Where: Monterey Trail High School.

Last meeting: Pleasant Grove won 23-6 on Sept. 26.

Cardinals update: Basking in its finest season, including winning a playoff game for the first time and then toppling defending Division I champion Napa, Laguna and coach Mark Nill thirst for more in a City Championship showdown pitting two Elk Grove Unified School District teams for the first time. Defense has been the key all season, and it's been this simple: When the Cardinals jump on teams early, their defense then jumps all over the foe with blitzes, secondary play and by forcing fumbles. The leader is defensive lineman Sean Nill, and he is flanked by standouts Matt Hambrick, D.J. Hill, Chris Jackson and a host of others. Keenen Williams is a breakaway threat for the Cardinals – he opened the Napa game with a 90-yard touchdown. Jackson has also emerged as an effective quarterback in his first year at the position.

Eagles update: Pleasant Grove is all of 3 years old on the varsity circuit, and the last two seasons have produced a combined 20-4 mark. The Eagles have overcome myriad injuries this fall to stake a six-game winning streak, including downing Fairfield and Nevada Union in the playoffs at Monterey Trail, so tonight's venue will feel like home again (Pleasant Grove's home field – Sheldon High – is a torn-up mess). Michael Madkins is the lead runner for the Eagles with 17 touchdowns, and Jalen Saunders has been dangerous at quarterback, on defense and on returns.

Outlook: Pleasant Grove won the only other meeting between the teams. Laguna had five turnovers, and Saunders electrified with three touchdowns. How the Eagles' superb offensive line handles Laguna's stout defensive front is the key.

– Joe Davidson

Sierra Timberwolves (9-2) at Whitney Wildcats (11-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Whitney High School.

Last meeting: First meeting

Wildcats update: Whitney was able to rest up and wait with an off week because of the Placer forfeit situation and it comes in eager to hit someone. The Wildcats are heavy favorites to win the D-IV crown, though coach Mike Gimenez is downplaying the favorite role. He implores his team to take no one lightly. Certainly, no one takes Zack Graves lightly. The section's leading rusher this season with 2,216 yards and 33 touchdowns takes direct snaps and picks and chooses his spots in what has been a spectacular campaign. Charlie Hetland has passed for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns to provide balance.

Timberwolves update: The Manteca team is in the midst of its finest season, and it is battle tested from the always rigorous Valley Oak League. Ryan Flores is a dangerous threat as a passer (1,425 yards, 13 touchdowns) and a runner (909 yards and six scores). Jarrod Daniels has rushed for 1,086 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Outlook: As outrageous as Graves has been this season, it's the defense that has been a real focal point for the Wildcats. Whitney has allowed 14 or fewer points in six consecutive games, thanks largely to top tackler Nick Law.

– Joe Davidson

Placer Hillmen (7-4) at Dixon Rams (9-2)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Dixon High School.

Hillmen update: With their postseason hopes revived by a judge's ruling, the playoff upstarts went to Oakdale and upset the heavily favored defending D-IV champion Mustangs 27-14 in the delayed playoff opener. The Hillmen did not commit a turnover, and second-year coach Joey Montoya's decision to go for an onside kick in the second quarter that Placer's Conner McKenzie recovered helped swing the game's momentum in its favor. Asher Gotzmer caught two touchdown passes from Matt Ross, Jake Lopez ran for two touchdowns, and Griffin Quick came up with a key fumble recovery on the Hillmen's 1-yard line midway in the fourth quarter. It was Placer's first playoff win since 2000, the last time the Hillmen made the postseason.

Rams update: Dixon, coming off three consecutive losing seasons, is one of the area's biggest surprises under fifth-year coach Scott Winslow, and it is making its first playoff run since 1999. The Rams' flex offense hasn't produced any stars, just an efficient, largely mistake-free unit. Quarterback Jeff Anderson has completed 71 of 128 passes for 1,053 yards with 11 touchdowns with two interceptions. The defense has been opportunistic in producing 38 sacks and 26 turnovers. Leaders include Jason Harvey (120 tackles), Austin Knapp (eight sacks) and Rhiley Norton (five interceptions).

Outlook: The Rams, who are playing in a new stadium built by bond money, have re-ignited interest in Friday night football and are looking to reach their first section final since coach Red Finney's 1974 bunch beat Central Catholic 30-10 for the D-III championship. The resilient Hillmen, having had three forfeited wins returned to them by court order, are one of the state's top stories of the fall and still might add another chapter.

– Bill Paterson

SATURDAY

Casa Roble Rams (12-0) vs. Inderkum Tigers (11-1)

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Oakmont High School.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Rams update: Casa has exorcised its postseason demons in making its first trip to a section championship game since the school opened in the mid-1960s. The Rams have three of the most potent offensive weapons in the section in Capital Athletic League Player of the Year Matt Satchwell (1,934 yards rushing, 29 touchdowns), all-CAL quarterback Sam Martinez (1,875 yards, 26 touchdowns) and all-CAL wide receiver Tristan Baer (1,088 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns) anchored behind co-CAL Lineman of the Year Tyler Kenobbie and all-league tackle Jimmy Flint. Defensive Player of the Year Jaycob Shoemaker (158 tackles, eight fumble recoveries) and all-leaguers Cole Carter, Justin Hayden, Zach Hackett, Dillon Markau, Scott Patalano and Cory Aubert lead a defense that is equally imposing.

Tigers update: Making the school's first section title appearance, the four-year varsity program does it with a lineup of stellar athletes without overwhelming individual statistics. Coach Terry Stark's wing-T attack goes six deep at running back, and an added wrinkle is the improving passing of quarterback Demetrius Williams. Among the leaders are Tri-County Conference MVP Ladon Hudson, the team's top tackler who also plays tight end and punts.

Outlook: In this D-III title game, the speedy but under-the-radar Tigers figure this is their chance to garner prime-time recognition by knocking off a Rams unit that is among the favorites to play in a California Interscholastic Federation state bowl game.

– Bill Paterson