Santa Clara and Sacramento State made big steps toward winning the NorCal D1-AA college league with victories Saturday.

Once again, Chico State was involved in a high-scoring close match, finally being edged 41-35 by Sacramento State. Chico is 1-3, but has recorded two bonus-point losses and four tries in three of those games. Their average score is 31-36.

Sac State improved to 3-1, but is only second as Santa Clara defeated Stanford 31-22.

Santa Clara beat Stanford 31-22 thanks to three tries from wing Teddy Mefford. Forwards Craig Kisylia and Luke Cashman scored as well as Santa Clara controlled possession effectively enough to get the drop on Stanford.

The teams face off again next week, with Chico at Santa Clara and Stanford at Sacramento State. Then everyone takes a break for everyone's spring breaks for about a month before the final round.

That should be a winner take all weekend as Sac State travels to Santa Clara. However, Santa Clara can clinch next week if they win and Sac State falters.

NorCal's league does not have an automatic bid to the national championships because the league only has four teams. However, the league winner has a good chance to get an at-large bid to the national playoff.