Rio Americano is fighting for its football credibility.

The Raiders play in a neighborhood indifferent – and in some cases indignant – about the sport, which is magnified by home games in front of small crowds on Saturday afternoons.

Unlike at most schools, football isn't even the clear-cut fall centerpiece sport on the Carmichael campus where boys soccer, boys and girls water polo and girls volleyball have strong followings and a history of success. But after an exciting 54-53 double-overtime win against visiting Cordova in a Capital Athletic League opener Saturday, the Raiders (3-3, 1-0) harbor hopes of their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2008.

"We're fighting like hell over here," said third-year coach Christian Mahaffey. "I've got 25 kids working hard trying to help us turn the corner."

Despite obstacles, the Raiders have some things working in their favor.

They run a productive and entertaining triple-option offense that is averaging 41.5 points a game.

They have an electrifying player in Basil Okoroike, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound three-year starter who plays on offense, defense and special teams. Against Cordova, Okoroike returned two kickoffs for touchdowns – his second (followed by the PAT by Matt Laffey) tied the score in the fourth quarter and sent the game into overtime. He has 12 TDs on the season.

"He can fly," Mahaffey said. "He's clocked 4.46 on grass, and he's our strongest guy in the weight room. He's got a 3.6 GPA, so he's getting looks from UC Davis, Sac State and Stanford."

Mahaffey has several athletic juniors, including quarterback Mark Lyon (944 yards passing, 12 touchdowns) and receivers Zach Suarez and Guillermo Salazar. There is size on the line, anchored by 6-5, 250-pound senior Bobby Keenan.

Four sophomore starters – John Miller, Russell Patty, Mason Avina and Dakota Pinkernell – offer hope for the future.

The leader of the sophomores is Miller, an outside linebacker who is the grandson of Max Miller, Folsom High's defensive coordinator.

"Emotionally, he has given us a huge shot in the arm," Mahaffey said. "John plays with lots of fire and is all over the field. He's helping change the culture here."

Despite neighborhood opposition, Mahaffey isn't giving up on the idea of Friday night games on campus.

"I want my kids to experience what others have," Mahaffey said. "It's hard to get people out on a Saturday afternoon. And it's no fun playing Jesuit (a 52-38 loss) in Week 1 with 25 kids when it's 105 degrees."

Pacers are in Division I – Grant (3-3), Division II section champions in 2008 and runner-up to Folsom last season, is a No. 14 seed in Division I in The Bee's first 2011 section football playoff projections released this week.

Bee top-ranked Pleasant Grove (5-1) is the No. 3 seed behind Pitman (6-0) of Turlock and Lincoln (5-1) of Stockton in D-I.

Bee No. 2 Del Oro (5-1) is a No. 5 seed behind Oakdale (6-0), Manteca (6-0), Placer (5-1) and Vista del Lago (5-2) in D-III. Del Oro is the D-III section defending champion.

Bee No. 3 Elk Grove (6-0) is seeded No. 2 in D-II behind Buhach Colony (6-0) of Atwater. No. 3 is Vacaville (5-1), No. 4 Inderkum (5-1), No. 5 Downey (5-1) of Modesto and No. 6 Folsom (5-1), the defending D-II section and CIF State Bowl champs.

For more, go to www.sacbee.com/preps

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Bill Paterson at (916) 326-5506.

• Read more articles by Bill Paterson