CaliforniaPreps.com - NCP Pick'em Week 5

September 26, 2012

While a number of the ranked teams are idle this week, there are still plenty of good league matchups throughout the region. On top of the schedule is Serra and Mitty opening up West Catholic Athletic League action while California and Foothill renew their rivalry in the East Bay Athletic League.

Friday

#5 Serra (3-0) vs. Mitty (3-0) at Foothill College NCP Game of the Week: Serra used a Eric Redwood touchdown and two point conversion in the final minute to move past Buhach Colony 36-35. The Padres employ multiple runners in their offense and have more of a passing threat this year with quarterback Zack Kazakoff. Mitty had a week off after beating Palo Alto 28-27. Mitty sophomore Dakari Monroe is a playmaker to watch for the Monarchs, which had wins over De Anza favorites Palo Alto and Los Gatos. Mitty could be the best team not ranked in the Top 20 and should be a challenge to every team in the WCAL this year. Serra wins 28-21

California (4-0) at Foothill-Pleasanton (3-1) 7:00 PM: The East Bay Athletic League seems to have a fluid pecking order this year with Cal and Foothill likely the top two teams this week. California is led by running back Karris Johnson, who has rushed for 400 yards and seven touchdowns and the defense has forced nine turnovers through four games. Jake Lepere has three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Foothill had a come from behind win over Monte Vista and held the Mustangs to negative rushing yards. If quarterback Kyle Kearns can create big plays in the passing game, it might give Foothill the edge. California wins 24-21

Salesian (5-0) at El Cerrito (5-0) 7:00 PM: A pair of 5-0 teams meet as possibly the top two teams in the Tri-County Rock Division. El Cerrito has knocked off Campolindo on the road and posted a 54-0 shutout win against Division IV ranked Valley Christian-Dublin. The Gauchos have plenty of Division I athletes on both sides of the ball, led by a pair of good corners in Marcellus Pippins and Adarius Pickett. Salesian beat Pinole Valley 40-21 and had held its first four opponents to 15 combined points. El Cerrito is a player for a section crown in Division III and gets the win here. El Cerrito wins 31-21

#19 Vacaville (2-2) at Deer Valley (3-1) 7:00 PM: Vacaville allowed the game winning touchdown to Oak Ridge with a minute left to lose 24-21. Vacaville still possesses a tough running game behind Curtis Goins and David Mewborn. The Bulldogs did get beat on some big plays in the loss and now travel to Antioch to take on Deer Valley. The Wolverines have got good dual threat play from quarterback Nsimba Webster and are giving up about 10 points per game in their three wins. Their only loss is to undefeated Folsom 50-38. Vacaville wins 35-21

Sacramento (3-1) at #7 Burbank (4-0) 7:15 PM: This will be the toughest test of the Metro League for Burbank, which defeated Johnson 49-0 in the league opener. Isiah Williams has 578 rushing yards and Clavin Green has been a big pay machine in racking up 405 yards on 15 carries. Burbank owns wins over Napa, Grant and Del Oro. Sacramento brings quarterback Josiah Johnson, who has thrown for 1,089 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Dragons' only loss this year is to a quality Cosumnes Oaks squad, but take Burbank in this one. Burbank wins 35-15

Foothill-Palo Cedro (3-1) at Paradise (3-1) 7:30 PM: This is a rematch of the Northern Section 2011 Division I finals, which was won handily by Paradise. The Bobcats are averaging more than 300 yards per game on the ground with a balanced effort and only have a 28-7 loss to Grant on their resume. They also had a convincing win over Napa. Foothill will counter with an efficient passing game behind Ryan Pollard, who is completing 73 percent of his passes and has 10 touchdowns to no interceptions. With a pair of high powered offenses, look for which defense can force these attacks out of rhythm will have the upper hand. Paradise wins 35-27

#8 Logan (5-0) at Del Oro (0-4) 7:30 PM: Don't let the records fool you on this one. Del Oro has lost its last three games to Westlake, Burbank and Grant by a combined nine points, but will be without starting running back Brandon Monroe this week after he missed the game against Grant due to injury. Del Oro had 203 rushing yards in last week's loss. Logan comes in hot at 5-0 after posting a blowout win over Berkeley. Warren Miles Long is a game breaker at running back and Jeffrey Prothro leads a passing attack which makes this a difficult offense to stop. The Colts are giving up nine points per game. This is Logan's toughest test of the regular season and the Colts get a narrow win. Logan wins 21-20

#16 Lincoln-Stockton (2-2) at #14 Granite Bay (1-3) 7:30 PM: Lincoln comes into another big Sac-Joaquin Section matchup reeling after a blowout loss to rival St. Mary's-Stockton last week. The Trojans have allowed at least 17 points in each game this year, but have the offensive weapons to win a high scoring game. Granite Bay suffered a surprising loss at home to Pittsburg to halt the momentum from a win over Vacaville. The Grizzlies will rely on the running of John Cooley and Tony Ellison and have good linebacker play from Beau Hershberger and sophomore Cameron Smith. Granite Bay bounces back for the win. Granite Bay wins 31-28

Palma (1-2) at Monterey (3-0) 7:30 PM: Early season expectations haven't come to fruition for Palma, which has dropped two straight games to St. Joseph-Santa Maria and Seaside. Palma has struggled to run throughout the year and haven't scored in the first half this season. The Chieftains struggled against the pass versus Seaside. Monterey has outscored its three opponents 145-21 this year, but this will be its toughest test of the year. While Palma isn't the Top 10 team we envisioned in the summer, it is still a team with talent to even its record on Friday. Palma wins 21-14

Saturday

St. Ignatius (2-1) at Valley Christian-San Jose (2-1) 7:00 PM: St. Ignatius' only loss this year is to Marin Catholic in a close game as a sleeper pick in the West Catholic Athletic League. Elijah Dale is leading the running attack as the Wildcats boast a balanced offense averaging more than 400 yards per game. Also watch for two-way producer Albert Waters. For Valley Christian, it has bounced back from a season opening loss to Vacaville to beat Bishop O'Dowd and Milpitas. Ryan Severson has 456 yards and eight touchdowns for the Warriors. They have also tallied four shutout quarters over the past two games, including a shutout first half against Bishop O'Dowd. Valley Christian wins 35-31

California NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

Font Size:

FEATURED PRODUCT