CaliforniaPreps.com - NCP Pick'em Week 4

September 19, 2012

After some surprising results in Week 3, the NCP Pick'em is back with a number of big matchups on the schedule. Nevada Union traveling to Elk Grove is the headliner while St. Mary's-Lincoln renews the rivalry in Stockton and Oak Ridge will try to stay perfect in Vacaville.

Thursday

#7 Serra (2-0) vs. #17 Buhach Colony (3-1) 7:30 PM at Atwater HS: In a rare Thursday game, Serra makes the long trip to Atwater after being moved up into the Top 10. The Padres have posted easy wins over Wilcox and Encinal and are averaging 285 yards per game on the ground. Senior Eric Redwood has 181 yards and three touchdowns while the defense has given up just 13 points this year. Buhach Colony comes in as a physical running team, behind big offensive tackle Aaron Cochran. Leon Miles is the leading rusher with 257 yards and three scores. The Thunder's only loss is to undefeated Clovis North. With both teams employing heavy running attacks, go with Serra in the narrow road win. Serra wins 17-14

Friday

Monte Vista (3-0) at Foothill-Pleasanton (2-1) 7:00 PM: The Mustangs will look to pick up a key East Bay Athletic League road win on Friday behind the running of Zack Chang and a good defense. Chang has rushed for 427 yards and seven touchdowns while quarterback Nikita Zamora threw for 203 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Pittsburg two weeks ago. The defense will be tasked with slowing down Foothill, which is averaging 38 points per game. Quarterback Kyle Kearns is showing promise for a younger player and Cal-commit Ray Hudson is one of the best players in the East Bay. The Falcons' only loss is to a talented Freedom squad. Monte Vista gets a big road win, but expect this game to be tight throughout. Monte Vista wins 29-28

McClymonds (1-2) at Oak Grove (2-0) 7:00 PM: Oak Grove has two good wins this year against St. Francis-Mountain View and Los Gatos behind the two-way play of Chidobe Awuzie. He has almost 300 yards of total offense with 12 total tackles and two interceptions, both of which came against Los Gatos. The Eagles take on OAL power McClymonds, which has lost to Bishop O'Dowd and West Valley. The Warriors are Division IV for state bowl purposes and could use a signature win to bolster their stock if they are in the final discussion for the regional bowl bids. Oak Grove is playing well early and gets the victory. Oak Grove wins 31-14

#18 Del Oro (0-3) at Grant (1-3) 7:15 PM: With this game on the schedule, not many people if any saw these two teams having a combined 1-6 record when they meet this Friday. Del Oro has close losses to Westlake and Burbank as it looks to get its feet in the early season. Brandon Monroe, a San Jose State commit, has been the top playmaker through three games but the Golden Eagles need more to compete against a tough non-league and the Sierra Foothill League. Grant on the other hand has had one sided losses against Nevada Union and Oak Ridge as it tries to find answers in dealing with injuries on defense and finding the right mix of skill players to move the football. With both teams trending down, take Del Oro. Del Oro wins 17-14

#3 Lincoln-Stockton (2-1) at St. Mary's-Stockton (2-2) 7:15 PM: One of the best rivalry games in the area, St. Mary's has owned this series in recent years, including a surprise win over highly ranked Lincoln in 2011. The Rams are coming off losses to Central Catholic and De La Salle, but showed some signs on defense against the Spartans and have a quarterback with potential in Kaleb Parrish. Lincoln has beaten Pleasant Grove, but fell to No.2 Elk Grove in the opener. Lincoln has a talented offensive duo with quarterback Zack Greenlee and running back Justin Davis, but can they overcome the block of beating St. Mary's? The Rams get the narrow upset win. St. Mary's wins 24-21

#13 Nevada Union (3-1) at #2 Elk Grove (4-0) 7:15 PM Game of the Week: While Nevada Union has a vaunted running game, quarterback Kyle Cota has stepped up as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the Sacramento area. With a multi-pronged offensive attack and fast defense led by Tanner Vallejo, Nevada Union is a two point conversion away from being undefeated. It takes on the top team from the section in Elk Grove, which is led by the running of Robert Frazier and Wadus Parker. The Thundering Herd have shown no drop off from their 12-1 team last season and looks poised for big postseason success. Elk Grove wins 35-28

#20 Oak Ridge (4-0) at #14 Vacaville (2-1) 7:30 PM: This has turned into a Top 20 matchup as Oak Ridge is a perfect 4-0 after a blowout win over Grant. The Trojans boast one of the top quarterbacks people don't talk about in Jason Samuels. He has 731 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. Senior linebacker Zack Claiborne has provided constant pressure this year. The Oak Ridge defense will have to be stout against the Vacaville running game, which is one of the top ground attacks in the region. Curtis Goins is a two-way playmaker as one of many ball carriers for the Bulldogs. Vacaville responds with a good home win. Vacaville wins 35-28

Pittsburg (2-2) at #5 Granite Bay (1-2) 7:30 PM: Granite Bay comes in on a high note after beating Vacaville 47-21. Tony Ellison and John Cooley proved to be a powerful combo for the Grizzlies, who jumped out to a 30-0 lead in the win. After two early season losses, they looked more like the Top 10 team expected this year. Pittsburg shut out Berkeley last week 31-0 as Jamal Lockett had 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the win. Granite Bay had a neutral site win in 2009 and a blowout home win in 2010 and a road victory in 2011 against the Pirates. The Grizzlies make it four in a row on Friday. Granite Bay wins 35-21

Yuba City (4-0) at #16 Placer (3-0) 7:30 PM: Placer has overpowered its first three opponents, all teams which are in the mix for bowl rankings, to move into the NCP Top 20 at No. 16. The Hillmen have a very good running game with four runners between 186 and 293 yards on the year with steady Pete Denham at quarterback. The defense has also been good, led by USC commit Eddie Vanderdoes. This will be the toughest team Yuba City has faced with Inderkum looming on October 5. The Honkers are led by senior Nate Van Dusen, who has rushed for 514 yards and seven touchdowns despite not playing last week. Yuba City is a quality team, but Placer gets the home victory. Placer wins 42-27

Palma (1-1) at Seaside (2-0) 7:30 PM: This game took a bit of a blow following Palma's 22-7 loss versus St. Joseph-Santa Maria, which dropped the Chieftains out of the NCP Top 20. In the loss to St. Joseph, Palma struggled against the run in surrendering 306 yards at more than six yards per carry. Marcus Washington rushed for 114 yards in the loss. Seaside comes in undefeated after beating Soquel 32-19. Seaside's offense had almost 500 yards in the win with Michael Turner throwing for 315 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. Palma has been dominate in its area for numerous years and bounces back with a win. Palma wins 28-14

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