Before we go to the rankings let’s recap the action on Saturday.
SONOMA COUNTY LEAGUE
Sonoma Valley 32 Piner 30
It is almost like the two teams celebrated that they were done playing Analy by playing a thriller.
Sonoma Valley scored 25 straight to rally from a 21-7 deficit then held on for the win.
Sonoma Valley quarterback Dan Deely threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two more. The rushing touchdowns were from 24 and 25 yards, with the first one cutting Piner’s lead to 21-14, the second giving Sonoma Valley its first lead at 27-21.
Piner then kicked a field goal, recovered an onside kick, scored a touchdown with :17 left. Then in attempt to tie the game they failed on a two point conversion.
Noel Hernandez also threw for three scores, two of them led Piner to the 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter.
Sonoma Valley is 4-2 on the season and Piner drops to 3-4.
Both teams are hoping to make the North Coast Section playoffs.
NCL II/Bay Football
Emery 72 Upper Lake 0
Emery stays one game back of Calistoga.
Now we move onto this week’s rankings, which don’t have a lot of changes, especially towards the top.
No. 1 Casa Grande (6-0)…(Last Week No. 1)…Only undefeated team left in the North Bay League race. After a decade of dominating the SCL, in its second year in the NBL, they are about halfway home to their first NBL championship.
No. 2 Analy (6-1)…(2)…The order stays the same, but does Analy deserve to be No. 1? Maybe. The way they handled the first three teams of SCL play is awesome. If it wasn’t for realignment, Analy and Casa Grande would be decided on the field instead of everyone’s mind.
No. 3 Montgomery (5-1)…(3)…The Vikings have survived the toughest part of the NBL schedule. They are hoping to be there if Casa Grande slips and get a top four seeding in the NCS playoffs.
No. 4 Cardinal Newman (4-2)…(5)…The Cardinals took out their frustration over the overtime loss to Montgomery on Santa Rosa. A lot can happen between now and then, but Cardinal Newman does host Casa Grande the last regular season game of the season.
No. 5 Middletown (5-1)…(6)…Gave up their first touchdown since the opening week on a kickoff return. Still has on and off the field issues. Off—still an appeal for the forfeit game. On—they are tied with Clear Lake for the lead in the NCL I race.
No. 6 Calistoga (6-0)…(8)… Has something in common with Casa Grande. They are undefeated. Casa Grande and Calistoga are the only local teams who can say that.
No. 7 Rancho Cotate (4-2)…(4)…The Cougars are a little banged up going into a must win game against Casa Grande if they are going to defend their league crown.
No. 8 Maria Carrillo (3-3)…(7)…The loss to Casa Grande cost them one ranking point. They get another chance to move up this week when they go to Cardinal Newman.
No. 9 Sonoma Valley (4-2)…(HM)…There is life after playing Analy.
No. 10 Healdsburg (4-3)…(9)…They are look looking forward to life after Analy
HONORABLE MENTION…Piner, Clear Lake, Windsor
My email address is jacpasquini@comcast.net