Division I

There are no unbeatens in this 16-team field, but there are five 9-1 squads, including two that will play in an opener when Folsom visits Napa. The field includes two of the best passers anywhere in David Graves of Folsom and Cody Vaz of St. Mary's.

Favorite

Merced (9-1) The Bears look like the Bears of yesteryear – fast, athletic, deep and hungry. They might have more D-I prospects than any Northern California school.

Contenders

Laguna Creek (7-3) Cardinals have a game-breaker tailback in Keenen Williams, and a terrific defense – when inspired – led by Sean Nill and D.J. Hill. The program seeks its first playoff win.

Pleasant Grove (8-2) Have we mentioned running the ball and defending? Eagles are experts here.

Napa (9-1) Defending champion has a whopper of an opener, but there is a ton of experience for another major run.

St. Mary's (8-2) Vaz is dangerous, and the Rams are motivated by a 38-36 loss in the Division I final to Napa last season.

Dark horse

Nevada Union (9-1) The young Miners are off and running again, and the defense has a stopper in Zach Vallejo.

Division II

There is a solid argument – and plenty of proof – that the Division II field is more talented and just plain better than the D-I big boys. As fate would have it, the only two teams that occupied The Bee's top spot in the rankings during the season – Grant and Granite Bay – square off right away, making for an instant classic. A closer look:

Favorite

Grant (10-0) The Pacers have all the ingredients to run the table: line play, a running game with Devontae Butler, a defense that hammers away and Mike Alberghini's coaching.

Contenders

Granite Bay (9-1) The Grizzlies were two points away from being 10-0, and wouldn't that change this entire field? The defending champions have one of their most prolific teams ever.

Roseville (7-3) The Tigers stunned Granite Bay and were on a roll with ace quarterback Mike Moreno before a surprising loss to Rocklin last week.

Christian Brothers (8-2) Backfield of Marcus McDaniel and Josh Tucker and linebacker Daniel Cox make for a dangerous lot.

Dark horse

Burbank (7-3) Never mind the loss to Grant, the Titans are trouble for anyone as long as quarterback Miles Freeman is on the loose. He will stretch defenses.

Division III

The Capital Athletic League is well represented here, with Casa Roble, Rio Americano and Del Campo, and the brackets are aligned to have heavies in Casa and Inderkum meet in the final. But this field was turned upside down right away last season. A closer look:

Favorite

Casa Roble (10-0) The Rams have been motivated all season to get to this point, and to inflict major damage in the postseason. Last year they went 10-0 in the regular season only to suffer a first-round playoff loss. Casa is a scoring machine, and linebacker Jaycob Shoemaker is best defender in the field.

Contenders

Inderkum (9-1) The only loss was to Elk Grove when it was rolling. Speed, size and skill are there, but what about experience?

Rodriguez (8-2) Defending champion boasts of spectacular athletes, and the Mustangs eye a second-round rematch with Casa after toppling the Rams in 2007.

Del Campo (8-2) When healthy, the Cougars were as good as anyone, and they're healthy again.

Dark horse

Vanden (9-1) The Vikings haven't been this fun – and this good – since the 1980s and early '90s.

Division IV

Whitney looms as the big favorite here, for several reasons: The Wildcats lost 34-27 to Oakdale in last year's final, and they are the only unbeaten team, meaning they're on a roll. A lot of tradition-rich programs with town followings here, too. A closer look:

Favorite

Whitney (10-0) The Wildcats are roaring through the season with a mission: title. Running back Zack Graves is a prolific workhorse, defense is nails, and coach Mike Gimenez is a master organizer, planner and schemer.

Contenders

Oakdale (8-2) Champions of the always brutal Valley Oak League have been here before, and they have won eight consecutive games this season with a tough defense.

Bear River (8-2) How the Bruins respond from team suspensions is key. They crave a rematch against Whitney in final.

Dark horse

Rio Linda (7-3) The Knights have been hammered with injuries. There's enough to make a run, though a second-round game against Whitney is likely.

Division VI

Favorite

Marysville (8-2) Indians seek their third section title game appearance since 1999 and first title. Part of a deep Golden Empire League.

Contender

Lindhurst (8-2) Blazers aim for section three-peat, and there's a shifty runner in Lurrell Johnson.

Division VII

Favorite

Vacaville Christian (8-1) Defending champion is still scoring a ton, including games of 81 and 92 points.

Contender

Big Valley Christian (9-0) Rolling along on the legs of tailback Blake Sturdivan, who has rushed for 30 touchdowns.