DW 36 Nov. 5, 2015
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East Union-Manteca - Golf - Senior The Lancers’ senior captured her second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Masters individual title by shooting a 1-under par 71 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton on Monday. She edged Christian Brothers’ Beah Cruz (73) for the title one year after sharing the section championship with two other golfers. Riley qualifies for the CIF Northern California Regional Championships, which will be held at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas on Nov. 9. As a junior, she followed up her SJS Masters title with third-place finishes at the NorCal (71) and CIF State Golf Championships (73). If she finishes among the top individual golfers at the NorCal event, she will qualify to play at this year’s state tournament on Nov. 17 at legendary Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach. Ten SJS golfers have won NorCal titles with Beyer-Modesto’s Marina Martinez taking the individual championship most recently in 2006, but no SJS girls golfer has ever won a CIF State Golf Championship. In addition to Riley and Cruz, Placer’s Natalie Pietromonaco (75) and Lincoln-Stockton’s Madeline Zunino (75) qualified for NorCals as individuals. Granite Bay, led by Vanessa Richani’s 75, won the team title and are headed to NorCal Tournament along with Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills and Rocklin. Like us on Facebook
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Undefeated against the Sac-Joaquin Section in 2015, Oak Ridge charges full-speed into the postseason
SJS PLAYOFFS AT A GLANCE Here’s a look at teams to watch among the top four divisions. Records are through Nov. 2.
DIVISION I FAVORITE — Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (33-2, 12-0 SFL) CONTENDERS — Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (32-4, 13-0 Delta League); Pitman-Turlock (24-6, 9-0 Central California Conference); Lincoln-Stockton (27-7, 9-1 Tri-City Conference). DARK HORSE — Granite Bay (27-10, 8-4 SFL)
DIVISION Ii
Elizabeth Cameron
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onfidence has not been a problem all season for the Oak Ridge High girls volleyball team. Before the Trojans even played a single set under the direction of new coach Patrick Sanders, they had aspirations of a Sac-Joaquin Section title and a run at a state crown. Now, after a 33-2 regular season in which the Trojans were undefeated against section foes — their only losses were to Notre Dame-Belmont and nationallyranked Archbishop Mitty-San Jose — the confidence has grown along with the impressive resume. “State is still the ultimate goal,” said senior outside hitter and three-year letter winner Olivia Reid. “Every play, every day is our motto.” In the most recent days, Oak Ridge tuned up for postseason play with a challenging schedule. First, the Trojans travelled to Rocklin to play for the Sierra Foothill League title against the defending SJS Division II-champion Thunder. The Trojans eked out a 16-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-15, 17-15 marathon match that was as thrilling as it was exhausting for participants and fans. Just two days later, they participated in the St. Francis Super 8 Tournament and posted a perfect 5-0 mark to claim the title. Vanquished opponents included Campolindo-Moraga, Whitney-Rocklin, Christian Brothers-Sacramento and Branson-Ross. Finally, they closed out the regular season with a 3-0 sweep of 2014 SFL co-champion Granite Bay. “I think the competition leading up to the playoffs will be very helpful,” Reid added. “It pushes us to get better when we play against tough defenses and quicker offenses.” Play is likely to get tougher with Division I foes that are peaking for the playoffs, but the Trojans believe that they have the talent and experience to capture the program’s first SJS championship since 2009. In addition to Reid, seniors Elizabeth Cameron (setter), Megan Priest (libero/defensive specialist) and Emma Flewell (middle blocker) have provided leadership and a transitional bridge for Sanders, whose family had just added young twins after he’d coached Vista del Lago-Folsom to back-to-back SJS Div. III titles in 2010 and 2011. Juniors Cameryn Collie and Hailey Maniglia and sophomore Emily Gillingham have also contributed on the court and give the Trojans the depth they need to advance far into the postseason. ✪ — Jim McCue, Senior Contributor. Photos by James K. Leash
FAVORITE — Rocklin (28-7, 10-2 SFL). The Thunder would be contenders in Division I, but will instead be significant favorites to win a third consecutive Div. II title. Senior OH Maddie Haynes (team-high 332 kills) and setter Megan McBroome (691 assists) are mainstays from the previous two title runs, and they have support from senior MH Julianne Miller (194 kills, 86 blocks) and sophomore OH Abby Marjama (243 kills, 25 blocks). Head coach Dave Muscarella has the depth and experience to claim his fourth SJS crown. CONTENDERS — Gregori-Modesto (23-5, 12-0 Modesto Metro Conference); Rodriguez-Fairfield (20-4, 14-0 Monticello Empire League); Bella VistaFair Oaks (21-7, 11-3 Capital Valley Conference) DARK HORSE — Roseville (18-7, 10-4 CVC)
DIVISION III FAVORITE — El Dorado-Placerville (26-6, 10-0 Sierra Valley Conference). Outside hitter Kylie Haverson leads a talented trio of senior hitters with a team-best 234 kills. Middle hitter Makayla Hoyt added 194 kills and 127 blocks while S/RS Serena Franz contributed 131 kills and 299 assists. Junior S/ RS Greta Gavin posted 246 assists and 43 aces while splitting offensive distributions with Franz. The Cougars own eight Div. II championships, but have not won a section title since 1998. CONTENDERS — Benicia (21-10, 14-1 Solano County Athletic Conference); Vista del Lago-Folsom (19-6, 9-1 Capital Athletic League); Christian BrothersSacramento (18-10, CAL). DARK HORSE — Vanden-Fairfield (16-6, 13-2 Solano County Athletic Conference)
DIVISION IV FAVORITE — Hilmar (32-6, 11-0 Trans Valley League). The Yellowjackets have been Div. IV runners-up each of the last two years, but senior OH Emily Baptista hopes to claim the program’s first-ever SJS championship. Baptista has led the section in kills each of the last two years, and her 472 kills in 2015 upped her career total to 2,383. Sophomore setter Hannah Pearce has recorded 859 assists thus far and would love to help the team’s senior leader capture the elusive SJS title. CONTENDERS — Sonora (27-3, 12-0 Mother Lode League); Bear RiverGrass Valley (36-3, 10-0 Pioneer Valley League); Calaveras (27-12, 13-5 Mother Lode). DARK HORSE — Escalon (21-14, 9-2 Trans Valley)
With North Coast Section playoffs a week away, it’s time that we break out our crystal ball With the North Coast Section football playoff fields being chosen Sunday, Nov. 8, and the games beginning on Nov. 13, it’s time for an NCS Postseason primer — SportStars style. We’re digging into each of the top three divisions for teams you should keep an eye on and players you need to see. For a glance at Divisions IV and V, visit SportStarsOnline.com/RedZone on Nov. 6. Make sure that chin strap is snapped on, because here we go.
DIVISION I Well, clearly most know who the favorite is. Just some team which has won 23 straight NCS titles and will enter the Div. I field as the No. 1 team in the state and among the nation’s Top 15. We’re of course referring to De La Salle-Concord. The Spartans lost their season-opener to Trinity-Euless (Texas), but have grown more dominant as they’ve rolled through some of the top SoCal and NorCal teams. As good as the offense has been behind the senior running tandem of Antoine Custer, right, and Andrew Hernandez, the defense has been even better. The first-team defense did not allow a touchdown from Sept .11 to Oct. 30, five games in which they allowed just 12 points. Here’s a look at the rest of the field: CONTENDERS: Foothill-Pleasanton, Antioch and Pittsburg. Both Foothill and Antioch entered the final week of the regular season at 9-0. Pittsburg was 8-1 and preparing to host Antioch. These three
teams stand to fill out the top four seeds and are more than capable of reaching the semifinals. DARK HORSE: California-San Ramon. The Grizzlies are just big, physical and gritty enough to be a very tough out. They also have leaders who have been in tough postseason battles before. Their key is to avoid any big injuries during their regular season finale against De La Salle. PLAYER TO WATCH: Najee Harris, RB, Antioch. The Alabama-commit has been the most electric player in the East Bay all season. He’s rushed for nearly 2,000 yards through nine games and has scored 220 points. If he stays healthy, Antioch will be very tough. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: De La Salle over Foothill
DIVISION II Much like Division I, this division’s favorite appears head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Clayton Valley Charter-Concord has been on cruise control since beating Monte Vista-Danville 21-17 on Oct. 2. The Eagles have been very good offensively behind senior running back Ray Jackson III (left), but their defense is the star of the show. Heikoti Vaisima, Bryce Brand, Jeffery Williams and Justin Roper play big roles in a menacing defensive front that can shut down the run and pressure opposing quarterbacks. It would be pretty shocking to not see Clayton Valley reach the final in this field. CONTENDER: Miramonte-Orinda. The Matadors are probably the team with the best shot at pushing Clayton Valley in a final, but things look a lot shakier for them after losing 37-0 to rival Campolindo-Moraga (the Division III favorite) and having 1,000-yard receiver Sutter Lindberg go down to injury. DARK HORSE: Granada-Livermore. There’s a good chance that these Matadors make the field with a record of 4-6, but all six of their losses came against Division I teams, five from the East Bay Athletic League. Three of those EBAL losses (to Amador Valley-Pleasanton, California and Monte Vista-Danville) were by 10 points or less. PLAYER TO WATCH: Bryce Brand, DL, Clayton Valley — The junior transfer from Michigan has been every bit as good as advertised. He has 38 tackles and leads the team with six sacks. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Clayton Valley over Miramonte
DIVISION III In our preview of the 2014 playoffs, we were praising Division III as the deepest and toughest division of them all. That’s not the case this year as a handful of the programs which made the division so strong are now in different divisions. Both Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa and Marin Catholic-Kentfield and their combined 20 NCS titles are both back in Division IV after choosing not to petition up a division this season. Pinole Valley, which also would’ve been tough in this division, chose to petition up to Division II for 2015. That leaves a much weaker field to chase after defending CIF Div. III State Bowl champions, Campolindo. The Cougars have looked very good in building an 8-1 record heading into November. First-year QB Jake Westphal is growing into the role, and the three-headed RB committee has become very potent, including Jack Cassidy, right. Also, don’t sleep on the Campolindo defense — which recently shut out a Miramonte team that had been averaging 45 points a game. CONTENDERS: Analy-Sebastopol and Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park. Analy entered November with a perfect 9-0 record and cruising behind its high-scoring offensive attack led by junior QB Jack Newman. In Newman’s first year behind center he’s thrown for 35 TDs and just three interceptions. The Tigers are likely to be the No. 2 seed and will be aiming for a rematch against Campolindo, which defeated them 62-46 in the Div. III semifinals a year ago. Rancho Cotate was 6-3 heading into its regular season finale. DARK HORSE: El Cerrito. Something tells us the Gauchos could create a little havoc if they get the right draw. The team went 3-1 in October with wins over Salesian-Richmond and Pinole Valley. PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Taylor-Yamanoha, WR, Rancho Cotate. The Louisville-bound receiving talent is closing in on a 1,000-yard season and has caught 16 TDs through his first nine games. He also has three rushing TDs. On defense, he leads the team with six interceptions. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Campolindo over Analy
Between The Tackles Football notes and rankings after Week 9
Records are through Oct. 31 1. (1)
— De La Salle-Concord........8-1
2. (2)
— Folsom..............................9-0
3. (3)
— Clayton Vlly Chrtr-Con.....8-1
4. (4)
— Elk Grove..........................9-0
5. (5)
— Foothill-Pleasanton...........9-0
6. (6)
— Bellarmine-San Jose........7-1
7. (7)
— Grant-Sacramento............8-1
8. (8)
— St. Francis-Mntn View......7-1
9. (9)
— Antioch..............................9-0
10. (14) ▲ Valley Christian-SJ...........7-1 11. (11) — Pittsburg...........................8-1 12. (12) — Cent. Catholic-Modesto....9-0 13. (13) — Oak Ridge-El Drdo Hills...8-2 14. (10) ▼ Archbishop Riordan-S.F....6-1 15. (17) ▲ Napa.................................9-0 16. (19) ▲ Oakdale............................9-0 17. (20) ▼ Campolindo-Moraga.........8-1 18 (NR) ▲ Antelope...........................9-0 19. (15) ▼ Serra-San Mateo..............4-5 20. (NR) ▲ Milpitas.............................6-2 DROPPED OUT: No. 16 Monte Vista-Danville and No. 18 Miramonte-Orinda 5 TEAMS KNOCKING (alphabetically): Analy-Sebastopol (9-0), Marin CatholicKentfield (8-1), Palma-Salinas (7-1), Rocklin (6-3) and Sacramento (8-1).
At the start of the 2015 season, the Grant Pacers were a favorite to challenge defending CIF State champion Folsom in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. Head coach Mike Alberghini was returning several key players from the 2014 SJS Division II championship team that faced Folsom in the NorCal Division I final. The Pacers were rolling along at 4-0 before Elk Grove delivered a sobering wake-up call in Week Five with a 42-7 shellacking of Grant. That loss appeared to have possibly knocked the Pacers off of their game. That looked especially true on Oct. 23 when Grant escaped with a narrow 21-20 victory over Sheldon-Sacramento, only after David Moala blocked a last-second Huskies’ field goal attempt to preserve the win. Senior DeShawn Collins, however, did not get down after the loss to Elk Grove. The powerful running back got busy doing what he does best: running over and past opponents and into the end zone. After averaging nearly 190 yards per game and scoring nine touchdowns as the Pacers started the season 4-0, Collins was held to just 61 yards on 17 carries against the Thundering Herd defense in Week 5. In four games since the loss, he has carried the ball 80 times for 989 yards and 15 TDs capped by a 372-yard, six-TD outburst in Grant’s 73-35 rout of Davis on Oct. 30. For the season, Collins has 1,444 yards and 24 touchdowns. Grant hosts Jesuit-Carmichael in the regular season finale on Nov. 6 before focusing on a daunting SJS Div. I playoff field which could include Folsom and Elk Grove. CAPITAL VALLEY CRUNCH: The top of the Capital Valley Conference is crowded with tough programs that have contended for SJS titles in recent years. Cosumnes Oaks-Elk Grove kept its playoff hopes alive in Week 9 with a 35-32 win over Whitney-Rocklin. The Wolfpack (6-3, 4-2 CVC) moved into a third-place tie with Whitney, but gained the tiebreaker with the close victory over the Wildcats. Senior quarterback Maurice Hayden, Jr. put up solid numbers — 19 of 25 passing for 210 yards and 3 TDs — to outduel one of the section’s top QBs heading into the game. Whitney’s Hunter Rodrigues, the SJS leader with 331.4 yards per game and second in the section with 40 TDs, connected for just two scores and threw a pair of interceptions. Rodrigues was 39 of 53 for 401 yards, but his two TDs were a season low and the two INTs tied a season high.
Dante Davis of Cosumnes Oaks
Cosumnes Oaks running back Dante Davis rushed for 114 yards and two TDs, and added a 17-yard TD reception to account for 18 points of offense. With last week’s rushing total, the senior eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Davis now has 1,008 yards rushing and 16 of the Wolfpack’s 29 running scores. With a 4-2 league record, Cosumnes Oaks is in the No. 3 slot in the Capital Valley Conference, which could earn the extra playoff spot for the thirdplace team to get the Wolfpack into the postseason. Cosumnes Oaks closes out the regular season at home against Ponderosa (1-5 in CVC play) while Whitney plays its finale at undefeated Antelope (90, 6-0 CVC). QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Leave it to the Yalebound two-way lineman to quote former U.S. President Ronald Reagan following a big victory. That’s what Campolindo-Moraga’s Sterling Strother did after the Cougars shocked more than a few people with their 37-0 shutout of previously-undefeated rival Miramonte-Orinda. “A quote we’ve been looking at all week is from Ronald Reagan. It’s ‘If you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat,’” Strother said with a smile, referring to the many who thought that the DFAL would go through Miramonte in 2015 — despite the fact that Campolindo hadn’t lost a league game since 2010. ✪ — Jim McCue and Chace Bryson
TURKEY, TO Cali Bowl set for its 8th annual youth football event with accompanying toy drive Thanksgiving weekend and football have been an American tradition for decades and the 8th Annual California Bowl brings that tradition alive for youth football players in Placer Valley. With teams expected from Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Ohio and of course, California, these young players are taking full advantage of the long weekend to play some serious football in the top youth football tournament on the West Coast. A2K Sports and Entertainment and Placer Valley Tourism are teaming up again to bring this exciting event back this Nov. 2729 at Woodcreek High School in Roseville, where youth football players from 5 to 15-years-old will be channeling their favorite NFL stars in hopes of bringing home the 6-foot trophy. Win or lose, Cali Bowl makes it fun for everyone with play-byplay announcers and live streaming of the games. “The players, the parents, the coaches and spectators really love the play by play announcing as it adds a real element of
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excitement to the games,” said Tournament Director B rent Gray. “What makes our event different from other events is that we are the only youth event in the country that live streams their games on the internet,” Gray added. “We contract with Live Play Sports in SoCal, and when I tell you it’s ESPN quality you need to believe me.” Even though football is the main attraction, A2K Sports and Entertainment takes it a step further with its commitment to community service. “We realize that for some kids the holidays are not as cheerful, so A2K Sports would love to help in that area by having a Toys for Tots drive,” explained Gray. “We would love for the local community to come by and donate a gift to a youth or family in need; it can make all the difference at this time of year.” It’s not too late to register your team for this amazing event. You can find all the details on Cali Bowl and the Toys for Tots drive atcalibowl.com. Let’s get ready for some football!
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OYS & TOURNAMENTS
Remember the Titan Holiday Classic The steady dribble of the ball hitting the hardwood, the swishing of the net and the roar of the crowd set the scene for the 7th Annual Titan Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament taking place at Antelope High on Dec 10-12. This tournament does much more than promise great basketball, it delivers with eight highly competitive programs participating. Antelope, Bella Vista-Fair Oaks, Davis, Kennedy-Sacramento and Woodcreek are the local high school teams that have secured a spot. Out of the Bay Area, the impressive and always competitive teams from College Park-Pleasant Hill and St. Mary’s-Berkeley will bring their A games. Last but certainly not least is Tenison Woods University High School from Australia, which will travel more than 8,000 miles to compete in this popular and well-respected tournament. Antelope coach Rob Richards says Tenison Woods competes every other year as they have to fundraise to cover their expenses. The Titan players and coaches host the team and it really has become a wonderful experience for everyone involved. “The quality of basketball is truly top-notch and we also have Access Local TV broadcaster Will James covering the Friday games, which makes it very exciting for the players and parents,” added Richards. Not only is the Titan Holiday Classic one of the best high school basketball tournaments in NorCal but it also provides a chance to see future NCAA stars in action. Kai Tease and Jordan Brown will add an element of excitement. Tease, a point guard from Antelope High, just signed with Howard University and Brown, a 6-foot-9 sophomore for Woodcreek, is ranked in the top 3 nationally for 2018 prospects. The action all takes place at Antelope High, located at 7801 Titan Drive in Antelope. ✪ —All copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism
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Hollister Hills celebrates four decades of providing adventures off the beaten path
I
f you ride an ATV or dirt bike, or would like to ride one someday, think about the sport today with its state-of-the-art riding gear and various types of offhighway vehicles to operate on innovative trail and track designs. Today, riding an off-highway vehicle (OHV) is a common and well-established form of recreation. It’s a great way to break away from computer games and join the motorized world of fun to explore the outdoors with your family. Off-highway vehicle (OHV) operation has come a long way in the last 40 years. As technology provided for the mass production of OHVs, the popularity of dirt bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles grew exponentially. With the growing popularity of this form of recreation, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division was established in 1971 to provide public lands for OHV recreation and to manage the sport in order to protect natural and cultural resources so future generations could enjoy California’s spectacular landscape. Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) in San Benito County opened in 1975 as the first State Park dedicated to off-highway vehicle recreation. With the opening of Hollister Hills SVRA, a new era began of managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California and subsequently throughout the nation. On October 10, Hollister Hills celebrated its 40-year anniversary as a State Park with a grand celebration. The day was filled with special activities and guest speakers for park visitors to learn, discover and appreciate the beauty and history of Hollister Hills. Among the speakers at the Commemoration Ceremony was the Off-Highway
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Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division Deputy Director Chris Conlin. Assembly Member Luis Alejo and State Senator Anthony Canella presented a California Legislature Assembly Resolution that commended Hollister Hills SVRA for providing outstanding recreational opportunities and visitor services for the past 40 years. The new Octagon Discovery Center premiered at the event with exhibits showcasing the park’s history as well as the abundant natural and cultural resources. Park staff offered hands-on Junior Ranger programs and a guided interpretive walk in the Nature Area. Other interactive programs featured the ATV safety simulator for participants to learn active riding skills and remote control Jeeps for young operators to practice their skills driving on an obstacle course while following trail etiquette. Other popular activities were free poker runs using off-highway vehicles in the Upper and Lower Ranches with a plethora of prizes donated by the Hollister Hills Off-Road Association, vendors and other organizations. Another highlight was the demonstration fly-in of a CALSTAR helicopter. The success of the event was truly the result of team effort with volunteers, clubs, associations, the community and park visitors all working together to make Hollister Hills SVRA a fantastic resource to fuel family fun and be enjoyable for all park visitors. The Hollister Hills staff invites you to join them in 10 years to celebrate their 50th anniversary! Hollister Hills SVRA is located at 7800 Cienaga Road in Hollister. ✪ —Richard Munoz and Donna McGuire for Cal State Parks
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training by trucks: anthony trucks
Everyone’s Greatest Obstacle
I have spent the last 12 years of my life in the health and fitness industries, whether it was playing professional sports in the NFL, being a professional trainer, owning and operating a gym or consulting for billion dollar companies in health and ergonomics. Although each area has different factors affecting it in the realm of physical demands for the individuals involved, there is one constant: They are all looking to physically improve in some way or another. Conversely, they all encounter the same obstacle as well — their EGO (Everyone’s Greatest Obstacle). This concept can honestly be applied to anyone’s life, but for this article I want to apply it directly to the weightlifter in all of us. Have you ever walked into a high school weight room and witnessed some of the poorest form and technique you had ever seen? Or have you gone to the place where it’s even more prevalent: the public gym. These places are breeding grounds for egos that are quite literally standing in the way of someone getting better. It usually goes like this: A person walks into the weight room and sees everyone around them. He doesn’t want to look weak or incapable of lifting a lot of weight, so he stacks on more plates than a Denny’s sink after Sunday church. He gets ready to lift and boom, he moves the weight through a quarter of the range that he should, and then starts to writhe under the bar like he’s having a seizure. The weight is so much that they can’t even complete a good rep. This not only hurts their body — because the joints aren’t prepared for it — but it crushes their nervous system. Now they wont even be able to get in a good lift or possibly even have a good workout because their body will begin to shut down early and fatigue quickly. The problem lies deeper though. In order to really maximize your ability to gain great strength or size, you need to be able to complete clean full-range lifts. When you complete full-range lifts you allow the body to use the entire muscle fiber. It increases the body’s chance to grow the muscle fiber needed to increase the muscular size and strength. Imagine everyone’s favorite lift, the bench press. I watch people at the gym every day hop on the bench press, load up the weight on the bar and then proceed to bend their elbows and lower the bar as little as 6-8 inches before pressing it back up thinking they’ve completed a quality rep. When I attended the 2006 NFL combine in Indianapolis I was tested on the bench press for reps of 225 pounds. The two most important rules were to lock your arms out and touch your chest, or the rep wouldn’t count. So how did everyone fall so far off track? The EGO. People would rather stack more weight on the bar and look strong instead of lowering the weight to actually get strong. The better reps you can perform, the better gains you’ll have. So the next time you walk into the weight room, drop the EGO and don’t worry about what everyone else thinks of the weights you put on the bar. Just worry about whether you can successfully move them. ✪ Anthony Trucks is an IYCA-certified trainer who covers weight training for SportStars.
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The many colored feet of the Liberty Ranch-Galt boys soccer team as it lined up prior to its late October match against Cordova-Rancho Cordova. Photo by JAMES K. LEASH