Video: Jake McElderry's highlights vs. San Marin
See the Cardinals offensive lineman in action in Cardinal Newman's playoff win.
A week after there was no change for the first time this season to the ranking, there is a lot of shuffling this week. Some ranked teams are out. Upstarts enter the rankings with five newly ranked clubs, some for the first time and some after a few weeks out. The sectional seasons are winding down with most every section champion assured of a NorCal Regional game. The most anticipated showdown won't happen until Dec. 2, when top-ranked De La Salle - unbeaten against NorCal foes since 1992 - takes on 11-0 Freedom in the first North Coast Section Open Division championship.
MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 football rankings
1. (Last week 1) De La Salle (Concord), 10-1Section: North Coast
League: Independent
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Next: vs. No. 3 Freedom, Dec. 2
Update: Top-ranked by the San Francisco Chronicle and Bay Area News Group, the Spartans beat previous No. 7 Clayton Valley Charter 28-0 in a North Coast Section Open Division contest as
Kairee Robinson rushed for four scores. The NorCal unbeaten streak - north of Fresno - is now 280 games, dating back to 1992. The regular-season winning streak against California teams dates back to 2005. The loss this season was 23-21 to the top-ranked team in Utah, East of Salt Lake City, on a late field goal. The Spartans have won 24 consecutive North Coast Section titles and 32 since 1982, and they have won six CIF State championships in seven seasons.
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton), 11-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-County
Coach: Tony Franks
Next: vs. No. 9 Oak Ridge, Friday
Update: Top ranked by the Stockton Record, the Rams beat previously ranked Pitman (Turlock) 44-7 as
Jake Dunniway threw for 316 yards on 16-of-20 passing and five touchdowns, three to
Keaton Hampton and two to
Marcus Aponte to roll in SJS Division I play. The loss this season was to state and national powerhouse St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 55-16 after leading 10-7 early. Earlier ranked wins include Serra and Cardinal Newman.
3. (3) Freedom (Oakley), 11-0Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Kevin Hartwig
Next: vs. No. 1 De La Salle, Dec. 2
Update: The Falcons beat Pittsburg 55-35, weeks after pulling out a narrow win, in NCS Open Division play to set up a showdown against top-ranked De La Salle.
Ronnie Rivers rushed for 299 yards and six scores. Freedom has come of age in a hurry under coach Hartwig.
4. (5) Folsom, 11-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Kris Richardson
Next: vs. No. 8 Elk Grove, Friday
Update: The Bulldogs beat previously ranked Sheldon (Sacramento) 41-14 as
Joe Curry passed for 244 yards and four touchdowns, three going to
Drake Stallworth, in looking the part of top seed in the SJS D-I field. Next is a rematch of the 2015 D-I section finals, against Elk Grove. Folsom seeks a D-I section four-peat and a five-peat overall, and it seeks a third state title since 2010. The loss this season was to previous No. 4 Sacramento early 32-27, halting a state-leading 48-game regular-season winning streak.
5. (6) Monte Vista (Danville), 11-1Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Craig Bergman
Next: vs. No. 19 Antioch, Dec. 3.
Update: The Mustangs beat Heritage (Brentwood) 56-28 in NCS D-I play as
Shane Perry rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns to put the program into the finals against No. 19 Antioch. The loss was to top-ranked De La Salle 45-17 in a Week 10 contest that was a two-touchdown game in the fourth quarter.
6. (9) Valley Christian (San Jose), 11-1Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Mike Machado
Next: at No. 23 Palma, Friday
Update: The Warriors beat Aptos 35-7 in CCS Open D-III play as
Javon Sturns rushed for 145 yards and four touchdowns. Next is a title game against a strong defensive team in Palma. Valley Christian has allowed seven points in the playoffs. The loss was to previous-No. 8 Saint Francis 13-10 in league play, leading to a three-way tie for the title. Coach Machado led 12-1 teams in 2004 and 2005, a 10-3 team in 2008, an 11-2 team in 2010.
7. (11) Elk Grove, 11-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Chris Nixon
Next: at No. 4 Folsom, Friday
Update: The Thundering Herd rolled previously ranked Turlock 42-19 in SJS D-I play as the Hammerheads offensive line again led the way.
Jayden Machado and
Gavin Reinwald continue to attack defenses, and the defense has been strong under coordinator Jeff Carlson. The Herd has reached the a section final three times since 2012 and has been a power since the 1980s.
8. (11) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 10-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Eric Cavaliere
Next: at No. 2 St. Mary's, Friday
Update: The third-seeded SJS D-I Trojans beat upstart Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 41-28 as
Marco Baldacchino passed for 126 yards and a score and rushed for 191 and four touchdowns.
Michael Pittman also rushed for 146 yards and two scores, leading to a terrific matchup at St. Mary's in a semifinal. The lone sectional loss was to No. 4 Folsom, 17-16, a Week 10 game in which the Trojans went for the win late with a 2-point conversion.
9. (13) Del Oro (Loomis), 10-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Casey Taylor
Next: vs. No. 10 Antelope, Friday
Update: The second-seeded SJS D-II Golden Eagles rolled once-ranked Vacaville 54-13 as
Stone Smartt passed for 236 yards and three touchdowns, two to
Mason Hurst, and
Cam Davis ran for 118 and
Dalton Gee rushed for 128 and three scores. The defense stymied Vacaville's run game. Next is the great running attack of Antelope in a semifinal. The defending champion Golden Eagles won the 2015 CIF State D-IIAA championship lost this season to No. 4 Folsom and No. 8 Oak Ridge in league play. Del Oro seeks a fourth CIF Bowl bid since 2011.
10. (16) Antelope, 12-0Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Valley
Coach: Matt Ray
Next: at No. 9 Del Oro, Friday
Update: The Titans are off to their second successive 12-0 start, eager to reach their first title game. Seeded third in the SJS D-II field, Antelope beat previously ranked Grant 29-28 behind a stellar rushing effort by
Elijah Dotson (278 yards), great line play, strong defense and a gutsy late call by coach Ray as
Garrett Chapman scored the winning 2-point conversion on an end around. Dotson has 2,161 yards and 25 touchdowns.
No. 11 Antelope meets Del Oro on Friday in the SJS D-II playoffs.
Photo by Gary Jones
Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Marlon Blanton
Next: vs. No. 19 Inderkum, Saturday
Update: The Marauders are dominating the early rounds of the SJS D-II field, recording nine sacks and coming up with eight interceptions, two returned for touchdowns. Jesuit rolled four-time defending CIF champion Central Catholic (Modesto) 42-14 in the last outing. The offensive line of
Conner Bellinger,
Kyle Estipular,
Dylan Ford,
Joseph Marchant and
Cayetano Pestana has not allowed a sack to
Calvin Brownholtz in six games.
12. (17) Serra (San Mateo), 8-4Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Patrick Walsh
Next: at Mitty, Friday
Update: The Padres have come a long way from a slow start amid a brutal schedule, and the momentum continued in the CCS D-II field with a 31-17 victory over previous No. 8 Saint Francis as
Luke Bottari passed for 171 yards and two scores and
Leki Nunn rushed for 11 and a score. Next is another WCAL rival in Mitty, which Serra beat 41-14 on Oct. 22.
13. (15) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 10-1Section: North Coast
League: North Bay
Coach: Paul Cronin
Next: vs. Piedmont, Friday
Update: After a playoff bye, the Cardinals rolled San Marin 56-18, leading 49-0 at the half in NCS D-IV action to advance to the semifinals. The loss was to No. 2 St. Mary's 49-32. Cardinal Newman once held the state-record for the longest winning streak of 47 in the 1970s.
14. (21) Manteca, 11-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Eric Reis
Next: vs. Placer (Auburn), Friday
Update: The SJS D-IV top-seeded Buffaloes rolled Los Banos 52-0 in a semifinal as
Kameron Beamon rushed for 97 yards and two scores. The loss was to a four-time defending CIF State Champion powerhouse Central Catholic 32-14. Manteca won section titles in 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2013 and have won nine or more games 11 times since 2001. Coach Reis said it's been an added thrill coaching his son, lineman Kyle Reis.
15. (7) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 9-2Section: North Coast
League: Diablo Valley
Coach: Tim Murphy
Next: Season complete
Update: The Ugly Eagles lost to top-ranked De La Salle 28-0 in an NCS Open Division contest. The other loss was to state-ranked Helix (San Diego) 13-0. Clayton Valley Charter had reached a CIF Bowl the previous two seasons.
16. (8) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 10-2Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Next: Season complete
Update: The Lancers fell to No. 12 Serra 31-17 in what felt like a WCAL contest. The quest for the program's 17th section banner ends. Saint Francis tied Valley Christian and Serra for the WCAL championship.
17. (10) Pittsburg, 9-2Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Vic Galli
Next: Season complete
Update: The Pirates could not solve No. 3 Freedom in the regular season - a 41-38 loss - or in the NCS Open Division playoffs. Pitt lost 55-35, ending the great career of running back
Montaz Thompson. Pittsburg is the last NorCal program (north of Fresno) to beat De La Salle, in the 1991 North Coast Section D-I finals.
18. (NR) Antioch, 8-4Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley Athletic
Coach: John Lucido
Next: vs. No. 5 Monte Vista, Dec. 3.
Update: The Panther are back in these rankings after downing previous No. 14 California 38-31 in NCS D-I play as national No. 1 recruit
Najee Harris rushed for 265 yards and three scores. One loss was 28-21 to top-ranked De La Salle.
19. (NR) Inderkum (Sacramento),10-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-County
Coach: Terry Stark
Next: at No. 11 Jesuit, Saturday
Update: The Tigers started the season 1-3, including a loss to No. 7 Elk Grove, but have won nine consecutive games since, none bigger than beating SJS D-II top seed Sacramento 35-33 in the mud and muck.
Trajon Cotton is the leader at quarterback and defensive back, and national recruit
Josh Falo is a force at tight end and linebacker/defensive end. Next is a showdown at Jesuit.
20. (4) Sacramento, 10-2League: Metropolitan
Coach: Justin Reber
Next: Season complete
Update: Top ranked by The Sacramento Bee since mid September, the Dragons were stunned at home 35-33 to upstart Inderkum in the SJS D-II scramble. Sacramento trailed 26-0 and then tied it 33-33 before losing on a safety. The big win was downing then-No. 2 Folsom 32-27, leading 32-14 at one point. Sacramento starts just four seniors. One of them departs in running back
Tariq Hollandsworth.
21. (23) Sutter, 12-0Section: Northern
League: Butte View
Coach: Ryan Reynolds
Next: vs. Lassen (Susanville), Friday
Update: The top team in the Northern Section beat West Valley (Cottonwood) 31-0 in a D-III semifinal and will play for another championship. This rout follows successive ones of 70-0, 63-0, 56-0, 42-0, 42-0 and 49-0. That's no points allowed since Sept. 30 in a 31-6 win over Bear River. Sutter has been a powerhouse for years, including 12-0 seasons in 2004 and 2007 and 13-1 seasons in 2012 and 2014.
22. (24) Palma (Salinas), 10-2Section: Central Coast
League: Monterey Bay
Coach: Jeff Carnazzo
Next: vs. No. 6 Valley Christian, Friday
Update: The Chieftains beat Live Oak (San Jose) 40-14 in a semifinal to set up a showdown with highly touted Valley Christian in the CCS Open D-III finals.
Emilio Martinez, the school's all-time career rusher, leads the way. Coach Carnazzo fielded a 10-2 team in 2006, a 10-1-1 team in 2010, an 11-1-1 team in 2011 and 10-game winners in 2014 and 2015.
23. (NR) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), 11-1Section: North Coast
League: West Alameda County
Coach: Napolean Kaufman
Next: vs. Rancho Cotate, Saturday
Update: The Dragons enter these rankings for the first time after beating Encinal 28-0 in the NCS D-III quarterfinals.
Kenyan Branscomb, jr. had three sacks and
Jevon Holland scored on a punt return to lead the charge. Former NFL running back Napolean Kaufman is the fiercely proud coach.
24. (NR) Milpitas, 10-2Section: Central Coast
League: De Anza
Coach: Kelly King
Next: vs. Menlo-Atherton, Friday
Update: The Trojans are back in these rankings after an inspired CCS D-I semifinal 35-28 win over previously ranked San Benito that included a 25-point fourth quarter surge.
Tyree Bracy hit brother
Tariq Bracy for a 90-yard touchdown to key win to set up a championship meeting.
25. (NR) Analy (Sebastopol), 11-1Section: North Coast
League: Sonoma County
Coach: Daniel Bourdon
Next: vs. Marin Catholic (Kentfield), Friday
Update: The Tigers are in these rankings for the first time after downing longtime power El Cerrito 42-31 in NCS D-III play.
Jack Newman passed for 340 yards and five touchdowns and has had a big season.
The Sacramento Bee on the inspirational story of a special-needs player getting his first carry, and it's a touchdown...
click here The Sacramento Bee on how an upstart program upended a powerhouse with a gutsy late call....
click hereThe Sacramento Bee on alums coaching playoff football teams...
click hereJoe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD and on Facebook: sacbeepreps
