De La Salle, Concord High Making Another Run At Titles

Can they do it again?

That's the question that will be answered this weekend as De La Salle and Concord High try to repeat as champions of their NCS divisions.

Both teams must first get past their semifinals opponents to advance once again to the title games next weekend.

De La Salle plays Friday night on their home field against Pittsburg High in one of the NCS Division I semifinal games. The winner advances to the title game against the winner of the San Ramon Valley High vs. Monte Vista High game.

De La Salle is going for its 20th consecutive Division I title. The Spartans won last year's championship by defeating California High, 49-21. In 2009, they defeated Pittsburg High, 49-14, for the title. That was the last time the two teams played each other.

The Pirates are the last Northern California team to defeat De La Salle, edging them, 35-27, in the 1991 championship game.

This year, De La Salle is the number one seed again, boasting a record of 10-1. Their only loss came against a nationally ranked team in Florida.

Pittsburg is the number five seed. They have a record of 9-3.

In the Division II match-up, Concord High takes on Rancho Cotate High in a rematch of last year's title game won by Concord, 40-37. The winner plays the victor of the Windsor High vs. Dublin High semifinal game.

Concord High dusted Las Lomas High, 42-16, last week in the quarterfinals. The seventh seeded Minutemen have won three in a row and nine out of their past 10. They are 9-3 on the season.

Rancho Cotate outlasted Casa Grande High, 42-35, in the quarterfinals. The third seeded Cougars have won four in a row and eight of their past nine. They are also 9-3 on the year.

Who do you think will win these games? Vote in our polls and then discuss the games in our comments section.

Check back with Concord Patch on Friday and Saturday nights for the scores and game summaries.