The top four teams remained fix with De La Salle and Pittsburg representing the North Coast Section, No. 3 Folsom the Sac-Joaquin, No. 4 Clovis East the Central Section and No. 5 Saint Francis the Central Coast Section.
The newcomer to the lot are the Salinas Cowboys, a powerhouse for years in the Central Coast Section. Saint Francis scored a big win in West Catholic Athletic League action with a 27-13 win over St. Ignatius.
Jamar Searcy of Pittsburg had 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Pirates 45-0 win on Friday. (Photo: Dennis Lee)
North Coast
Last week: Beat San Ramon Valley, 42-14
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Monte Vista
The top-ranked team by the Bay Area News Group and the San Francisco Chronicle and the NCS champion for 31 successive seasons in remaining unbeaten against NCS foes since 1991, the Spartans opened East Bay League action with an impressive outing against a team that came in with a perfect record. The big plays included an 89-yard kickoff return by
Jaden Jefferson and a interception return for a score to make it 28-0. Earlier wins were over Grant, Serra, Saint Francis and St. Mary's and El Cerrito.
2. (2) Pittsburg, (6-1)
Section: North Coast
Last week: Beat Heritage, 45-0
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Liberty
The Pirates rolled on behind
Jamar Searcy's two rushing scores and 138 yards. This is the last NCS team to defeat De La Salle, way back in 1991. The loss was to national power St. John Bosco.
3. (3) Folsom, (6-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Last week: Beat Whitney, 69-7
Next: Oct. 25 at Jesuit
The top-ranked team by The Sacramento Bee and a nine-time section champion since 2010, including three in a row, the Bulldogs remained unbeaten in the Sierra Foothill League. Defensive lineman star
Theo Greule scored on a punt return and danced his way off the field into the arms of giddy teammates, and
Ryder Lyons fired five more TD passes. The loss was early, by a point to Serra.
4. (4) Clovis East (Clovis), (8-0)
Section: Central
Last week: Beat Clovis, 52-33
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Buchanan
The Timberwolves in Tri-River action blew up the scoreboard again as
Tyus Miller passed for 261 yards and two scores. An earlier win was over Grant.
5. (9) Saint Francis (Mountain View), (6-1)
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Beat St. Ignatius, 27-13
Next: Oct. Oct. 25 vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Lancers, an 18-time CCS champion, took early command of the West Catholic Athletic League with another superb effort, rallying from 13-0 down to roll in the second half, ignited by an 8-yard TD burst by
Kingston Keanaaina. He had 217 yards. The loss was to De La Salle in non-league play.
6. (6) Clovis North (Fresno), (6-2)
Section: Central
Last week: Beat Buchanan, 51-14
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Clovis West
The defending Central Section Division I champions rolled behind
Lucas Smith, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 130 yards and two TDs to
Ramzee Hamm, and
Jackson Cinfel and
Mckay Madsen, who combined to rush for five scores. Madsen also had two interceptions on defense. The losses were to state-ranked JSerra and Los Alamitos.
7. (10) Rocklin, (7-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Last week: Beat Granite Bay, 35-21
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Del Oro
In Sierra Foothill League play, the Thunder turned a 21-21 game into a second half shutout as the running game with
Derek Keeley and
Rafi Merino controlled the game. They combined for four rushing scores. The loss was to Folsom.
8. (8) St. Mary's (Stockton), (6-2)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Last week: Beat Edison, 35-23
Next: Oct. 25 at Tracy
The Rams in Tri County Athletic League play beat a title contender as
Jaden Galvan had long TD passes to
Osani Gayles and
Kenneth Moore III, respectively, and
Anthony Alexander ran for two scores. The in-state loss was 38-35 to De La Salle.
9. (5) San Ramon Valley (Danville), (7-1)
Section: North Coast
Last week: Lost to De La Salle, 42-14
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Amador Valley
Rhett Thompson passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and his team showed no quit in facing a program that for decades has devoured NCS teams. An early big win was over St. Ignatius.
10. (10) Grant (Sacramento), (6-3)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Last week: Beat Antelope, 52-7
Next: Nov. 1 vs. Cordova
Ranked second by The Sacramento Bee and seeking a section three-peat and a third successive trip to a CIF state final, the Pacers clinched the Metro League championship as
Luke Alexander had three TD passes, two to
Zo Edwards, and
Brandon Lambert rushed for 82 yards and two scores. The losses were to De La Salle, Clovis East and San Diego No. 1-ranked Lincoln.
11. (7) St. Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco), (5-2)
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Lost to Saint Francis, 27-13
Next: Oct. 25 at Valley Christian
The Wildcats in West Catholic Athletic League play led 13-0 but lost the second half. This week is another fierce test, per the norm in the stacked WCAL.
12. (12) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 7-0
Section: North Coast
Last week: Beat Rancho Cotate, 38-8
Next: Oct. 25 vs. San Marin
The Cardinals in Adobe League play cruised behind
Tino Retamoza's two TD passes and
Jamari Gentry's two rushing scores. The team blocked two punts and a field goal, one leading to a touchdown by
Logan Rodriquez.
13. (13) Central (Fresno), (6-2)
Section: Central
Last week: Beat Clovis West, 45-27
Next: Oct. 24 at Clovis
The Grizzlies in Tri-River Athletic Conference play won a track meet as
Jelani Dippel passed for 209 yards and four TDs.
Brandon Smith rushed for 212 yards and two scores. The losses are to Clovis East and Clovis North.
14. (14) Junipero Serra (San Mateo), (3-4)
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Beat Archbishop Mity, 56-21
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Bellarmine
The Padres were sparked by two long TD runs from
Nano Latu and a fierce defense to remain in the thick of the WCAL race. The losses are to St. Ignatius and Saint Francis in league play, to De La Salle and to national power St. John Bosco. One win was by a point at Folsom.
15. (16) Los Gatos, (6-1)
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Beat Sacred Heart Prep, 42-10
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Menlo School
The Wildcats in Peninsula Bay League action used three quarterbacks. They combined to complete all nine passes for 189 yards and three cores and
Grayson Doslak ran for 102 yards and a score. The loss was to Pittsburg, 37-20.
16. (15) Clovis, (6-2)
Section: Central
Last week: Lost to Clovis East, 52-33
Next: Oct. 24 vs. Central
The Cougars in TRAC play have losses to higher-ranked Clovis North and now Clovis East.
Deagan Rose passed for 246 yards and a score against Clovis East, and
Maddox Merrill rushed for 154 yards.
17. (19) California (San Ramon.), 7-1
Section: North Coast
Last week: Lost to San Ramon Valley, 38-26
Next: Nov. 1 vs. De La Salle
The Grizzlies in East Bay Mountain League play rolled behind
Jhadis Luckey, who carried 33 times for 317 yards and five touchdowns.
Jacob Stickevers had 18 tackles. The loss was to 38-26 to San Ramon Valley.
18. (NR) Soquel, (5-2)
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Beat Alvarez, 35-7
Next: Oct. 25 at Monterey
In Pacific Coast Gabilan League action, the Knights of Santa Cruz County prevailed behind
Sam Whelan's 150 yards passing and two rushing scores. The losses were in the opening weeks of the season to higher-ranked Los Gatos (14-7) and San Ramon Valley (14-7).
19. (NR) Manteca, (7-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Last week: Bye
Next: Oct. 25 at Patterson
A nine-time section champion since 2001, the run-heavy Buffaloes are in first place of the Valley Oak League that includes powers Central Catholic and Oakdale and are led by RB
Nikko Juarez, averaging 145.3 yards rushing.
Section: Central Coast
Last week: Beat Aptos, 56-7
Next: Oct. 25 vs. Arroyo Grande
The Cowboys were led by the passing attack of
Rico Maturino (354 yards) and receiver
Emarrcis Turner (217 yards receiving). The loss was to Clovis.
Joe Davidson has covered high school sports in Northern California since 1984, including at The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow his work on sacbee.com, on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD and on Instagram: JoeDavidsonMedia
