Games of the week
FRIDAY #1 De La Salle-Concord (8-0, 2-0 East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division) at #25 San Ramon Valley (5-3, 1-1), 7 p.m.:
The visiting Spartans seem to be peaking at just the right time, but coach Justin Alumbaugh is concerned with San Ramon Valley’s diverse offense led by Stanford-bound running back Tristan Sinclair. The Wolves lost 28-27 to De La Salle in 2016. “They always play us tough,” Alumbaugh said.
Salesian-Richmond (5-3, 3-0 Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division) at El Cerrito (5-3, 3-0), 7 p.m.:
Besides deciding the TCAL Rock title, this one should be entertaining. Salesian has won games 49-48 and 56-45 and lost 36-30. El Cerrito won one game 32-30 and lost one 34-29.
#6 Wilcox-Santa Clara (8-0, 4-0 Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division) at Milpitas (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m.:
Milpitas appears to be peaking, but a week off either helped with rest or slowed its momentum. Wilcox, one of the Bay Area’s surprises, can clinch at least a tie for the league title.
SATURDAY Balboa (4-1, 2-0 Academic Athletic Association) at Burton (5-1, 1-1):
Two rising programs have combined to outscore opponents 446-132.
Galileo (6-1, 3-0 AAA) at Lincoln (6-0, 2-0):
Great matchup of Galileo’s high-powered offense, averaging 46 points and 435 yards per game, against Lincoln’s strong, swarming defense. Don’t be surprised if the teams meet in the San Francisco Section’s championship game on Thanksgiving.
#16 Menlo-Atherton (5-2, 3-0 Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division) at #22 Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton (7-0, 2-0), 2 p.m.:
Watch out for M-A, which last week got four touchdown passes from junior quarterback Jack Alexander. SHP has outscored its past five opponents 208-44 but hasn’t faced a team quite as fast or physical as the Bears.