Two weeks left, folks. The regular season in North Bay prep football is in its closing moments and the stage is set for some fireworks before the playoffs begin.

Week 9 featured declared victories by Cardinal Newman and St. Vincent, who both remained perfect in league play with convincing wins against challenging opponents.

The Mustangs are now in the driver’s seat to win the Redwood Empire Conference Bay Division title after their win over Ukiah, while the Cardinals went undefeated on the year with a 31-3 defensive masterclass against San Marin to set up a matchup massive with Marin. Catholic next week for the REC-Adobe title.

We’ll break down what those wins mean and check in with a few other teams that picked up notable wins in Week 9. Plus, with the postseason approaching, we’ll take a look at which local teams are in line to continue their streak. playoff seasons.

Cardinal Newman continues to improve

What war of attrition? While most teams in the REC-Adobe are battered and bruised from the weekly gauntlet that is league play, the Cardinals seem to be getting better and better as the season goes on.

This week’s 31-3 win over San Marin was perhaps their most impressive showing of the season. Defensively, they held a team averaging over 300 yards of offense per game to just 92 total yards – 26 of which came in their own end with the game long decided. Offensively, freshman quarterback LT Retamoza had the best game of his young career, passing for 273 yards with three touchdowns and running for another with no fumbles.

And that’s coming off a 38-8 drubbing of Rancho Cotate the week before.

The Cardinals couldn’t have asked for a better pair of performances for the biggest game of the year next week at Marin Catholic. Saturday’s game at Kentfield will determine the REC-Adobe winner and play a big role in determining playoff seeding. And as if the Cardinals needed any more motivation, Marin Catholic has beaten them the last three years in the North Coast Section title games.

Regardless of next week’s outcome, both the Wildcats and Cardinals appear headed for the NCS Open bracket. The big question now will be who gets the best draw.

— Gus Morris

St. Vincent makes a statement

When the Redwood Empire Conference lineup was released, one Bay Division matchup got a lot of attention: St. Vincent vs. Ukiah.

Last year – when Ukiah erased a 21-0 deficit on the Mustangs’ field in Petaluma, scoring 25 unanswered points to finally secure the NBL-Redwood title – there was no doubt that St. Vincent will be looking for revenge with the match on the move. to Mendocino County.

And boy, did the Mustangs deliver, defeating Ukiah 35-24 on Friday to take a big lead in the title race.

Gabe Casanovas and Mason Caturegli, who last year led the Mustangs to a state title, proved they are one of the best backfields in the North Bay and beyond, combining for 330 total rushing yards and five touchdowns. Casanovas only needed to throw the ball eight times as the game plan was to hurry, hurry, hurry.

While the offense certainly focused on those two, the Mustangs’ defense came through when it mattered most. Asher Stolarzcyk started the game with an interception on the second play and both Rice commit Rob Rooks and CJ Perez came up with big sacks in the second half.

For Ukiah, Omaurie Phillips-Porter is must-see TV. While he had just four receptions for 81 yards and a score, his 65-yard touchdown on the Wildcats’ third possession took him over 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He continues to prove why he is one of the best players in Northern California.

The Wildcats also have the quarterback of the future in Chris Thompson, who rushed 16 times for 181 yards and a score. Ukiah is much more balanced offensively when it starts.

— Kienan O’Doherty

Carrillo showdown, Ukiah bigger than anticipated?

As for the league title race, St. Vincent has a more than likely chance to win the last two matches against Montgomery and Maria Carrillo to win the title. But next week’s clash between Carrillo and Ukiah in Mendocino County could also have title implications.

Carrillo, which is having the best season in school history, pounded Santa Rosa 59-12 on Friday to remain undefeated in league play. They finish their league campaign with the two toughest tests in the league with St. Vincent and Ukiah, but if the Pumas continue to play the way they have, they look more than ready to prove themselves to the rest of the league.

That’s why the game against Ukiah is so big. The Wildcats are now 2-1 in league play and could hand Carrillo his first league loss. If the Pumas get past Ukiah, then a winner-take-all final against St. Vincent will decide the REC-Bay champion.