PREP FOOTBALL 2016: It’s down to stretch runs for playoff positions

The race is definitely on for area high school football teams. It is not a race for league championships, but for Petaluma and Casa Grande it is definitely a race for North Coast Section playoff berths.

Petaluma will play at home Friday night against El Molino in the game that will probably determine second place in the Sonoma County League. Casa Grande, for the first time all season, may be favored as it plays at Montgomery. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m., preceded by junior varsity games at 5 p.m. St. Vincent continues its difficult quest for a North Central League I win Friday night at Kelseyville, also with 5 and 7:30 p.m. starts.

Surprise Lions

Petaluma faces perhaps the toughest game remaining on its schedule when it hosts El Molino’s surprising Lions. The Trojans (4-3 overall) are 3-1 in SCL play, while El Molino (4-3) visits with a 3-0 league mark. However, El Molino has yet to play Analy, the team that handed Petaluma its only league loss. That game happens next week, but to get to the Tigers undefeated, the Lions must go through Petaluma.

It won’t be easy for either side.

Both teams are coming off dominating wins. El Molino rolled over winless Elsie Allen, 47-18, while Petaluma took care of business at Healdsburg, 53-0.

Petaluma’s defense, coming off three straight shutouts over Sonoma Valley (21-0), Piner (28-0) and Healdsburg, will get a more severe test this week as El Molino features one of the best pitch-catch combos this side of Analy in quarterback Avery Ransome and receiver Jack Fricker.

Petaluma’s smothering defense has built on the foundation of gang tackling, getting players to the ball carriers and making stops when they arrive. Among the many who have contributed have been defensive back Dominic Christobal, who has been outstanding against both pass and run; linebackers Mitchel Baker and Dominic Ayers; and tackle Nick Dooley.

Banged up Gauchos

If they were healthy, Casa Grande’s Gauchos, despite their 1-6 record, would be favored as they play one of their longest-standing rivals at Montgomery High in Santa Rosa. But the Gauchos are not healthy, with as many as six starters injured, and most not expected to be available Friday.

Despite the injuries, the Gauchos beat Maria Carrillo, 36-33, in overtime for their first North Bay League win last week.

It has been a tough season for Montgomery’s Vikings, who won three non-league games, but haven’t had a win since league play began, and replaced their coach. But the Vikings did contain Maria Carrillo, holding the Pumas to 12 points in a loss. Last week, Maria Carrillo scored 33 against the Gauchos.

Despite losing records, both teams still have playoffs hopes, but both face almost must-win situations Friday night.

As they seemingly have in every game, the Gauchos will face another extraordinary quarterback. Senior Brice Burrougs, the Viking leader, has 48 completions in 90 attempts for 647 yards and seven touchdowns through the Vikings’ first five games. Montgomery has passed for 921 yards, while rushing for 528 with Mackenzie Volkmuth and Trae Anaya the leading ball carriers.

Casa Grande’s three leading ball carriers are doubtful for this week, but in last week’s overtime win, Brandon Cota and Brian Kolodin stepped up big-time.

It doesn’t get easier

St. Vincent tries again for that elusive first North Central League I win, and, again it is no easy task.

Kelseyville’s Indians wait for the Mustangs with a 5-2 record and a 3-2 league mark that puts them in a tie with St. Helena for third place behind unbeaten league power Middletown and Fort Bragg. This will be St. Vincent’s seventh try at a league win following a season-starting non-league victory over Elsie Allen.

Although Kelseyville has a very competent quarterback in Logan Barrick, the Indians are predominantly a running team. So far this season, they have rushed for 1,659 yards, averaging 273.2 a game.

Running back Dwayne Yiggins has 675 yards, averaging 7.2 per carry.

It will present another tough test for St. Vincent’s outstanding linemen Brian Giron and Nick Murphy, who have been mainstays against the NCL I power teams all season.