Bigger drop for San Ramon Valley than Bellarmine in this week's rankings. Watch Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Your20, San Francisco. Replays also are shown throughout the week on Comcast SportsNet Northern California.

 By Harold Abend, Special to CalHiSports.com 

The caravan last Friday needed a helicopter because the camel does not work that fast. We started out in the afternoon in the Sunset District of San Francisco where we saw Coach Phil Ferrigno's Lincoln Mustangs pin a 35-14 loss on cross-town Burton.

For the nightcap, we thought we were going to be a passenger on the ride down to San Jose City College for the Serra at Bellarmine game, with a light deadline for CalHiSports.com to file something upon returning home.

Instead, a colleague caught the flu bug and we were pressed into full-scale action, beginning with our own steering wheel in hand for the driving.

The postgame activity wasn't light, either. As many of you now know, Serra and QB Cody Jackson came up huge and rang up a 31-23 upset of the Bells. Bellarmine's loss puts De La Salle back on top in these rankings pending the Spartans' big game this Friday against unbeaten Monte Vista.

Serra also has now created the usual havoc at the top of the West Catholic Athletic League, pushing themselves into the thick of the league title race and into a four-way tie for first place with the Bells, Valley Christian of San Jose and Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco.

While we could have used a helicopter on Friday night, the camel did just fine on Saturday when we stayed in Marin to witness Marin Catholic (Kentfield) grind out a 28-6 home victory over Redwood of Larkspur.

Football Top 20 Teams
(Through games of Oct. 25)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)

1) De La Salle (Concord) 6-1 (2)
They're ba-aack! After a short hiatus, three weeks to be exact, Bob Ladouceur's Spartans are back in their usual spot, the Bay Area catbird seat, after getting Coach Lad career win No. 340 with a 34-14 victory on the road at Amador Valley in Pleasanton. Terron Williams-Ward blocked a field goal to put the Spartans up 21-0 but all-in-all the coach wasn't praising the team's performance and said so rather succinctly to the Contra Costa Times. "I really wasn't too happy with how we played," he said. Still Sparta now appears to control its own destiny with respect to gaining the north berth for the CIF Open Division bowl game. The boys and the coaching staff get another Don Bosco-like test when they face a very legitimate Monte Vista at home Friday night. We'll soon find out the real pecking order in the East Bay Athletic League.   

2) Oak Grove (San Jose) 7-0 (3)
It's starting to sound like a broken record&but once again it was the Carr brothers, Omari and Jabari, who did most of the damage in the Eagles 45-20 road victory over cross-town Lincoln. Senior running back Omari led the charge with 280 yards rushing on 19 carries with two touchdowns, including a 73-yard run. Jabari caught five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. As a team Oak Grove rolled up 451 yards of total offense. If Coach Ed Buller's boys run the table and beat WCAL teams in the CCS Open Division playoffs, there will be some arguing amongst the commissioners on the bowl selection committee about who gets a D1 spot, especially if Granite Bay or Grant (Sacramento) wins the Sac-Joaquin Div. I championship with an undefeated record and De La Salle wins out. Next up is Leigh on the road across town.

3) Monte Vista (Danville) 7-0 (5)
The Mustangs move up two spots after a 51-16 victory at home over Livermore. Quarterback Brett Nottingham threw touchdown passes to four receivers including three in the opening quarter. The win ties them at 4-0 for first place in the EBAL with De La Salle and sets up a matchup on Friday with Sparta on the road in what is one of the biggest league games in the East Bay in years.    

4) Gilroy 7-0 (6)
The Mustangs have now outscored opponents 337-65 after a 60-14 victory over Alisal of Salinas. Gilroy interchanged its two quarterbacks starting with junior Nick Marra then bringing in Jamie Jensen and both quarterbacks ran the spread offense with nearly equal efficiency. Dante Fullard scored on an 11-yard pass from Jensen, a 1-yard run and a 28-yard pass from Marra. Sean Hale had two TDs on a 17-yard run and a 14-yard pass from Jensen; Peter Guenther scored on a 22-yard run; Leland Gettys scored on runs of three and one yard; Ivan Lopez booted a 27-yard field goal and was perfect on his conversion kicks, although according to the Monterey County Herald, one never got credited on the scoreboard. Now comes the Halloween matchup with Palma in Salinas. Someone will be getting a trick and the other a treat.

5) Bellarmine (San Jose) 6-1 (1)
The Bells had a lot of missed opportunities in a 31-23 home loss to Serra, including the initial drive of the game. Unfortunately for the Bellarmine faithful, the team stubbed its toe on the opening series with a drive-killing holding penalty. As the game went on, it seemed every time the Bells looked like they might break through, something happened to swing momentum back to the Padres. The missed opportunities and penalties hurt but in reality the Bells lost the game because they lost the war in the trenches at the line of scrimmage. Usua Amanam played his heart out on both sides of the ball. The Stanford-bound Amanam scored all three of the Bells touchdowns on runs of 12, 1 and 2 yards. He finished with a game-high 131 yards rushing on 19 carries, but a costly second quarter fumble led to Serra's first score. The team will have to re-group and look ahead. Next up is a road game across town at winless Mitty. Will the Bells have any pity against Mitty?

6) Valley Christian (San Jose) 6-1 (7)
A second San Jose brother act took the stage only this duo worked on Thursday and in Mountain View in a 48-14 Warrior victory on the road over St. Francis. Cameron Marshall ran for 253 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries and little brother, freshman Byron Marshall, rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and also caught a pass for another score. Valley Christian, which led 20-7 at halftime, scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 72-yard run from Marshall with 16 seconds left in the half.

7) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 7-0 (8)
It took a call to CalHiSports.com editor Mark Tennis before we moved the Cardinals ahead of the team that beat them (San Ramon Valley) in last year's NCS 3A championship, but this is another year and Newman looks as good if not better than last year. In fact, word around the Redwood Empire is this season's team may be the best of the three since the 2006 team's trip to the first CIF Div. III Bowl game, losing in overtime to Oaks Christian of Westlake Village. This past week, Newman gave up its first point in league play but it was to cross-town arch-rival Montgomery in a 42-14 final. The score was 14-7 at the half before the Cardinals exploded for 28 points to begin the third quarter. Eight offensive plays, 216 yards and four touchdowns in 8 minutes, 54 seconds. Up next is a Halloween collision against unbeaten Rancho Cotate on the road in Rohnert Park for supremacy of the North Bay League

8) Serra (San Mateo) 4-3 (10)
We saw one heck of a football team last Friday night at San Jose City College that played a better game than its opponent to come away with a 31-23 victory over Bellarmine. It wasn't only the heroic performance of Cody Jackson but the entire Padre team was involved in ringing up the Bells. As a team Serra rushed for 292 yards against one of the top teams in the state. That's a statement. "Our defense played well enough to keep us in the game and the offense made the plays, said Serra Coach Patrick Walsh, who did a good job of calling plays and constantly had the Bells' defense fooled, such as the 6-yard keeper by Jackson in the second quarter that gave the Padres a 17-3 lead. Everyone in the stadium (except yours truly) thought Jared Braun had the ball, including the three Bells players that tackled him. By that time, Jackson had already found paydirt. On tap is a visit from St. Ignatius of San Francisco.

9) Palma (Salinas) 6-1 (9)
Trailing 14-7, it was a determined Chieftain team that took the second half kickoff and showed why it is now 127-1-1 against Monterey County teams since 1989. In the end Palma gave North Salinas its first loss of the year in a 20-14 final. Not only did Palma trail at the half, but never took the lead until 7:04 was left in the game. Nevada-bound quarterback David Fales completed 16 of 23 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns including a 43-yarder to Bruce Taylor for the game winner. Now comes an even tougher matchup with a Gilroy team that beat them 35-14 last year.

10) Pittsburg 6-1 (11)
With its only loss on a last-second field goal to Monte Vista, Coach Vic Galli's team is looking better and better, especially after showing some guts in pulling out a 28-21 road win against a solid Deer Valley of Antioch. After being stuffed at the line Erick Dargan bounced outside to score the winning touchdown with 58 seconds left on a 14-yard run. Next up for the Pirates is a Halloween showdown with Freedom (Oakley) for first place in the Bay Valley League.

11) Foothill (Pleasanton) 5-2 (14)
Nathan Hinke was the hero on both sides of the ball in a 38-21 victory on the road in Livermore against Granada. The senior wide receiver/defensive back followed his acrobatic interception with a 14-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Sean Mannion in the fourth quarter to effectively put the game away. The Falcons led just 24-21 when Hinke's one-handed sideline interception stopped Granada in its tracks. He finished with eight receptions for 186 yards and three touchdown catches from Sean Mannion, who was 13-for-25 for 223 yards. San Ramon Valley comes to town this Friday looking to get back on the winning track.

12) California (San Ramon) 4-3 (15)
LeRoy Green rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns and the defense came up with a fourth quarter forced fumble and recovery to clinch a 24-21 victory over San Ramon Valley on the road in Danville. John Adkins hit the Wolves' Bryce Peterson after a 20-yard gain late in the game and knocked the ball loose. Armen Abnous was there to fall on the pigskin for the Grizzlies, and California was able to run out the clock. California never trailed after taking the game's opening kickoff and driving 63 yards in 21 plays for a 7-0 lead. Livermore comes to town this Friday night.

13) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 6-1 (4)
This is where the Wolves land after a 24-21 home loss to California of San Ramon. It's a big drop but SRV has yet to play EBAL rivals De La Salle, Foothill or Monte Vista so the ranking has to be behind Cal due to the head-to-head loss. A slow start and 10-0 deficit hurt them as did a fumble late in the game after a 20-yard run had them moving towards a possible late score. Joe Southwick eventually got going but it took 40 passes for him to get 24 completions for 279 yards. He finished with two TD passed but also had an interception.

	Rancho Cotate is still ranked 14th in our latest Bay Area rankings.

14) Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) 7-0 (14)
The Ranch had to pull one out as well, and in doing so handed Ukiah its first loss of the season, in a 35-32 road victory. Sophomore running back Brian Dworkin rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns, and caught a 60-yard screen pass for a fourth score from Cody Allen with 41 seconds left to secure the victory. Allen ran for 142 as the Cougars rolled up 471 yards rushing. The wins sets up the showdown of unbeatens with Cardinal Newman at home on Friday night.

15) Freedom (Oakley) 7-0 (13)
With California beating San Ramon Valley but previously losing to Foothill, we're going to drop these Falcons back down where they were two weeks ago. The decision is also based on discussions with colleague Will McCulloch of the San Francisco Chronicle, who saw Freedom earlier this season, and reports of a source that attended Freedom's 21-14 victory over Antioch, and said they struggled. Should they beat Pittsburg this week, we'll eat crow and move them back up.

16) Novato 6-2 (16)
The Hornets led 7-0 at the half before scoring three times in the third quarter to break it open against Redwood. Jeff Stephens threw for three touchdowns with two going to Jake Davis and one to Mike Polvere. Polvere also ran for a score. Novato maintains a half-game lead in the Marin County Athletic League over Marin Catholic. Up next is a road game at cross-town rival San Marin.

17) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 6-1 (18)
The Knights remain tied atop the Diablo Foothill League after victimizing Alhambra for five turnovers, four interceptions and a fumble recovery, to cruise past the Bulldogs 35-14 at home. Marquis Waters did most of the dirty work for Las Lomas, as he rushed for 162 yards, two touchdowns and one two-point conversion. Next up is a showdown at home with Campolindo (Moraga), the team they're tied with atop the league standings.

18) San Leandro 4-3 (20)
The Pirates showed who's boss in the Hayward Area Athletic League after crushing previously unbeaten Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 40-13 on their home field. Quarterback Travis Gardner had another efficient game for the Pirates, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-24 passing. Running back George Roberson overcame slow start to run for 109 yards and two scores on 20 carries. The Pirates outgained the Dragons in total yardage 438 to 204. Next up is Tennyson (Hayward) at home.

19) Clayton Valley (Concord) 7-0 (19)
It took a big rally for Coach Herc Pardi's Eagles to remain unbeaten and in the rankings. The visitors scored the final 15 points of the game, rallying from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat host Concord 29-22 in a well-played, intense Diablo Valley Athletic League contest. Running back Dozie Iwuagwu provided a good portion of the offense. He scored on runs of 4 and 22 yards in the second quarter and finished with 159 yards on 29 carries. College Park (Pleasant Hill) at home is up next.

20) Milpitas 6-1 (nr)
With Palo Alto losing, we decided to replace Paly in the rankings with their De Anza League rival Trojans, whose only loss is 27-24 on the road to the same up and down Wilcox (Santa Clara) team that just knocked of Paly in its house. This past week Milpitas dusted Los Altos 49-7 on the road. The Trojans also have a win over Los Gatos. Next up is a matchup with Paly at home in what is a wide open race for the league title.

On The Bubble
Berkeley 6-1, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 6-1, Campolindo (Moraga) 6-1, Carmel 5-1, Casa Grande (Petaluma), 4-2-1, Castlemont (Oakland) 4-1-1, Deer Valley (Antioch) 4-3, Encinal (Alameda) 7-0, Healdsburg 6-1, Heritage (Brentwood) 5-2, Hill (San Jose) 7-0, Homestead (Cupertino) 7-0, Kings Academy (Sunnyvale) 7-0, Leigh (San Jose) 5-2, Los Gatos 5-2, Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 5-2, Menlo (Atherton) 6-1, Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 5-2, Miramonte (Orinda) 5-2, Monta Vista (Cupertino) 7-0, *Monterey 5-2, Mt. Diablo (Concord) 5-2, North Salinas (Salinas) 6-1, Palo Alto 5-2, Petaluma 4-3, Pioneer (San Jose) 6-1, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 7-0, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 6-1, Santa Teresa (San Jose) 7-0, Scotts Valley 7-1, Ukiah 6-1, Woodside 5-2.
(*includes Stallworth of Stockton loss)

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.