NorCalPreps.com - NCP Pick'em Week 8

October 27, 2009

Douglas Benton
NorCalPreps.com Analyst

We had our first two-time Pick'em winner last week at a time when scores were low as a number of the favorites were dealt tough losses. With important league battles in the Northern, Sac-Joaquin, North Coast and Central Coast sections brewing for Halloween weekend, which teams will gain the upper hand?

Friday

Paradise (7-1) at Shasta (6-2): The Paradise Bobcats have scored at least 34 points in each of its four wins since opening league play with a loss to Pleasant Valley. The Bobcats are led by junior running back Jordan Dobrich, who is averaging more than 100 yards on the ground. In its 34-7 win over Chico this past week, Dobrich ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while safety Austin Thayer had three interceptions. Shasta comes into this game limping a bit after two straight league losses but still have possibly the best back in the section in Evan Taylor, who is averaging over 120 yards per game. Shasta's defense held three of its first six opponents to less than 10 points, but has given up 54 points in its two losses. Paradise looks to be rounding into form after an early season slip-up and comes in with more weapons. Shasta has to dictate the game through its running and limit the turnovers if it hopes to end its two game skid.

Foothill, Pleasanton (5-2) at California (4-3): In the ever wide open EBAL league after De La Salle, Foothill took a big step back to the top after beating Monte Vista in a thrilling 41-37 shootout. Quarterback Sean Mannion passed for 387 yards and four touchdowns in the win, but the defense still gave up 37 points after giving up 69 points in its two league losses. The Falcons won't face an offense as loaded as Monte Vista, but California still has playmakers on its roster. Quarterback Quinn Kaehler is an emerging talent and has a top target in John Sarmenta, who had 107 yards and one touchdown against Amador Valley. California is a gritty team that is a tough out every week. The best way to beat them is to get up early and force the Grizzles to get out of its game plan.

Pleasant Grove (5-2) at Monterey Trail (6-1): Pleasant Grove has made it a practice of making a late season run to a Delta River League title and it is happening again. The Eagles beat Sheldon 41-27 this past week and now matches up in a battle of league unbeatens with Monterey Trail. The Eagles' defense was very good against the pass last week and allowed just one play more of than 20 yards. On offense, the playmaking ability of Jalen Saunders causes match-up problems for any team. Monterey Trail is coming off a week in which it was able to contain a high powered Folsom offense in an overtime win. It is helped by a strong running game from Drake Tofi, who rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns against Folsom. The Mustangs will try to limit the big plays on defense and control the clock with its running game, which has been a weakness at points for Pleasant Grove's defense.

Lincoln (7-0) at Placer (7-0): A pair of undefeated Pioneer Valley League teams set to do battle in what will give the winner the inside track for the league title. Lincoln's defense has been solid this season in limiting opponents to less than 10 points per game, including just 21 in four league games. The Fighting Zebras have wins over Wheatland and Whitney on its resume so far. Quarterback Alex Stewart has made key throws when he has had to and Moses Stanley is leading the way on the ground with over 500 yards rushing. Lincoln has done well in close games this year, but will see its best offense of the year in Placer. The offense has scored more than 42 points in five of the seven games this year behind the Wing-T running game of Asher Gotzmer and Josh Turney. Quarterback Colin Burnett adds a passing dimension with over 700 yards on the year. Placer plays more shootout games than Lincoln does, so whichever team can play in their scoring range will move to 8-0.

Vista del Lago (5-2) at Oak Ridge (4-3): Vista del Lago and Oak Ridge are the only two unbeatens left in Sierra Valley League play and also features Vista head coach Chris Jones against his former school. Vista del Lago's junior quarterback Anthony Mull has stepped in and has played really good football to go with the running of Trey Hairabedian. Also, the two way play of senior Nick Grunsky has been key to the success of the young program. This week, they get a Trojans team which was won four in a row and gave Grant one of its toughest games this year. Quarterback Connor Benander is averaging more than 160 yards per game and Jacob Allen has added a steady running game to the balanced offense. The defense has been questionable at points, so expect a shootout in this one.

Manteca (5-2) at Oakdale (7-0): Oakdale has shown thus far to be the class of the Valley Oak League, but it now faces the tough part of the league schedule starting with Manteca. Oakdale has scored at least 55 points in four games this year and have impressive wins over Whitney and Novato early in the season. They have a stellar defense as well and have only allowed more than 20 points once this year. The player to watch for the Mustangs is running back Devin Brooks. At Manteca, the talent is there; though they lost to Division I power Tracy and then had a tough loss to Sierra so far this season. In its five wins, Manteca has given up just 30 points to go with a offense that is led by running back Marquis Miller and wide receiver Reggie Bell, who provide match-ups problems for the opposing defense.

Los Gatos (6-1) at Palo Alto (5-1-1): The Wildcats have a high powered offense centered on a very strong passing game. Quarterback Nick Hirschman is averaging more than 250 yards passing this year and is coming off of a win against Saratoga in which he threw for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns. His top target, Andrew Berg, is developing into one of the top wide receivers in the area. Palo Alto is the best team Los Gatos will have faced since its loss to St. Francis of Mountain View. Palo Alto comes in with lots of momentum following its 31-28 upset win over Milpitas. TJ Braff has stepped in for the injured Christof Bono at quarterback and played very well in the win. However, the Vikings do have the blemish of a tie to Homestead earlier this year, so this week will be important in seeing if the Milpitas win was just a one week effort or something to carry forward into the playoffs.

San Benito (7-0) at Salinas (4-3): San Benito has emerged as the top contender to Palma in the Tri-County League, but could have a test against Salinas. The Cowboys are led by standout running back Alvin Jelks, who leads an offense which is averaging over 25 points per game. Salinas has also won three in a row after its comeback fell short against Palma to start league play. San Benito has showed a dominating defense at times and given up just 35 points this season. The Haybalers have performed well against Wilcox and Oak Grove, but it has to be careful not to be caught looking ahead to a potential tilt with Palma the following week.

St. Francis, Mountain View (5-1) at Mitty (6-0) at Foothill College (Game of the Week): Though they were expected to be good coming into the season, St. Francis has cemented its status as a bowl contender with an impressive non-league and league play thus far. However, this will be its toughest league test to date for the Lancers. The offense is well balanced with quarterback Kyle Miller, running back Nathan Morace and Poppy Livers has developed into a top target. On defense, it has shown well at points, including holding down the explosive Los Gatos offense. Mitty comes into the game off of a hard fought double overtime game with Bellarmine. It runs the option attack and quarterback Kyle Boehm looks like a natural in the offense. The defense has looked dominating at points, but struggled to contain the Bellarmine running attack. Whichever offense can two dimensional will have the upper hand in this game.

Ygnacio Valley (6-1) at Clayton Valley (6-1): Coming off of a 56-20 blowout loss to cross-town rival Concord, Clayton Valley doesn't have much time to regroup as Ygnacio Valley heads to town in an important DVAL game. Jeremy McKillip leads the team in rushing more than 130 yards per game as the Eagles averaging nearly 30 points per game on offense, but are at its best when it is a controlled game through running the ball and playing defense. Ygnacio Valley will be led by running back Steven Porschet and on defense by linebacker Patrone Wood. As both teams are steady on both sides of the ball, whichever team can get more big plays and easy scores will win.

California NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

FEATURED PRODUCT