Preview of Games this Weekend

Bay League:

Salesian (2-1) visits Division II Castlemont (1-1-1) Friday night.

This looks to be a tough game for Salesian. Castlemont is a larger school who is competitive with the top Division II teams (tying undefeated Concord). Their only loss came against a Division I team, Berkley (2-1). Salesian is the only Division IV team on their schedule this year.
My prediction: Castlemont wins 35-14.


Berean Christian (2-2) visits Northgate (1-3) Friday night.

Northgate is a Division II school in Walnut Creek. This game will be close. Though Northgate is a larger school, this is a down year for them and Berean Christian is much better than their 2-2 record would indicate. If Berean Christian can pull off the upset, they may slide back into the top eight rankings.
My Prediction: Berean Christian wins 20-14.


Harker (2-1) is off this weekend.



Bay Shore League:

St. Marys (1-2) visits Piedmont (1-2) Friday night.

Both schools play in the Bay Shore league, but Piedmont is a Division III school. St. Marys is a tough team, having lost by close margins to both Salesian and Acalanes by a score of 14-9. Piedmont runs the crazy A-11 offense where every man on offense can be a potential ball carrier. Gimmicks aside, I give the edge to St. Marys.
My prediction: St. Marys wins 14-7.


John Swett (1-2) hosts St. Patrick-St. Vincent (2-1) Friday night.

Both teams are tough, but St. Patrick-St. Vincent -- though down from last year -- looks to be a bit tougher. If John Swett does lose at home, their playoff hopes are likely dashed.
My prediction: St. Pat/St. Vin wins 28-20.



Marin County League:

Justin Siena (3-1) hosts San Marin (0-3) Friday night.

Justin Siena can't afford to be caught looking ahead to next week's game against Marin Catholic. San Marin has not been competitive in any of the games they've played this year and Friday night's game should be no different.
My prediction: Justin Siena wins 38-7.



Humboldt Del Norte Little Five:

Ferndale (4-0) hosts Fortuna (3-0) Saturday afternoon.

In a battle of the unbeatens, Ferndale (really a Division V school) looks to have the slight edge against the Division III school. Last year's game in Fortuna was a tight one, with Ferndale escaping with a 15-7 win. Fortuna has improved from last year, but winning at Ferndale is next to impossible.
My prediction: Ferndale wins 7-0.



Freelance:

Dougherty Valley (4-0) visits Dublin (0-3) Friday night.

In only their second year at the varsity level, Dougherty Valley is making an impact in Division IV. They beat a good Berean Christian team 30-27 and defeated John Swett 20-13. But Dublin is a bigger school (Division III) and they are looking forward to their first win of the season. Most of Dougherty Valley's players are on the small side, but they do have speed. This will be a tight game.
My prediction: Dougherty Valley wins 28-21.


Thursday: NCL I North and NCL I South