High School
Mitch Stephens

Mitch Stephens

Joined: Jun 19, 2024

Pittsburg senior Marley Alcantara isn't just nimble on his feet, as shown in last year's CIF Northern California Division 1-AAA 28-25 loss at Folsom, but he has a big, accurate arm which had led to a pair of Pirates' wins and No. 7 state ranking heading into Friday's home game with Riordan.
California

How a 5-foot-7 quarterback leads one of California's top high school football teams

'Watch out for Marley (Alcantara)' warn his Pittsburg teammates about the fire that runs deep in one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Northern California

Mitch Stephens
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Like father (right), like son, Hardy Nickerson Sr. and Hardy Nickerson Jr., lead a resurgent Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) squad
California

NFL great Hardy Nickerson and his son have turned around California high school football program

The 16-year NFL veteran and 1990s All-Decade linebacker offers experience, stories and plenty of 'Hardy' laughter to unbeaten, rising Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland

Mitch Stephens
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Acalanes, shown here in its state-championship win over Birmingham in December at Saddleback College, found a Friday opponent after its game with Reno Galena cancelled to do the Davis Fires.
California

Breaking: Defending California state high school football champion Acalanes finds opponent day before game

Davis fire forces cancelation of scheduled game with Reno opponent Galena, but Del Oro steps up in final hours to face Dons

Mitch Stephens
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Aug 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Harbaugh, a former QB at Palo Alto High School, is one of the 25 new inductees into the California High School Football Hall of Fame.
California

Lions' QB Jared Goff, Chargers' coach Jim Harbaugh among 25 added to California High School Football Hall of Fame

Recently retired Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson among the other inductees which will be honored at Rose Bowl on Nov. 30

Mitch Stephens
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SBLive Sports Athlete of the Week
California

Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Northern California High School Athlete of the Week (9/11/2024)?

Voting runs through 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Lance Smith, Mitch Stephens
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Clovis High School junior Deagan Rose, who has already accepted a scholarship to Oregon State, had another huge game on Friday and is one of the top Northern California performers from Sept. 5-7.

Best performances in Northern California high school football (Sept. 5-7)

The individual numbers are staggering: 29 tackles, 421 passing yards, 252 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns, all among 35 different standouts

Mitch Stephens
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Grant quarterback Luke Alexander looks downfield for a receiver. in a 42-14 loss to De La Salle on Aug. 30. The Pacers rebounded with an impressive win over fourth-ranked Inderkum on Saturday.
California

Top 15 Sac-Joaquin Section high school football rankings (9/10/2024)

Third-ranked Grant responds big after humbling loss to De La Salle; Rocklin, Manteca and Granite Bay win by combined 154-16 score

Mitch Stephens
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Clovis High School junior Deagan Rose has already accepted a scholarship to Oregon State. He's the top QB prospect from the Central Section heading into the 2024 season. Thus far in three games, he's completed 52 of 72 for 781 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Central Section's No. 4 team. | Photo: Bobby Medellin
California

Top 15 CIF Central Section high school football rankings (9/10/2024)

The top five teams are all from the TRAC, including No. 1 Central and No. 2 Clovis East, which travels to Sac-Joaquin Section power Grant Union on Friday

Mitch Stephens
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Serra senior running back Chris Yoon races through a big hole during Friday's 39-10 loss at De La Salle
California

Top 15 CIF Central Coast Section high school football rankings (9/9/2024)

Mitch Stephens
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At 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, De La Sallee senior Derek Blanche Jr. (22) doesn't back down from anyone. He rushed for 182 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown in Friday's 39-10 win over Serra at Owen Owens Field on Sept. 6, 2024.
California

Top 15 CIF North Coast Section high school football rankings (9/9/2024)

Mitch Stephens
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Mater Dei defensive back CJ Lavender Jr. attempts to elude a Bishop Gorman player after making an interception.
California

Top 25 California high school football rankings (9/9/2024)

Mitch Stephens
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Jaden Jefferson, who finished fourth in the state 100-meter dash (10.40 seconds), scored on a 43-touchdown run in the third quarter during De La Salle's 39-10 win over Serra on Sept. 6, 2024 at Owen Owens Field.
California

5 takeaways from De La Salle's win over Serra

Mitch Stephens
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