Preps of the week: Quarterbacks come out firing in first varsity starts

The prep football season kicked off this past weekend with several teams debuting new starting quarterbacks.

Among them, San Marin’s Daniel Rolovich, Terra Linda’s Josh Milani, and Archie Williams’ Ronan Foley enjoyed strong performances in victories.

Redwood also picked up a win, getting the game-winning touchdown from running back Sean Cunneen in the fourth quarter. San Rafael notched a victory behind a big two-way performance from Josue Munoz.

Girls volleyball moved into its second week of non-league play. As usual, Marin teams have been feasting on out-of-county opposition.

Daniel Rolovich, San Marin football

After biding his time last season behind senior starter Dominic Ingrassia, Rolovich was impressive while making his first start for the Mustangs in a 52-20 romp against College Park on Friday night. Rolovich threw three touchdowns and ran for a fourth as San Marin opened the season in style. Rolovich threw two touchdowns to Joey Cipollina and one to Wesley Timmel.

Natalia Clifford, Tam girls volleyball

The Red-Tailed Hawks outside hitter had a strong week, helping the team pick up wins against University and Cardinal Newman. Tam rallied for a five-set win against University in a rematch of last year’s North Coast Section Division IV title game. Clifford, who was pressed into setter duty alongside Annie Payne in a 6-2 offense, put up a triple-double with 22 kills, 12 assists and 12 digs. Clifford added 20 kills and 10 digs against the Cardinals as Tam stayed unbeaten on the season through four games.

Josh Milani, Terra Linda football

The senior made his first start at quarterback for the Trojans on Saturday night, completing 12 of 18 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-8 victory against Upper Lake. Milani found four different receivers for scores — Dimitri Kokalis, Cale Cizmadia, Santi Frias, and Mateo Pattani — highlighted by a 70-yard catch-and-run by Pattani that put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Madeleine Wagner, Redwood girls volleyball

The Giants outside hitter averaged 10.3 kills per match across three games last week to help Redwood get off to a 3-0 start. Wagner had 17 kills against Sacred Heart Cathedral on Thursday then added six kills while hitting .462 in a three-set win against Menlo School on Friday.

Ronan Foley, Archie Williams football

Foley made his first varsity start under center, throwing three touchdowns as the Peregrine Falcons scored a couple of touchdowns just before the half en route to a 41-14 victory against Kennedy (Richmond) on Saturday. Foley’s highlight play came with the Peregrine Falcons near midfield in a 14-14 game. Foley threw a ball over the top of the defense to Lincoln Tithof for a touchdown that gave Archie Williams the lead for good.

Lexi Ferguson, Marin Catholic girls golf

Ferguson claimed medalist honors for the Wildcats twice last week, highlighted by a round of 34 at McInnis Park in a win against Terra Linda. Ferguson also led all scorers with a 41 at StoneTree Golf Club in a win against Novato.

Josue Munoz, San Rafael football

Munoz made an impact on both sides of the ball, scoring two touchdowns in the first half then making arguably the biggest defensive play of the game in the fourth quarter to help the Bulldogs preserve a 21-12 victory against Santa Rosa. Munoz was utilized as the Bulldogs’ goal-line back against the Panthers and was effective, scoring the first two touchdowns of the game as San Rafael built a 14-0 lead. Santa Rosa found success on the ground in the second half and pulled within 21-12 early in the fourth quarter. The Panthers hit a big pass play down the left sideline without about 7 minutes left in the game. Munoz was the last defender left to prevent a long touchdown and did so, making a huge tackle at San Rafael’s 36-yard line. Santa Rosa never did find the end zone as the drive ended a few plays later on an interception by Casey Earnest.

Leah Mathewson, Terra Linda girls volleyball

The Trojans are off to an 8-1 start this season and have gotten some strong performances from their senior setter. Mathewson had one of her bigger stat lines of the season in a five-set victory against Maria Carrillo on Thursday, piling up 40 assists, 18 digs, and five kills.

Sean Cunneen, Redwood football

Cunneen ran for 109 yards, caught four passes for 32 more yards, and scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of Redwood’s 21-14 win against San Leandro on Saturday. With the game tied at 14-14 with under 8 minutes to play, Cunneen took the ball from San Leandro’s 49-yard line, hit a spin move to shed a tackler and bolted to the end zone to restore the Giants’ seven-point lead.

Eva Layton, Redwood field hockey

Redwood’s goalie made 11 saves across two games while conceding just one goal as the five-time defending MCAL champions opened the season with non-league wins against St. Francis and Pleasant Valley. Layton allowed one goal in a 5-1 victory against Pleasant Valley then shut out St. Francis 2-0.