada running game. It’s a long off-season so Coach Silva can fiddle for 8 months and maybe get it figured out. This team should have been to the playoffs this year but the fell in love with the pass and got dumped and burned.
7. Livermore: Coach Haubner is taking team to the playoffs and that is great for Cowboys and the town of Livermore. But Coach Haubner keeping his athletic QB McPherson on the bench is crazy, McPherson is a man amongst boys. Current Cowboy QB Kreger drops back to pass and almost every time Kreger holds the football and takes a sack instead of tossing it down field. Go Cowboys in the playoffs but their chances would be much better with McPherson at the helm. Dublin wins over Livermore by 14 points.
*Mt. Eden is steaming into the playoffs as my suprise pick all season but Concord is too much for the Monarchs to handle this week. Mt. Eden’s run ends here.
November 8th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
This has also been one of the most unhealthy DLS teams in a long time. I’m curious if this bye week won’t help get a few things sorted out.
November 8th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Gridlock, who are the two star players that DV will be without tomorrow night? Or is that Foothill who will be without them?
From post 110.4: “Foothill will not progress past 2nd round of playoffs but will win vs. a very dysfunctional Deer Valley team without two star players.”
November 8th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
R10, didn’t last year’s DLS team have about 4 RBs injured most of the year? It seemed like that team was pretty beaten up as well. Every team has a lot of injuries each year, but Sparta usually has enough depth to keep the wins coming even without star players. Or the backups become stars.
D1 commit Hooper was back in the lineup after some time on the DL and played very well with a couple of nice plays against the Grizz last week. Last year they kept him out of the backfield, after he had terrorized the SRV o-line for about 4 or 5 sacks.
November 8th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Last year was a rough one too but that was mainly in the RB department. They’ll usually lose one maybe two guys for a few games, but I can’t remember this many guys missing time at some points and especially the main guys. 2010 I know Renaud missed a few weeks and I think Anthony Williams did as well (or that might have been last year). But this year it’s been Moffitt, Hooper, Egu, Buckley, Ogburn, etc… and a lot of them out at the same time (pretty sure last week was Buckley’s first game missed though). This year the RB’s have mainly stayed healthy while everybody else has had their injury/sickness issues.
November 8th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Tri-City Dude @ #100, calm down. I don’t know where you got that I was trying to crucify the undeserving teams like Irvington, Antioch, and Livermore. They really should not be there, and I’m just frustrated that they get a chance to play for no reason whatsoever. I didn’t mean to bring up the politics, but it was very frustrating to see these brackets (plus the elections was just recent, so it gave me time to rant about our politics). I really wish no ill will towards any of the players on these teams; if they want to use this opportunity to have fun together for one last time, then so be it.
As for my beloved Hornets, I admit that we were not great. However, I just love football and want to see every player on every team try their hardest, regardless of what team he plays for. So while Alameda sits at home, I will be gald to see the OVERATED Encinal Jets get destroyed in their playoff game.
Honsetly, I think you are either very sensitive, a player on one of these undeserving teams, or a part of the NCS committee that comes up with these brackets. No one else here is complaining about my comment, so I don’t know why you are. If these kids from the 3 mentioned teams can’t accept that they are not that good enough to be in the playoffs, then they were raised wrong by their coaches and/or parents.
November 9th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Island Chief does this mean you’ll be at the game?
I find it very strange that Kemp chose to come on here & blog before he addressed his own website & his fans. Whats up with that?
http://hornetfootball.org/coach.htm
November 9th, 2012 at 9:36 am
island chief you still around? didnt your son tell you to stop blogging? i didnt know encinal was even rated this year let alone overrated but they did find a way to get in the playoffs unlike your weak hornets. so sit home take your romney posters off your lawn quit hating on encinal & obama. 6 wins in 2yrs island chief you must admit thats pretty bad.your mad @irvington,livermore & antioch for qualifing direct your anger to your weak head coach who cant qualify outta of the b league.it’s time for the moyers to stop blogging it’s playoff time something you guys know nothing about.
November 9th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Island Chief,
your true colors are showing. Your comment, “It’s just like Obummer and our government,getting paid to act stupid,” is hella ignorant. It doesnt surprise me though because I still remember your little “spooks” comment that Im sure you, your coaches, and friends just love to throw around. I feel your weakness little buddy…
November 9th, 2012 at 9:57 am
@reggiehammond the kemper dont do write ups after loses only victories so not to much commenting this year. @dudleydawson islandchief is papa moyer wow doesnt surprise me this guy loves to push his propaganda check out his game summaries there like a novel. i wish we could BRING BACK THE ROCK! he had us in the playoffs atleast. these moyers made promises and have not delivered they must go kemper has been head coach or asst.hc since ’07 no league titles no playoff wins just excuses how long does this car salesman keep his job? step down you had plenty of time to turn it around.
November 9th, 2012 at 10:01 am
@roeper “spooks” it all makes sense now. island chief dont like encinal or obama i guess we all know why now!
November 9th, 2012 at 10:15 am
moyer needs to quit and let coach perry takeover or give up the play calling and let sam call the offense he groomed hernandez not moyer. also have coach mike call the defense the other moyer dont know what he is doing!
November 9th, 2012 at 11:16 am
Encinal coaches and fans on this forum quit thinking about us. I know you folks love us but damn. I know most of the comments on here are from the coaches at Encinal and you should be ashamed of the things you say. How many players will get to the next level this year encinal? ZERO because theyre not prepared well.
November 9th, 2012 at 11:23 am
OK. I would ask Alameda fans and Encinal fans to be respectful and allow these prep boards to focus on the student-athletes, positive achievements, and the teams that are working hard in the playoffs. (Yes, I know we did not make it). I am confident Coach Tenorio would rather see that be the focus as well.
Island Chief is in no way associated with the Alameda football program. I already asked respectfully, please stop. Thanks.
And thanks for all the feedback from Encinal folks. I am very proud of what the JV coaches I have brought on did (amongst the whole staff) and they are good people with good futures in this program and as men.
I know certain people will talk negative and make all sorts of comments, but when it comes down to it, we are talking prep sports. Can this be an example of how to act in a respectful manner?
Good luck to the teams in the playoffs, God Bless.
November 9th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Does anyone know of any key injuries that could effect this weekends games??
November 9th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
I believe Island Chief has to be a kid so lets just let him have his rant. The Focus for Encinal is Novato and trust me when i say that is all that is on our minds right now. If that IS Coach Moyer Posting then thanks for the post Coach and see ya at next years Island Bowl.Playoffs start tonite Troops so are you ready for some North Coast Section Football? Jet Pride!
November 9th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I’ll keep it positive. A lil birdie told me that every single player on Encinal’s roster is academically eligible. Great job Jets. Yes, every player should be eligible but the reality is that most teams lose players to grades come post season.
November 9th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Moyer, you seem like a decent enough guy.. but let someone else take the reins at Alameda, the kids deserve it. If you want to talk about positive achievements, please allow them to actually have positive achievements and let someone else take over. Its for the good of the city.
November 9th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Who put the tap on the keg of haterade. Let it go already if your team is not in the playoffs your a non topic till next year. Good luck to everyone playing this weekend. Side note I’m praying for upsets!!! Keeps things interesting.
November 9th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
C/O98 #128
You pray against the privates (favorites)? That’s quite ironic and funny.
Seriously, I am with you on upsets, or at least keep it close and the let home team experience the pucker factor. BTW, both Danville and Pleasanton are ripe for “upsets”.
November 9th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Island Chief, I do not know if you really are a part of the Alameda football program. If you are, then you are just making them look bad for no reason. I do actually think you make a valid arguement when you say Irvington and Livermore should not be in the playoffs based on their records and their play. However, that is no excuse for bringing up politics and and insulting the kids that do work their hardest at these programs.
As for Coach Moyer, I appreciate the kind comments. I wish that people associated with your program is not like Isalnd Chief. Hopefully, you guys will have a better year next year.
November 9th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
These playoffs are a joke! Why teams like Irvington and Antioch get in because they meet the criteria is so asinine. Antioch a D1 school is allowed to schedule an extremely weak preseason schedule because they know they can only beat Liberty in their league so they can make the playoffs and lose 66-0! Why would their A.D. allow this to happen? Teams like Heritage who my son plays for schedule to get ready to get ready for league so they can match up against Pitt, DV and Freedom. We were playoff eligible and didn’t apply. WHY? Because we were under .500 overall! Antioch on the other hand finish the regular season 6-4. They beat up on weak teams in preseason but when it came time to play the big boys, well you know what happened. Hey Antioch karma is a B! Yes you scored 70 points against a LOWLY Daugherty Valley team and thought you were great. Don’t want to forget what you did to MT. Diablo HA! should I keep going? Way to support the BVAL by losing to San Ramon 66-0 yes KARMA lives in the YOC for another year. How about scheduling like the other teams in the league do and maybe next year you’ll be ready for your season.
November 9th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Classless players from Antioch damaging the Visitor locker room at SRV tonight. Guess we know where some of the just-passed Antioch school bond money will be spent. As far as I’m concerned, great to see immature and disrespectful behavior like that answered by the Wolves with a 66-0 demolishing of Antioch. Where were the Antioch coaches? Pathetic!
November 9th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
For you Logan Alum/ bloggers… the last D1 scholarship guy out of UC was Toni Pole, who by the way, is doing a pretty good job up there in Pullman and has a great shot @ playing on Sundays like Dj Ghomes… and FYI Coach Billecci didn’t “just leave” … he decided to take a great offer that presented itself to him @ Cal High, but only AFTER he applied for the Head Coaching job @ JLHS that was up that year… so don’t bash him for the NHUSD dropping the ball on that one…
November 10th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Just like I said Pitt crushed MV, tried to tell you that first game didn’t mean crap – caught us off guard an injured. To nite you got a lesson in smashmouth.
We remember the ass kikin DeLa gave us last year. Mark my words were puttin up a battle this time around. To be the best you gotta beat the best. We get our shot at the green machine. Will leave it all on the field.
November 10th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Good job Antioch. Way to represent the BVAL.
Nothing worse than a sore loser.
November 11th, 2012 at 8:22 am
Bhigh got a whoopin as I expected. Now on to the freedom and logan showdown.
November 11th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Did anybody other than O Dowd win in the first round from the WACC?
November 11th, 2012 at 8:56 am
The 11 seeded Encinal Jets are in the 2nd round. 6th year in a row. Not even a good game from Bleacher.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:11 am
Unfortunately, the Antioch incident in the locker room, if it is indeed true, only follows their behavior all year long. From cheap shots during games to classless behavior on the sideline (especially in their Deer Valley game), this kind of behavior has plagued them all year long. It looks like the staff there will have to perform quite an eradication of those attitudes if they want to grow up and become a real team. That, and schedule a real opponent in the non-league. They have played Mt D two years in a row now, should be done with that contract at least . . .
November 14th, 2012 at 7:47 am
Any predictions for upsets in the Division 1 playoffs? I think that the DLS/Pittsburg game is 85%/15% DLS. The SRV/AV game is 60%/40% SRV. The Cal/Foothill game is 65%/35% Cal. The Logan/Freedom game is 60%/40% Logan.
November 14th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Those look like pretty good percentages Outsider. However, I would put DLS-Pitt at 95%/5%. While Pitt looks to be peaking at the right time and DLS looks like they could be vulnerable, it is still DLS in the playoffs. Pitt does have a chance though if they can get their running game going and should give them a game. They’ll need to score at least in the 20s, play great defense and get some key turnovers. Easier said than done.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:27 am
News out of Pitt Camp is not to good. You never want to go into DLS with bunch of injuries. The physical whoopin they put on MV came with a price. Word is 1 rb out 1 banged up pretty good. 4 Def starters questionable with 2 DL starters out … The team is so young that the back ups having to step up are in some cases sophomores
November 14th, 2012 at 10:41 am
Ouch! Maybe 97.5%/2.5%?
November 14th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
I skewed my percentages some since I was thinking about upsets. Realistically the percentages should be skewed more toward the expected winner.
November 15th, 2012 at 10:21 am
For those who bring up Karris Johnson in his last 3 games. 1st Livermore Johnson was being rested for the next week only getting 2-3 carries. Granada put 9 in the box to make sure Johnson didn’t go anywhere he had around 65+ yards but made the most of the game taking one back on kick return and scoring 1 rushing touchdown and 1 recievung touchdown. De La Salle week he had a around 55 yards and people say he ran scared but there’s not much you can do when you have that D-Line and the set of D1 backers blowing up the Cal lineman. I think Johnson will definitely have a 100 yard + game against Foothill on Friday and will be coming out ready to do his job.
November 15th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Good points Insider. I hope no one was belittling what Johnson has accomplished this year due to his last 3 games. I’m sure he is keeping Sweeney up at night this week preparing to face him again. Still clearly the top RB in the EBAL this year and he played as well as anyone else in the league did vs. DLS and their set of D1 backers. He did look a little timid in the first half (what back in the EBAL didn’t) but looked better in the second half with a TD as Cal actually outscored DLS after half. No one wants to kick off to this guy after they’ve seen him in action.