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 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 at the Livermore High football program as the Cowboys are dealing with the loss of a much-loved assistant coach. Their home opener last Friday night was all about honoring Coach BAS. How did it go and how are the players processing the loss.
EBAL Power Rankings feature the debut of the 2024 girls’ volleyball rankings, as well as the second week for football. How is volleyball looking, as the teams start EBAL play this week.
What to Watch lists a few of the big football games for this week! Where and when do they take place? Also, where are the big games of opening week for EBAL girls’ volleyball?
The Fast Five visited with Foothill flag football player Brea Olsen! See who her “must follow” is on social media! It’s someone the Playbook follows as well.
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
Livermore High football team pays tribute to Coach Bas
It was amazing and encouraging to me to see the grace and composure the two players carried themselves with while we talked about Coach Bas and how they are approaching the season.
Power Rankings as of Sept. 8.
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 (2-0): Stayed perfect with a hard fought, 14-7 win over Soquel. This week: a tough one as they host Clayton Valley, 7 p.m.
2. California (2-0): The Grizzlies stayed unbeaten with a 38-6 win over James Logan. The offense has put up 79 points in two games. This week: vs. Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 7:15 p.m.
3. Monte Vista (1-1): Ran into a tough Bishop O’Dowd team and fell 24-20 to fall to even on the season. This week: at Bellarmine Prep, 7 p.m.
4. Amador Valley (1-1): The Dons rallied in a big way after losing their opener, beating Consumnes Oaks 60-7 to get their first win of the season. This week: at Downey (Modesto), 7 p.m.
Valley Division
1. Foothill (1-1): As good as things went week one, they went bad week two as the Falcons fell 42-13 at American Canyon. This week: at Kennedy (Fremont), 7 p.m.
2. Dublin (0-2): Knew Ukiah on the road would be a tough one and it was as the Gaels fell 37-7 to fall to 0-2. This week: vs. Heritage, 7 p.m.
3. Livermore (1-1): It was an emotional convincing 36-18 win over Castro Valley as the Cowboys honored a fallen coach. This team will be a tough out this year. This week: vs. Gregori (Modesto), 7 p.m.
4. Granada (0-2): The Mats dropped their second consecutive game, falling 28-25 to Heritage. This week: at Castro Valley, 7:15 p.m.
5. Dougherty Valley (0-2): The Wildcats were beaten 27-3 by San Leandro in week two. This week: vs. Hercules, 7 p.m.
DLS
De La Salle (2-0): Rolled with a huge 39-10 over Serra in week two of the Spartans always insane schedule. This week: vs. St. Francis, 7:30 p.m.
EBAL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Mountain Division
1. California (6-1): At this point, it must be the Grizzlies at the top of the Mountain with their 6-1 mark, falling only to a strong University team.
2. San Ramon Valley (2-1): I think the Wolves have played more than three matches, but they do have a tournament win over Carondelet, and with it comes the No. 2 spot.
3. Carondelet (6-3): The Cougars have played well early but after starting 6-0, have lost three consecutive tournament games, including ones to Foothill and San Ramon Valley.
4. Monte Vista (1-2): The Mustangs beat Acalanes 3-0 but dropped matches to a pair of strong programs — Redwood (3-0) and Marin Catholic (3-1).
5. Dougherty Valley (3-3, 0-1): The Wildcats are not playing badly early but did drop a 3-0 EBAL match to Foothill last week.
Valley Division
1. Foothill (6-3, 1-0): The Falcons started the season losing to Branson and James Logan but rallied back and made it to the finals of the East County Invitational. In the finals they fell 2-1 to Marin Catholic.
2. Amador Valley (1-2): I also think the Dons have played more than the three games reported. This team will be right there as the EBAL season rolls along.
3. Dublin (3-4): It’s been an up and down season for the Gaels so far. They were 3-1 through the first four games, then dropped three consecutive tournament games.
4. Livermore (2-4): After dropping three to start the season, the Cowboys won two straight before falling to San Rafael.
5. Granada (0-5): Not the start the Matadors were hoping for but figure they turn it around when they get into EBAL play this week.
Thursday, Sept. 12
EBAL Girls’ Volleyball: Foothill at San Ramon Valley, Carondelet at California, both 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 13
Football: Amador Valley at Downey (Modesto), Clayton Valley at San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista at Bellarmine, all 7 p.m.
Pleasanton Preps: Amador boys’ water polo wins MVAL Labor Day Tournament
The Amador Valley High boys’ water polo started the season off in style, going 4-0 and winning the MVAL Labor Day Tournament title. Read that and more in Pleasanton Preps…
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: Brea Olsen
School and grade: Foothill (Sophomore, 2027)
Sport: Flag Football
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: Netflix
What music are you listening to: Rap/hip hop
Must follow on social media: @gkittle (George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers)
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: In-N-Out
Favorite quote: “It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.” (Babe Ruth)
Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email sports@pleasantonweekly.com.
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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