High school football: Five games to watch

The Bee's Joe Davidson breaks down five notable games tonight (all kick off at 7 p.m.)

• Del Campo (9-2) at Elk Grove (10-1)

This Division II showdown is an intriguing rematch, with both teams favoring the run. Elk Grove beat Del Campo 20-16 earlier this season, and the Cougars haven't lost since. The Thundering Herd is led by running backs Robert Frazier (1,742 yards, 19 touchdowns) and Wadus Parker (1,084, 18). The Cougars counter with Josh Blumgold (1,107, 17) and Austin Brown (1,077, 21). Del Campo quarterback Derek Rodigo (1,432 yards passing, 11 touchdowns) has been steady, as has Elk Grove's Tommy Arnold, whose late bomb set up the winning score against the Cougars in the teams' last meeting Sept. 7.

• Lincoln-Stockton (8-3) vs. Franklin (11-0) at Cosumnes Oaks

This Division I playoff rematch won't be short of touchdowns or emotion; Lincoln won last year in a game that ended with coaches from both sides fuming at each other. This year, Franklin is the favorite, thanks to a run game that includes Kyran Harris, who rushed for a school playoff record 267 yards in last week's 35-14 victory over Nevada Union. Lincoln is led by Justin Davis, who rushed for 303 yards in a 52-7 rout of Merced last week.

• Del Oro (6-5) at St. Mary's-Stockton (9-2)

In 2009, Del Oro spoiled St. Mary's unbeaten season with a 30-29 victory in a Division II semifinal playoff thriller. Can the Golden Eagles, now led by running back Brandon Monroe, pull another upset? Monroe has rushed for 190 or more yards in his past three games behind superb line play. St. Mary's losses are 28-21 to Central Catholic-Modesto and 21-13 at state No. 1 De La Salle.

• Granite Bay (8-3) at Downey-Modesto (10-1)

Granite Bay, the defending Division I champion, is in the second round for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Downey, led by quarterback Aaron Zwahlen (3,488 passing yards, 46 touchdowns), will test Granite Bay's stout defense that is headed by defensive end-linebacker Beau Hershberger. Granite Bay quarterback Grant Caraway, the key on offense in the Grizzlies' seven-game winning streak, had four touchdown passes in last week's 52-0 win over Napa.

• El Camino (8-3) vs. Vista del Lago (10-1) at Folsom

Expect plenty of scoring in this Division III game. Vista del Lago is led by sophomore quarterback Matt Jimison (2,126 passing yards, 34 touchdowns) and a defense that shut out Lincoln 44-0 last week. El Camino's top players on offense are quarterback Jonah Lessard (1,551 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) and running back Desmond Boyd-Tanner, who had a 61-yard touchdown in last week's 39-14 rout of Sacramento in the Eagles' first playoff game since 1993.

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