Granite Bay, Danville to Top of NorCal
Granite Bay, Danville to Top of NorCal
Granite Bay and Danville are both unbeaten in Northern California league play and will be the top two going into the playoffs.
Danville defeated De La Salle 22-7 in a game that really had no bearing on the playoff seeds. Still, it was De La Salle's Senior Night so they were up for it. DLS got an early try from Chris Biller but some good play from Ethan Younger set up an an answer from Danville. A nice counter on a clearance kick that failed to make touch put Danville ahead at halftime. Superb defense from the Oaks pretty much sealed the game after that, and they scored twice while DLS had a player in the sin bin.
But with Granite Bay winning it was clear Danville would be #2 anyway and DLS #3 and so this coming weekend they will meet again on the campus of Saint Mary's College.
Jesuit won twice this weekend to vault up to #4.
Senior Night saw them handle Motherlode 52-19, and then they took on SFGG a day later, winning 38-20. Motherlode gave plenty for Jesuit to handle and showed plenty of skill. It was 14-10 at halftime but Jesuit was able to wear them down late.
On Saturday, on a very warm day in Sacramento, SFGG took an early lead, but Jesuit got a penalty try and a penalty goal from flyhalf TJ Pappas. It was 10-10 at halftime.
Once again Jesuit pulled away late.
Nine different players scored over the two games; Pappas led with two tries, 10 conversions, and a penalty for 33 points. Sophomore center Jack Patock led the defense, prop Joe Mokofisi produced some big carries, and lock KadenCollons continues to dominate the lineouts. In the backs fullback Noah Sanchez and center Cormac O'Flaherty were very good.
"We were able to get over 30 players valuable minutes over the two days," said Head Coach Andrew Acosta. "Now we turn our sights toward the playoffs and Nationals."
Granite Bay beat Motherlode 90-11 and Marin 50-20 to secure the top spot.
"We're just getting everyone acclimated to each other, and getting healthy," said Head Coach Chris Miller.
Yes that is probably exactly what's happening, and it's worth noting that Granite Bay's offense is really, really good—44 points per game. Danville and De La Salle's defenses are excellent—about 10 points per game allowed.
Danville will play Jesuit in the other NorCal semifinal in the Premier league.
In the Plate semis, SFGG will play the San Mateo Wolverines, stepping in for Lamorinda, and Marin will play Motherlode.
(This is the best we could do with the standings. We're pretty close ...)
| NorCal Premier | W | L | T | PF | PA | PD | BT | BL | Total |
| Granite Bay | 4 | 0 | 1 | 219 | 67 | 152 | 4 | 0 | 22 |
| Danville | 4 | 0 | 1 | 187 | 52 | 135 | 4 | 0 | 22 |
| De La Salle | 4 | 1 | 1 | 111 | 58 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 21 |
| Jesuit Sacramento | 3 | 2 | 0 | 147 | 102 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| SFGG | 3 | 3 | 0 | 140 | 186 | -46 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Marin | 2 | 4 | 1 | 192 | 156 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Mother Lode | 1 | 4 | 0 | 61 | 255 | -194 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Lamorinda | 0 | 5 | 0 | 47 | 162 | -115 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
