|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Week one of the 2023-2024 prep football season is in the books and there were just a couple of surprises running through the games played last Friday and Saturday.
Let’s look at the teams by dividing the teams into their respective Mountain and Valley divisions.
MOUNTAIN
California: The Grizzlies opened the season on Saturday afternoon and dropped a 31-14 decision to San Juan Capistrano. The Grizzlies have been dynamic on offense over the past 5-7 years so expect to see them pick things up this week and move forward.
Clayton Valley: Went on the road to Salinas – not an easy place to play – and shut out Salinas 17-0. It was the first game for new coach Nick Tisa, and it looks like business as usual for the Eagles. They play the toughest non-league campaign, not afraid to trade losses early for the high level of competition. Well, the opening night win was a statement to the rest of the EBAL. New coach, same old hard hitting team. Should have the rest of the league a bit nervous.
Foothill: The Falcons got out early but then gave it back and dropped a 28-25 game on opening night. On the promising side, the Falcons look like they can still put points on the board despite the defections of a pair of skill players to other schools. It’s just going to be a numbers issue for the Falcons this year and there will be other times they are right there for a while before fading late in games.
Monte Vista: Might have been the most impressive win on opening night. Granada has a senior laden team and an all-world QB. They were opening at home, wanting to show the Matador faithful that it was going to be a good year. Then Monte Vista walks in and puts a 42-3 win on the board. I thought the Mustangs would be the most improved team in the league now that coach Jon Millard has had a year under his belt running the program. I expect the Mustangs to be in the mix in every game they play this year.
San Ramon Valley: Another impressive win by an EBAL team. The Wolves make the trip to St. Ignatius Prep and come away with a 42-14 road win. Went all the way to the CIF State title game last year and sure seems to have the talent to do it again this season. Way too early to be circling dates but it’s tough not to look at October 6, the opening night of EBAL play where the Wolves will be at Clayton Valley.
VALLEY
Amador Valley (0-1): A 14-7 loss to El Cerrito does not do one thing to my thinking that Amador is the best team in the Valley and it’s not even close. El Cerrito is a good team that has some transfer students who were eligible to play right away and did not have to sit out any time. Amador on the other hand is playing without its starting QB and center until week six after transferring to Amador. The Dons have a tough non league grind as well as they must travel to Campolindo for their second game.
Dougherty Valley (0-1): Milpitas looked like they had been down for a few years, but it appears they are much tougher this year, beating the Wildcats 31-14. Could be a tough year for Dougherty Valley.
Dublin (1-0): The Gaels came out and took care of business opening weekend, shutting out Washington 40-0. Dublin plays hard and tough and will have a say in how the EBAL Valley plays out this year.
Granada (0-1): The enigma that was the Granada football program last year looks like it is going to be the same product this season. Blessed with talent like senior quarterback Quinn Boyd, the Matadors should have the offensive fire power to stay with anyone but scoring only three in the opener certainly leaves some questions.
Livermore (0-1): The Cowboys drop a 24-20 final to Hillsdale in
their opener. Bank on a couple of things when it comes to the
Cowboys – they are well coached and will come to play every
game. Always a threat in the Valley.
