Today’s edition is sponsored by Park46 Real Estate.
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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 the San Ramon Valley football team. Last year the Wolves started nine sophomores and while the season was a struggle, you knew the future looked bright. Still a young team, the Wolves are taking care of business in the first half of this season.
EBAL Power Rankings sees no changes at the top but there is some movement underneath, especially in volleyball. Also, a new team joins the top five in football.
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 Valley football player, freshman Michael Harrington. His favorite athlete is one of my all-time favorites.
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
Resurgent San Ramon Valley football readies for stacked schedule in second half of season
Last year when the San Ramon Valley football team battled through a 6-5 season while starting nine sophomores, you knew good things were looming on the horizon for the Wolves.
Power Rankings as of Oct. 5.
FOOTBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (5-0): The Wolves had a bye last week and are ready for the second half of the season. See some insight on the team in the Big Picture this week.
2. Monte Vista (6-0): The Mustangs keep the ball rolling with a 47-7 smackdown of Livermore.
3. California (4-2): The Grizzlies rebound from a loss to El Cerrito with a 32-13 win over Dublin.
4. Livermore (3-2): The Cowboys, the defending champs of the Valley, run into a buzzsaw in Monte Vista of the Mountain Division and drop a 47-7 final.
5. Amador Valley (2-3): The Dons jump into the top five with a 24-17 win over previous No. 5 Granada.
Others: Granada (2-4), Foothill (2-3), Dublin (1-5).
* These rankings do not include De La Salle (6-0), Dougherty Valley (5-1) or Emerald (1-4) as the Spartans play an independent schedule from the EBAL, and the Aerouants and Wildcats are not in the EBAL for football.
FLAG FOOTBALL
1. Amador Valley (15-2, 7-0): The Dons get a spirited 19-6 win over Livermore and roll Northgate 31-7 in a non-league game. Big game with Carondelet this week.
2. San Ramon Valley (13-4, 6-1): The Wolves beat Granada 21-7 and then go to Cardinal Newman and hand the Cardinal an 18-0 whooping.
3. Carondelet (11-4, 6-1): The Cougars prepare for their game with Amador with a 35-0 win over Dougherty Valley
4. Livermore (11-4, 4-3): The Cowboys made a great effort but fell 19-6 to Amador Valley.
5. Granada (6-6, 4-3): The Matadors fall 21-7 to San Ramon Valley, a good enough effort to stay in the top five.
Others: California (5-6, 3-4), Monte Vista (6-10, 2-5), Foothill (7-8, 2-5), Dougherty Valley (7-9, 0-7), Dublin (3-10, 1-6).
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Monte Vista (19-3, 9-0): The Mustangs keep rolling with 3-0 wins over Livermore and Granada. Possible underrated game vs. Amador Valley this week.
2. Foothill (17-7, 8-1): The Falcons go into San Ramon Valley and beat the Wolves 3-0, then follow with a 3-0 win over Dublin to take the No. 2 spot.
3. San Ramon Valley (17-4, 7-2): The Wolves fall 3-0 to Foothill to start the week, then rally with a 3-0 win over Dougherty Valley. Drop to No. 3.
4. Carondelet (14-9, 5-4): The Cougars take out Granada and California to keep the No. 4 spot again this week.
5. California (13-6, 5-4): The Grizzlies beat Dougherty Valley but fall to Carondelet 3-0.
Others: Granada (11-10, 4-5), Amador Valley (7-6, 4-5), Dublin (9-11, 2-7), Livermore (7-14, 0-9), Dougherty Valley (7-13, 1-8).
Today (Oct. 6)
EBAL flag football: Carondelet at Amador Valley, San Ramon Valley at California, 7:45 p.m.
EBAL girls’ volleyball: Monte Vista at Amador Valley, 6:15 p.m.
Thursday (Oct. 8)
Non-league flag football: Amador Valley at Redwood, 4:30 p.m.
EBAL girls’ volleyball: San Ramon Valley at Carondelet, 6:15 p.m.
Friday (Oct. 9)
Non-league football: Amador Valley at Foothill, Dougherty Valley at Alhambra, Heritage at Emerald, 7 p.m. San Ramon Valley at Livermore, 7:30 p.m.
EBAL football: Monte Vista at California, 7:15 p.m.
Bye: Granada, De La Salle
A refreshingly honest approach to Tri-Valley Real Estate
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Pleasanton Preps: Four wins in strong week for Foothill volleyball
Also: Announcer antics, rough refereeing overshadow Amador’s big flag football win over SRV
New Castlewood event raises $450,000 for Hope Hospice
The inaugural “Plays for Hope” fundraiser held at The Club at Castlewood over three days this summer generated more than $450,000 to benefit Hope Hospice.
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: Michael Harrington
School and grade: Amador Valley (freshman)
Sport: Football
Favorite streaming channel and favorite show: Hulu / “Breaking Bad”
Favorite actor or actress: Jonah Hill
Favorite professional athlete: Larry Bird
Favorite go-to hype song: “Love Sosa” (Chief Keef – American rapper)
Favorite quote: “Diamonds are built under pressure.” (attributed to many)
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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