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Welcome to the Playbook!
It is time for another week of the 2026-27 prep sports year! The Playbook will bring you inside the East Bay Athletic League, offering features, opinions, and analysis of the sports in the EBAL. I’ve been covering the EBAL for over 40 years now and will bring insight from my four decades of prep sports.
The Big Picture looks at what might be the future of football in the EBAL. With the growth of flag football, both in numbers and popularity, is flag the sport for the future in Northern California? There are some that refuse to believe it, but public perception is starting to change.
EBAL Power Rankings has new No. 1 teams in flag football and volleyball. See who has assumed the thrones for now!
What to Watch has the top games this coming week. See where and when the local teams will lock horns.
Fast Five lets you get to know Amador flag football quarterback Riley Harrington. Her favorite quote is a testament to her faith.
If you know of a great story, or have any questions, please reach out either by email at acesgolf@aol.com or by phone at 925-200-0719.
From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor
Flag football is rapidly growing – could it be the only football locally soon?
“This is what we face in Northern California. It’s not good or bad, but rather the reality we are living.”
Power Rankings as of Sept. 28.
FLAG FOOTBALL
1. Amador Valley (13-2, 6-0): The Dons score in the final seconds of the game to beat San Ramon Valley 13-12 and take over the top spot.
2. San Ramon Valley (11-4, 6-1): The Wolves recover from the loss to Amador Valley by coming back with a 52-13 win over Foothill.
3. Carondelet (10-3, 5-1): The Cougars pull out a 21-20 overtime win over California to keep pace with Amador Valley and San Ramon Valley.
4. Livermore (11-3, 4-2): The Cowboys beat Emerald and Foothill to keep their strong season going.
5. Granada (6-5, 4-2): The Matadors keep a spot in the top five with a 19-7 win over Monte Vista.
Others: California (4-6, 2-4), Monte Vista (6-9, 2-4), Dougherty Valley (7-8, 0-6), Foothill (5-8, 1-6), Dublin (3-9, 1-5).
FOOTBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (5-0): The Wolves keep destroying everything in their way, this time blasting Foothill 49-0 and have not scored less than 41 points in any game.
2. Monte Vista (5-0): The Mustangs go on the road and ease past Dublin 37-14 to stay perfect on the season.
3. California (3-2): The Grizzlies go on the road and get handed a 20-16 loss to El Cerrito.
4. Livermore (3-1): The Cowboys come back after taking a week off and edge Hayward 23-20.
5. Granada (2-3): Just a week after getting well with a win over Berkeley, the Mats fall 14-13 to Deer Valley.
Others: Foothill (2-3), Dublin (1-4), Amador Valley (1-3).
* These rankings do not include De La Salle (5-0), Dougherty Valley (4-1) or Emerald (1-3) as the Spartans play an independent schedule from the EBAL, and the Aerouants and Wildcats are not in the EBAL for football
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Monte Vista (17-3, 7-0): The Mustangs get a 3-2 win over San Ramon Valley and take the top spot in the rankings. The team is putting together a heck of a season.
2. San Ramon Valley (16-3, 6-1): The Wolves fall 3-2 to Monte Vista to start the week, then come back with a sweep of Amador Valley to end the week.
3. Foothill (14-6, 6-1): The Falcons sweep Amador and Livermore last week and have a big one with San Ramon Valley this week.
4. California (12-5, 4-3): The Grizzlies knock off Carondelet but fall to Monte Vista in EBAL play. The Grizzlies are a solid team that is stuck in a loaded league.
5. Carondelet (11-6, 3-4): The Cougars’ four losses in league have come to the four teams they are ranked behind.
Others: Granada (11-8, 4-3), Dublin (9-9, 2-5), Livermore (7-12, 0-7), Amador Valley (5-6, 2-5), Dougherty Valley (7-11, 1-6).
Today (Sept. 29)
EBAL flag football: Livermore at Amador Valley, California at Dublin, Granada at San Ramon Valley, all 7:45 p.m.
EBAL girls’ volleyball: Granada at Carondelet, Foothill at San Ramon Valley, both 6:15 p.m.
Tomorrow (Sept. 30)
EBAL girls’ volleyball: California at Carondelet, 6:15 p.m.
Thursday (Oct. 1)
EBAL flag football: Northgate at Amador Valley, 7:45 p.m.
Friday (Oct. 2)
Non-league football: Livermore at Monte Vista, De La Salle at Cathedral Catholic, Antioch at Emerald, Albany at Dougherty Valley, all 7 p.m. Granada at Amador Valley, Dublin at California, both 7 p.m. Dublin, Foothill on bye.
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Pleasanton Preps: Amador football gets off the schneid with 32 points in win over Liberty
There was a collective sigh of relief coming out of Amador Valley, as the Dons football team got both their first points and first win of the season with a 32-28 win over Liberty on Friday night.
We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. Here’s one:
Name: Riley Harrington
School and grade: Amador Valley High School, 12th grade
Sport: Flag football
Favorite streaming channel and favorite show: Netflix / “Outer Banks”
Favorite actor or actress: Will Ferrell
Favorite professional athlete: Christian McCaffrey
Favorite go-to hype song: “Intro” – Pay Gotti (rapper)
Favorite quote: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Bible, Deuteronomy 3:16).
Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.
Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.
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Listen to the music: Top high schools regale Pleasanton at 52nd Foothill Band ReviewOctober 28, 2026 8:05 am
