Bay Area high school football roundup 2024: Best of Week 6 action
Welcome back to the Bay Area News Group’s high school football roundup.
Here, you’ll find all the details from the weekend’s action in this news organization’s coverage area, which encompasses teams that play in leagues based primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
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On to the roundup …
Ranked teams
No. 2 Pittsburg 37, No. 8 Los Gatos 20
The Pirates’ defense kept Los Gatos’ high-octane offense in check, with junior cornerback Truly Bell picking off two passes. Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara threw for an efficient 165 yards and four touchdowns, and the running back tandem with a catchy nickname was unstoppable. Joseph Dycus was in Pittsburg and has the full story here.
No. 6 St. Ignatius 31, No. 3 Archbishop Riordan 28
After coming back from a two-touchdown, fourth-quarter deficit last week against Serra, St. Ignatius pulled off more comeback magic by erasing a 21-point deficit to stun Archbishop Riordan. St. Ignatius (4-1, 2-0 West Catholic) entered halftime trailing 21-3, but scored touchdowns on their four first drives of the second half to take the lead. Soren Hummel threw for two touchdowns, his recipients of those passes being Tyran Hicks and Quinn Folk. Jarious Hogan and Steve Malone each had touchdowns on the ground. For Riordan (2-3, 1-1), Michael Mitchell Jr. threw for three touchdowns, two to Cynai Thomas and one to Judge Nash. Justice delos Santos has the full story here.
No. 4 St. Francis 30, No. 18 Archbishop Mitty 27
Kingston Keanaaina ran for 319 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns as St. Francis spoiled Mitty’s only night game this season on its home campus with a narrow victory in WCAL play. Keanaaina also scored on a two-point play. St. Francis improved to 4-1, 2-0. Mitty is 3-2, 0-2. Dave Kiefer was at Mitty and has all the details here.
No. 5 San Ramon Valley 35, Granada 6
QB Rhett Thompson dominated the Granada defense in a showdown of East Bay Athletic League teams from different divisions. The 6-foot-5 senior threw five touchdown passes to a number of targets. Evan Economos caught the first one, Owen Scott hauled in the next three and then Kaleb Pleiss pulled in the final touchdown. Granada avoided the shutout by running in a touchdown from short distance with under a minute left. San Ramon Valley (6-0) will play host to California on Friday. Granada (2-4) will have a bye week before it plays at Dublin. – Joseph Dycus
No. 10 Valley Christian 21, Bellarmine 0
Ekiah McLemore scored two touchdowns, on runs of 25 and 20 yards, and freshman quarterback Rome Leota-Pritchard plunged in from the 1 for the third score as Valley Christian improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the WCAL. Micah Mosley led the defensive effort with two sacks, five tackles and constant pressure. Jordan Vargas made nine tackles, Ethan Flynn seven tackles and Champ Taulealea two tackles and a fumble recovery. Valley Christian plays host to Riordan on Friday. Bellarmine (0-5, 0-2) also has a home game on Friday against St. Ignatius at San Jose City College. — Glenn Reeves
No. 11 California 42, Livermore 14
California added another impressive win to its résumé as the Grizzlies defeated Livermore on the road. Junior running back Jhadis Luckey totaled three touchdown runs. Senior Nic Fox had two rushing scores and Jordan Lee added a rushing and receiving touchdown. Livermore’s Kamarri Robinson had one rushing touchdown. California won its sixth straight to remain undefeated. The Grizzlies will travel to San Ramon Valley next week in their first league game of the year. Livermore (3-3) will host Dougherty Valley on Friday. – Nathan Canilao
Northgate 35, No. 12 Las Lomas 21
Northgate pulled off the stunner in the Battle of the Creek, handing Walnut Creek rival Las Lomas its first loss of the season. Wide receiver Blayne Ballard hauled in five catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns to lead Northgate. Nathan Canilao was in Walnut Creek and has the full story here.
No. 19 Acalanes 52, Benicia 0
Acalanes started and ended the game with special teams touchdowns. Finley Rivera returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a TD, and defensive lineman Bethel Imasuen blocked a punt and returned it for a score late in the fourth. Quarterback Tyler Winkles threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns, with Niko White pulling in TD receptions of eight, 23 and 46 yards. River Lockwood caught his first touchdown of the season, a 79-yarder. With starting running backs Deonte LittleJohn and Austin Wampler both out, Marco Giorgianni and Tyler Kim stepped up. Giorgianni rushed for a 68-yard touchdown. Matthew Schwarz had an interception for Acalanes. Benicia’s Mirza Mann threw for 130 yards as the Panthers fell to 2-4. Acalanes improved to 4-2. The Dobs will start DAL Foothill play next week with a home game against Miramonte. – Joseph Dycus
No. 21 Monte Vista 42, Dublin 6
Quarterback Brayden Turner and tight end Kellan Ford hooked up for two touchdowns while Washington-bound running back Julian McMahan rushed for three TDs as the Mustangs (5-1) overwhelmed Dublin (1-5). Both touchdowns between the Fresno State-bound Turner and Arizona-bound Ford came in the first half, the second a 21-yard pass two seconds before intermission that gave Monte Vista a 21-0 lead at the break. The Mustangs quickly made it 28-0 in the third period when Dylan Ibrahim returned a blocked punt by Lucas Luengo for six. Monte Vista has steadily improved under third-year coach Johnny Millard, who was 6-14 in his first two seasons. But after a bye next week, the Mustangs begin EBAL Mountain play with games against California, De La Salle, Amador Valley and San Ramon Valley, who have a combined 20-3 record. The Gaels, headed by first-year coach Napoleon Kaufman, scored their only TD in the third quarter on a 12-yard pass from Lincoln Trias to Andre Armendariz that made it 28-6. Kaufman previously coached at Bishop O’Dowd, where he was 51-25 from 2014-2019. – Mike Lefkow
Christopher 31, No. 23 Santa Teresa 14
Christopher eliminated any doubt about who the team to beat is in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division with an easy win over Santa Teresa. Two long touchdown passes by Jaxen Robinson, a kickoff return TD by Kenny Gil and a pick-six by Salomon Quintero powered the Cougars past the Saints. Christian Babcock took in the action in San Jose and has the full recap here.
East Bay
Concord 29, Encinal 22
Concord’s ground game carried the Bears to a close win over Encinal. Running back Jayden Reger had two rushing touchdowns for Concord. Quarterback Juan Gonzalez had a rushing score and a passing touchdown to Erik Madayag Jr. Filisione Vakalahi added a touchdown for Encinal. Concord (4-2) won its third straight and will have a bye next week before traveling to Mt. Diablo on Oct. 18. Encinal (1-4) dropped its fourth consecutive game and will start league play next week at San Lorenzo. – Nathan Canilao
Miramonte 41, College Park 37
Backup quarterback Charlie Metherd threw a touchdown to Jack Quinnild with 45 seconds remaining to give Miramonte a thrilling victory over a spirited College Park team in a game between teams from different levels of the DAL. Metherd threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 55 yards and a score. Charlie Hwang also ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Tres Buster stopped College Park on fourth down to set up the game-winning drive, and Lleyton Brown – in his first ever varsity game – sealed the victory by breaking up College Park’s final pass in end zone. Izaac Jinks rushed for a TD and also returned a kick for a touchdown for College Park. Demo McCray ran for a CP score, and Jackson Rojas caught a touchdown. Miramonte improved to 4-2, and College Park dropped to 0-6. – Joseph Dycus
Moreau Catholic 26, James Logan 22
Star wideout Jalen Arnold caught three touchdown passes from Jeremiah Charles, including the game-winner with 5:22 left in the fourth quarter, as the Mariners improved to 2-0 in the WACC Foothill and 3-3 overall. Trailing 22-14 at the half, Moreau Catholic scored two second-half touchdowns – one each in the third and fourth quarters – while the defense pitched a shutout. The Mariners scored their first TD on a 70-yard hookup from Charles to Arnold in the opening period, then Peyton Collins scored a rushing TD with less than a minute to go in the first quarter to put the Mariners in front 14-7. Logan (1-5, 1-1) answered with 15 unanswered points in the second quarter. Lamar Ellis scored on a short run, then quarterback David Mercado threw the second of two TD passes to brother Danzel Mercado to make it 22-14 at halftime. Moreau played the game without top running back Jadyn Bryant, who has a calf strain. – Mike Lefkow
Piedmont 41, Dougherty Valley 0
The Highlanders rolled to a running-clock victory after quarterback Markos Lagios threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another. Sam Shelby caught two scoring passes, one a 65-yard catch-and-run. The Piedmont linebacking core of Cash Elmquist, Tommy Ashton, Brandon Dicke and Xavier Henderson held Dougherty Valley to under 50 yards of total offense. Piedmont improved to 4-1, and Dougherty Valley fell to 2-4. – Joseph Dycus
San Leandro 13, Berkeley 12
San Leandro picked up a big win coming off a bye, beating Berkeley in its first MVAL/WACC Foothill Division game of the year to improve to 3-2, 1-0. San Leandro junior safety Justin Ammons returned an interception 94 yards to the house, and senior quarterback Radman Beatty threw a touchdown pass to Jaymieon Bradley. Berkeley receiver Ashton Dotson totaled 163 on eight catches. Idan Wadecuriel threw touchdowns passes – one to Dailen Clark and another to Lucas Cord. Berkeley dropped to 3-3, 0-2. The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to host Bishop O’Dowd next week. San Leandro travels to Tennyson on Friday. – Nathan Canilao
South Bay/Peninsula
Branham 55, Lincoln-San Jose 40
A day featuring almost 100 combined points ended with the Bruins taking home the road victory. Michael Murphy rushed for three TDs for Branham (4-2, 1-1 BVAL Mt. Hamilton), including one on a fake punt. Brayden Hodges caught two touchdown passes, and Aden Newberg snagged one. Zayne St. Laurent returned a kickoff for a score. Maayan Grinstein returned a forced fumble for a TD after an ill-fated Lincoln punt return. Andrew Ho converted a two-point try. Kyan Phillips was dominant on the ground for Lincoln (3-3, 0-2), scoring five rushing touchdowns and running for 144 yards on 20 carries. Lucas Martinez ran the ball 10 times for 53 yards and caught five passes for 79 yards. Ezariah Sofeni scored a rushing TD and added a two-point conversion. Graeson Wagner completed 11 of 19 passes for 134 yards. Lincoln coach Kevin Collins was succinct in his postgame summary. “We gave up three special-teams scores,” he said. “Brutal.” – Christian Babcock
Burlingame 43, Mountain View 17
Lucas Kirk rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns and caught a pass for a fourth TD as Burlingame (4-1) won its PAL De Anza Division opener. Luke Dimech and Ciaran Baker also scored on the ground as the Panthers amassed 372 yards rushing on only 31 carries (12.0 yards per carry). Ravi Krishnan stood out on defense with 14 tackles, seven solo, a sack and an interception. Jake Flood also made an interception. Burlingame hosts Hillsdale and Mountain View (0-5) plays at home against The King’s Academy on Friday — Glenn Reeves
Del Mar 14, Prospect 6
In a rematch of last year’s win-and-get-in BVAL West Valley league finale that sent Del Mar to the CCS playoffs, the Dons also won the rematch in a game between from teams now in different levels of the league. This one included eight turnovers, six by the victorious Dons. Del Mar’s Jake Schwoob rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown, and QB Adrian Hernandez threw for 54 yards and a touchdown to Adem Tucakovic. Leonel Aleman had 2 1/2 tackles for loss for the Dons. Alex Cordero and George Bulychev each had an interception for Prospect. Panthers quarterback Cody Roberts ran for 53 yards and a touchdown. Del Mar improved to 5-0, and Prospect fell to 2-3. – Joseph Dycus
Evergreen Valley 16, San Jose 14
Evergreen Valley narrowly edged out San Jose in this tight intracity battle. The Cougars rushed for 270 yards, 146 of which were gained by Dylan Ly on 15 rushing attempts. Ly scored on a 56-yard rushing TD, and Mateo Hernandez added a 55-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Hernandez and Amardeep Grewal scored on two-point conversions. Brandon Chan contributed 14 total tackles for Evergreen. Michael Aliki scored an 89-yard rushing TD for San Jose, and Brian Santos added a score as well. Evergreen improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in BVAL West Valley Division play. San Jose fell to 2-4, 1-1. – Christian Babcock
Gilroy 34, Independence 0
Previously winless Gilroy came out of nowhere to blank Independence in this nonleague matchup. J.C. Puga was the big star for the Mustangs, scoring four rushing touchdowns. Jaime Gonzalez added a rushing score as well. Josh Nguyen intercepted a pass for Independence, and Marcus Dagostino led the Sixers with 12 tackles. “Injuries overwhelmed us, and Gilroy played very well,” said Indy coach Jay Braun. “Their O-line and running game did very well. Hats off to them.” Gilroy improved to 1-4, and Independence dropped to 3-2. – Christian Babcock
Gunderson 35, Hill 0
Gunderson’s offense dominated during Thursday’s BVAL West Valley Division win over Hill. Junior quarterback Andrew Fernandez tossed two touchdown passes and running back Jason Stoner totaled two scores on the ground. Nathan Hagan, Luis Valdespino and Greg Darling each recorded a touchdown. Next Friday, Gunderson (3-3, 2-0) hosts Yerba Buena and Hill (2-4, 1-1) will be at home to face San Jose. – Nathan Canilao
Live Oak 14, Leigh 0
Anthony Rocha and Gage Jones scored first-half rushing touchdowns and Live Oak’s defense took over. Linebacker Mateo Robledo led the defensive effort. Nathan Newberg made an interception. After a 0-4 non-league start, Live Oak is now 2-0 in the BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division and will host Oak Grove on Saturday. Leigh (3-3, 1-1) plays next at home against Lincoln on Oct. 18. — Glenn Reeves
Mt. Pleasant 42, James Lick 0
Victor Ekwuru threw three touchdown passes to lead Mt.Pleasant to victory Thursday. Ekwuru connected with Andrew Tafoya on scoring passes of 15 and 21 yards and with Kaden Yeager on a 20-yard TD pass. Andrew Salazar scored on an 8-yard run, Daniel Le on a 1-yard run and Jayden Martinez scored from 3 yards out. Salazar also scored on two two-point conversions, Ekwuru on one. Mt. Pleasant (1-5 overall, 1-1 BVAL West Valley) is next in action Oct. 18 when it hosts San Jose. James Lick (0-5, 0-2) has a home game against Evergreen Valley on Friday. — Glenn Reeves
Piedmont Hills 14, Sobrato 7
The Pirates came out on top in this swashbuckling San Jose slugfest. Piedmont Hills scored first on Toby Torres’ 7-yard touchdown pass to Alonzo Johnson, but Sobrato responded with Davi Refugio’s 55-yard touchdown run. Alijah Torres came through with the winning touchdown for the Pirates, scoring on a 2-yard rush. Piedmont Hills improved to 3-2 and will commence BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division play next Friday night against Overfelt. Previously undefeated Sobrato dropped to 4-1 and starts up BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley play next Saturday afternoon against Willow Glen. – Christian Babcock
Rio Hondo Prep-Arcadia 24, The King’s Academy 0
The King’s Academy couldn’t find any points as it hosted a Southern California prep power on Friday night in Sunnyvale. Rio Hondo led 7-0 after one quarter, 14-0 at the half after a passing touchdown, 21-0 after a 2-yard third-quarter rushing score by Caeden Holcomb and 24-0 after adding a 24-yard field goal in the fourth from Marco Chan. TKA had a promising drive in the third quarter, but it stalled out on RHP’s 23-yard line before the Knights could produce any points. Rio Hondo improved to 6-1, while The King’s Academy dropped to 1-4. The Knights commence Peninsula Athletic League De Anza Division play next Friday night against Mountain View on the road. – Christian Babcock
San Mateo 21, Milpitas 14
Emmanuel Fitzgerald ran for 122 yards on 21 carries and quarterback Cameron Palma added 73 yards on nine carries as San Mateo opened PAL Ocean Division play with a victory on the road over Milpitas. San Mateo improved to 4-1, 1-0. Milpitas is 3-2, 0-1. Glenn Reeves has the game story here.
Saratoga 27, Monta Vista 27 (OT)
A Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division matchup that went to overtime ended prematurely after a medical emergency. A Saratoga player left the field after a hit but has since responded well and is “doing good,” according to Saratoga coach Archie Ljepava. The game will count as a tie in the PAL Lake standings. Charlie Arman, Keion Ashjaee-Marshall, Doug Bettinger and Ian Johnson scored touchdowns for Saratoga (4-0-1, 3-0-1), with Anson Hulme tossing the TD to Bettinger. Victor Mancuso converted 3 of 4 extra points for the Falcons. Justin Chaahoub compiled three touchdowns for Monta Vista (3-2-1, 1-2-1), two on the ground and one through the air to Trevor Chan. Chaahoub also added a successful two-point conversion try. Finegan Hassy rushed for a score as well for the Matadors. – Christian Babcock
South San Francisco 27, Los Altos 3
The Warriors made their presence felt on Friday in South City. South San Francisco (3-1, 1-0) earned a dominant win in its PAL El Camino debut behind touchdowns from Marcus Mercurio, Anthony Jara and Darrian Washington. Mercurio rushed for 120 yards on 20 carries and found the end zone twice. Cisco Lutu, Cesar Vasquez Moreno and Darren Miller all had interceptions for South City. Miller returned his 65 yards, setting up Mercurio for a 1-yard touchdown run. Los Altos (1-4, 0-1) turned the ball over six times in all. Tanner Morrison earned the Eagles’ only points with a 26-yard field goal. Colton Caputo had 41 rushing and 46 receiving yards for Los Altos. – Christian Babcock
Westmont 23, Overfelt 20
It was the Spencer Hoang show on Friday night at Overfelt. Westmont’s star senior do-it-all player racked up two touchdowns, including one as a passer, as the Warriors won on the road. Hoang compiled over 150 return yards and 150 rushing yards to power Westmont. “Spencer Hoang played his butt off,” said Warriors coach Mark Kaanapu. Lucas Grier scored a touchdown for Westmont as well. The Warriors improved to 3-2, while Overfelt dropped to 1-4. – Christian Babcock
Woodside 35, Santa Clara 20
Daniel Torres rushed for three touchdowns to lead Woodside, which led 28-0 at halftime. Graden Furtado also scored on the ground for the Wildcats and Charlie Dalrymple threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Dumace Bell. Santa Clara rallied in the second half with touchdown runs from Damian May-Lopez and Ryan Pennington and a pair of field goals by Nolan Gallo to pull within 28-20 before Torres’ third TD put it away for the Wildcats. Both teams are in action next with home games on Thursday, Woodside (3-2, 1-0 PAL El Camino) with Homestead and Santa Clara (1-4, 0-1) with South San Francisco. — Glenn Reeves