The Oakdale Mustangs are always up for a challenge.
Last season, the Mustangs were competitive in a 45-29 setback to a Folsom team that went to post a 16-0 record and win the CIF Division I state championshipm, and two years ago Oakdale took on another NorCal power in Campolindo, beating the Cougars 28-21 in Moraga on the way to the school's first CIF state championship.
The Mustangs are at it again and on Saturday will take on traditional Bay Area powerhouse Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) in the 2018 Northern California Honor Bowl, a five-game series being played over two days at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, 1885 Miramonte Ave.
Kicksoff is slated for noon, followed by the Liberty (Brentwood) vs. Gilroy matchup at 4 p.m. and Serra (San Mateo) vs. Serra (Gardena) at 7. The Friday night lineup includes Oak Grove(San Jose) vs. Del Oro (Loomis) 4 p.m., followed by St. Francis (Mountain Veiw) vs. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) at 7,
The Monarchs play in the talent-rich West Catholic Athletic League -- Honor Bowl participants St. Francis and Serra are WCAL members -- have a new coach this season in Sione Ta’ufo’ou, promoted from his position as the team's offensive coordinator. Quarterback Shamir Bey and wide receiver Joseph Vaughn -- both also play for Mitty's basketball team -- are the Monarchs' top threat.
This will be the season opener for Archbishop Mitty, while Oakale, the No. 3 team in the Golden Bear Physical Therapy large-school rankings, is coming off a 49-0 thumping of rival Sonora last week at The Corral.
