North Bay football poll: San Marin, Cardinal Newman pull into tie for No. 1

By Gus Morris

Santa Rosa Press Democrat

North Bay prep writers are still split this week on how to hand out first-place votes.

San Marin, last week’s No. 1 team in the North Bay Football Poll, received five first-place votes but also three third-place votes. That discrepancy has led to a tie at the No. 1 spot with Cardinal Newman.

The Mustangs and Cardinals each received 74 points from voters this week. The Cardinals picked up a win over state No. 17 Grant last week while the Mustangs rallied to beat a strong Northern Section team in Foothill-Palo Cedro. Cardinal Newman shot up to No. 38 in the state in this week’s CalHi Sports rankings after its win.

Marin Catholic drops to No. 3 this week after a 28-7 loss to state No. 33 St. Mary’s-Stockton. The Wildcats will host state No. 31 Manteca this week, the same team that beat Cardinal Newman 40-7 two weeks ago.

St. Vincent picked up six points this week and moved up to No. 4 after a ranked win over No. 8 American Canyon. The Mustangs jumped Windsor this week, which drops down to No. 5 even after a 27-7 win over Hayward.

Rancho Cotate, Vintage and American Canyon stand pat at Nos. 6-8, while Ukiah moves past Casa Grande to No. 9 after a 55-28 win over Carlmont-Belmont last week.

Petaluma is knocking on the door of the top 10. The Trojans received the most votes outside the top 10 this week with six, just two behind No. 10 Casa.

T-1. San Marin (2-0) – 74 points (five first-place votes)

Last ranking: 1

Last week: Beat Foothill-Palo Cedro 31-17

Next up: at Moreau Catholic (0-2), 7 p.m. Friday

T-1. Cardinal Newman (1-1) – 74 points (three first-place votes)

Last ranking: 3

Last week: Beat Grant-Sacramento 15-7

Next up: at Armijo-Fairfield (0-3), 7 p.m. Friday

3. Marin Catholic (0-2) – 62 points

Last ranking: 2

Last week: Lost to St. Mary’s-Stockton 28-7

Next up: vs. Manteca (2-0), 2 p.m. Saturday

4. St. Vincent (2-0) – 55 points

Last ranking: 5

Last week: Beat No. 8 American Canyon 27-21

Next up: at Lowell-San Francisco (0-2), 2 p.m. Saturday

5. Windsor (2-0) – 53 points

Last ranking: 4

Last week: Beat Hayward 27-7

Next up: at Independence-San Jose (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday

6. Rancho Cotate (2-0) – 40 points

Last ranking: 6

Last week: Beat Redwood 27-7

Next up: vs. Bishop O’Dowd (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday

7. Vintage (2-0) – 31 points

Last ranking: 7

Last week: Beat Fairfield 49-24

Next up: at Wood (2-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday

8. American Canyon (1-1) – 24 points

Last ranking: 8

Last week: Lost to then-No. 5 St. Vincent 27-21

Next up: vs. Benicia (0-2), 7:15 p.m. Friday

9. Ukiah (1-1) – 11 points

Last ranking: 10

Last week: Beat Carmont-Belmont 55-28

Next up: vs. Fortuna (0-1), 7 p.m. Saturday

10. Casa Grande (0-2) – 8 points

Last ranking: 9

Last week: Lost to Vacaville 20-14

Next up: at Las Lomas (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Also receiving votes

Petaluma 6, St. Helena 1, Tam 1.