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Welcome back 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. This is the first Playbook of the 2024-25 school year!
The Big Picture looks at EBAL football after the first week of the season. Way too early to jump to conclusions? Without a doubt, but what did we learn if anything from our teams’ opening games? Check it out!
EBAL Power Rankings feature our first football rankings of the season. How do the Mountain and Valley divisions shake out after the first week of the season?
What to Watch lists a few of the big football games for this week! Where and when do they take place?
Fast Five visited with Amador Valley flag football quarterback Riley Harrington!
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 to learn from opening week in Tri-Valley high school football
It’s always interesting to see how people will jump to conclusions too quickly when it comes to sports. Now that we are through the first week of play for EBAL football teams, is there anything we learned from the week that might provide some insight into the season? Let’s look at all nine EBAL teams and get some quick thoughts on opening night.
Power Rankings as of Sept. 1
EBAL FOOTBALL
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
1. San Ramon Valley (1-0): The Wolves just reload every season, and it appears to be the case again as they roll to a 28-10 win over St. Ignatius in their opener. This week: vs. Soquel, 7 p.m.
2. Monte Vista (1-0): The Mustangs look like they have come to play this year, thumping Granada 41-14 opening week. This week: vs. Bishop O’Dowd, 7 p.m.
3. California (1-0): The Grizzlies offense looked in midseason form as they beat Patterson 41-34. The defense will need to show up for week two. This week: vs. James Logan, 7:15 p.m.
4. Amador Valley (0-1): The Dons faced a very tough road game to start the season, losing to El Cerrito 38-16. This week: vs. Cosumnes Oaks, 7 p.m.
VALLEY DIVISION
1. Foothill (1-0): The Falcons get a blocked extra point from George Schmitt and hold on for a 20-19 win over Heritage. Foothill was the lone Valley team to win week one. This week: at American Canyon, 7 p.m.
2. Dublin (0-1): The Gaels battled throughout before falling to Berkeley by a 14-10 final. This week: at Ukiah, 7 p.m.
3. Livermore (0-1): The Cowboys dropped a 29-22 shootout to Hillsdale to open the season. This week: vs. Castro Valley, 7 p.m.
4. Granada (0-1): The Mats fell 41-14 to a Monte Vista that figures to be in the thick of the Mountain race this year. This week: vs. Heritage, 7:15 p.m.
5. Dougherty Valley (0-1): The Wildcats defense appeared to play well in a 15-7 loss to Northgate in the opener for both teams. This week: at San Leandro, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 6 – Football: Bishop O’Dowd at Monte Vista, 7 p.m.; Heritage at Granada, 7 p.m.; Cosumnes Oaks at Amador Valley, 7 p.m.; James Logan at California, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7 – Girls’ volleyball: Amador Valley, Foothill at the East County Invitational, all day.
Pleasanton Preps: Rage squad scrimmages with Fiji’s U-20 National Team ahead of World Cup
When opportunity presents itself, you take advantage. Such was the case for a Pleasanton Rage youth soccer team when it got the chance to scrimmage Fiji’s Under-20 National Team on Aug. 14.
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: Riley Harrington
School/grade: Amador Valley (sophomore/2027)
Sport: Varsity flag football/Varsity Lady Cavaliers rugby
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: Netflix. “Outer Banks” or “Receiver”
What music are you listening to: I love listening to hip-hop and R&B
Must follow on social media: @NFL
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: Chipotle steak bowl
Favorite quote: “Risk something or forever sit with your dreams. Risking is better than regretting.” (Attributed to several people)
Be a Sport!
There are many ways to get involved and get the word out about local athletes and teams!
Send photos of your athlete! to sports@pleasantonweekly.com and get a $10 Amazon gift card.
Post game scores, highlights and photos to acknowledge the hard work of your team and athletes here.
When and where will games, meets and matches be? Tell interested community members here.
Have questions? 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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