As the Marin high school football season approaches its final weeks, several teams face critical matchups that could shape their playoff prospects. Currently, the only team from the Redwood Empire Conference in first place is Marin Catholic (MC), which stands at 2-0 in the Adobe League. However, three teams with one league loss each have the potential to alter the standings significantly with victories this week.
Marin Catholic, with a record of 3-4 overall, will host Rancho Cotate (4-3) on Friday, October 6, at 19:00 in Kentfield. Last week, MC achieved a decisive 31-0 shutout against Vintage. In the previous encounter with Rancho Cotate, the Wildcats also secured a win, dominating the game with a 30-0 score after jumping to a 28-0 lead by halftime. This season, MC’s running back, Jarred Geissberger, has already scored a touchdown, and the team managed to earn two special teams scores, showcasing their diverse offensive capabilities.
Next week, MC will face off against Cardinal Newman (6-1, 2-0), which is currently ranked fourth in the North Coast Section (NCS). This matchup is expected to be pivotal, as both teams vie for the top position in the league.
In another exciting matchup, San Marin (6-1, 1-1) hosts Cardinal Newman on Friday at 19:00. San Marin is looking for redemption after suffering a 34-3 loss to the Cardinals last season. The Mustangs need a win to stay competitive in the league, especially after a recent 31-13 defeat to Marin Catholic. Cardinal Newman’s quarterback, Carmine Guevara, has guided the team to six consecutive victories, primarily relying on a strong ground game led by running back Pathoumnourack Malakai, who has accumulated 781 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Redwood (4-4, 2-1) will face Justin-Siena (0-7, 0-4) on Friday at 19:00 in Napa. Justin-Siena has struggled this season, dealing with injuries that led to the forfeiture of their last two games. The Braves have scored only 31 points in five matches, while allowing an average of over 44 points per game. Redwood, seeking playoff eligibility, will need to secure a win to solidify their standing.
On Saturday, October 7, Branson (3-4, 1-1) will take on Cornerstone Christian (4-3, 1-1) at 13:00 in Antioch. Branson is coming off a tough 53-34 loss to Priory and must win their next two games to maintain title hopes. The Bulls’ offense has averaged 36 points per game, heavily relying on the performances of quarterback Colby Buxton and wide receivers Spencer Weinberg and Treyvor Matthews.
Casa Grande (3-4, 2-0) will visit Tam (2-5, 2-1) on Saturday at 14:00 in Mill Valley. Casa Grande is coming off an unexpected bye week, while Tam has shown resilience, previously defeating Redwood 7-2. A win for Tam would reinvigorate their title aspirations, although they would require support from other teams to challenge first-place American Canyon.
San Rafael (5-2, 2-1) will compete against Novato (3-4, 1-2) on Saturday at 14:00. Last year’s game ended with a narrow 23-14 victory for San Rafael, who has been strong in the second half of games this season. With the Bulldogs now playoff eligible, they aim to replicate last year’s success against Novato.
Piner (1-6, 0-2) faces Terra Linda (1-6, 1-2) on Saturday at 14:00. After achieving their first win of the season against Healdsburg, the Trojans are looking to build momentum. Piner has experienced a challenging season, struggling to score and defend effectively.
Lastly, Sonoma Valley (6-1, 2-0) will challenge Archie Williams (4-3, 2-1) on Saturday at 14:00 in San Anselmo. Archie Williams aims to reverse a previous 35-0 loss against Sonoma Valley, needing a strong defensive performance to contend with their opponents.
With several teams vying for playoff positions, Week 8 of Marin high school football promises to be filled with competitive and impactful games that could determine the fate of the season for many.
