High school football Week 3: Rancho Cotate gets big test at El Cerrito

Things are about to get interesting for Redwood Empire football teams as a slew of squads take to the road to battle formidable competition from the East Bay. Traditionally, East Bay teams have given Redwood Empire teams loads of trouble in the pre- and postseason. More than a few North Bay teams have been outclassed athletically against East Bay teams over the years, especially in the speed category.

The docket is led by Rancho Cotate, which is playing fundamentally sound ball early in the season. After defeating visiting Sacramento High 16-12 in the opening game and beating host Vanden (Fairfield) last Friday 28-14, the Cougars go back on the road Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup at stalwart El Cerrito of the robust Tri-County League. The Gauchos won their opener last Friday 32-7 versus De Anza.

However, Rancho Cotate coach Gehrig Hotaling has the Cougars playing with confidence and they should be ready for the road challenge.

“We expect a close game because of the size and speed of El Cerrito. We have yet to trail on the scoreboard in any game, so it will be interesting to see how we respond if that occurs,” Hotaling said. “Our defense will play well as they usually do. It's important that our offense builds on its performance from last week.”

On paper, Rancho Cotate is favored, as it is ranked 122nd in the state by Max Preps and El Cerrito is 267th.

The Cougars are led on the ground by running back Rasheed Rankin with 199 yards on 39 attempts (5.1-yard average) with two touchdowns.

In other games:

MARIA CARRILLO Pumas (1-0) vs. BENICIA Panthers (0-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Benicia High School

Info: The Pumas defeated visiting Redwood (Larkspur) 33-26 in a thriller in their season opener. … The Panthers of the Diablo Valley League lost at home last week to Pinole Valley 25-20. … Maria Carrillo would be well-served to come out with a fast start against Benicia similar to its quick-scoring first half against Redwood that gave the Pumas a 27-6 halftime lead and spring-boarded them to victory.

MONTGOMERY Vikings (1-1) vs. OAKLAND Wildcats (0-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Oakland High School

Info: After losing at home 21-7 versus Petaluma opening weekend, the Vikings bounced back with a 35-7 victory at Casa Grande last Friday night. … Oakland (Oakland League) lost 30-0 at Terra Linda (San Rafael) on Saturday and may be primed to get rolled over by the Vikings. … “Oakland has two defensive linemen that look like monsters. They look like Division I (college) players,” Montgomery coach Vertis Patton said. “If we can handle those two guys I think we will be all right.”

LOWER LAKE Trojans (0-1) vs. EL MOLINO Lions (1-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: El Molino High School

Info: Lower Lake gets a game against a fellow Redwood Empire team after losing last Friday at Carson 34-27. … El Molino lost in Week 1 40-14 at St. Bernard's but defeated Sonoma Valley 14-7 at home last week in a nail-bitter by stopping the final Dragons' drive a few yards short of the end-zone in the game's final minutes.

TERRA LINDA Lions (1-0) vs. PETALUMA Trojans (1-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Petaluma High School

Info: The Trojans face a hot Terra Linda team which defeated Oakland 30-0 last week. … Petaluma won its first game 21-7 at Montgomery but lost last week at Santa Rosa. … Petaluma's Garrett Freitas leads the Vine Valley League in rushing with 241 yards on 22 attempts (11-yard average) with one touchdown.

ALSO FRIDAY

Nonleague

San Marin at Casa Grande, 7

Windsor at Del Oro, 7

Analy at Monte Vista (Danville), 7

Sonoma Valley at Kennedy, 7

Valley Christian at Fort Bragg, 7

Biggs at Kelseyville, 7

Ukiah at Santa Rosa, 7:30

Clear Lake at Pierce (Arbuckle), 7:30

Novato at Cloverdale, 7:30

Winters at St. Helena, 7:30

Cornerstone Christian at Tomales, 7:30

Woodside Priory at Calistoga, 7:30

NCL III

Round Valley at Point Arena, 7:30

Upper Lake at South Fork, 7

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Nonleague

Roseland University Prep at Rincon Valley Christian, 1

Middletown at Berean Christian, 1:30

Elsie Allen at St. Vincent, 2

Piner at Drake, 2

Willits at Ferndale, 2