Today’s edition is sponsored by Park46 Real Estate.
*|DATE:l, F j, Y|*
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 of my four decades of prep sports.
The Big Picture takes another deep dive into the EBAL football teams as they get closer to the middle of the season. Two teams that separated themselves from the rest of the EBAL – at least at this point.
EBAL Power Rankings have some movement but San Ramon Valley still holds the top spot in all three polls.
What to Watch check out the slate for week four of the football season, as well as the first night of EBAL volleyball, and some key flag football games.
Fast Five lets our readers know about Amador Valley girls’ water polo player Ciena O’Nesky. Her favorite quote is something to always remember!
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
Strong start with non-league schedule for (most) Tri-Valley football teams
Here is a look at the EBAL football teams through the first three weeks of the season…
Power Rankings as of Sept. 15.
FOOTBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (3-0): Not that I thought the Wolves would lose to Clayton Valley, but to hammer the Eagles 52-7 was very impressive. The Wolves are averaging 49 points per game and have scored over 50 in the last two games.
2. Monte Vista (3-0): The Mustangs go into Campolindo and destroy the Cougars by a 35-7 final.
3. California (2-1): The Grizzlies win their second straight, beating Santa Teresa 31-14
4. Livermore (2-1): The Cowboys, as patriotic a team in the area, roll on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, beating Burton 61-0.
5. Granada (1-2): The Mats suffer a somewhat confusing 16-14 loss to San Leandro. We’ll give them another chance to stay in the top five.
Others: Foothill (2-1), Dublin (1-2), Amador Valley (0-2).
* These rankings do not include De La Salle (3-0), Dougherty Valley (2-1) or Emerald (0-2) as the Spartans play an independent schedule from the EBAL, and the Wildcats and Aerouants are not in the EBAL for football.
FLAG FOOTBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (8-3, 4-0): The Wolves lost three games last week but will keep the top spot for now as those three losses came in a big showcase tournament in Southern California. Still the team to beat in the EBAL.
2. Amador Valley (10-2, 4-0): It was a big week for the Dons, first beating California at Cal, then heading north where they beat Cardinal Newman 13-12, ending a 29-game win streak for the Cardinals.
3. Carondelet (7-3, 3-1): The Cougars found out how legit a team San Ramon Valley is, falling 20-0 to the Wolves, picking up their first league loss.
4. Livermore (5-3, 2-2): The Cowboys rolled Dublin 25-0 in their lone EBAL game last week.
5. California (4-3, 2-2): The Grizzlies dropped a tough one to Amador to open the week but rallied with a solid non-league 27-6 win over Benicia.
Others: Granada (4-4, 2-2), Monte Vista (3-7, 2-2), Dougherty Valley (6-5, 0-4), Foothill (2-4, 1-3), Dublin (2-6, 0-4).
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. San Ramon Valley (13-2, 3-0): The Wolves beat Dublin and Livermore last week and keep their hold on the top spot in the rankings.
2. Monte Vista (10-2, 3-0): The Mustangs win twice in league, then go 3-1 in tournament play.
3. Foothill (10-4, 3-0): The Falcons have a big week, beating Granada and Carondelet in league, then going 3-1 in tournament play.
4. Carondelet (9-4, 1-2): The Cougars have lost to San Ramon Valley and Foothill, but they got in a 3-1 win over Amador Valley in between the losses,
5. California (10-3, 2-1): The Grizzlies beat Livermore and Amador in league, then went 3-1 in tournament play last weekend.
Others: Granada (8-6, 1-1), Dublin (7-6, 1-2), Livermore (7-8, 0-3), Amador Valley (0-4, 0-3), Dougherty Valley (3-6, 0-2).
Today (Sept. 15)
EBAL flag football: Monte Vista at Amador Valley, Foothill at Carondelet, California at Granada, all 7:45 p.m.
EBAL girls’ volleyball: Amador Valley at Dublin, Carondelet at Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley at California, all 6:15 p.m.
Tomorrow (Sept. 16)
Non-league flag football: Alameda at San Ramon Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday (Sept. 17)
EBAL girls’ volleyball: Monte Vista at Foothill, 6:15 p.m.
Friday (Sept. 18)
Non-league football: San Leandro at Foothill, California at Menlo Atherton, Dublin at Lompoc, James Logan at Monte Vista, Clovis North at San Ramon Valley, De La Salle at St. Mary’s (Stockton), Berean Christian at Dougherty Valley, Galileo at Emerald, Berkeley at Granada, all 7 p.m. Liberty at Amador Valley, 7:15 p.m. Livermore on bye.
A refreshingly honest approach to Tri-Valley Real Estate
Park46 Real Estate is proudly rooted in our community and fiercely committed to results. As a boutique brokerage, we blend local insight, strategic marketing, and sharp negotiation to elevate every buying and selling experience. Real relationships. Real expertise. Real results. Visit Park46.com.
Pleasanton Preps: Reflections in aftermath of Amador Valley basketball scandal
“What happened at Amador is just the latest example of how adults can come in, get their way, then flee the school without suffering any consequence for their pathetic, selfish actions.”
Tracy High football coach, Pleasanton native accused of recording students in locker room
The head coach of Tracy High School’s varsity football team – who grew up in Pleasanton and suited up for the Amador Valley Dons in the mid-1990s – was arrested Friday after police allege he secretly videorecorded students changing in the locker room.
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: Ciena O’Nesky
School and grade: Amador Valley (junior)
Sport: Water polo
Favorite streaming channel and favorite show: Netflix / “Ted Lasso”.
Favorite actor or actress: Tom Holland
Favorite professional athlete: Steph Curry
Favorite go-to hype song: “Heartbeat” (Childish Gambino).
Favorite quote: “Quitters never win; winners never quit.” (Legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi).
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.
Sponsored by
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*
You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.
View this email in your browser
Cook's Seafood suddenly closes Pleasanton location after just a year in businessOctober 29, 2026 4:29 pm
