Antioch High players raise their helmets in victory as they leave the field following their 38-31 win over the Cal High Grizzlies, Saturday night, November 19, 2016

Panthers players are congratulated by their friends, family, fellow classmates and other fans.

The Yoc Boys beat Cal High Grizzlies 38-31

By Allen Payton

In the second round of North Coast Section (NCS) high school football playoff action, Saturday night, the Antioch Panthers h3ld on to win 38-31 over the California High Grizzlies of San Ramon. It’s the first time the team has earned the opportunity to play for the the NCS Championship game since 1977. That game will be held in Dublin on Saturday, December 3rd against Monte Vista who beat Heritage High, Friday night.

As the players ran onto the field, after the clock ran out, the crowd chanted “Yoc Boys”, “Yoc Boys”, the nickname for the team.

After trailing 31-10 at half time, the Grizzlies battled back with two touchdowns within five minutes, during the third quarter bringing the score to 31-24. Then, with the ball on the Antioch 3-yard line and driving to tie the score with 10 minutes left in the game, Cal High fumbled. The Panthers were able to score on an 87-yard pass, just two plays, later.

The Grizzlies scored again on a long, touchdown pass a few minutes later. With the point after good, that made the score 38-31. Antioch was unable to answer on their following drive and made a quick kick punt, giving Cal High the ball deep in their own territory, with 2:02 left in the game.

Panthers’ running back Najee Harris gives a victory pose, following the game.

A sack and a penalty pushed the Grizzlies back to their own 14. After two incomplete passes, one of which was nearly intercepted, on third and fourth downs with 18 to go for a first down, Antioch took over at the California 14. The Panthers quarterback twice took a knee, to run out the clock.

When asked about his thoughts on the game, Antioch’s star player and the nation’s top high school running back, Najee Harris simply said, “Scary win.”

“They played their hearts out. I love my teammates,” he continued. “All I ask for is for people who give their all and they did. It was an ugly win but we came out victorious.”

Head Coach John Lucido shared his thoughts on the victory and his team.

“I’m so proud of the kids,” he said. “They listened to us all week long. The seniors didn’t want to go home. They wanted to make a big statement. They were part of last year’s team. They didn’t want to go out like that.”

“These are such great kids. They deserved this,” he continued. “We’ve gone through a lot this year. To come out and do what they did against a well coached team, like this, it shows heart. It shows character.”

“We look forward to playing in two weeks,” Lucido added.

#16 Ti’yahti Harris raises his helmet high in a victory salute, as he jogs off the field toward the stands with #52 Tevin Holmes.

Traveling to and from East Contra Costa County is getting easier every day.  Highway 4 is one of the most congested roadways in the nation and the Highway 4 projects are adding significant capacity to the corridor by adding two additional travel lanes in each direction, including a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane for carpools and buses. In addition, the median of the reconstructed highway will be wide enough to accommodate the upcoming extended BART services from the current terminus at Pittsburg/Bay Point to a new station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch.

Our East County Artists will be showcasing transportation in the upcoming art exhibit at the Lynn House Art Gallery from November 19th – December 10th. The exhibit is entitled “Planes, Trains, Automobiles and More!” and will feature transportation in every mode. From high capacity transportation (trains/planes) to solo occupancy (walking, roller skating) transportation in every form will be celebrated.
The artists who exhibit their work at the Lynn House Gallery are very supportive of each other and have developed personal and professional friendships. For this exhibit, we’re had a new type of judging. Each artist received a ballot and they decided the winners (except for Honorable Mention). At the artist reception and/or during the open exhibit, participating artists will complete a ballot and leave it with the docent. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the exhibit based on votes. Artists cannot vote for themselves. Awards are: 1st Place $100; 2nd Place $70; 3rd Place $50, Best of Show $150 and Honorable Mention $30.

The following artists are participating: Adele Boyer, Anna Chunn, Angela Simms, Becky Decierto, Betty Espindola, Beverly C. Turner, Beverly Knight, Beverly Prather Martinez, Cathy Hanson, Charles J. Fox Jr., Clyde Cox, Danny Grace, Easy Gonzalez, Ellen LaVaccare, FROgard Butler, Jerome Gibson, Joel Summerhill, John Tullis, Julia Offord, Julia Starr, Ken Tomlin, Kevin Ashton, Laurie DiMaggio, Marcos Palma, Mark Garcia, Michael Pohl, Michele Eakin, Mike Oria, Nancy Roberts, Paul Schorr, Peter Ruegg, Prudence Capelle, Robin Ruport, Rodney Lal, Ron Kronewitter, Ruth McMillin, Sandra Hart, Sharon Petersen, Thomas Seabury and Trudy Couch. For a current list, please visit http://www.art4antioch.org/transportationexhibit2016.asp

The Lynn House Gallery is located in downtown Antioch across from the Amtrak Station, 809 West 1st Street and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 PM during exhibits.

A Kickoff To The Holiday Season
Motown Holiday Revue at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre
Featuring Top Shelf
Saturday, November 26, 2016  8:00 pm
Reserved Seating

​About The Show
​A hit-filled musical journey through the sounds of MOTOWN, featuring Motown versions of Holiday Classics and Songs from Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson…and more!

TOP SHELF has performed nationally and internationally since 1991, dazzling audiences from San Francisco to Europe with wonderful harmonies and unique live performances. The group has become a Bay Area musical and entertainment cornerstone.

Tickets: Adults: $27    Seniors: (62 & Over):  $25   Youth: (under 18): Free with Paid Adult 602 W 2nd Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown

Call (925) 757-9500 or purchase them online at www.elcampaniltheatre.com

You can buy tickets for no additional fees at the box office. The Box Office is open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 2 pm and 1 hour before each performance.

If you choose to order by phone, the convenience fee is $2 for the entire order.

If you choose to order online 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, the convenience fee is $1.50 per ticket.

There is no Ticket Delivery Fee if you choose to receive your tickets by email or will-call. There is a $2 Ticket Delivery Fee if you choose to have your ticket order sent by U.S. Mail.

For more information click, here.

America’s top high school running back and college recruit, Najee Harris carries the ball past defenders of Lincoln High of Stockton, Friday night, August 26, 2016. photo by Michael Pohl

By Allen Payton

In the next round of Division 1 North Coast Section football playoffs, the Antioch High Panthers of the Bay Valley Athletic League will host the California High Grizzlies of San Ramon, of the East Bay League, tonight, Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Antioch has an overall 7-4 season record and Cal High has an overall record of 9-2.

Coming off their first-round victory over San Ramon Valley High Wolves with a score of 29-17, the Panthers are looking forward to tonight’s challenge. Najee Harris, the nation’s top high school running back, and the rest of the “Yoc Boys” will be suited up and ready for action at Eells Stadium.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors citizens and students with an ID. If you can’t make it to the game, you can watch it online, by clicking here.