Five matchups to watch as league play begins

High school football begins league play throughout the region next Friday, what some coaches refer to as the "second season."

In anticipation, many of the area's top teams took their bye week this weekend to freshen up, heal and prepare for the big games ahead.

While some teams aim to win league titles, others hope to get playoff berths by either finishing second or gaining the necessary two league wins for postseason consideration.

Here's a look at five interesting matchups next week:

Folsom (5-0) at Oak Ridge (5-0) – The Delta River League opener has even bigger implications this season with the neighborhood rivals unbeaten, strong section title contenders (Oak Ridge D-I; Folsom D-II) and possible suitors to play in the first CIF Northern California Regional playoffs.

The game presents an intriguing matchup of quarterbacks.

Oak Ridge's Jason Samuels (963 yards and 12 touchdowns) is a determined senior, having missed last year's league season with a broken collarbone. Folsom sophomore Jake Browning made his varsity debut with a 10-touchdown performance against Woodcreek and is No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in the Sac-Joaquin Section in passing yards (2,010).

Franklin (5-0) at Grant (2-3) – The Wildcats, who have never beaten the Pacers, have perhaps their best team in school history with depth, speed and skill throughout the lineup. The Pacers hope to build on their last-second, 31-30 win over Del Oro that capped a shaky nonleague season.

Watch for the potential Trayvon vs. Trevon show. Grant senior defensive back-receiver Trayvon Henderson catches passes, makes tackles and punts; Franklin senior Trevon Lampley runs and catches, snags interceptions and returns punts.

Rocklin (2-3) at Nevada Union (3-2) – The Sierra Foothill League opener will set the tone in a tough race.

Rocklin junior quarterback Logan Webb is coming off a four-touchdown performance in an upset win of No. 9 Inderkum, though injured senior Daniel Kniffin may be good to go after missing three games with a shoulder injury.

The Miners will try to rebound from a second-half meltdown in their 43-19 loss at top-ranked Elk Grove.

Casa Roble (1-4) at Del Campo (3-2) – For the past 10 years, either Casa Roble or Del Campo has won the league title, first in the Capital Athletic League, now in the Capital Valley Conference.

Del Campo has a mammoth line that includes A.J. Samataua (6-foot-4, 300 pounds), Kyle Evanski (6-2, 250) and Isaac Martinez (6-1, 265). Quarterback Derek Rodigo has passed for 856 yards and four touchdowns.

The young Rams have tumbled badly in losing four straight, but Del Campo usually draws out the best in coach Norm Ryan's crew.

El Camino (4-1) at Antelope (4-1) – The Eagles have their best team in years while the 4-year-old Titans are trying to win their second CAL title in three years.

Antelope wide receiver-safety Tyler Winston is one of the top playmakers in the section; El Camino's Kevin Wise is formidable running, tackling and kicking.

• Read more articles by Bill Paterson

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