What’s in a name? Cal High announcer steps down after being told not to say ‘Lady Grizzlies’

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Welcome to the Playbook!

It’s time for another week of the Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, your inside source for all things sports when it comes to the East Bay Athletic League. Join me each week for some honest feelings about the good, the bad, and the ugly side of high school athletics!

The Big Picture looks inside the recent decision to ban schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District from using the term “Lady” when describing their girls’ athletic teams. After over 20-plus years of usage, will there be no more Lady Grizzlies, Lady Mustangs, Lady Wolves or Lady Wildcats? This is just the latest example of the public school system losing its mind.

EBAL Power Rankings do have a change at the top of one of the girls’ volleyball rankings, while some minor movement in the football rankings.

What to Watch keeps you up to date with the key football and volleyball matches this week. Big volleyball game on Tuesday night!

The Fast Five this week visits with Amador water polo player Landon Kelley. His favorite streaming channel is a must for every fantasy football player!

Got a great story idea for something coming up in the fall? Let me know at acesmag@aol.com!

From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor

What’s in a name? Cal High announcer steps down after being told not to say ‘Lady Grizzlies’

One constant as California High girls’ athletics have grown is that Matthews, as well as the athletes, their parents and coaches, refer to the team as the “Lady Grizzlies”. Not anymore…

Power Rankings as of Sept. 23.

EBAL FOOTBALL

Mountain Division

*** De La Salle is not included in the weekly Mountain Power Rankings, but the Playbook will track them each week and they will be listed following the Valley rankings.

1. San Ramon Valley (4-0): The Wolves are firing, rolling McClymonds 51-14 in their most impressive win to date. Next week, at Hayward, 7 p.m.

2. California (4-0): The Grizzlies keep rolling, taking out Antioch on the road 47-18 to stay perfect this season. This week: at Granada, 7:15 p.m.

3. Monte Vista (3-1): The Mustangs made it two in a row with a convincing 38-20 win over James Logan. This week: at Antioch, 7 p.m.

4. Amador Valley (1-3): The Dons had a late lead against Liberty but fell 35-28. Missing several players to injury, the young Dons are starting to get healthy and are playing better. This week: vs. Acalanes, 7 p.m.

Valley Division

1. Foothill (3-1): The Falcons win it over San Leandro 20-19 with a two-point conversion in overtime to move to 3-1. This week: vs. Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.

2. Livermore (3-1): The Cowboys winning streak continues with a 35-28 win over Moreau Catholic. This week: vs. Heritage, 7 p.m.

3. Granada (2-2): The Matadors even their record with a 15-11 win over Berkeley. This week: vs. California, 7:15 p.m.

4. Dougherty Valley (2-2): The Wildcats draw even on the season, knocking off Kennedy-Fremont by a 20-19 final. This week: at Deer Valley, 7 p.m.

5. Dublin (0-4): The Gaels ran into a strong Windsor team, falling 48-7. Next week: at Freedom, 7 p.m.

*** De La Salle (4-0): The Spartans had a battle with St. Mary’s-Stockton but pulled out the 38-35 win. Next week: at El Cerrito, 7:30 p.m.

EBAL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

Mountain Division

1. Carondelet (13-4, 4-0): The Cougars redeemed one of their losses and made a statement in league with a 3-2 over previous No. 1 San Ramon Valley.

2. San Ramon Valley (6-2, 2-0): The Wolves started the week losing to Carondelet 3-2, but came back to sweep Heritage and then California.

3. California (12-4, 2-2): The Grizzlies knocked off Dougherty Valley 3-1 but then fell 3-0 to San Ramon Valley in EBAL play.

4. Monte Vista (6-5, 3-1): The Mustangs turn in a solid week of play in the EBAL with wins over Granada and Amador Valley.

5. Dougherty Valley (7-8, 1-3): Tough week for the Wildcats, losing 3-1 to Cal and 3-0 to Carondelet.

Valley Division

1. Foothill (14-4, 3-1): Three games, three 3-0 wins as the Falcons beat Dublin, Castro Valley, and Livermore.

2. Dublin (3-7, 2-2): The Gaels fell 3-0 to Foothill to start the week but then came back to sweep Granada 3-0 to close out the week.

3. Amador Valley (8-7, 2-2): The Dons go 1-2 in the Bishop O’Dowd tournament over the weekend and go 1-1 in league matches. Had a loss to Dublin the opening week of league so will stay behind the Gaels at this point.

4. Livermore (3-8, 0-4): The Cowboys fell to Amador Valley and Foothill, both by 3-0 finals.

5. Granada (4-10, 0-4): The Mats get swept 3-0 by both Monte Vista and Dublin.

Tuesday, Sept. 24: EBAL girls’ volleyball – Carondelet at Foothill, 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27: Football – Acalanes at Amador Valley, Half Moon Bay at Foothill, both 7 p.m.; California at Granada, 7:15 p.m.; De La Salle at El Cerrito, 7:30 p.m.

Pleasanton Preps: Foothill girls’ volleyball wins Bay Area Classic

The Foothill girls’ volleyball team rebounded from a loss in the first week of East Bay Athletic League to roll to the title of the Bay Area Classic that took place at Menlo Atherton High School.

We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. Here’s one:

Name: Landon Kenney

School and grade: Amador Valley (2025)

Sport: Water polo

Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: NFL Red Zone on Sunday football.

What music are you listening to: “Love in the Dark” (Adele)

Must follow on social media: @nflmemes

Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: Chick-fil-A (Chicken nuggets)

Favorite quote: “I failed over and over again in my life but that is why I succeed.” (Michael Jordan).

Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.

Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.

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