DFAL Sideline Pass: Crunching Numbers Around the League

Breaking down some numbers three weeks into play

6 – The number of points the Acalanes defense has allowed through three games. This week's opponent, Healdsburg (3-0), is averaging 38 points per game.

82 – Miles Alhambra will travel to take on El Molino (3-0) this Friday, in the small Redwood Empire town of Forestville.

9 – Combined touchdowns through the air and on the ground from Campolindo's quarterback tandem of Nick Zolintakis and Brett Stephens. 

19 – Number of Dougherty Valley's senior players from the 2010 class, which was the first to enter as freshman.

7 and 2 – The win/loss record of Dublin's first three opponents this season.  The Gaels will be searching for their first win this week at home against Sonoma Valley (1-2).

9 – The number of sophomores listed on the Las Lomas roster, including starters Jackson Miller (QB), Derrick Stom (OL/DL) and Nick Abramson (LB).  The Las Lomas youth movement has a big test this week against Walnut Creek-rival Northgate.

34 – The number of points scored by Miramonte WR/K Anthony Piganelli, including three touchdown receptions and 16 PAT's.

In the trenches: Even in Las Lomas' 28-7 loss to College Park, two-way linemen Brandon Markey and Mitch Frentescu performed well. The tandem rarely left the field, manning the tackle spots on offense and defense.  If the Knights hope to contend in the league, they will be counting on this pair to make stops on defense and open up holes for the running game.

They Said It: "We talked all week about how bad it felt losing to them last year. We wanted revenge, and we got it." — Campolindo receiver Andrew Ahr, on his team's Friday night win over El Cerrito, after losing 30-28 to the Gauchos in '09.

Quarterback efficiency:  Acalanes quarterback Mike Leamy doesn't get a lot of passing chances in the double-wing offense, but when he does, he makes the most of them. The senior connected on five of his six passes, for 156 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard strike to wide receiver Trent Baker early in the fourth quarter.

Thoughts from the Sports Editor: Sports Editor Kyle Bonagura checked in on last week's showdown between up-and-comers Northgate and Dougherty Valley. Even in the loss, Bonagura sees good things on the horizon for DV.  "Dougherty Valley is starting to turn the corner," he said.  "It didn't show in Friday's game against Northgate, but as the school continues to have higher enrollment numbers, the foundation is there for what could be a very good high school football program."

Iron-Man Award:  WR/DB Andrew Ahr, Campolindo, returned from an injury, and picked up right where he left off last season. The senior caught six passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, and intercepted two passes on defense in the Cougars' win over El Cerrito.  "His performance (on the field) spoke for itself," Campolindo head coach Kevin Macy said. "But on the sidelines, with his passion, he inspired the other kids, so that was nice to see."

Crosstown Showdown: This year's "Battle of the Creek" between Northgate and Las Lomas could be one of the most evenly played match-ups in the last decade. Northgate is riding high at 3-0, while Las Lomas comes in at 1-2.  The game features two of the top running backs in the East Bay, with Cameron Stover (Northgate) and Marquis Waters (Las Lomas), who is battling an ankle injury. The last Northgate victory over Las Lomas was in 2001 — since then, Las Lomas has outscored the Broncos 403-38 in eight straight victories.  

Also see: Acalanes' game on the road at Healdsburg (3-0). This should be a hard-hitting affair, at one of my favorite places to catch a high school football game in the North Bay.

Alumni Watch:  Former Campolindo standout Jackson Rice was named the Pac-10 Special Teams player of the week for his punting efforts for the Oregon Ducks, in his team's week 2 win at Tennessee.  The sophomore punter dropped all four of his punts inside the 20-yard line in the victory.

A Perfect Season: Thanks to reader Melissa Coupin for sending along the picture of the 2003 Viking's squad that finished with an undefeated record in the MOL flag football league.  The team featured current DFAL-standouts Ross Dolbec and John Coupin (Miramonte), Trent Baker (Acalanes) and Nick Zolintakis (Campolindo).  Before they were rivals, they were teammates.

Parting Shot: High praise to members of the College Park team, including quarterback Taylor Valdez and wide receiver Kevin Alston, who encouraged Las Lomas running back Marquis Waters after the game.  Waters was hobbled by an ankle injury, and quite a few Falcons took extra time with him as the two teams left the field — true sportsmanship.

Parting Shot II: Feel free to e-mail me at mannion.jim@gmail.com with anyone playing at the college or junior college level whom we should be following, or if you have thoughts on the season.

Kyle Bonagura and Jordan Conn contributed to this report.

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