One week remains in the regular season for local teams — and Week 10’s results certainly provided lots to discuss.
REC-Adobe
Marin Catholic 4-0, 7-2
Cardinal Newman 3-1, 8-1
Windsor 2-2, 7-2
Vintage 2-2, 6-3
San Marin 1-3, 6-3
Rancho Cotate 0-4, 4-5
Marin Catholic 13, Cardinal Newman 3
Windsor 18, Rancho Cotate 6
Vintage 17, San Marin 7
REC-Valley
Casa Grande 5-0, 7-2
American Canyon 4-1, 8-1
Redwood 3-2, 5-4
Petaluma 3-2, 4-5
Tamalpais 2-3, 2-7
Justin-Siena 1-5, 3-6
Napa 0-6, 0-9
Casa Grande 26, American Canyon 14
Justin-Siena 26, Napa 21
Petaluma 32, Tamalpais 27
REC-Bay
St. Vincent 4-0, 8-1
Ukiah 3-1, 6-3
Maria Carrillo 3-1, 7-2
Analy 2-2, 3-6
Montgomery 0-4, 3-6
Santa Rosa 0-4, 2-7
St. Vincent 49, Montgomery 13
Ukiah 40, Maria Carrillo 14
Analy 40, Santa Rosa 20
REC-Mountain
Sonoma Valley 5-0, 9-0
Piner 4-1, 7-2
San Rafael 3-2, 5-4
Novato 3-3, 5-4
Archie Williams 2-3, 4-5
Terra Linda 1-4, 4-5
Healdsburg 0-5, 3-6
Sonoma Valley 49, Terra Linda 7
Piner 36, Novato 6
Archie Williams 43, Healdsburg 42 (OT)
Stone Ridge Christian 10, San Rafael 9
NCL I
Kelseyville 7-0, 8-1
Willits 7-1, 8-2
St. Helena 6-1, 6-3
Fort Bragg 4-3, 5-4
Middletown 3-4, 4-5
Upper Lake 3-4, 4-5
Lower Lake 1-6, 3-6
Clear Lake 1-6, 1-8
Cloverdale 0-7, 1-8
Kelseyville 40, Clear Lake 14
Willits 23, Upper Lake 0
St. Helena 16, Fort Bragg 6
Middletown 48, Lower Lake 0
NCL II
Stuart Hall 4-0, 8-0
Branson 4-1, 5-2
Roseland University Prep 2-2, 7-2
South Fork 2-2, 2-5
John Swett 1-3, 2-5
Calistoga 0-4, 2-6
Stuart Hall 48, John Swett 6
Branson 76, Roseland University Prep 40
South Fork 38, Calistoga 8
NCL III
Cornerstone Christian 5-0, 9-0
Elsie Allen 3-1, 5-4
Round Valley 4-2, 4-4
Tomales 2-2, 2-6
Potter Valley 0-4, 1-6
Laytonville 0-5, 0-5
Cornerstone Christian 48, Round Valley 28
California School for the Deaf 44, Elsie Allen 12
Tomales 20, Potter Valley 14
One week remains in the regular season in North Bay prep football — and Week 10’s results certainly provided lots to discuss.
Cardinal Newman’s 13-3 loss to Marin Catholic in the Redwood Empire Conference Adobe division was the big highlight as the top matchup in the North Bay this year. What does that mean going forward for the Cardinals?
Casa Grande also secured a marquee win over American Canyon in a big REC-Valley clash, Vintage scored a massive upset over San Marin in the REC-Adobe and Ukiah bounced back well against a tough Maria Carrillo team.
Here are our takeaways from those games along with a look at the updated playoff picture heading into the final week of the season.
Disappointing is probably the best way to describe Cardinal Newman’s 13-3 loss to Marin Catholic last week. It’s the fourth straight loss for the Cardinals to their rivals from Marin and while this loss doesn’t end their season like the past three meetings have, it certainly doesn’t lessen the sting.
This is arguably the best Newman team that’s been assembled in the last decade-plus and arguably one of the worst — by their standards — Marin Catholic teams over that same span. And yet in the end, it was Marin Catholic’s defense that stole the show.
The Wildcats held the Cardinals to just three points — 38 off their season average — sacked freshman quarterback Tino “LT” Retamoza four times and picked him off twice.
Newman’s defense kept the Cardinals in the game, but the offense just couldn’t string much together. A large credit does belong to Marin Catholic’s defense, which has now allowed just 10 points with two shutouts in REC-Adobe play and has allowed just 17 points in its last six games.
This was a much more competitive game than the last three meetings, but it’s certainly a disappointing result for the program considering the trajectory Newman has been on this season.
If there is another positive to draw from the loss — other than it not ending the Cardinals’ season — it’s that Cardinal Newman could get another shot at Marin Catholic in the playoffs. The Cardinals are still ranked above the Wildcats in the North Coast Section at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. If that holds, they’ll face again in the first round of the Open/Division 1 playoffs at Marin Catholic.
— Gus Morris
Casa Grande in Valley driver’s seat
The Gauchos passed their biggest league test of the season at American Canyon, beating both the Wolves and the weather as they took control of the REC-Valley title race. Casa could clinch the title this Saturday against crosstown rival Petaluma.
And while it’s hard to take away much from a game that was played in pouring rain from beginning to end, one thing is certainly clear: Casa Grande’s defense is as advertised.
Sure, they gave up the most points in their last five games (14), but to hold an ultra-explosive American Canyon offense to that low of a score certainly deserves some flowers. The Wolves also had six turnovers, another credit to Casa’s defense.
Not to discredit the Wolves’ performance, however, because their defense allowed zero points in the second half. AmCan will be fine, and should have a big bounce-back game Friday at home against Redwood.
Casa now looks to the always-tough Egg Bowl rivalry game at crosstown rival Petaluma, where the Gauchos will attempt to clinch the first-ever REC-Valley title. A trip towest Petaluma awaits, and so does a Trojans squad that’s won three out of its last four games.
Looking ahead, Casa’s win last week could also have huge playoff implications. Although no one knows for sure how the brackets are going to be set up until this Sunday, both the Gauchos and Wolves were projected to be in Division 2 heading into last Friday night. Now, Casa is projected to stay put in Division 2 while AmCan drops to Division 3.
— Kienan O’Doherty
The Crushers delivered one of the more surprising results of the season last week as they knocked off San Marin, 17-7. The Mustangs have been one of the top programs in the North Bay the last five years, winning state titles in 2021 and 2022, were ranked No. 8 in the NCS heading into the matchup and defeated Windsor earlier this season.
On a rainy night, Vintage went back to its roots of ball-control offense. The Crushers ran the ball down San Marin’s throat for 178 yards on 41 carries and had three sacks and two key interceptions on defense.
Coaches who have faced the Crushers this year call them one of the more underrated teams in the area. Well, the secret might be out. This Vintage team is tough and can beat anyone on any given day.
— Gus Morris
After losing to St. Vincent the week prior, Ukiah bounced back in a big way, ending Maria Carrillo’s six-game winning streak and getting back in the win column.
It could have been called the “Mud Bowl” in Mendocino County, where the Wildcats were up 21-14 at halftime before scoring 19 unanswered second-half points. And even in the rain, Ukiah’s passing attack was effective, as star receiver Omaurie Phillips-Porter had seven catches for 138 yards and a score.
Quarterback Beau David showed off his dual-threat abilities, rushing 10 times for 99 yards and two scores while going 8-of-15 through the air with 150 yards, one score and one interception.
The key difference was the explosive plays that hurt the Pumas, including the two special-teams touchdowns and Phillips-Porter’s touchdown reception.
For Carrillo, Logan Bruce continues to be one of the most successful if little-talked-about running backs in the area, scoring twice in the time. And while Carrillo lost its first league game of the season, the Pumas could wreak some havoc if they can beat league leaders St. Vincent at home Friday night.
Ukiah, meanwhile, heads to Analy to round out its league slate.
Both teams are entertaining to watch and could certainly turn some heads come playoff time.
— Kienan O’Doherty
Last week I wrote a story breaking down the playoff cases for 14 local teams that were in line to make the postseason — where each might end up, what could change, etc. Well, I learned Wednesday that I was missing some key info in my interpretation of the new playoff format that the NCS is using this year. The accurate projections, sent to me by someone with a better understand of the new system, are vastly different from the ones I shared last week.
My mistake, and the same one that other projectionists also made, was in the understanding how the CalPreps/MaxPreps computer rankings would be used. Essentially, the NCS will more or less be taking the top 56 teams in the section for the playoffs (seven brackets of eight teams) and then seeding them out in descending order of rankings. The two-division movement cap is also taken into consideration, so a Division 4 team can move as high as Division 2 or as low as Division 6.
If you’re confused, trust me, I know. It’s hard to understand and even harder to explain. Bottom line is the new format is trickier than it first seemed.
I was, however, nearly correct with the number of local teams currently projected to make the playoffs.
Cardinal Newman is still set to make Open/D1; Windsor, Casa Grande and Vintage all appear headed for Division 2; American Canyon is a high seed in Division 3; Ukiah is a high seed in Division 4; St. Vincent and Maria Carrillo are top-four seeds in Division 5; and Sonoma Valley is the No. 1 seed in Division 6, which includes Piner, Petaluma and Montgomery.
Analy is technically playoff eligible but needs to beat Ukiah this week and Rancho Cotate is currently ineligible but would clinch a playoff spot with a win over San Marin this week.
Week 11 can still provide make-or-break results for a number of local teams. Once the dust settles this week, the NCS will release the playoff brackets at midday Sunday.
You can reach Staff Writer Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or gus.morris@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @JustGusPD. You can reach Staff Writer Kienan O’Doherty at 415-887-8650 or kienan.odoherty@pressdemocrat.com. On X @kodoherty22.
REC-Adobe
Marin Catholic 4-0, 7-2
Cardinal Newman 3-1, 8-1
Windsor 2-2, 7-2
Vintage 2-2, 6-3
San Marin 1-3, 6-3
Rancho Cotate 0-4, 4-5
Marin Catholic 13, Cardinal Newman 3
Windsor 18, Rancho Cotate 6
Vintage 17, San Marin 7
REC-Valley
Casa Grande 5-0, 7-2
American Canyon 4-1, 8-1
Redwood 3-2, 5-4
Petaluma 3-2, 4-5
Tamalpais 2-3, 2-7
Justin-Siena 1-5, 3-6
Napa 0-6, 0-9
Casa Grande 26, American Canyon 14
Justin-Siena 26, Napa 21
Petaluma 32, Tamalpais 27
REC-Bay
St. Vincent 4-0, 8-1
Ukiah 3-1, 6-3
Maria Carrillo 3-1, 7-2
Analy 2-2, 3-6
Montgomery 0-4, 3-6
Santa Rosa 0-4, 2-7
St. Vincent 49, Montgomery 13
Ukiah 40, Maria Carrillo 14
Analy 40, Santa Rosa 20
REC-Mountain
Sonoma Valley 5-0, 9-0
Piner 4-1, 7-2
San Rafael 3-2, 5-4
Novato 3-3, 5-4
Archie Williams 2-3, 4-5
Terra Linda 1-4, 4-5
Healdsburg 0-5, 3-6
Sonoma Valley 49, Terra Linda 7
Piner 36, Novato 6
Archie Williams 43, Healdsburg 42 (OT)
Stone Ridge Christian 10, San Rafael 9
NCL I
Kelseyville 7-0, 8-1
Willits 7-1, 8-2
St. Helena 6-1, 6-3
Fort Bragg 4-3, 5-4
Middletown 3-4, 4-5
Upper Lake 3-4, 4-5
Lower Lake 1-6, 3-6
Clear Lake 1-6, 1-8
Cloverdale 0-7, 1-8
Kelseyville 40, Clear Lake 14
Willits 23, Upper Lake 0
St. Helena 16, Fort Bragg 6
Middletown 48, Lower Lake 0
NCL II
Stuart Hall 4-0, 8-0
Branson 4-1, 5-2
Roseland University Prep 2-2, 7-2
South Fork 2-2, 2-5
John Swett 1-3, 2-5
Calistoga 0-4, 2-6
Stuart Hall 48, John Swett 6
Branson 76, Roseland University Prep 40
South Fork 38, Calistoga 8
NCL III
Cornerstone Christian 5-0, 9-0
Elsie Allen 3-1, 5-4
Round Valley 4-2, 4-4
Tomales 2-2, 2-6
Potter Valley 0-4, 1-6
Laytonville 0-5, 0-5
Cornerstone Christian 48, Round Valley 28
California School for the Deaf 44, Elsie Allen 12
Tomales 20, Potter Valley 14
