Benicia, Bethel, Vallejo High football teams look to get back on track this weekend

After suffering losses in its respective third games of the season, both the Jesse Bethel and Benicia High football teams will look to get back in the win column Friday night at Corbus Field.

The Panthers (2-1) are playing their fourth game just four days after losing 48-0 on the road Monday night to Clayton Valley Charter. Meanwhile, Bethel (2-1) saw its undefeated record also disappear with a 30-6 loss to Northgate.

The two teams used to play once a year in the Solano County Athletic Conference, but now are non-league rivals. The game will especially significant to Benicia High defensive back Simeon Harris, who transferred from Bethel last spring in order to play in more than one game. He is committed to play at the University of Colorado next fall.

Two weeks ago Harris had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as well as a receiving touchdown in a win over Maria Carillo. The Panthers will also need senior quarterback Tyson Wallace to step up. Two weeks ago he was 8 of 11 for 148 yards.

Look for other Division I commits Miles Bailey (Fresno State) and wide receiver/linebacker Croix Stewart (UCLA) to be involved in the offense early as well. Janari Boone, the Times-Herald Male Athlete of the Year last year, should be in the mix as well.

For Bethel, the offense will need help from Thome Walters and Eric Johnson III. Johnson had 117 yards on eight carries two weeks ago in a win over St. Pat’s, while Walters had 64 yards rushing in that same contest.

Walters will also be needed on defense. Two weeks ago he had an interception returned for a touchdown. If the Jaguars want to slow down Benicia, they’ll have to get back to its ways of the first two weeks when they held their opponents to a combined nine points.

American Canyon (2-2) at Sonoma Valley (0-3) 7 p.m.

American Canyon has a road game at Sonoma Valley and will try to build momentum off its 27-24 overtime win over Livermore last week and victory over Berkeley two weeks ago.

The star for the Wolves so far has been Kapono Liu, who seems more born to run than Bruce Springsteen. Against Berkeley he carried the ball 55 times for 400 yards. (Yes, 400!).

Liu continued to play well last week with 164 yards and four touchdowns in an overtime win. He had the game winning touchdown.

Saturday 5:30 p.m.

Vallejo (1-2) at Concord (0-3)

After an impressive win at home against Fairfield, Vallejo has fallen on hard times lately with a two-game losing streak including a 29-27 hearbreaker to Pinole Valley last week.

If the Redhawks want to get back to its winning ways, they’ll have to establish their passing game which at times has looked great. Omari Glenn had two touchdowns last week, one from quarterback Sir’Darius Alexander and another on a run. Alexander threw three total touchdowns and had 157 yards passing.

On defense the Redhawks will need help from Davion Williams. In Vallejo’s win over Fairfield, Williams had a 30-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.