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IRVINGTON: RENAISANCE MAN LEADS VIKINGS
Anthony Jackson is no stranger to performing under the bright lights.
The experienced actor has been in three movies, four television shows and an international project that has seen him starring on Korean television. He recently had a part in Stephen Curry’s new show “Mr. Throwback.”
But while acting in front of the camera may be his favorite hobby, Jackson’s passion is leading the Irvington football team beneath the Friday – and sometimes Saturday – night lights.
“Sometimes, I’m a little flashy, because I’ve got to have fun in whatever I’m doing,” Jackson, 48, told the Bay Area News Group. “But at my core, I just want to serve other people. I’m a a God-fearing man and a servant.”
Irvington went 5-5 in 2023, Jackson’s first season in charge.
After coaching the Vikings to a 48-0 victory over American on Saturday night in a battle of Fremont schools at Tak Fudenna Stadium, Irvington is off to its first 3-0 start in decades and primed for a huge season.
Matt Forbes, who rushed for two touchdowns and caught another on Saturday, was the star of an offense that often seems to teeter on the edge of being out of control.
But as he and other teammates attest, Jackson’s philosophy allows for individualism but is ultimately about knowing when to make the smart play – something that is still a whole lot of fun when it leads to big victories.
“He brings the energy every single day,” Forbes said when asked about the second-year coach. “He gets us mentally and physically ready for every game.”
For some people, being an actor and coach at the same time – in addition to a full-time position at Cal State-East Bay as a student engagement specialist – would be too much to handle. But for Jackson, that’s just the start of an eclectic resume.
One day, he might be coaching Oakland University’s women’s basketball team. On another, he’s spending the day with his three-year-old son A.J.
But no matter how busy his agenda gets, Jackson – who has been involved in football for more than two decades – prioritizes the Vikings above everything but his family.
“I’m blessed,” Jackson said. “Every day, I get to wake up and have energy because I’m giving it to young people and they’re giving it back to me.”
He’s seeking to bring a league title to the Fremont public school, and thinks this year’s squad has what it takes.
His players agree.
“He loves this game, and that’s why we all connect with him as a coach,” lineman Carlos Lopez said. “If we keep our heads down and just do our thing, we can (win a title).”
– Joseph Dycus
SERRA: WALSH STANDS PAT ON TRANSFER PHILOSOPHY
If Patrick Walsh’s dialogue after Serra’s 56-16 loss to St. John Bosco-Bellflower sounded familiar, it was because the Padres coach reiterated many of the same points he made the last time the teams met in December of 2022.
The Padres, as well-coached and talented as they are, cannot physically compete with Bosco’s transfer portal-built roster littered with players from across the state and country.
“They’re absolutely fantastic athletes on that field who are coached at the highest level, and that’s why they’re of this nation’s top-ranked teams,” Walsh said. “Do we want to get there? Do we want to get back to competing against De La Salle? Do we want to? That’s just questions that our entire community needs to answer.”
Walsh admitted that getting to the elite level Bosco and rival Mater Dei have reached in the Trinity league would require taking “10 to 20” transfers every year.
It is an approach that is the complete opposite of the ethos that built the Padres into one of NorCal’s elite football programs. Walsh said the team has had one transfer brought in over the past two seasons.
“That’s not our business plan, which is why I’ve said that at the end of the year,” Walsh said. “I’m OK with it, because to be No. 1 in the nation, it literally requires a totally different scheme of how you run your school and business.”
Don’t expect Walsh to change that any time soon.
“We don’t do that here, and I’m fine with that,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be one of the area’s best teams, which we’ve proven we can be using the philosophy that’s been here for 24 years. That’s the way we’re going to be here at Serra, and always will be as long as I’m here.”
– Joseph Dycus
MACK: PETERS EXPRESSES FRUSTRATION WITH OFFICIATING
McClymonds head coach Michael Peters wasn’t exactly subtle when discussing his distaste for the officiating during Friday’s 28-14 victory over Bishop O’Dowd.
“I guess I shouldn’t have come back, huh?” Peters said. “They’re getting me for coming back. I should have stayed retired. … My heart can’t take this, man. Come on, now. We don’t even have 19 (players).”
On three occasions, McClymonds had a touchdown taken away during its eventual victory over O’Dowd due to a penalty. Peters lamented that the officiating has been a season-long issue, adding that he plans to write several officials up.
“I might get cursed again,” Peters said. “They might keep throwing penalties on me for that, but who cares, man? Just treat the kids fair, that’s all I have to say.”
– Justice delos Santos
PITTSBURG: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Friday Night Lights at Pittsburg High are a spectacle.
From the renowned marching band to the assortment of local food vendors, Pittsburg is the closest thing to a college game day in the area.
The Pirates’ win against Archbishop Riordan on Friday showed why Pittsburg has one of the best home-field advantages in the state. According to MaxPreps, Friday’s game had a packed grandstand and the home crowd made sure to make their presence known throughout the 48 minutes of play.
“To have a crowd like the one here at Pirate Stadium is amazing,” said Pittsburg linebacker Jewelous Walls. “There’s a lot of echoes for sure. There’s just so many fans in the community who truly love it. They come here every Friday night to see us and cheer for us.”
– Nathan Canilao
HAYWARD: MAURICE HALL IS TEAM’S SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Hayward running back Maurice Hall did just about everything for the Farmers in their win against city rival Tennyson on Friday night.
In front of Fresno State scouts and coaches, the junior racked up 233 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 24 carries. But he was just as effective as a receiver, totaling 126 yards and two touchdowns on five catches. He ended the night with 359 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns.
“Maurice is my swiss army knife,” Hayward coach Virgil Hart told the Bay Area News Group. “He’s my backup quarterback, he’s a slot receiver, he can play tight end and block and he’s our running back. This is the type of kid you wish you had more of on your team.”
According to Hart, Hall lost over 20 pounds because of a sickness right before the season started. But the 6-foot, 180-pound running back has not missed a beat and is still producing as the team’s top offensive player.
“There’s no one stopping him but him,” Hart said. “For Maurice, it’s all about putting him in advantageous situations for him to be successful.”
– Nathan Canilao
DE LA SALLE: DEFENSIVE TACKLE YIN AND YANG
If football is won in the trenches, then it is no surprise that De La Salle has been the best in the Bay Area.
Matthew Johnson has garnered acclaim – and recruiting interest – from coast to coast as De La Salle’s 6-foot-5 defensive tackle with a quick first step and the agility to beat any blocker.
But usually standing next to him is the stout 290-pound Myah Telona, a junior who brings the muscle to the Spartans’ two-punch combo inside.
“He definitely makes up for the lack of speed that I have, and I make it up with my strength,” Telona said. “When we’re playing together, we’re going to close those gaps.”
Their complementary dynamic was on full display on Friday in a 42-7 victory over St. Francis. While Telona ate up double-teams and helped stymie the vaunted Lancers gap-run scheme, Johnson harassed the quarterback on passing downs.
– Joseph Dycus
MITTY: SULLIVAN DOESN’T SWEAT LATE-GAME SITUATION
Danny Sullivan has some experience with consequential late-game scenarios. The former Arizona State quarterback once completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to lead the Sun Devils’ to a last-minute victory over Washington in 2009.
He even had a few thoughts on the way ASU managed its late-game execution in a narrow 31-28 win over Texas State on Thursday.
“I don’t know why they decided it was a good idea to not run out the clock at the end and give them one final play,” Sullivan said.
But the Monarchs didn’t have to worry about making magic happen – or running out the clock – in the fourth quarter over the weekend. Thanks to a combination of turnovers, an explosive pass play and sticking with the run game, Mitty put away a 21-0 win well before the final minute.
“You find different ways to win,” Sullivan said. “It’s massive for us, especially since we were so pass-game heavy (previously), finding stuff in the run game. It didn’t come easy tonight, and to win a game kind of slobber-knockingly is good for us.”
Just like Sullivan’s Sun Devils, the Monarchs improved to 3-0 this season.
– Christian Babcock
PEEK AHEAD TO WEEK 4
Friday
Campolindo (1-2) at El Cerrito (2-0), 7 p.m.: How will El Cerrito respond after its game on Friday at Oakland Tech was stopped early after fans stormed the field?
Liberty (2-1) at Amador Valley (1-2), 7 p.m.: Liberty RB Jaxon Bell and Amador QB Tristan Tia lead potent offenses in a possible NCS playoff matchup.
Bishop O’Dowd (2-1) at Cardinal Newman (3-0), 7 p.m.: Can O’Dowd bounce back against one of the North Bay’s perennial powerhouses?
Leigh (2-1) at Pioneer (1-2), 7 p.m.: After facing South City’s run-heavy attack, Leigh will try to slow down Pioneer’s air-it-out offense in a battle of San Jose public schools.
De La Salle (3-0) at St. Mary’s-Stockton (2-1), 7 p.m.: The Bay Area’s top team hits the road for the first time this season.
Pittsburg (3-0) at St. John Bosco-Bellflower (4-0), 7 p.m.: Pittsburg takes a trip to SoCal and will see if it can play a competitive game against a team that just routed Serra 56-16.
San Ramon Valley (3-0) at McClymonds (1-2), 7 p.m.: The last time these teams played in the Mackhouse, SRV almost came back from down 20 in the fourth quarter.
