The Bee's Joe Davidson runs down the top teams in the Sacramento region (last season's record in parentheses):

1. Elk Grove (12-1)

• Coach: Chris Nixon

• League: Delta Valley

• Opener: Friday at Lincoln-Stockton

• Outlook: The Herd, seeking its sixth Sac-Joaquin Section title, is as fast as any team in the section. Look for RB/LBs Robert Frazier and Wadus Parker, and DL B'won Canada and LB/TE Noah Letuligasenoa, to have big seasons.

2. Del Oro (13-2)

• Coach: Casey Taylor

• League: Sierra Foothill

• Opener: Friday vs. Oaks Christian-Westlake Village

• Outlook: The Golden Eagles return RB Brandon Monroe from their state-bowl team. Dalton Hudec is a force at TE and Tanner Woods mans the lines for a team seeking a section three-peat.

3. Nevada Union (7-4)

• Coach: Dave Humphers

• League: Sierra Foothill

• Opener: Friday vs. McQueen-Reno

• Outlook: Does any section team field a better linebacking trio than Tanner Vallejo, Hank Humphers and Marysville transfer Cole Hannum, who also plays FB? QB Kyle Cota is versatile behind a veteran line.

4. Grant (8-4)

• Coach: Mike Alberghini

• League: Delta Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Paradise

• Outlook: The Pacers expect to extend their section-leading streak of 22 consecutive playoff berths with a fast, physical team headed by WR/S Trayvon Henderson and DL run stopper Misi Taifane.

5. Granite Bay (12-2)

• Coach: Ernie Cooper

• League: Sierra Foothill

• Opener: Saturday vs. Westlake

• Outlook: The defending D-I section champions break in new QB Grant Caraway and RBs Taft Partridge and Johnny Cooley; the defense is experienced, headed by LB/DL Beau Hershberger.

6. Pleasant Grove (12-2)

• Coach: Joe Cattolico

• League: Delta River

• Opener: Friday vs. Rocklin

• Outlook: The Eagles could field their quickest team. RBs Isaiah Saunders, Tyree Hanson and Brandon Lewis also play defense, and two-way lineman Nick Terry is a recruit.

7. Franklin (8-4)

• Coach: Mike Johnson

• League: Delta Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Thousand Oaks

• Outlook: In Year 10 as a "new" school, the explosive Wildcats return 17 starters. QB Trent Spallas, RB Steven Rogers, WR Trevon Lampley and LB Joey Banks lead a team seeking its first section title.

8. Placer (9-3)

• Coach: Joey Montoya

• League: Pioneer Valley

• Opener: Friday at Central Catholic-Modesto

• Outlook: The Hillmen have D-III state bowl hopes behind the program's top all-time recruit, DL Eddie Vanderdoes. QB Pete Denham, RB Michael Robinson and TE Stone Sander lead wing-T attack.

9. Del Campo (8-4)

• Coach: Mike Dimino

• League: Capital Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Vallejo

• Outlook: The Cougars will again rely on a physical defense and power running behind OL A.J. Samataua and Kyle Evanski.

10. Folsom (11-3)

• Coach: Kris Richardson

• League: Delta River

• Opener: Friday at Woodcreek

• Outlook: The Bulldogs graduated state record-setting QB Tanner Trosin but return two gifted passers in Taylor Wing-Miller and Jake Browning. WRs Troy Knox and Phillip Carter and LB Derek Stiles are the team veterans.

11. Oak Ridge (7-5)

• Coach: Eric Cavaliere

• League: Delta River

• Opener: Friday at Vista del Lago

• Outlook: The Trojans' QB legacy continues with Jason Samuels, who will be protected by linemen Jake Proul, Kareem Ballal and twins Hekoti and Tuita Chapman.

12. Burbank (9-2)

• Coach: John Heffernan

• League: Metro

• Opener: Saturday at Napa

• Outlook: The Titans anticipate an eighth consecutive playoff berth with returning RBs Isaiah Williams and Keith Marcus, who combined for 2,621 yards and 30 TDs in 2011.

13. Cosumnes Oaks (8-4)

• Coach: Ryan Gomes

• League: Sierra Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Roseville

• Outlook: After earning its first D-III playoff win, the Wolfpack aims for a section title behind lines headed by Sam Smith, Kameron Schroeder and Kyle Saxelid, all 245 or bigger.

14. Inderkum (10-2)

• Coach: Terry Stark

• League: Tri-County

• Opener: Friday vs. Clovis East

• Outlook: No team has been hurt more by offseason injuries than the Tigers, who lost RB D.J. Myart for the season with a knee injury. Still, there are other speedy backs. The Tigers are targeting their sixth consecutive league title.

15. Antelope (6-5)

• Coach: Matt Ray

• League: Capital Athletic

• Opener: Friday vs. Liberty Ranch

• Outlook: The Titans seek a third straight playoff berth and second league title – not bad for such a new program. Twelve starters return, including: WR/DB Tyler Winston and linemen Daren Echeveria, Leonard Hazewood and Michael Okoroike.

16. Jesuit (5-6)

• Coach: Marlon Blanton

• League: Delta River

• Opener: Sept. 1 at Rio Americano

• Outlook: A new era begins with a new coach and new offense in the run-heavy veer. QB Thomas Sperbeck returns, and OL/DL Garrett Strohmaier leads experienced lines and postseason quest.

17. Casa Roble (10-3)

• Coach: Norm Ryan

• League: Capital Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Rio Americano

• Outlook: RB Kody Jones (1,500 rushing yards, 16 TDs) has a new QB in Peyton Wilfley, whom Rams coaches say could shatter school records.

18. Whitney (10-3)

• Coach: Mike Gimenez

• League: Capital Athletic

• Opener: Friday at Vintage-Napa

• Outlook: The team will look up to versatile leader Jordan Powell, who plays RB and DB. Both lines are a team strength.

19. Vista del Lago (8-4)

• Coach: Chris Jones

• League: Sierra Valley

• Opener: Friday vs. Oak Ridge

• Outlook: Justin Moore takes over at QB after the Eagles set school passing and receiving marks in 2011. WR Chris Cooper had 11 touchdown receptions in 2011.

20. Woodcreek (5-5)

• Coach: John Hildebrand

• League: Sierra Foothill

• Opener: Friday vs. Folsom

• Outlook: The Timberwolves will score a ton again behind QB Stephen Nogosek and RB Mitchell Layton. Surviving SFL is key.

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