High school football Week 10's top matchups

Today

No. 4 Pittsburg (8-0, 3-0) at No. 17 Liberty (6-2, 3-0), 7 p.m.:

This game hasn't been an even matchup during the MaxPreps era, which dates back to 2004. Pittsburg has won 18of 20, including the last five. But the Lions are inching closer. Three of Liberty's last five defeats have been by seven or fewer points. Last year the Pirates squeaked by 31-29. Tonight's contest could decide the Bay Valley Athletic League title. Antioch still has a shot but would need help. Pittsburg is a solid favorite against the Lions, with the calpreps.com computer favoring the visitors by two touchdowns.

— Mike Lefkow

No. 9 Los Gatos (6-2, 3-0) at No. 10 Wilcox (6-2, 4-0), 7 p.m.:

Over the past five seasons, the winner of this game has finished atop their league standings. That'll be no different on Friday. The only difference is the league name. Rather than a De Anza Division championship, the winner will capture the PAL Bay title after the top teams from the De Anza and Bay merged this season. Both enter Friday's game undefeated in league play, two games clear of their closest pursuers. For Wilcox, this is a league finale. Los Gatos closes Bay Division play next week at home against Menlo-Atherton. Los Gatos has gotten it done behind senior standout Jaylen Thomas, a multi-position force who leads the Wildcats with 29 receptions for 518 yards and eight TDs. He also has intercepted three passes. Wilcox continues to excel using its veer option, an offensive scheme the Santa Clara school has relied on for decades. The Chargers have rushed for 2,424 yards and 28 TDs. QB Tyson Bonilla is the team's leading rusher with 975 yards and 11 TDs.

— Darren Sabedra

No. 18Acalanes (5-3, 4-0) at No. 19 Las Lomas (8-0, 4-0), 7 p.m.:

The winner takes over sole possession of first place in the Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division with one game to play. Acalanes has won five in a row since starting 0-3, with each win by at least 40 points. The Dons routed previously unbeaten Miramonte 42-0last week to remain perfect in league play. Sully Bailey threw four TDs. Las Lomas kept its perfect record alive by surviving a 45-42thriller against Campolindo, its fourth win by one possession. Los Lomas QB Dylan Thomas threw for four TDs, with Ryan Mercado getting 204 receiving yards and three TDs. — Joseph Dycus

Bishop O'Dowd (5-3, 3-0) at Logan (4-4, 3-0), 7 p.m.:

Two hot teams clash in this one. Logan has won four in a row, Bishop O'Dowd three straight. For Logan, this game has a must-win feel. To have a shot at making the North Coast Section Division I playoffs, the Colts will need to capture the MVAL/ WACC Foothill title. Otherwise, the season will likely be over even if Logan beats Moreau Catholic the following week and finishes 5-5. OK, one can argue that .500 teams aren't playoff material. But as things now stand, the Colts are rated the 23rd-best team in the section by calpreps.com. A total of 56teams make the NCS playoffs in seven eight-team brackets. Does the No. 23team really deserve to be left out? This situation could arise because the NCS determines divisions before the season. Schools aren't allowed to move up or down to other divisions for the postseason. League and division winners in the NCS do receive automatic playoff berths. Bishop O'Dowd shouldn't have to worry. — Mike Lefkow

Branham (6-2, 3-0) at Silver Creek (6-2, 3-0), 7:15

p.m.: Branham will clinch the BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division title and lock up one of the league's two automatic CCS berths with a victory. Silver Creek must win tonight and possibly next week against Independence to avoid a potential three-way tie for first. Independence is a game back. Silver Creek has gained at least 200rushing yards in six of its eight games, with senior Gabriel Lim leading the way with 441 rushing yards and seven TDs. Dominic Lim, Alijah Guzman and Alonzo Hernandez have all rushed for over 200yards as part of a balanced attack. The defense, led by DB Austin Price, has allowed seven points total in its last two games. The defense will be tested by a Branham team that has scored more than 40 points in each of its three league victories, including a 52-38win last week over Independence. Quarterback Jack Lewis threw for 156 yards and three TDs, and RB Elias Antilion had 273 yards from scrimmage and three TDs. — Joseph Dycus