Welcome back to the Bay Area News Group’s high school football preview.
Here, you’ll find the week’s top matchups and complete weekend schedule for teams in this news organization’s coverage area, which encompasses leagues based primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Check back every Thursday morning during the season for the preview.
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On the top matchups …
Thursday
Leland (7-2, 4-0) at Willow Glen (9-0, 4-0), 7:15 p.m.: This battle of two teams perfect in league play will decide the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa-Valley Division champion. Leland has not lost since Sept. 20, when the Chargers fell 15-12 to BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division-based Lincoln-San Jose. Willow Glen commenced its campaign with a 31-7 home win over Lincoln. Quarterback Aiden Akery has been key all year for the Rams, rushing for 709 yards to lead Willow Glen’s potent ground attack, including 158 yards on 12 carries last week against Westmont. As a team, the Rams have rushed for 1,913 yards this year. Zackary Papedis, Josh Sanchez, Spencer Bartlinski, Chris Amann and Gavin Ferraro have all gone over 100 yards rushing for the season. Leland is led by do-it-all senior Brady Hernandez, who has posted 550 rushing yards and 264 receiving yards. Hernandez scored three total touchdowns in Leland’s game against Gilroy last week. – Christian Babcock
Jefferson (7-2, 7-0) at Gunn (9-0, 7-0), 7 p.m.: The winner of this game will make the CCS playoffs as the Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division’s champion. The loser will likely miss the playoffs. Coach Dethrick Slocum’s Gunn team is on the verge of going 10-0 just two seasons after being 0-10. Sam Dellenbach is a big part of a defense that has allowed 24 points all season, and he’s also an explosive kick returner. Luke Hines ran for two 50-plus-yard touchdowns against MacDonald. A Jefferson offense led by the versatile Michael Slugher will try to make a dent in the Gunn defense. Grizzlies coach Imani Stewart believes that the O-line, led by Kymani Maumasi, is the team’s strength. CalPreps has Gunn winning 21-17. – Joseph Dycus
Friday
No. 8 Valley Christian (5-4, 4-2) at Serra (4-5, 3-3), 7 p.m.: When a largely new cast of players helped Serra open the season with a victory at NorCal powerhouse Folsom, the San Mateo school seemed on its way to another big year. But it hasn’t worked out that way. The young Padres will need to win their regular-season finale to avoid a losing record, a notable drop after representing NorCal in three consecutive Open Division state championship games. Serra will still make the playoffs no matter the result against Valley but will aim to do so with momentum after losing last week at Riordan. RB Nano Latu, TE Clay Hinsdale and WR Charlie Willey lead the Padres. Valley Christian, coming off back-to-back losses to St. Ignatius and St. Francis, will also aim to bounce back before starting …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
