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Welcome to the Playbook!
It is time for another week of the 2025-26 prep sports year! The Playbook takes you inside the East Bay Athletic League, writing about outlooks, updates and insights into all the sports, along with profiles of athletes, and opinions regarding controversial issues in high school sport.
The Big Picture goes inside the first week of the EBAL football season, taking a deep look at the San Ramon Valley at Amador Valley game, then a quick look at the rest of the EBAL, and a look at the final week of the EBAL flag football season.
EBAL Power Rankings sees no change at the top in any of any of the three sports in the rankings, but the Valley football division does see changes after the top spot.
What to Watch has the schedule for the final week of the regular season for the EBAL flag football league with some big games closing out the regular season. EBAL volleyball is down to the final three league games, and EBAL football moves into the second week of league play.
The Fast Five is all about Livermore flag football player Bailey Becerra. Her favorite quote is straight and to the point – a classic starting point for life.
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
Lessons learned from San Ramon Valley win over Amador, and other EBAL football action
After watching the 41-14 San Ramon Valley win over Amador Valley, there were some crystal-clear statements made…
Power Rankings as of Oct. 13.
EBAL FLAG FOOTBALL
1. California (12-2, 7-1): The Grizzlies get a big 28-22 win over Foothill but then fall in a non-league game to Alameda 12-7.
2. San Ramon Valley (11-4, 6-2): The Wolves drop an EBAL game to Granada, falling 13-6, but rally with a 39-0 win over Oakland Tech
3. Amador Valley (12-4, 5-3): The EBAL winning streak comes to an end with a 19-18 loss to Carondelet. The Dons rebound to end the week with a 21-0 win over Northgate.
4. Granada (11-5, 5-3): The Matadors get a huge 13-6 win over San Ramon Valley in a big EBAL game.
5. Foothill (9-6, 5-3): The Falcons play a great game but fall 28-22 to top ranked California.
Others: Dougherty Valley (4-7, 4-4), Carondelet (7-8, 3-5), Dublin (12-8, 1-7), Livermore (6-10, 2-5), Monte Vista (5-13, 1-6).
EBAL FOOTBALL
Mountain Division
1. California (6-0, 0-0): The Grizzlies had a bye last week, giving them an extra week to prepare for the monster game with San Ramon Valley this week.
2. San Ramon Valley (4-2, 1-0): The Wolves find themselves in a battle with Amador, as the two were tied 14-14 at the break. But a 21-0 third quarter blows the game wide open as the Wolves roll to the 41-14 win.
3. Monte Vista (4-2, 0-0): The Mustangs come off a bye to fall 28-21 to Campolindo in a non-league game. Campo moved to 6-0 on the season.
4. Amador Valley (2-5, 0-1): The Dons were tied 14-14 at the half but the Wolves’ big play availability led to a 21-0 edge in the third quarter to put away the game.
Valley Division
1. Livermore (6-1, 1-0): The Cowboys rally late and pull out the 22-21 win over Dublin for the early advantage in EBAL play.
2. Dublin (3-4, 0-1): One week after pushing Amador Valley to the limit before falling, the Gaels do the same to Livermore, leading up until late in the game before falling 22-21.
3. Granada (4-3, 1-0): The Matadors continue to serve notice they are in the mix for the title as the pound Foothill 28-0. The Mats next play host to Dublin in a monster game.
4. Foothill (4-3, 0-1): The Falcons visit Granada to open league play and run into a Granada team that is making a statement, beating Foothill 28-0.
Note: De La Salle is not used in the rankings since they get the automatic berth from the EBAL. De La Salle (6-0) vs. bye.
EBAL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Monte Vista (19-6, 9-1): The Mustangs have a big week, beating Amador 3-1 and Carondelet 3-2 to keep the top spot in the rankings.
2. Foothill (16-8, 9-1): The Falcons keep pace with Monte Vista by taking down California and Livermore last week. The Falcons are 10-1 in their last 11 matches.
3. San Ramon Valley (20-4, 8-2): The Wolves stay on the heels of the front-runner by beating Cal and Dougherty Valley. A big week awaits as they take on Carondelet and Amador Valley.
4. Carondelet (18-7, 7-3): The Cougars open the week by sweeping Dougherty Valley but then lose 3-2 to Monte Vista.
5. Amador Valley (12-6, 7-3): The Dons spilt matches last week, beating Granada, but dropping 3-1 to Monte Vista to open the week.
Others: California (6-11, 3-7), Dougherty Valley (12-14, 3-7), Granada (11-11, 2-8), Dublin (4-14, 1-8), Livermore (7-16, 0-9).
Today (Oct. 14) – EBAL flag football: San Ramon Valley at Monte Vista, Amador Valley at Foothill, Livermore vs. Granada, all 7:30 p.m. EBAL girls’ volleyball: Carondelet at San Ramon Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday (Oct. 16) – EBAL girls’ volleyball: Amador Valley at San Ramon Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Friday (Oct. 17) – EBAL football, Valley Division: Dublin at Granada, 7:15 p.m. EBAL Mountain: San Ramon Valley at California, 7:15 p.m. Non-league football: Monte Vista at Oak Ridge, Livermore at Redwood Christian 7 p.m.; De La Salle at Amador Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday (Oct. 18) – EBAL flag football: Amador Valley at San Ramon Valley, 10:30 a.m.
Pleasanton Preps: Money time arrives for EBAL football as divisional play begins
For the teams at Amador Valley and Foothill, it’s exactly that when Mountain and Valley divisional play gets underway…
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.”
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: Bailey Becerra
School and grade: Livermore High (senior)
Sport: Flag football
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: Peacock/”The Office”
Favorite genre music/Favorite performer: Country music
Must follow on social media: LHS Girls’ Flag Football
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: In-N-Out
Favorite quote: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupery, French writer)
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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