Regional championship weekend is here for high school football, with twelve teams from the Bay Area News Group’s coverage area set to compete on Friday and Saturday. These teams are not only aiming to secure their spots in the state championship games next week but also looking to add to their trophy collections.
In a series of high-stakes matchups, notable games include Archbishop Riordan facing off against Folsom, Central East-Fresno taking on Pittsburg, and Serra going head-to-head with St. Mary’s-Stockton. Other exciting contests will feature Monte Vista at St. Ignatius and El Cerrito visiting Menlo-Atherton.
In the lead-up to this weekend’s games, the Bay Area News Group’s sports analysts, including Christian Babcock, Nathan Canilao, Mike Lefkow, and Darren Sabedra, shared their predictions for the ten games, each featuring at least one team they cover. Babcock holds a strong lead in the season standings, going 9-2 last week, which extends his advantage over Sabedra to five games. Meanwhile, Lefkow and Glenn Reeves trail by twelve games, with Canilao lagging behind by eighteen.
Match Predictions for Regional Championships
The following are predictions for key matchups this weekend:
– **Division 1-AA North**:
– Archbishop Riordan (12-0) at Folsom (12-1), Friday, 19:30
– Babcock: Riordan
– Canilao: Folsom
– Lefkow: Folsom
– Sabedra: Riordan
– **Division 1-AA North**:
– Central East-Fresno (11-1) at Pittsburg (11-2), Saturday, 18:00
– Babcock: Pittsburg
– Canilao: Pittsburg
– Lefkow: Pittsburg
– Sabedra: Pittsburg
– **Division 2-AA North**:
– Serra (8-5) at St. Mary’s-Stockton (11-2), Friday, 19:30
– Babcock: Serra
– Canilao: Serra
– Lefkow: Serra
– Sabedra: Serra
– **Division 3-AA North**:
– Monte Vista (8-5) at St. Ignatius (7-6), Friday, 19:00
– Babcock: St. Ignatius
– Canilao: Monte Vista
– Lefkow: St. Ignatius
– Sabedra: St. Ignatius
Additional notable games include El Cerrito at Menlo-Atherton, Bishop O’Dowd at Chico, and Miramonte at Calaveras.
Reflecting on Recent Playoff Results
As anticipation builds for the regional championships, the analysts also revisited the previous week’s playoff results. In the Central Coast Section (CCS) finals, Serra triumphed over Los Gatos with a score of 28-21. Similarly, Pittsburg showcased their prowess with a commanding 42-17 victory against Cardinal Newman.
In the North Coast Section (NCS) finals, Monte Vista secured a 24-10 win against Clayton Valley Charter, while El Cerrito emerged victorious with a 32-21 result over Ukiah.
With the regional championships on the horizon, excitement is palpable among teams and fans alike. The outcomes of these matches will determine which teams advance to the state championship games, highlighting the competitive spirit and talent present in high school football across the Bay Area.
For more insights and detailed breakdowns, fans can tune into the Bay Area News Group’s video podcast, which discusses last weekend’s section championships and previews the upcoming matchups. As the season progresses, the enthusiasm for high school football remains as vibrant as ever.
