NCS D3 Bracket

1. Marin Catholic
2. Cardinal Newman
3. Rancho Cotate
4. Bishop O’Dowd
5. Acalanes
6. Eureka
7. Encinel
8. Miramonte
9. El Cerrito
10. Analy
11. Alhambra
12. Petaluma
13. Terra Linda
14. Las Lomas
15. Kennedy
16. De Anza

 

Pictured: NCS D3 #1 Seeded Marin Catholic Varsity Seniors

The Division 3 bracket is easily the most competitive bracket next to Open Division. So good that three of these teams, including five seeded Acalanes, have beaten Campolindo (the #1 seed in D2.) This creates a problem for NCS as their model of school population is showing prevalent flaws within the system. But for now it is a great opportunity to watch some great football.

My biggest critique of this bracket is that Bishop O’Dowd is somehow ranked as the 4 seed. Bishop got dinged for losing against De La Salle and Freedom, which are amongst the top five in NCS. I believe they should not have been put below Rancho or Newman for these losses. If I were to switch it up I would have Marin Catholic and Bishop at #1 and 2, but the order of those two wouldn’t matter to me.

Possible matchups I am looking forward to:

#5 Acalanes vs #4 Bishop O’Dowd:

Matchup to look for: Robby Rowell vs Bishop Secondary

Acalanes’ offense is really gonna test Bishop O’Dowd’s pass coverage as they have not faced a passing attack by the likes of Robby Rowell. Freedom and De La Salle rely heavily on the run, which are the two best teams O’Dowd has faced so far. Their secondary includes Oregon bound Jevon Holland and Colorado State bound Quinn Brinnon.

#3 Rancho Cotate vs #6 Eureka

Eureka has no common opponent with any of the top teams in this division but is still unbeaten. Eureka has yet to prove itself against a team the caliber of Rancho so this will be an interesting one.

#3 Rancho Cotate vs #2 Cardinal Newman

Matchup to look for: Tanner Mendoza vs Rancho Run Defense

This is a classic rivalry in the North Bay. In the last game it went down to the wire, where Newman scored a last-minute touchdown to seal the NBL championship over Rancho. Tanner Mendoza and the Newman running attack played a huge role in their victory over Rancho and will again if they meet in the Semi-finals. Last weekend Mendoza totaled 3 rushing TD’s and 172 rushing yards against Rancho.

#1 Marin Catholic vs #4 Bishop O’Dowd

Pictured: Bishop O'Dowd beat MC 27-7 in the NCS D3 Final last year

Matchup to look for: Jevon Holland vs Peter Brown

This possible semi-final game would be a rematch of last years NCS D3 final. O’Dowd features numerous D1 bound athletes including the top 2019 running back in California, Austin Jones. Marin Catholic has some fire power of their own with top rated quarterback in the Bay Area, Spencer Petras. Marin Catholic is very experienced in these types of games as they have reached the NCS final every year since 2011 and are coached by Mazi Moayed. Jevon Holland and Peter Brown pose an interesting matchup as Bishop’s defense plays man coverage. The Petras-Brown connection has been a huge part of MC’s offense and will be tested if these two power houses face off.