Clayton Valley Charter Dominates Northgate To Win DVAL Football Title

Clayton Valley Charter High used a strong running game to defeat Northgate High, 56-28, and win the Diablo Valley Athletic League football title on Friday night.

The Eagles finished the regular season with a 9-1 record, their only loss coming against De La Salle High in the first game of the season. They ended up with a 5-0 league record.

Northgate finishes the regular season at 8-2. They were 3-2 in league play.

Clayton Valley scored early and often in the game played at the Broncos' home field in Walnut Creek.

After a Northgate punt, the Eagles marched 80 yards on their first series, running on every play. They converted on a 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 with 3:18 to go in the first quarter.

The Broncos were forced to punt again and Clayton Valley marched 70 yards, exclusively on running plays, to score another touchdown with 10:31 left in the second period. They missed the extra point, so the score stood at 14-0.

On the ensuing series, Northgate fumbled at their own 42-yard line, giving the Eagles the ball again with 8:40 to go in the half.

However, the Broncos' defense held and Clayton Valley punted with 7:40 left in the half.

After grabbing a first down, the Broncos fumbled again and the Eagles returned the loose ball for a touchdown with 6:01 to go in the half. The extra point made it 21-0.

Northgate marched down the field after the kickoff. They got themselves back into the game by scoring a touchdown on a tipped pass on a fourth down play with 20 seconds left in the half.

After the intermission, the Clayton Valley offense could not be stopped. The Eagles tallied three touchdowns in the third period.

They scored on a 41-yard run on their first series for a 28-7 lead with 10:30 left in the third period.

Northgate followed with a long drive for a touchdown to cut the margin to 28-14.

However, the Eagles ran the ensuing kickoff to the Broncos' 24-yard line and scored shortly after to make it 35-14.

On the next series, Northgate fumbled again and Clayton Valley had the ball in Northgate territory. Two plays later, they scored once more. They missed the extra point but still lead 41-14.

Northgate put up a fight, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 41-28.

However, Clayton Valley scored on a 50-yard run to make it 49-28 with 5:41 to go.

After an interception, the Eagles put the ball in the end zone again to make it 56-28.

The other Walnut Creek team fared better.

Las Lomas High defeated Dougherty Valley High, 48-14, in their final regular season game.

The Knights finish the regular at 6-4 with a 4-2 mark in DFAL play.

Dougherty Valley ends up with a 4-6 overall record and a 1-5 mark in league play.

All the teams will await word from North Coast Section officials on Sunday for their seedings in next week's playoffs.