Powers collide in NCS Open semifinal
The two coaches — Pittsburg’s Vic Galli and San Ramon Valley-Danville’s Aaron Becker — summed up the other’s team the same way after watching film.
“They have no weaknesses,” Becker said.
Said Galli: “They do everything well.”
Both teams have displayed explosive, diverse offenses — San Ramon Valley (9-1) averages 405 yards per game (204 through the air) and Pittsburg 377 (212 on the ground) — big, effective lines, physical, airtight defenses and sound special teams.
With a victory, each team can make school history: a spot in the state tournament for the first time.
That makes Saturday’s North Coast Section Open Division semifinal game quite special. Perhaps the best to date in the Bay Area this season.
“We’ve played some good ones in the past with them, so this should be no different,” Galli said.
Said Becker: “We have a chance to go further not only in school history but (East Bay Athletic League) history also. That lends itself to a lot of excitement. Our players, our community is really looking forward to it.”
Galli was expecting a big season, but when junior quarterback Trey Turner tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason scrimmage against De La Salle-Concord — followed by a decisive 63-21 loss at Centennial-Corona (ranked fifth nationally by MaxPreps) — expectations were tempered.
Instead, 5-foot-10, 160-pound junior Justin Boyd stepped up and saved the day with a terrific season, throwing for 1,206 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception. His 18 TDs are three off the school record — the team has played since 1924 — and if the Pirates didn’t have to cancel two games because of heat and poor air quality, he would likely already have the record.
It’s helped to have his cousin A’Jae Boyd (31 catches, 622 yards, seven touchdowns) — the Bay Valley Athletic League’s Offensive Player of the Year — and Willie Harts III to throw to, along with the BVAL MVP Jacob Bandes (6-foot-3, 285) blocking for him. The Pirates (7-1) have won seven straight.
“He’s a great athlete and done a great job being thrust into that role,” Galli said of Justin Boyd. “He started at quarterback on JV’s last year and on the freshman team, so it’s not like he hasn’t been there before. But we were just planning on him playing defense and a little receiver this year. He’s a competitive kid.”
San Ramon Valley has an equally competitive player at the same position in 5-11, 185pound senior Clark Baker (1,995 yards, 29 touchdowns, five interceptions). Baker and the Wolves were just about perfect until a regular-season-ending 49-14 loss to nationally-ranked De La Salle two weeks ago.
Baker threw three pick-sixes, so the week off last week has been good. He has great targets in running back Daniel Medley (876 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) and receiver Matt Gillespie (36 catches, 750 yards, 12 TDs).
“The week off was definitely good for us,” Becker said. “We were able to regroup and refocus and get completely healthy.”
The winner gets the winner of Friday’s battle of Concord, Clayton Valley at De La Salle. Whoever makes it to the Open championship advances to the CIF Regional the following week. The season is over for both semifinal losers.
“That adds to the intensity,” Galli said. “As if there isn’t enough already.”