NorCal Coast section title football previews: Oakland, North Coast and Central Coast play for titles, CIF spots
Here are 14 section championship previews from the NorCal Coast — a combination of four CIF sections: San Francisco, Oakland, Central Coast and North Coast. The winners of this week's title games advance to the CIF State Bowl Championships, starting next week in regional play.
Two NorCal Coast teams have already qualified, Open Division champions from the Central Coast (Serra) and North Coast (De La Salle).
Oakland Section
No. 4 seed Oakland Tech (5-5) at No. 1 McClymonds (8-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
The Silver Bowl/Oakland Section championship has taken a few twists with Oakland Tech penciled in as Mack’s opponent even after losing a 27-20 semifinal game to Castlemont. Oakland Athletic League commissioner Frany Navarro confirmed Tuesday that Castlemont used an ineligible player, giving Tech the victory. McClymonds advanced to the finals after Skyline forfeited after its first year head coach Jonathan Carroll was fired the week of the game. The Silver Bowl is annually played at Laney College but was changed to McClymonds in order to accommodate its head coach Michael Peters, who announced this would be his last season. A ceremony for the highly successful coach was planned at McClymonds for the game with Skyline but because it was canceled, OAL officials changed sites. McClymonds beat Oakland Tech 40-0 on Nov. 9.
San Francisco Section
No. 2 Balboa (7-4) vs. No. 1 Lincoln (8-3) at Kezar Stadium
When: 11 a.m. Thursday
SFS titles (last won): Lincoln 13 (2022), Balboa 10 (2021)
North Coast Section
Division 1
No. 2 San Ramon Valley (10-2) vs. No. 3 Pittsburg (12-0) at Dublin High School
When: 7 p.m. Friday
NCS titles (last won): San Ramon Valley 4 (2022), Pittsburg 5 (2022)
This haymaker has has been anticipated all season. The Pirates were not pleased that San Ramon Valley got the second seed over them, but probably worked in favor, not having to face a very physical De La Salle like the Wolves. Both of SRV’s losses have come to De La Salle, 33-27 and 17-7, while Pittsburg hasn’t won by less than three touchdowns Sept. 29, a 37-27 home victory over Los Gatos. Pittsburg has won four of five meetings over the Wolves since 2008, the last a 16-7 victory in 2017. Great matchups of quarterbacks, SRV’s Luke Baker (3,661 total yards, 39 TDs) and Pittsburg’s Marley Alcantara (2,430, 36). Three two-way juniors are high college prospects: Pittsburg’s Jadyn Hudson and Jewelous Walls and SRV’s Marco Jones.
Division 2
No. 2 Windsor (10-1-1) vs. No. 1 El Cerrito (11-1) at Diablo Valley College
When: 7 p.m. Friday
NCS titles (last won): Windsor 2 (2021), El Cerrito 2 (2022)
The teams meet for the D2 title after splitting two previous thrilling D3 games the last two seasons. Windsor won a 33-32 in semifinal game in 2021 before El Cerrito hung 34-27 last season in the finals. Washington State-bound defensive back Kamani Jackson bailed out El Cerrito last season with the second of his two interceptions late, thwarting Windsdor’s big rally.
Division 3
No. 3 Cardinal Newman (11-1) vs. No. 1 Marin Catholic (11-1) at San Rafael HS,
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
NCS titles (last won): Cardinal Newman 13 (2019), Marin Catholic 13 (2022)
These North Bay super powers have met seven times in section play since 2012, this time for the D3 crown. Marin Catholic has won six times, including 2021 (42-7) and 2022 (48-22). Newman’s lone win was 2019 (13-10). Great matchup of running backs: Newman's Zachary Homan (2,340 yards, 36 touchdowns) versus Marin Catholic's Charles Williams.
Division 4
No. 2 Acalanes (8-4) vs. No. 1 San Marin-Novato (12-0) at Santa Rosa High School
When: 7 p.m. Friday
NCS titles (last won): Acalanes 0, San Marin 5 (2022)
This NCS D4 title game is a rematch of the season opener for both teams, a 27-20 San Marin home win. It was the first of three narrow losses for the Dons, who went on to win seven straight before a 25-24 loss to Campolindo-Moraga. Great matchup of Marin County Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year Dom Ingrassia, of San Marin, versus athletic defensive backs Trevor Rogers (Cal commit) and Paul Kuhner, who both star also at wide receiver.
Division 5
No. 2 St. Bernard's (9-3) vs. No. 1 Miramonte-Orinda (8-3) at Acalanes HS
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
NCS titles (last won): St. Bernard 5 (2019), Miramonte 8 (2013)
Senior Wyatt Simoni has rushed for 1,853 yards and 30 touchdowns for St. Bernard's, which averages almost 200 yards per game on the ground and 150 via the pass. This is its first meeting ever with Miramonte, which runs by committe and utilizes two quarterbacks, though sophomore Carson Blair (1,453 yards, 18 touchdowns) has done most of the work. Miramonte has won eight section titles, but the last was 2013. St. Bernard
Division 6
No. 3 Salesian (10-2) vs. St. Vincent (10-2) at Rancho Cotate HS
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
NCS titles (last won): Salesian 7 (2021), St. Vincent 8 (2021)
The Pride avenged an earlier defeat to Moreau Catholic with a 26-15 semifinal victory. Salesian has won two previous games with the Mustangs, winning 48-6 in 2014 and 42-21 in 2013. St. Vincent has a beautifully balanced offense with sophomore QB Gabe Casanovas throwing for 2,376 yards and 32 touchdowns and the team rushing for 2,297 yards, led by another sophomore Mason Caturegli (802 yards). Jack Davis has scored 25 touchdowns, 14 via reception (67 catches, 1,115 yards) and 11 on the ground in just 47 carries (294 yards).
Division 7
No. 5 Ferndale (8-4) vs. No. 2 Willits (9-3) at Ukiah HS
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
NCS titles (last won): Ferndale 13 (2012), Willits 1 (1991)
Ferndale will try to impose its longstanding will on the Wolverines, who are looking for their first title in 32 seasons. Junior Finn Lessner leads a strong rushing attack for Willits, while Ferndale, going after its first crown in 11 seasons, has won five of six, three by shutout over Hoopa Valley (50-0 and 49-0) and McKinleyville (34-0). The teams have played nine times since 2004 with Ferndale winning the last eight, the last time 2019 (35-7). Willits won in 2004, 21-0.
Central Coast Section
Division 1
No. 7 Wilcox-Santa Clara (8-4) vs. No. 4 Los Gatos (10-2) at San Jose City College
When: 7 p.m. Friday
CCS titles (last won): Wilcox 3 (2021), Los Gatos 15 (2019)
These longtime rivals have regularly played for league titles, but never for a CCS Division 1 title like Friday. They played earlier this season with Los Gatos pulling out a 24-21 win on Oct. 27, the Wildcats’ fourth straight in the series after Wilcox had won three in a row. Great matchup of disciplined squads and head coaches, Los Gatos’ Mark Krail and Paul Rosa, of Wilcox, which is led by QB Tyson Bonilla (2,160 total yards, 20 TDs). Los Gatos is led by running back Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung, QB A.J. Minyard and two-way star Jaylen Thomas.
Division 2
No. 8 Christopher (11-1) vs. Soquel (10-2) at SJCC
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
CCS titles (last won): Christopher 1 (2017), Soquel 0
In the first meeting between the schools, QB Jaxen Robinson is a specimen for Christopher. At 6-5, 220 pounds, Robinson is a big dual threat. Soquel has made two other finals' appearances, losing in 1984 and 1987. They are led by RB Cruz Ferris and QB Sam Whelan.
Division 3
No. 7 Alisal (11-1) vs. No. 4 Palma (5-7) at Rabobank Stadium
When: 7 p.m. Friday
CCS titles (last won): Alisal 0, Palma 11 (2011)
It's been a long dry spell for Palma, which is led b senior quarterback Thomas Nunes (106 of 185, 1,612 yards, 17 touchdowns, 572 yards rushing, seven touchdowns). Freshman Eli Dukes has rushed for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns and senior receiver Logan Saldate (58 catches, 1,104 yards, 14 TDs). Alisal has outscored opponents 413-242 and won seven straight since back-to-back losses to Palma (421-5) and Carmel (37-34).
Division 4
No. 2 Mountain View (6-6) vs. No. 1 Palo Alto (7-5)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
CCS titles (last won): Mountain View 1 (1975), Palo Alto 5 (2022)
Palo Alto is led by senior quarterback Declan Packer (148 of 238, 2,241 yards, 21 touchdowns) and running back Jeremiah Madrigal (132, 722, 10). Mountain View is after its first title in nearly 50 years. It didn't seem possible after going 0-5 in PAL Bay play. Senior RB Arturo Hernandez has rushed for 1,259 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Division 5
No. 4 Santa Teresa (6-6) vs. No. 3 South San Francisco (11-1) at MacDonald HS
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
CCS titles (last won): Santa Teresa 2 (1989), South San Francisco 0
South San Francisco's story is remarkable. In the middle of a 26-game losing streak over four seasons, the Warriors shut down the program in 2021 due to lack of players. Longtime coach Frank Oross came out of retirement last year to get them to .500 at 6-6 and this season they breezed to a PAL Lake title at 7-0. They are led by junior RB Elijah Fields, who has rushed for 21 touchdowns. Santa Teresa is led by versatile Joseph Tapia, who plays three positions, including quarterback.
