Vote: Who should be SBLive’s California High School Football Coach of the Week (10/11/2023)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s California High School Coach of the Week for Week Seven (Oct. 5-7) as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote below. Voting will conclude on Monday, Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m and the winner will be announced on Tuesday. If you would like to nominate a coach in future weeks, please email Lance@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveCA.
Victor Cooper, Atascadero: Last season, Atascadero won its first section and state title in Cooper's 19 years at the helm – and it hasn't lost since. With a 20-16 victory over Templeton, Atascadero now has its first 7-0 start to a season under Cooper to boot in year 20.
Jesse Craven, Burroughs (Burbank): Led by a 12-0 third quarter, Burroughs narrowly defeated Muir for the second year in a row, 32-27 after trailing 21-13 at halftime. With the win, Burroughs takes a stranglehold of the Pacific League title race, which it hasn't won since 2015. The Bears are now 6-1 and set to improve their win total for the third consecutive season in Craven's four years.
Dean Herrington, St. Francis (La Cañada): In double overtime, St. Francis outlasted previously-unbeaten Paraclete – where Herrington coached previously – 28-21 to start conference play 2-0. After tying for first place in the Angelus League in Herrington's first two seasons at the helm, St. Francis (6-1) is now favored to sweep the league in year three.
Aaron Becker, San Ramon Valley: After defeating Clayton Valley Charter 35-7, San Ramon Valley is 6-0 for the first time since 2017 and the second time in Becker's decade at the helm. Luke Baker completed 21 of 25 passes for 339 yards and four touchdowns in the win, which gives the Wolves their highest statewide ranking yet under Becker.
Sean Curtis, Capistrano Valley: With a 42-19 win over Aliso Niguel, Capistrano Valley has seven wins in a season for the first time in Curtis' five seasons as head coach. And the Cougars are yet to lose one in 2023. Tommy Acosta ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes for Capo, which won the fourth quarter 21-2.
Jack Williams, Downey (Downey): After opening the season with a 34-23 loss to Corona del Mar, the Vikings won their sixth game in a row last week, rolling past Dominguez 34-14. Their 2-0 beginning to Gateway League play sets up a title game next week against rival Warren in the first high school to ever be played at SoFi Stadium. Downey's 6-1 start is its third in a row after it went 5-7 in 2019 and 4-1 in the COVID-abridged 2020-21 campaign.
Steve Heskett, Portola (Portola): Thanks to a 22-6 point differential in the second half, Portola held off an upset bid from Modoc for its second consecutive 7-0 start. Running back/linebacker Cody Wilmer ran 19 times for a career-high 251 yards and three touchdowns, plus a conversion in the 36-28 win, and he made nine tackles too.
Mike Parodi, Hillsdale: With a 35-0 rout of Homestead, Hillsdale is 6-0 for the time since 2017 and second time in Parodi's 15-year tenure. Dante Allendorf ran for 138 yards on just nine carries and caught two touchdowns as well.
Todd Smith, Menlo School: Now 6-0 after stuffing Palo Alto 14-0, the Knights might be on their way to their third undefeated regular season in Smith's four years as head coach. The victory sets up a clash of unbeatens in Week Seven against Hillsdale.
Jerald Pierucci, Shafter: The Generals became one of the only 8-0 teams in California last week with a 55-14 blowout of Delano. It marks their second 8-0 start in eight season under Pierucci, with the last being their 12-1 campaign in 2018.
Jack Schram, Miramonte: Miramonte cruised to a 35-7 win over Benicia to start 6-0 for the third time in Schram's 13 years as head coach.
Jeff Gray, Pacific Grove: Pacific Grove is 6-0 for the first time in 10 years following a 28-8 victory against Soledad. The Breakers have outscored opponents 191-77 this season.
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca
