As the high school football playoffs approach, local teams in the Times-Herald coverage area are set for an exciting showdown this Friday, November 10, 2023. Vallejo, St. Patrick-St. Vincent, Benicia, and American Canyon high schools have all demonstrated strong performance throughout the season, culminating in a combined regular season record of 34 wins and 16 losses, excluding the newly formed ELITE program. With all four teams competing at 7 p.m. simultaneously, fans face a tough decision on which game to attend.
Key Matchups This Friday
Vallejo High and St. Patrick-St. Vincent High both earned home games in Division 7 playoffs. Vallejo, ranked No. 4, will host Concord at Corbus Field. The Redhawks have had a successful season with a record of 7-3, including three wins in their last four matches. Their home record stands at an impressive 5-1.
St. Patrick-St. Vincent, the No. 7 seed, will also play at home against Piedmont, the No. 2 seed. Despite the Bruins’ lower seed, they secured a home game due to winning their league title. Historically, this has been a contentious rule for St. Pat’s, which has faced similar challenges in other sports. This season, the Bruins boast a solid 4-1 home record and will seek to continue their momentum against Piedmont, who enters the game with a 6-4 record and a four-game winning streak.
If both Vallejo and St. Pat’s advance through their initial games, they could face each other in the Division 7 championship at Corbus Field in three weeks. However, before that, each team must navigate the challenges of the playoffs.
Other Local Highlights
Benicia High will host Redwood at 7 p.m. in Division IV playoffs. The Panthers have turned their season around, winning six of their last seven games after starting 0-3. Key players include running backs Anthony Jordan and Thomas Jouvenot-Sells, who each scored two touchdowns in their previous game.
American Canyon High, the No. 6 seed in Division II, is looking to defend its championship title. They will play at home against California after finishing the season with a strong 9-1 record and an eight-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was a close 22-13 win over Redwood, making them a formidable opponent in the playoffs.
In addition to football, local sports fans can enjoy a volleyball match on Wednesday at Solano College, where head coach Darla Williams will celebrate her 600th career victory. The Falcons will face Mendocino, and it is anticipated that Williams will receive recognition for her milestone accomplishment.
Meanwhile, the Solano College men’s basketball team will take on Sacramento on Thursday at 6 p.m., while the women’s team is scheduled to play on November 20. The Cal Maritime men’s basketball team remains undefeated at 3-0, but all their games this week are away, beginning with a match against Bethesda.
Upcoming College and Professional Games
In college football, both California and Stanford have a bye week before their rivalry game, known as the “Big Game,” on November 22. San Jose State will visit Nevada on Saturday with a kickoff set for 12:30 p.m., while Sacramento State plays Idaho at home later that evening.
Notable non-local college games include Louisville hosting Clemson and Oregon taking on Minnesota on Friday night. Saturday’s action features top-ranked teams such as No. 2 Indiana facing Wisconsin and a high-stakes matchup between No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 4 Alabama.
In the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a challenging loss against the Los Angeles Rams last week, which leaves them needing to regroup as they head into a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the Rams will face the Seattle Seahawks, marking another crucial game in the competitive NFC West division.
Fans can also look forward to a thrilling Thursday night matchup between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. The Patriots appear to be regaining their form and are expected to improve to 9-2 with a win.
In hockey, the San Jose Sharks are generating excitement with recent victories. They will be on the road against Minnesota, Calgary, and Seattle later this week. Key matchups in the NHL include an Original Six encounter between Toronto and Boston.
As the sports landscape heats up this week, local fans have plenty to look forward to with high school playoffs, college games, and professional matchups across multiple leagues. Whether attending games or watching from home, the upcoming days promise thrilling athletic competition.
