OPEN BRACKET

1. DE LA SALLE
2. PITT
3. San Ramon Valley (SRV)
4. Clayton Valley Charter (CVC)

Before Friday, November 3rd, everything seemed perfect within the NCS playoff seeding selection. It was almost a consensus that the Open Division would be De La Salle, Pittsburg, SRV, and Freedom in that order. But that Friday night Freedom lost to Liberty 37-35 and SRV got smacked 49-14. This made the Open Division selection very hard for the NCS committie. Although, the harder decision was who gets the 3 seed.

The three plausible picks for the Open Division would have been Clayton Valley Charter, Liberty and Marin Catholic. Bishop O’Dowd wouldn’t be in this conversation because they lost to Freedom and Newman would be out the picture because they lost to Rancho Cotate. Clayton Valley Charter was the correct pick even though they are in a weak league relative to Liberty. Liberty got smoked by Pittsburg early in the season and Marin Catholic did not have the strength of schedule to prove they were worthy of the Open Division. Maybe if they played and beat Central Catholic it would have been a harder decision for the NCS Committie.

As mentioned earlier, the biggest decision that had to be made in the Open Division was the recipient of the three seed. It is almost certain that De La Salle will win another NCS title as they have done consecutively in the past 25 years. The second place team in the Open Division is garunteed a Nor Cal berth, which is why the 2nd/3rd seed is so coveted. SRV performed horribly vs De La Salle but it somehow got the 3 seed over Clayton Valley Charter. I disagree with the logic that SRV had a tougher schedule so they should be  seeded higher than Clayton. Clayton Valley Charter deserves a shot at Pitt because SRV was already given that chance.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a hot day in Fort Worth Texas; the TCU Horned Frogs faced off against the Texas Tech Raiders. After a few days of touring schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I was at Amon G. Carter Stadium stuck in the nose bleeds. I wasn’t satisfied. I knew I could do better. I have a history of going on the field like last year’s Stanford vs. USC Pac-12 Championship game and one Cal game.

Luckily, I found a large group of Texas Tech band members assembling to go down to the field for the halftime show.  When I saw this from my upper deck seats, I knew I had to seize the opportunity.

With my TCU gear I stood out like a sore thumb. But that didn’t matter, you have to act like you run the place. You have to act like you know what your doing. Be confident!

So of course I was asked a few questions by the band members. Some were cool people and championed my idea. Others wanted to snitch; don’t be that guy. It’s always good to have a great backstory or excuse. Being a teenager I used the classic “looking for my mom” excuse, which got me to the field.

Once on the field, I was confronted by Texas Tech band officials. Just remember, if its not a cop or security, you are good. So I ended up in the end zone by the tunnel where I got to meet the Texas Tech Raiders up close and personal.

In the second half I got to witness a double overtime thriller resulting in the Raiders winning on a field goal. Here’s some more footage from the game.

 

So overall here are a few tips that I have compiled:

1. Be confident!

Walk through security like you own the place. Being shy and timid only makes you more vulnerable.

2. Blend in

Most of the time the people that go on the field during the games are a part of something: team staff,  band members, medical personnel, media. Look official and follow a group a people who belong on the field.

3. Dress to impress

There’s always the guy with the tuxedo on and you could dress like him. Be unique. One of the prime examples of this is Donnie Does. Watch this video

4. Once you are there, don’t be nervous

You’ve made it on the field! Be cautious about security but don’t let their presence ruin your experience. Worst thing that happens is if they ask for your pass and you don’t have it. In that case you can try to wiggle your way out or cut your losses short and ask how to leave. Definitely better then getting arrested.

5. Take pictures

The chance of your friends believing you are slim. Brag to everyone. You’re a self proclaimed legend.

Next week I will be at the Oregon vs USC game so hopefully I can find my way onto the field:)

 

 

 

So far in league play, Marin Catholic has outscored their opponents 313 to 14 and has shutout every team they’ve played in the last five games. Behind hard work, great coaching, and leadership the Wildcats are making a case for state this year.

Quarterbacks Spencer “Spet” Petras and Jack Harris combined for 6 passing touchdowns. Jake Gammon rushed for 106 yards including a 65 yard touchdown run. DeDonatis, Gernie and Marino ran all over Drake behind the great blocking by the underapreciated and underrated MC OLine. Hunter Juarez caught 2 touchdowns and  had 84 receiving. Jack Hogeboom, Andrew Colletti, Jack Harris, and Roman “Dome” Jaques all got one touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball there was another shutout on the scoreboard. The defense let up only 85 yards, which includes -26 rushing yards. The stellar defensive line was led by Frankie Bondanza, Mani, Boobens, Dirty Ice, Otis, and company. The secondary was led by Hunter Juarez, CJ Castillo, David Herrera, Jake Nelson and “Best corner in high school football,” Jack Kirkpatrick. The linebacker core was led by Leo LeMerle, Cole Truex, Dillon “Slouch” Couch, Nick “Brick” Caravello, and Mac “Stack” Rosner.

We were lucky enough to have been joined by the two top players of the game: Jack Kirkpatrick and Hunter Juarez

First we talked to Hunter Juarez who is currently having a record setting season for the Wildcats.

DG: You are about 200 yards away from breaking the mcal receiving record for most yards during the mcal season and you have one game to break it. What can u do to hit that record?

HJ:   My goal this season isn’t breaking records or getting a certain amount of yards or anything. My goal is to do whatever I can to help us win a state championships. I want to give full effort on every play and with that the results will come.

DG:  Going into the bye week, how will you guys prepare for justin siena and future opponents?

HJ: We prepare for each opponent the same way. We’re going to work on the little things and continue to execute.

DG: You are a two way starter. How do u prepare yourself for games knowing you will rarely have a break in the game?

HJ: I just make sure to practice all out, and that way I can play hard in the game. My team motivates me to work harder than our opponents.

Next we had the chance to talk to self proclaimed best corner in the nation, Jack Kirkpatrick.

DG: So how did you get the name “Kirk Island?”

JK: Well you all know about Derrel Revis. He is one of the biggest lockdown corners in the NFL. They call him Revis Island and my last name is Kirkpatrick so it fits well. And I’m also probably the biggest lockdown corner in high school football so I guess it is very fitting for me.

DG: You had a shutdown performance today. What do you attribute your success to?

JK: Well a couple of times the receiver dropped the ball which always helps. Also I have been working on cutting the ball and getting my hand in there and just making plays.

DG: On average how much sunscreen on a daily basis?

JK: Well during football practice I always try to get two coats on every visible layer of my skin. Usually more on the nose and the back of the neck. For places like my feet I only put one coat on there and try to get some good all around coverage.

Another eventful Saturday for the Wildcats. Next week they have a bye and then face Justin Siena under the lights to wrap up league play. Here are the stats of the game and as always this is the Gordon Report signing off.

EVERYBODY EATS

-Dawson Gordon