The Palo Alto Knights’ Jr. Midgets football team has a history with its counterpart Oak Grove of San Jose. The teams have met in the NorCal Championship game in each of the past three seasons, with Palo Alto winning all three and advancing to the national playoffs.
While there’s a good chance the two will meet once again in the playoffs, it won’t be the only time.
In fact, a preview of the postseason will be on display Sunday at Palo Alto High when the teams meet at 4:30 p.m. Both teams will bring 8-0 records to the showdown.
“This is a game we want,” said Palo Alto coach Mike Piha. “However, we do not need to expose our offense as we will most likely meet again in three weeks for the NorCal Championship.
“Oak Grove is a much better team this year as they have a lot of speed with the addition of a few new players. We definitely need to play a flawless game to win. I believe our players are more than up for this challenge . . . it will be fun!”
The Knights are currently ranked No. 5 in the nation while Oak Grove is ranked No. 8 in the American Youth Football Division I Power Rankings.
In addition to the Jr. Midgets’ game on Sunday, the Knights will host Oak Grove in Jr. Pee Wee (11 a.m.), Tiny Mites (1 p.m.) and Cadets (2:30 p.m.)
The Palo Alto Jr. Midgets improved to 8-0 with a 40-6 victory over the San Francisco Seahawks on Sunday at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
Palo Alto coaches were expecting a much-closer game, but Jordan Schilling and his teammates had other expectations as they scored 40 or more points for the third time this season.
Schilling had more than 100 yards rushing and scored a touchdown on a 96-yard halfback pass from Ethan Stern with one second left in the first half — catching the ball on the 20-yard line and racing 80 yards down the sideline.
The Knights also scored on a 35-yard pass from Jake Rittman to Ty Wilcox while Stern added an eight-yard TD run while surpassing 100 rushing yards for for a fifth straight game.
The Knights showed why they are the three-time NorCal champs as they scored on their first three possessions and held the Seahawks to a season-low 73 yards of offense. The Knights have outscored their opponents, 248-24, through eight games.
NOTE: The Knights are hoping for a large crowd for Sunday’s showdown and are inviting all alumni of the program to attend. Those former players who bring a photo of themselves from their days with the Knights will be admitted free.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
I know what it takes to be a Waterboy, and the secret to the success of the Palo Alto Knights Junior Midgets is their Waterboy. I do not know his name, but you can tell that he respects QUALITY H2O!
This was NOT the Division 1 Nor-Cal Championship game! The Championship game was yesterday vs. the Vacaville Bengals!!!!!! The Bengals won 32 to 24! You need to take this article down!
Vacaville?
All the best teams go top play Vacaville and then get beat?
That doesn’t sound correct. There’s lots of really great teams in the area, right here on the Peninsula.
What are you yammering about person who last commented???
Vacaville Jr. Midget Bengals are the D1 Norcal Champions!
What league is Vacaville in? Did they play the East Bay East Warriors out of Oakland?
If you ain’t playing Oakland, how do you consider yourself champs of anything other than a lesser league?
EBE Warriors are going to play at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando in 2 weeks. Will Vacaville be there?
Here you go! Posted in the Vacaville Reporter 9 hours ago! Boo-ya!
Vacaville Bengals Junior Midget football team wins NorCal title
By Reporter Staffthereporter.com
Posted: 11/20/2012 01:09:53 AM PST
The Vacaville Bengals Junior Midget football team beat the Palo Alto Knights 32-24 on Sunday in San Jose to win the American Youth Football Northern California Region Division One championship.
The Bengals scored on their first possession and never relinquished the lead en route to the title.
Our league consists of the Elk Grove Dukes, Sacramento Raiders, Solano Warriors, Palo Alto Knights, Bay Area Spartans, Vallejo Raiders, South Sac Vikings, Richmond Steelers & the Vacaville Bulldogs! Vacaville Bengals went 7-2 in the regular season, then went on to beat the Sacramento Raiders & the Elk Grove Dukes to play the Palo Alto Knights in the Division 1 Norcal Championship game, which we won!!!!!!! You’re obviously not in our league. DUH!
Why is PA in a Sacramento league when there are so many great teams locally?
Vacaville, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Solano, Vallejo, South Sac Vikings, Richmond???
And how do hey go to florida when they lost? Seems odd. Can anyone buy their way into the tournament or is it by merit?
I was wondering how Palo Alto got to go to Florida myself? I think it’s all about the money. They have it and some teams don’t. What a shame! Vacaville Bengal Jr. Midgets are still awesome and still the Champs of the Division 1 league!
Palo Alto got OUTPLAYED and OUTCOACHED. THEY GOT BEAT.32-24 AND THAT’S NOT COUNTING 2 MORE TD’s that got called back. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THEIR TALKING ON THE FIELD RATHER THAN RUNNING THEIR MOUTH BEFOREHAND (ARROGANT) . OH AND BY THE WAY YA’LL DIDN’T SHUT NOBODY DOWN. SO WHAT NOW?
You owe our team and coaches a public apology by recanting the inaccurate story of your “championship”. The NorCal Division 1 Jr Midget trophy is sitting on my living room table…Humble yourself.
So what’s the drill?
Lose and buy a ‘wild card’ trip to Florida?
So anyone who can afford it goes to the Pop Warner superbowl? Doesn’t make sense. If you can’t beat the best teams on the peninsula or in the east bay, how does throwing money at the problem solve anything?