School of San Mateo vs Metropolis School of San Francisco: Nor Cal soccer heavyweights collide | Native

Sure, the Central Coast Section soccer playoffs begin this weekend, but there won’t be a bigger game than the one in San Mateo on Saturday afternoon.

After nine weeks of preparation, the regular season of the California Community College ends with what is arguably the largest showdown in the state: JC Athletic Bureau No. 3 of the City College of San Francisco on the No. 1 ranking College of San Mateo. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at College Heights Stadium. The game will also be broadcast on KOFY20.

And it’s all one: the winner claims the Bay 6 Conference title and number 1 in the Northern California playoffs, as well as the bragging rights of Nor Cal.

While the community college postseason doesn’t officially begin until next week, CSM head coach Tim Tulloch knows that now is the time to switch to playoff mode.

“Essentially, what we enter even though the playoffs haven’t started (this week) is like the playoffs,” said Tulloch. “We have against. played [City College SF] a long time ago. I think it kind of fits that they are the opponent of week 10. “

For CSM (9-0) it’s just the latest test in a season full of them. Six of the Bulldogs’ 10 opponents this season – including CCSF – are still in the state’s top 25. Tulloch plans the toughest programs he can find, knowing he is preparing for games like this against the Rams on Saturday and preparing them for the postseason.

“If you want to be one of the best teams in the state, you want to play against the best teams. They want to play the tough schedule, ”said Tulloch.

CSM won their ninth straight game with a 63-0 chabot breakdown last week, the Bulldogs defense’s fourth shutout of the season. In fact, the CSM defense was downright stingy this season and allowed an average of just under 6 points per game.

The Bulldogs offensive, led by second quarterback Luke Bottari and running back by Darrell Page, is one of the best units in the state. In his two seasons on The Hilltop, Bottari is 21-1 as a quarterback in the starting line-up. And while Page may not have the most eye-catching stats this season, he has certainly improved his game over the past few weeks. Two weeks ago he stormed 113 yards to 18 carries in a 24-7 win over DVC. Last week he went against Chabot for 136 yards and four touchdowns from just 12 carries.

“[Bottari] steered the ship further. He does plays. … Who he is is a big part of our program and our guys are behind him, ”said Tulloch. “DP went through that. As an all-state kid in 2019, he got those big playoff games behind him. I’m not surprised that he plays well later in the season, in crunch time. He knows what is expected. “

But if there was one team that mirrored the Bulldogs, it was the Rams. The defense of San Francisco has three shutouts of its own and allows an average of around 9 points per game. The Rams won a 41:16 win over Diablo Valley last week.

On the offensive, the Rams average just under 50 points per game and are led by second quarterback Jack Newman, who has thrown more than 2,500 yards this season, with 29 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

“On the offensive, they do a good job of throwing and distributing the ball,” said Tulloch. “Defensively, they get to the ball well and force the ball to be lost. They play well on both sides of the ball. “

The game gets extra meaning for CSM as it will be the last chance in the regular season to honor the second class who is in their third season due to the COVID pandemic. This second class, more than any other, will always have a special place in the heart of Tulloch.

“What I’m really proud of this group is that they have made this journey. From the 2019 season on, when we won Nor Cal and played (and lost) a state championship and came back hungry and on a mission – and then COVID arrives, “said Tulloch. “We can’t even work together. We have countless protocols and practice in capsules.

“To get back here (to play a full schedule) it’s like walking through the dark together. I am very happy to honor these sophomores who have made the journey together. “

CSM will also honor longtime equipment manager Ken Harren. A CSM player and graduate, Harren played in the state of Idaho before returning to the Bulldogs, where he was the coach and the team’s equipment manager for the past 20 years. His son Steve Harren was a standout quarterback for the Bulldogs in the mid-2000s.

“He was a mentor to me,” said Tulloch. “He is one of the reasons why I started coaching at CSM.”

While Saturday’s game will determine the conference winner, it won’t have much of an impact on the four-team Nor Cal playoff to determine which Northern California team will play for the state championship. Win or lose, both teams are already in the post-season playoffs. A CSM victory would give them the number 1 start number and home advantage. But even the loser of this game will collect the No. 4 seeds.

“That’s why you come to CSM,” said Tulloch. “Be part of something special.”