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Welcome to the Playbook!
The Big Picture this week looks at Amador Valley football coach Danny Jones, who is in his final season at Amador Valley – a school he played at as well – before moving on for an amazing opportunity in Idaho. Also, a quick look at opening play in EBAL football.
EBAL Power Rankings has no changes in volleyball, football or flag football, but with the finals weeks of the seasons looming, there’s a chance for a lot of movement. What to Watch has the schedule for the first EBAL football games in both the Mountain and Valley divisions. There is also a big girls’ flag football game on tap this week.
The Fast Five is all about Granada volleyball player Karly Bonaventure. Check out her favorite quote – words to live by!
If you know of a great story, or have any questions, please reach out either by email at acesgolf@aol.com or by phone at 925-200-0719.
From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor
Football coach Jones leaving Amador after season, trading in Bay Area life for small-town Idaho
“I was a little taken aback when I was first told Amador Valley High School football coach Danny Jones was leaving the Pleasanton school and heading to Star, Idaho with his family. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.”
Power Rankings as of Oct. 6.
EBAL FOOTBALL
Mountain Division
1. California (6-0): The Grizzlies ventured to take on the top ranked Valley team in Livermore and beat the Cowboys 44-20. Now they get a bye.
2. San Ramon Valley (4-2): The Wolves hosted Granada from the Valley Division and promptly sent the Matadors back to their league with a 49-13 win.
3. Monte Vista (4-1): The Mustangs had a bye this past week and now host Campolindo in a non-league game this week.
4. Amador Valley (2-4): Squeaked out a last-minute field goal to beat upstart Dublin 17-14. Gets a little tougher from here as San Ramon Valley, then De La Salle make up the schedule.
Valley Division
1. Livermore (5-1): For the final non-league game, the top ranked Valley team faced California, the top ranked Mountain team. The Cowboys came out on the wrong end of 44-20 final. Hosts Dublin to open league.
2. Foothill (4-2): The Falcons rallied back from the big loss to Amador Valley and beat Newark 51-14. Now it’s money time with the beginning of league as they travel to Granada.
3. Dublin (3-3): Went on the road and after dominating the second half, nearly pulled off the upset over Amador, falling 17-14, giving up the late field goal. Huge EBAL opener at Livermore.
4. Granada (3-3): Traveled to San Ramon Valley for its final non-league game of the season and came home with a 49-13 loss. The Mats play host to Foothill in the Valley division opener.
Note: De La Salle is not used in the rankings since they get the automatic berth from the EBAL. De La Salle (6-0) d. Central Catholic 35-14.
EBAL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Monte Vista (17-6, 7-1): The Mustangs keep the top spot for now with sweeps over Livermore and Granada.
2. Foothill (16-6, 7-1): The Falcons keep the late season roll going, beating San Ramon Valley 3-2, then Dublin 3-0.
3. San Ramon Valley (18-4, 6-2): The Wolves suffered the 3-2 loss to Foothill to open the week but then came back to beat Carondelet 3-1.
4. Carondelet (17-6, 6-2): The Cougars started the week off fine, beating California, but then lost 3-1 to San Ramon Valley.
5. Amador Valley (11-5, 6-2): The Dons rallied last week and swept Dublin and Livermore to stay right in the mix of the EBAL.
Others: California (6-9, 3-5), Dougherty Valley (12-12, 3-5), Granada (10-10, 1-7), Dublin (4-13, 1-7), Livermore (7-15, 0-8).
EBAL FLAG FOOTBALL
1. California (11-1, 6-1): The Grizzlies stay the team to beat, last week defeating Livermore 25-12, then Liberty in a non-league final of 31-0.
2. San Ramon Valley (10-3, 6-1): The Wolves take care of Carondelet (27-8) and Alameda (13-12) to run their winning streak to four games.
3. Amador Valley (11-3, 5-2): The Dons keep rolling, beating Dougherty Valley 47-19, then Campolindo 33-13. The Dons have now won six games in a row.
4. Granada (10-5, 4-3): The Mats drop a tough one 18-12 to California, then come back to shutout Dublin 12-0 to end the week.
5. Foothill (9-5, 5-2): The Falcons win a pair, beating Monte Vista 28-12, then Castro Valley 24-6 to set up their huge game with California this week.
Others: Dougherty Valley (3-7, 3-4), Dublin (12-7, 1-6), Livermore (5-9, 2-4), Monte Vista (4-13, 0-6), Carondelet (6-7, 2-4).
Today (Oct. 7) – EBAL flag football: Amador Valley at Carondelet, California at Foothill, 7:30 p.m. EBAL girls’ volleyball: Amador Valley at Monte Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday (Oct. 9) – EBAL girls’ volleyball: Monte Vista at Carondelet, 6:30 p.m.
Friday (Oct. 10) – EBAL Valley football: Dublin at Livermore, Foothill at Granada, both 7:15 p.m. EBAL Mountain football: San Ramon Valley at Amador Valley, 7 p.m. Non-league football: Campolindo at Monte Vista, 7 p.m. De La Salle vs. bye, California vs. bye.
Pleasanton Preps: Falcons control Wildcats in girls’ water polo win
The Foothill girls’ water polo team found success at the varsity level with the Falcons’ two games against the varsity and junior varsity from Dougherty Valley.
Four-time Super Bowl champ speaking at Dublin chamber event
Rocky Bleier, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a decorated Vietnam War veteran, will be the headliner at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Thought Leadership Speaker Series next week.
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: Karly Bonaventure
School and grade: Granada High (12th grade)
Sport: Volleyball
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: “Gilmore Girls” (Netflix)
Favorite genre music/Favorite performer: County music/Chris Stapleton.
Must follow on social media: Andi Jackson (Nebraska volleyball)
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: In-N-Out Burger
Favorite quote: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” (Nelson Mandela)
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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