For a few local athletes, football season isn’t over.

Several Bay Valley Athletic League players will suit up for the East Bay team as they take on Sacramento’s best players in the Holiday Classic. The game is slated for Friday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. at Monte Vista High in Danville.

Deer Valley contributes four representatives: running back Matt Smith, linemen Siosifa Malolo and Tavita Taito and linebacker Eduardo Garcia. Pittsburg, the reigning Bay Valley Athletic League champion, sends receiver Terrance Barnes, linebacker Fe’ao Vunipola and defensive back Mister Cotton. Defensive back Jordan Sheppard from Freedom plus kicker Kyle Rainsford of Liberty round out the local names.

A few familiar names are penciled in on the Sacramento roster as well. Folsom, which scraped out a victory against Deer Valley this season, has five players in the game, including quarterback Tanner Trosin. Three athletes also come from Granite Bay, which defeated Pittsburg this year.

This is the first time in its five years the Holiday Classic has taken place in the East Bay. Halftime features a performance from X-Factor singer Tara Woloshin.

For more information, visit  www.elitegridirongames.com.

Basketball

The Heritage boys basketball team is off to a hot start. The Patriots through Tuesday are 6-0, but it hasn’t come easy.

On Tuesday, Heritage outlasted Monte Vista in a 64-52 overtime victory. Sophomore forward Shon Briggs scored a team-high 20 points, while junior guard George Johnson contributed 19. The Patriots also boast wins over Arcata, Cosumnes Oaks, McKinleyville, San Ramon Valley and California.

The boys aren’t the only undefeated team on campus. The Heritage girls team heads into Christmas break with a 6-0 record, earning wins over Monte Vista, Benicia, Acalanes, Clayton Valley, James Logan and Foothill.

Freedom has also done well in the early goings, posting four consecutive victories to open the season. The Falcons lost their first game of the year last week in a 68-66 heartbreaker against Chico.

Deer Valley’s boys basketball team competed in De La Salle’s recent Chris Vonture Tournament, but found the going tough. The Wolverines beat Serra 59-54 in the first round, but dropped games to Damien and Acalanes to finish the bracket.

Maranne Johnson had an incredible night for Deer Valley’s girls team on Tuesday against Clayton Valley. The sophomore forward scored 27 points, came down with 12 rebounds and made 10 steals for her first career triple-double. The 89-76 Wolverines victory gave them a 5-2 record.

Soccer

The Heritage girls soccer team heads into the weekend with an impressive 4-0 record. Most recently, the Patriots defeated Alameda 2-1 on Tuesday. Junior forwards Jamie Baron and Gabriella Withers found the back of the net for Heritage.

So far this season, Deer Valley’s girls soccer team has also achieved success. The Wolverines are 3-2-1 heading into the Tri-Valley Classic next week. BVAL play for girls soccer starts Dec. 10.

– Compiled by Staff Writer Justin Lafferty