Video: Jake Dunniway's highlights vs. Modesto
Watch the St. Mary's quarterback in a playoff win against Modesto.
There were no changes in the Top 25 for the first time all season as each team won games it was expected to.
That may change now as games start to tighten. Some teams did not play, but will this week, including top-ranked De La Salle, which opens the postseason fun on Friday against No. 7 Clayton Valley Charter in a Contra Costa rumble.
Northern California Top 25 football rankings
1. (Last week 1) De La Salle (Concord), 9-1Section: North Coast
League: Independent
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Next: vs. No. 7 Clayton Valley Charter, Friday
Update: Top-ranked by the San Francisco Chronicle and Bay Area News Group, the Spartans are the top seed in the newly created NCS Open Division field. De La Salle finished the regular season with a 45-17 win over previous No. 3 Monte Vista as
Kairee Robinson rushed for 262 yards. The NorCal unbeaten streak - north of Fresno - is now 279, 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), 10-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-County
Coach: Tony Franks
Next: vs. Pitman (Turlock), Friday
Update: Top ranked by the Stockton Record, the Rams blasted Modesto 65-7 in an SJS Division I opener in looking the part of the No. 2 seed.
Jake Dunniway passed for 286 yards and three touchdowns and
Dusty Frampton rushed for 130 yards and three scores. Next is Pitman, top-ranked for several weeks by The Modesto Bee before losing to Turlock in Week 10. The loss this season was to state and national powerhouse St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 55-16 after leading 10-7 early. Earlier wins include Serra, Central Catholic (Modesto) and Cardinal Newman.
3. (3) Freedom (Oakley), 10-0Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Kevin Hartwig
Next: vs. No. 10 Pittsburg, Saturday
Update: The Falcons had a first-round bye. They capped the first 10-0 season in program history in clinching their eighth playoff berth in nine years. Freedom is in the NCS Open field and take on a Pittsburg team it narrowly defeated late in the regular season.
Ronnie Rivers has played big at running back and is a legitmate NorCal Player of the Year candidate.
4. (4) Sacramento, 10-1League: Metropolitan
Coach: Justin Reber
Next: vs. Inderkum (Sacramento), Saturday
Update: Top ranked by The Sacramento Bee, the Dragons rolled Stagg (Stockton) 54-14 in an SJS Division II opener. The top-seeded Dragons were paced by
Tariq Hollandsworth but had to play on the road as they worked to get their home field game-ready. The big win was downing the No. 2 Folsom 32-27, leading 32-14 at one point. The Folsom win halted the Bulldogs' state-leading 48-game regular-season winning streak. The Dragons lost an opener to then-state-ranked JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) despite accumulating 496 yards. Sacramento seeks its first section title.
5. (5) Folsom, 10-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Kris Richardson
Next: vs. No. 18 Sheldon, Friday
Update: The Bulldogs beat Kennedy (Sacramento) 78-6 in an SJS Division I opener as
Joe Curry passed for four touchdowns and
Kaiden Bennett rushed for two scores. Folsom coaches pulled starters early. The top-seeded Bulldogs seek a D-I section four-peat and a five-peat overall their third state title since 2010. The loss this season was to No. 4 Sacramento early 32-27, halting a state-leading 48-game regular-season winning streak.
6. (6) Monte Vista (Danville), 10-1Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Craig Bergman
Next: vs. Heritage (Brentwood), Friday
Update: The Mustangs rolled Irvington (Fremont) 52-0 in a NCS Division I opener as
Jake Haener tossed five touchdowns and the defense came up with four interceptions. The loss was to top-ranked De La Salle 45-17, though they earned the No. 1 seed in this field by not being selected to the Open field.
7. (7) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 9-1Section: North Coast
League: Diablo Valley
Coach: Tim Murphy
Next: vs. No. 1 De La Salle, Friday
Update: The Ugly Eagles had a first-round playoff bye. They won the league title outright with a 50-15 rout of previously ranked Campolino (Moraga) and earned a NCS Open berth, which thrilled coach Murphy, who gets a crack at De La Salle. The loss was to state-ranked Helix (San Diego) 13-0. In the opener, the Ugly Eagles beat five-time defending Nevada North-state champion Reed 35-21. Clayton Valley Charter has reached a CIF Bowl the last two seasons.
8. (8) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 10-1Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Next: vs. No. 17 Serra, Friday
Update: The Lancers beat Mountain View 56-27 in a CCS Open Division II playoff in the quest for the program's 17th championship. Now it's rematch time as the Lancers draw Serra, which beat them 41-40 earlier, eventually leading to a three-way tie for the league championship.
9. (9) Valley Christian (San Jose), 10-1Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Mike Machado
Next: vs. Aptos, Friday
Update: The Warriors rolled Burlingame 41-0 in a CCS Open D-III game as
Miles Kendrick tossed two touchdowns and the team rushed for 241 yards. The loss was to 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.
10. (10) Pittsburg, 9-1Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Vic Galli
Next: at No. 3 Freedom, Saturday
Update: The Pirates had a first-round playoff bye. They rolled rival Antioch 61-35 in Week 10 and were selected for the first NCS Open Division field. There, Pittsburg has a shot to avenge its lone loss, 41-38, to Freedom. The star here is 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.
11. (11) Elk Grove, 10-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Chris Nixon
Next: vs. No. 22 Turlock, Friday
Update: The Thundering Herd rolled Gregori (Modesto) 49-8 in an SJS Division I opener as
Jayden Machado tossed six touchdowns, three to
Gavin Reinwald in passing for 265 yards. Machado has 16 touchdown passes in his last three games for the No. 4 seed. Big wins include Grant (24-17) and Jesuit (Carmichael) (23-6). The Herd has reached the a section final three times since 2012 and has been a power since the 1980s.
12. (12) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 9-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Eric Cavaliere
Next: vs. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove), Friday
Update: The third-seeded Trojans bounced back from a 17-16 loss at rival Folsom to beat River City (West Sacramento) 44-14 in an SJS Division I opener as
Marco Baldacchino tossed three touchdown passes, two to
Cameron Stone, who also had two interceptions on defense. The Trojans have won section titles in D-II and III and seek their first in D-I. The other loss was to 5-time Nevada North-state champion Reed of Nevada 55-34. Reed lost earlier to No. 7 Clayton Valley Charter.
13. (13) Del Oro (Loomis), 9-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Casey Taylor
Next: vs. Vacaville, Friday
Update: The second-seeded Golden Eagles rolled Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 79-0, pulling the starters in the first quarter when it was 44-0.
Stone Smartt hit
Mason Hurst for 260 yards in the first quarter and four scores, and 12 players carried the ball. The defending champion that also won the 2015 CIF State D-IIAA championship lost to No. 5 Folsom and No. 12 Oak Ridge. Del Oro seeks a fourth CIF Bowl bid since 2011.
14. (14) California (San Ramon, Calif.), 9-2Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Eric Billeci
Next: vs. Antioch, Saturday
Update: The Grizzlies beat Foothill (Pleasanton) 35-7 in an NCS Division I opener as
Ryan Wright tossed four touchdown passes, two each to
Trevor Leathley and
Brandon Perrilliat. The No. 3 seed in this field has losses to Monte Vista on a late field goal and to top-ranked De La Salle 31-9 after trailing 7-3 at the half.
15. (15) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 9-1Section: North Coast
League: North Bay
Coach: Paul Cronin
Next: vs. San Marin (Novato), Friday
Update: The Cardinals did not play, earning a bye as the top seed in the NCS Division IV field. The leader is
Jordon Brookshire. 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.
16. (16) Antelope, 11-0Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Valley
Coach: Matt Ray
Next: vs. No. 20 Grant, Friday
Update: The Titans beat Central Valley (Ceres) 28-13 in an SJS Division II opener as
Elijah Dotson rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns as the program started 11-0 for the second successive season. Dotson has 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is the son of 1992 Grant rushing great Robert Dotson, who will watch Friday's game against his old school with mixed emotions.
17. (17) Serra (San Mateo), 7-4Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Patrick Walsh
Next: at No. 8 Saint Francis, Friday
Update: The Padres beat Leigh (San Jose) 45-14 in a CCS Division II Open game as
Isiah Kendrick rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown and
Sitaleki Nunn passed for 145 and a score. Next is a familiar foe in Saint Francis. Serra prevailed the first time 41-40 to turn its season around, leading to a three-wie tie for the WCAL championship.
18. (18) Sheldon (Sacramento), 8-3Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Joe Cattolico
Next: at No. 5 Folsom, Friday
Update: The Huskies beat Napa 37-28 in an SJS Division I opener behind leaders
Graylon Lindsey,
Austyn Hurts and
Ravontae Holt, who each scored. Earlier wins include ranked Grant and Jesuit. One loss was to No. 11 Elk Grove. Sheldon has not won a second-round playoff game since opening in 1997.
19. (19) Jesuit (Carmichael), 8-3Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Marlon Blanton
Next: vs. Central Catholic (Modesto), Saturday
Update: The Marauders beat Tracy 51-14 in an SJS Division II opener to avenge a home playoff loss to the Bulldogs in 2014.
Calvin Brownholtz and
Jonathon Amadi hooked up for two long touchdown plays as Amadi set game and seasonal receiving marks. Jesuit has two section D-I titles, the last coming a decade ago.
20. (20) Grant (Sacramento), 8-3Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Mike Alberghini
Next: at No. 16 Antelope, Friday
Update: The Pacers beat Granite Bay 42-17 as
Tyree Marcelle rushed for 261 yards and four scores to honor fallen teammate JJ Clavo, who was shot to death almost a year to the date. The losses were close games to Sheldon (20-14) and Elk Grove (24-17). The home field was dedicated to Coach Alberghini before the opener, his 26 consecutive playoff berths and seven section championships just a sliver of his impact.
21. (21) Manteca, 10-1Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Eric Reis
Next: vs. Los Banos, Friday
Update: The Buffaloes stampeded Dixon 42-13 in looking the part of top seed in the SJS Division IV field. The loss was to a four-time defending CIF State Champion powerhouse in 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.
22. (22) Turlock, 9-2Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Central California
Coach: James Peterson
Next: at No. 11 Elk Grove, Friday
Update: The top-ranked team by The Modesto Bee, the Bulldogs beat Lincoln (Stockton) 42-7, seizing control early.
Danny Velasquez passed for two touchdowns and ran for one for the team's ninth consecutive victory. One loss was an opener to No. 3 Freedom. Coach Peterson's first team went 0-10 in 2008 and he now has his fourth playoff team.
23 (23) Sutter, 11-0Section: Northern
League: Butte View
Coach: Ryan Reynolds
Next: vs. West Valley (Cottonwood), Friday
Update: The top team in the Northern Section is the overwhelming favorite in the Division III field and rolled Yreka in an opener 49-0. This followed routs to close the regular season of 70-0, 63-0, 56-0, 42-0 and 42-0. Sutter has been a powerhouse for years, including 12-0 seasons in 2004 and 2007 and 13-1 seasons in 2012 and 2014. Quarterback
Tyler Reynolds, son of the coach, had 181 yards and three touchdowns against Yreka, and
Bryce Kunkle rushed for 101 yards and two scores.
Sutter, No. 23 in the NorCal rankings, has been blasting opponents all season.
Photo by David Steutel
Central Coast
League: Monterey Bay
Coach: Jeff Carnazzo
Next: vs. Live Oak (Morgan Hill), Friday
Update: The Chieftains beat Saratoga 55-27 in a CCS Open Division III game as
Emilio Martinez, the school's all-time career rusher, scooted for a career-best 308 yards and six touchdowns in three quarters. One loss was 8-7 to No. 8 Saint Francis. 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.
25. (25) San Benito (Hollister), 10-1Section: Central Coast
League: Monterey Bay
Coach: Bryan Smith
Next: vs. Milpitas, Friday
Update: The Haybalers beat Salinas 21-10 in a CCS Open Division I game after topping the Cowboys 18-7 earlier this season. The loss was 14-6 to No. 24 Palma. San Benito won the section in 2012 and won nine or more games in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2014 and now.
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click hereJoe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD and on Facebook: sacbeepreps
