Today’s edition is sponsored by The Rose Hotel.
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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 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 talks about the amazing football game last weekend between California and Amador Valley! We also look at the first round of NCS play and bring you the results of the NCS girls’ golf D-I tournament, won by an EBAL team!
EBAL Power Rankings have a new No. 1 in the Valley football division, while everything else sits the status quo.
Fast Five turns the table a bit this week and lets you learn a little more about the Playbook this week. My favorite quote is one I tell people constantly when they seem upset!
What to Watch has your NCS Football schedule for the second week of the playoffs. Also, see who is where this week in football action as the regular season wraps up.
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
Cal High outlasts Amador in 54-48 overtime shootout
The two teams came in averaging over 400 yards per game and scoring a lot of points. It figured to be a track meet, and it was, as the Grizzlies survived with a 54-48 overtime final where both teams exceeded their average output.
Power Rankings as of Nov. 11.
EBAL FOOTBALL
Mountain Division
1. San Ramon Valley (9-1, 3-0): The Wolves wrap up the regular season with a 38-7 win over rival Monte Vista. Third seed in the Open/I playoffs. This week: vs. California, 7 p.m.
2. California (8-2, 2-1): The Grizzlies go into Amador and come away with a thrilling 54-48 overtime win in an epic contest. No. 6 seed in Open/I playoffs. This week: at San Ramon Valley, 7 p.m.
3. Amador Valley (6-4, 2-1): The Dons 54-48 to California in probably one of the greatest EBAL games ever played. The No. 2 seed in D-II. This week: vs. Las Lomas, 7 p.m.
4. Monte Vista (5-5, 0-3): The Mustangs end the regular season with a 38-7 loss to San Ramon Valley. The No. 5 seed in D-II. This week: at Bishop O’Dowd, 7 p.m.
Valley Division
1. Granada (6-4, 4-0): The Matadors claim the Valley title by winning the big rivalry game with Livermore in a 28-27 thriller. Got the No. 3 seed in D-IV. This week: vs. Livermore, 7 p.m.
2. Livermore (6-4, 3-1): The Cowboys fall in the final regular season game, 28-27, to Granada. The No. 6 seed in D-IV. This week: at Granada, 7 p.m.
3. Dublin (3-7, 2-2): The Gaels end the season with a 21-0 win over Dougherty Valley. Got the No. 8 seed in D-III. This week: at Acalanes (1), 7 p.m.
4. Foothill (4-6, 1-3): Season is over.
5. Dougherty Valley (2-8, 0-4): The Wildcats fall 21-0 to Dublin in their final game of the season. This week: season is over.
*** De La Salle (10-0): The Spartans put the final piece on an undefeated regular season, beating Clayton Valley 48-3. Top seed Open division. This week: vs. San Marin, 7 p.m.
EBAL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Mountain Division
1. San Ramon Valley (26-9): The Wolves had a solid NCS D-I run, advancing to the semifinals before falling 3-2 to Campolindo. In the third-place game SRV beat Monte Vista 3-1. Seeded No. 1 in D-II NorCal playoffs.
2. Carondelet (25-9): After falling in the first round of the Open division, the Cougars lost 3-0 to Redwood in the 5th place match. They are the No. 7 seed in the D-I NorCal playoffs.
3. Monte Vista (15-13): The Mustangs fell in the D-I semifinals 3-0 to Tamalpais, then 3-1 to San Ramon Valley in the third-place match.
4. California (18-16): Season is over.
5. Dougherty Valley (12-16): Season is over.
Valley Division
1. Foothill (25-10): After falling to Branson 3-1 in the Open semifinals, the Falcons fell 3-1 to James Logan in the third-place match. The No. 5 seed in the D-I NorCal playoffs.
2. Amador Valley (21-11): Season is over.
3. Dublin (12-14): Season is over.
4. Granada (10-17): Season is over.
5. Livermore (4-21): Season is over.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
CIF State Girls’ Volleyball Playoffs D-I: Christian Brothers (12) at Foothill (5), 6 p.m.; Campolindo (10) at Carondelet (7), 6 p.m. D-II: Granite Bay (16) at San Ramon Valley (1), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 14
CIF State Girls’ Volleyball Playoffs D-I: Foothill/Christian Brothers winner vs. James Logan (4)/Pleasant Grove (13) winner, TBD; D-II: San Ramon Valley-Granite Bay winner vs. Sacred Heart (8)/University winner, TBD
Friday, Nov. 15
NCS Football Playoffs Open/D-I: San Marin (8) at De La Salle (1), 7 p.m.; California (6) at San Ramon Valley (3), 7 p.m. D-II: Monte Vista (5) at Bishop Dowd (4), 7 p.m.; Las Lomas (7) at Amador Valley (2), 7 p.m. D-III: Dublin (8) at Acalanes (1), 7 p.m. D-IV: Livermore (6) at Granada (3), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16
CIF State Girls’ Volleyball: Regional Semifinals, TBD.
Pleasanton Preps: Foothill girls beat Redwood to start inaugural NCS Open Division volleyball tournament
The Falcons made the most of the opportunity in the first round as the No. 4 seed, beating No. 5 Redwood 22-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-19.
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: Dennis Miller
School and grade: Amador Valley (1979 graduate).
Sport: Soccer
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: Paramount Plus/”Seal Team”
What music are you listening to: Country (Jason Aldeen, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs); Rock (Def Leppard, Metallica, Linkin Park, Sammy Hagar).
Must follow on social media: 49ers.cam (Instagram, Can Inman), nbsmallerbear (Instagram, Nick Bosa).
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: Chick-fil-A/Spicy Chicken Sandwich
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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