NorCalPreps.com - NCP Pick'em Week 9

November 3, 2009

Douglas Benton
NorCalPreps.com Analyst

As we turn back our clocks, it can mean one thing. Fall is definitely in the air with league races being decided and teams jockeying for playoff seeding in hopes of a section title and possible state bowl berth. The slate of games include an important Northern Section showdown, and possibly the biggest small school game of the regular season.

Enterprise (9-0) at Paradise (8-1): Many Northern Section fans pointed to this game early in the season as one to watch for and through nine games, it appears they were right. Enterprise is the top team in the section and is led by quarterback Anthony Williams, who was terrific last week in the Hornets' 48-14 win over Chico. He finished with more than 300 yards passing and three touchdowns and also had 99 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Paradise on the other hand has recovered nicely from an opening league upset to Pleasant Valley by winning its five games by an average margin of more than 27 points. In the 30-16 win over Shasta this past week, quarterback Garrett Rice went 10-16 for 190 yards and two touchdowns to go with Jordan Dobrich, who went over 100 yards rushing in the win. If Paradise can get good production out of the passing game, it will have the upper hand in this game, which will likely decide the No. 1 seed in the Northern Section Division I playoffs.

California (5-3) at Monte Vista (5-3): Both teams come in with three losses, but that doesn't mean they won't bring talent to the field on Friday. Monte Vista is sitting in a tie for third in the EBAL and could really use two wins to close out the season heading into the playoffs. The Mustangs snapped a three game losing streak this past week when it beat Granada 57-19 behind 287 yards and three touchdowns from Brett Nottingham. However, it continued to struggle against the run as Granada's George Atkinson III rushed for more than 180 yards. The Mustangs also had to play without its top running back, Greg Johnson, last week. California on the other hand is coming off an impressive 45-24 win over Foothill of Pleasanton. The Grizzlies had a strong running game, led by Gio Javier and Reggie Davis and have a solid passing game with quarterback Quinn Kaehler. If it can have the same defensive success this week as it did last week against Foothill's passing, Cal has a great chance of pulling out the league win.

Del Campo (7-1) at Casa Roble (5-3): This is one of the better rivalries in the Sacramento area and once again, it will be for the Capital Athletic League title. Del Campo has bounced back nicely from a loss to Woodcreek and also has a win over Pleasant Grove on its resume. The Cougars are led by quarterback Ryan Dimino, who provides a dangerous dual threat from the position. The defense has also played well and has only given up 23 points in its last four games. It hopes to wrestle away the league title from Casa Roble, which lost three in a row earlier in the year, but is now 3-0 in league play. The key to this game is whether the Rams can contain Dimino. If he is able to put his fingerprints on the game, it could mean a new champion in the CAL.

Escalon (8-0) at Modesto Christian (8-0): In a clear contrast of styles, Escalon brings a defense which has posted six shutouts in eight games and Modesto Christian is averaging 50 points per game on offense. The Crusaders, the top rated small school in Northern California, are led by dual threat quarterback Isaiah Burse, who has been nothing short of electric this season. However, this will be the toughest defense it faces in the regular season and possibly all season. In its 56-0 win over Riverbank, the Escalon defense held Riverbank to less than 100 yards and Steven Silva rushed for two touchdowns to lead the ground attack. The Cougars have to limit the big plays of Modesto Christian if it wants to take a big step in the Division III bowl race.

Palma (6-1-1) at San Benito (8-0): The Haybalers have positioned themselves to take the TCAL this season after starting the year 8-0. It starts with defense for San Benito as it held Alvin Jelks and a good running Salinas team to 10 points, including shutting them out in the decisive fourth quarter. Like many teams this time of year, San Benito will have to learn to play with expectations in a game against a proven power like Palma. The Chieftains come in playing some of its best football of the season and are coming off of a 35-7 win over Gilroy. Quarterback Austen Fales threw two touchdowns and Jack Baird has developed into one of the top runners in the area. Going up against a solid defense like San Benito, Palma needs to get some balance from the offense to dictate tempo if it wants to win the TCAL.

James Logan (5-3) at Washington, Fremont (6-2): As both teams took on challenging non-league schedules, it was evident that this match-up would decide the Mission Valley League. Washington first came on the scene this year with an opening week win over California (30-28), but also suffered blowout losses to NCP Top 20 teams Deer Valley and Tracy. The Huskies have rolled in league play and have outscored its four opponents 180-5. James Logan has won five in a row after starting 0-3, which including close losses to Monte Vista and Deer Valley. It is led by quarterback Jonathan Willis, who has played well out of the pistol look for Logan. Last year, Washington beat Logan 14-7 in winning the Mission Valley league.

Folsom (7-1) at Pleasant Grove (6-2): In looking at the schedule prior to the season, the Folsom-Pleasant Grove game looked to be the marquee match-up for the Delta River League. It may still be as Folsom rebounded from its first loss of the season to beat an overmatched Florin 49-7 and still have plenty of talent at the skill positions. Even though it was earlier in the year, Pleasant Grove struggled against the multiple weapons Lincoln of Stockton threw against them. However, the Eagles look to have figured it out after beating Sheldon two weeks ago and then Monterey Trail 28-21 this past week. The running game of Pleasant Grove, led by Matt Robinson, is key in keeping the Folsom offense on the sidelines and controlling the tempo of the game.

Bellarmine Prep (6-2) at St. Francis, Mountain View (6-2): The Lancers are coming off of a tough 28-14 loss to Mitty in which the Monarchs burst out to a 28-0 lead. St. Francis struggled to contain the Mitty running game and now must deal with the Bellarmine run attack, which is picking up speed each week. Running back Kyle Olugbode is having an excellent senior season and quarterback Mike McGovern makes defenses play honest against a quarterback run. St. Francis still has offensive playmakers, led by Kyle Miller, Nathan Morace and Poppy Livers to challenge the Bellarmine defense. The Lancers need to either get up early or stay even because like Mitty, Bellarmine isn't a team you want to play catch up against.

Del Oro (7-1) at Rocklin (8-0): While this big SFL match-up lost some luster when Del Oro was upset by Woodcreek, it still brings a lot of excitement as both teams are in the NCP Top 20. Del Oro will try to find its offensive rhythm after scoring just nine points against Woodcreek and must be ready to play a big game on the road. Its two toughest games this year have been at home against Del Oro and then a neutral site(at Folsom) against California. On the road, it will see 8-0 Rocklin, who has shown it can outscore you, but also win a close low scoring game. It has the ability to be a balanced and dangerous offense, but it starts with quarterback Jimmy Laughrea. Whichever junior quarterback can limit the mistakes in the passing game will come out in control of the SFL.

Concord (7-1) at Ygnacio Valley (7-1): Both teams have posted quality wins over last year's league power, Clayton Valley, in the past two weeks and now hook up for a Saturday matinee to decide the DFAL title. Concord has plenty of weapons on offense, led by quarterback Ricky Lloyd and Forrest Hightower. It also has showed an impressive defense which could be the difference in this tilt. Quarterback Adam Nesham was solid in the win over Clayton Valley with more than 200 yards passing and two touchdowns. Concord thrives on big plays with its offense, so Ygnacio Valley must contain the Minutemen and force them to drive the length of the field if it wants to win on Saturday.

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