THE BEE'S TOP 20

Last season's record in parentheses

1. Pleasant Grove (13-1)

• It's been an accelerated learning curve for coach Joe Cattolico's Eagles, who have gone from new school to sudden power. A state bowl berth is a realistic goal.

Five to fear: LB Josh Adams, OL Arik Armstead, QB Cody Demps, RB Mark Jenkins, DB Desmond Lewis.

2. Folsom (14-1)

• A power in the early 1960s and late '80s, the Bulldogs have soared to new championship heights under coach Kris Richardson. Don't be surprised if they return to a bowl.

Five to fear: OL Jordan Alleva, WR Carson McMurtrey, AP J'Juan Muldrow, QB Tanner Trosin, LB Alex Wood.

3. Grant (13-1)

• From solid in the '70s to good in the '80s to positively great the past 20 years, coach Mike Alberghini's proud Pacers have the usual collection of size, power, speed and fury.

Five to fear: OL Charles Faraimo, WR Lychauan Jones, LB Semisi Paea, QB Terry Shine, RB Shaq Thompson.

4. Del Oro (10-4)

• Championship-good in the '80s and '90s, and elevated to a new championship level under coach Casey Taylor with two section titles (and murderous scheduling) since 2005. Expect more of the same.

Five to fear: LB Alex Bertrando, OL Zach Heath, QB Bobby Heatherington, RB Brandon Monroe, RB Nick O'Sullivan.

5. Granite Bay (9-4)

• From new school to winning trendsetters, coach Ernie Cooper's Grizzlies seek their 13th consecutive playoff appearance, and fourth section championship.

Five to fear: OL Gavin Andrews, OL Koki Arai, RB Michael Bertolino, LB/TE Spencer Briare, QB Brendan Keeney.

6. Nevada Union (4-6)

• Wing-T attack and team unity in Grass Valley have produced four section titles for coach Dave Humphers, who had only three returning starters in 2010.

Five to fear: S Gabe Humphers, FB Conner Keith, DB Josiah Paye, OL Alec Sarner, LB Tanner Vallejo.

7. Whitney (7-5)

• New kids on the block no more, the Wildcats under coach Mike Gimenez have the pieces for another section title (the Wildcats were D-IV champs in 2008) and a team for all time in Rocklin.

Five to fear: TE Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick, WR Corey Palin, RB Connor Graves, OL Greg Holm, QB Jake Rodrigues.

8. Monterey Trail (10-4)

• After enduring brutal new-school growing pains last decade, the Mustangs are now muscle-bound veer offense winners under coach T.J. Ewing as they seek a third straight trip to D-I final.

Five to fear: DL Trey Flury, RB Jeffrey Malm-Annan, RB/DE Sterling Powell, DL Viliami Umufuke, OL Leonard Wood.

9. Casa Roble (9-4)

• Playoff worthy in the '80s and '90s, Rams are now a D-III power with prolific offenses the past 10 years under coach Norm Ryan (five consecutive playoff teams and a 2008 D-III title). Expect more points and more postseason success.

Five to fear: LB Cameron Buell, RB Kody Jones, OL Nick Kelly, WR Frankie Patalano, QB Mitch Samson.

10. Franklin (8-3)

• The Wildcats are still hungry for their first playoff victory under coach Mike Johnson, who has his most athletic team yet.

Five to fear: RB/DE Joey Banks, DB Marcus Green, SS Trevon Lampley, LB Jordan Owensby, RB Steven Rogers.

11. Placer (9-3)

• A juggernaut program in the '70s and '80s, the Hillmen are again making section-title game appearances the norm (with two in the past three seasons). Coach Joey Montoya, an alum, returns the core of his wing-T offense.

Five to fear: LB Colton Davenport, S Anthony Hess, S Tyler Lipsmeyer, RB Brad Spangler, DL Eddie Vanderdoes.

12. Sheldon (4-6)

• The Huskies were a factor last decade and continue to make strides. Second-year coach Josh Crabtree's team lost three heartbreakers in 2010.

Five to fear: WR Jarod Badger, QB Davon Chapple, RB Joshua Hadley, DL Nate Iese, WR Kyiron Thomas.

13. Roseville (6-5)

• A power running team a generation ago and a prolific spread team lately, who says the Tigers can't evolve? Veteran coach Larry Cunha has four starting linemen back.

Five to fear: OL Eric Acosta, OL Jordan Carrell, QB Zac Cunha, RB Casey Lambert, DL Ammon Tuimaunei.

14. Oak Ridge (7-4)

• Playoff factor since the early '80s with all-time regional teams in the early 2000s, Trojans seek fifth straight playoff berth under coach Eric Cavaliere, sixth straight overall.

Five to fear: WR Dylan Collie, LB Preston Dean, TE Xavier Lopez, RB Shay Mueller, QB Jason Samuels.

15. Del Campo (8-3)

• The Cougars rose to prominence in the '90s and have risen to section-power status under coach Mike Dimino with 50 wins in five years, two section titles and no league losses in three of those seasons.

Five to fear: LB Adrian Garcia, LB J.D. Milan, DL Sam Perez, RB Anthony Rodigo, RB A.J. Samataua.

16. Cosumnes Oaks (5-5)

• No longer the nice, new Wolfpack in the Elk Grove Unified School District under energized coach Scooter Gomes, who anticipates a title run for his program.

Five to fear: DL Eudaldo Mendoza, AP Marcus Rios, DL Sam Smith, AP Andrew Williams, RB Tavon Willis.

17. Inderkum (10-2)

• With 61 wins, five postseason trips and two section final appearances in six years under wing-T coach Terry Stark, the Tigers have arrived.

Five to fear: LB Kevin Blueford, OL Reuben Haskins, AP D.J. Myart, QB Hunter Royal, S Antonio Stuckey.

18. Antelope (6-5)

• Out of the gates as a new varsity program, the Titans hung their first league title banner last fall. Now, coach Matt Ray's squad seeks playoff wins.

Five to fear: DB Ceron Cherry, OL Evan Lamun, DB Javante O'Roy, LB Kei'Shaun Sinclair, WR Jarvis Watkins.

19. Elk Grove (4-6)

• Few teams can match the Herd's tradition over the decades. While enrollment has dipped, the players' desire and the expectations under coach Chris Nixon are still high.

Five to fear: RB Robert Frazier, LB Josh Letuligasenoa, OL Steven Moore, DL Matt Nugent, RB Deon Ransom.

20. Union Mine (10-2)

• Coach Dave Johnson made the program an instant factor, taking the region's spotlight that used to shine on El Dorado and Ponderosa.

Five to fear: QB Graham Bennett, WR Jeremy Hernandez, DB Shane O'Leary, OL Oscar Rodriguez, RB Sean Tow.

– Joe Davidson

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Joe Davidson joins Mike Finnerty each Saturday on the SureWest Sports Radio Show on ESPN 1320 from 9 to 10 a.m.

• Read more articles by Joe Davidson