Antioch High Panthers varsity football team will host the Pittsburg High Pirates for the historic rivalry

By Luke Johnson

One of the greatest high school football rivalry games will likely decide who gets a playoff bid and who doesn’t.

“If we lose tomorrow, we shouldn’t be in the open division,” said Pittsburg head coach Vic Galli in an interview on Friday.

Beat Pitt sign on the Antioch side during the 2017 Big Little Game.

The No. 1 and 2 seeds for the North Coast Section Open Division appear to be locked in for De La Salle (9-0) and Liberty (9-0, 4-0 BVAL). In contention for potentially one of the other two seeds are Antioch (7-2, 2-2) and Pittsburg (6-3, 3-1), who play in the 100th Big Little Game today, Saturday, Oct. 27.

Galli said Antioch’s greatest strength is its quarterback Willem Karnthong, who has passed for 1,120 yards and rushed for 406 this season.

Karnthong has 43 career touchdown passes and is seven away from breaking the Panthers’ all-time record.

The Pirates have to overcome injuries from star players to win the contest. Washington-bound nose guard Jacob Bandes and starting quarterback Tre Turner are ruled out for the game.

“Pittsburg’s greatest strength is the front seven — specifically, that triangle that anchors the middle: [Jack] Lacy, Bandes and [De’Jon] Benton,” said Antioch quarterback coach Juan Corral. “All 3 of those guys are Top 5 all time in their school’s history at their positions.”

Another weapon in Pittsburg’s arsenal is Willie Harts III, who has scored touchdowns via passing, rushing, receiving, interception, kick return and punt return this season.

Other key players for the Panthers consist of wide receiver Gaudie Campbell and linebacker Vinny Ballardo. Campbell is tied for most all-time receiving touchdowns at Antioch with 18 and Ballardo has averaged 100-plus tackles per season since he was a sophomore.

Gametime is 1:30 p.m. at Antioch High School’s Eels Stadium located at w. 18th and L Streets.

Antioch to play in 100th Big Little Game vs. Pittsburg, Saturday, Oct. 27

Mayor Sean Wright and Antioch High Varsity Football Coach John Lucido hold the Mayor’s Cup trophy following the 2017 game. Herald file photo

By Luke Johnson

Willem Karnthong led the Panthers in the air and on the ground en route to a victory over his team’s crosstown rival.

The Antioch (7-2, 2-2 BVAL) quarterback passed for two touchdowns and carried one into the end zone in a 28-20 win against Deer Valley.

Karnthong also led the Panthers in passing yards (136) and rushing yards (90). The senior’s 43 career passing touchdowns is catching up to his school’s all-time record. Paris Verduzco completed 49 passing touchdowns for Antioch from 1993 to 1995.

It was the Panthers’ fifth consecutive win in the Mayor’s Cup. The Yoc Boyz have jumped to a 13-10 lead in the series.

The Wolverines (4-5, 1-3 BVAL) entered the game coming off its first league win in five years. Deer Valley blew out Heritage last week, 50-8.

Joshua Scott also showed off his dual-threat quarterbacking skills for the Wolverines. The senior passed for 146 yards and rushed for 96.

Antioch’s Gaudie Campbell was the recipient of Karnthong’s two passing touchdowns. He also had three catches for 90 yards. The senior has 18 touchdown receptions in his high school career.

Both teams prepare for the final week of the regular season. Antioch will face Pittsburg (6-3, 3-1 BVAL) in the 100th Big Little Game and Deer Valley will take on Freedom (6-3, 2-2 BVAL).

By Sergeant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau, Violent Crimes Unit

On Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 at approximately 5:30 pm, Antioch Police Department detectives arrested a 16-year-old male suspect in connection with the shooting homicide that occurred on Oct. 9, 2018 in the parking lot of the Lucky Supermarket on E. 18th Street in north Antioch.

The ongoing investigation revealed two additional suspects. On Thursday, Oct. 18, detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit in a joint operation with the Special Operations Unit located and arrested both outstanding suspects, a 16-year-old male juvenile and a 17-year-old male juvenile. There are no known suspects outstanding, and each juvenile was booked into the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall facility.

Currently, detectives are still conducting follow-up investigation. Afterwards, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441 or Detective Bledsoe at 925-779-6884. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Matthew Koch, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 4:22 pm, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to the railroad tracks near G Street and W. 20th Street on a report of a shooting that had just occurred. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 15-year-old male juvenile suffering from several gunshot wounds in the 2100 block of D Street. It was discovered the responsible fled the area prior to police arrival. It was reported the male responsible attempted to rob the victim during the shooting.

The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. At this time, officers are working on leads to develop suspect information.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Monday, September 17, 2018, at approximately 8:06 A.M., Antioch Police Officers responded with medical personnel to a reported injured collision in front of Antioch High School. Two students were crossing West 18th Street when a vehicle travelling eastbound struck them. The driver immediately stopped and assisted in providing aide until Medical Personnel and Officers arrived. Both students, one adult and one juvenile, were transported to area hospitals for treatment as a precaution. Both had minor injuries and were later released. Speed is not a factor in this collision and neither is alcohol or drugs. The driver fully cooperated with investigating officers and it appears they had their vision obscured by the sun.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

The Toyota 4-Runner Antioch Police claim were involved in the hit and run at Antioch High Monday morning, Sept. 17, 2018.

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

Monday morning, September 17, 2018, Antioch Officers responded to a reported hit and run collision involving a vehicle versus pedestrian in front of Antioch High School. A student was crossing the street in front of the school when she was struck by the pictured Toyota 4-Runner. The driver of the Toyota failed to stop and continued eastbound on West 18th Street. The juvenile victim of this incident was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was later released with minor injuries.

Officers were able to identify the suspect vehicle and are currently pursuing leads in locating it. The driver was described only as a young white male. See above captured images of the actual suspect vehicle. If located, please do not make contact and call Antioch PD Dispatch at the number listed below.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Read more details from ABC7 News, here.

Benefit for Police Activities League

Please join us as the Pittsburg Diamonds take on the Martinez Clippers on August 28th, and as an added bonus the Antioch Police Department takes on the Pittsburg Police Department in a Home Run Derby with the Diamonds donating a portion of ticket sales to the winner’s PAL (Police Activities League) program.

Antioch Police Chief Brooks and Pittsburg Police Chief Addington will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Come on down for a great time, and a good cause.

The competition will take place at Winter Chevrolet Stadium, Civic at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. For tickets, visit Facebook or Eventbrite.