Miramonte played Analy and the biggest disappointment of this season is that we didn’t hold on to the 7 point lead we had with about 8 min left to play and let them score twice to win by a TD.

Analy is correctly seeded at #5, but they are a well balanced team with two shifty backs (one is very short and very fast) and two really good receivers. They have some big, athletic linemen that make them a real dual-threat team. Where they seem to be lacking in QB and kick return team. QB isn’t bad, and throws well enough on short-middle stuff, but not good enough to torch elite teams downfield. Sad since they have the receivers in Maher and Mathais. Kick off coverage had all kinds of problems against Miramonte.

Having said all that, I can’t believe people think they will have trouble with Tam. This is a team that blew-out a not-to-shabby Maria Carillo team 63-6. Maria Carillo is certainly considered to be better than Tam. Almost all their other games were blow-outs and some of those teams rate with Tam.

Analy 35 – Tam 14

In round two, I’d favor Tam over an injured Campo team.

Analy 30 – Campo 17

Against El Cerrito, I don’t think they will win, but I do think they will match up better than people think. I do think El Cerrito will run back a TD or two on kick-offs and/or punts.

El Cerrito 45 – Analy 28

D-1
San Ramon Valley 35 Antioch 20….The Panthers will go down fighting
James Logan 56 Irvington 0….JL better save the best paret for next week…
Pittsburg 45 Monte Vista 35…..The Pirates will be looking for some payback, but although Monte Vista has had a rough last three games…they are not dead yet..a real high scoring game…
Foothiil 28 Deer Valley 20—–Maybe
Sat.
Amador Valley 28 Castro Valley 20…Something is in the water at Amador as they keep pulling off wins..
Freedom 49 Berkeley 14..what can you say…the big 3 will be onthe loose..

D-2
Livermore 27 Dublin 19….The cowboys are a far better team then what their w/L record shows….but Dublin just may fool us…
Washington 32 Las Lomas 20….The Huskies are big and fast..the Knights have their work cut out for them…
Concord 49 Mt. Eden 7…..A wet field may slow downthe minute men..but not ME..
Newark 41 American-Fremont 14 a repeat performance

D-3
Bishop O’Dowd 28 Acalanes 24….The Don’s have to keep the Dragon offense bottled up and keep the BO defense on the field…
Campolindo 35 Terra Linda 12…..theCougars have lost a few more troops to injuries..but this won’t slow them down…
Cardinal Newman 40 Sonoma Valley 13…After the CN loss to Rancho Cotate they should bered hot..
Sat.
El Cerrito 56 Kennedy-Fremont 12…unfornately this is a tune up game for EC…
Analy 26 Tamalpais 14…This is Analy’s year..
Miramonte 37 Tennyson 20…The Mat’s should be on a quest and Tenyson is standing in their way…
Encinal 20 Novato 19…..This game could go either way
Marin Catholic 38 Hercules 14…anothe route 2 P.M.KO

D-4
St. Mary’s 20 Middletown 14
Ft.Bragg 32 Piedmont 13
Valley christian-Dublin 34 Sir Francis Drake 14
St. Helena 26 Healdsburg 13
Sat.
Arcata 33 Moreau Catholic 19….a long bus ride
Fortuna 27 San Marin 20
Salesian 40 Kennedy Richmond 13….a repeat performance

Having seen Acalanes I can say they will want to run first. But anyone in DFAL already knows that. They certainly have a better running back than in past year, so the run threat is more credible. I can’t remember the kids name, but its not Edwards. Also the QB can run. In terms of passing game, the QB has a pretty poor arm, but their receivers are really good and will pull in some passes – Supple and Main are the two I remember. Of course the receivers have to make difficult catches or they wouldn’t get on the stat sheet!

Acalanes is hard to put a label on. When we played them, I didn’t think they looked that good. The final score might of been by 7, but the game didn’t feel very close. But all their other meaningful games are close including almost shocking Campo and the less-than-impressive win over Tennyson (but perhaps Tennyson is better than some think).

I think about all the talent O’Dowd had coming into the season with a returning 3rd year starting QB, great playmaker/cover guys like Gomes and King. If O’Dowd is anything close to what they should be they will win. Also, in terms of common opponents, O’Dowd beat Las Lomas by three TDs, Acalanes beat Las Lomas on a late-game miracle that everyone (including the refs) say was a blown call.

O’Dowd 28 – Acalanes 14