TODAY

Granite Bay Grizzlies (9-1) vs. Grant Pacers (10-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Grant High School.

Last meeting: Grant won 14-7 in 2005.

Grizzlies update: Defending Division II Section champion Granite Bay has won two games in a row since its heartbreaking 35-34 loss to Roseville on Oct. 31. The Grizzlies like to attack with a running game led by Clark Partridge (610 yards, 12 touchdowns), and a steady passing game paced by quarterback Teddy Bryant (830 yards, 14 touchdowns).

Pacers update: With its size and speed, Grant is arguably the most dominant team in the section. The Pacers are led by stellar running back Devontae Butler, who has 1,311 rushing yards. Linebacker Jeremiah Toma is the Pacers' catalyst on defense with a team-leading 115 tackles and seven sacks.

Outlook: Grant has a distinct size and speed advantage, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Grant could win in a rout, especially if the Pacers avoid turnovers and penalties. Granite Bay must execute on both sides of the ball in order to pull off an upset. But the Grizzlies have been known to take down a powerhouse or two.

– Quwan Spears

Folsom Bulldogs (9-1) vs. Napa Indians (9-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Napa High School.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Bulldogs update: It's no secret what coach Kris Richardson will do here – unleash more of David Graves and dare teams to slow him down. And to that, we offer a sincere good luck. Graves has passed for 35 touchdowns and run for 11, making him the ultimate threat.

Indians update: The defending Division I champions are rolling, having lost only to Merced (9-1) this season. Napa has won eight in a row behind the running of Logan Hess (1,148 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Charles Boyett (11 touchdowns), the younger brother of 2007 Bee Player of the Year John Boyett, who had one of the best playoff runs in section history last fall.

Outlook: It's also no secret what Napa plans to do: control the ball with its running game. That's what allowed Pleasant Grove to hand the Bulldogs their only defeat.

– Joe Davidson

Pleasant Grove Eagles (8-2) vs. Fairfield Falcons (6-4)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Monterey Trail High School.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Eagles update: Pleasant Grove is a third-year varsity program in the playoffs for the second successive season, so the rise to respectability has been fast and effective, including winning a postseason game last year. The difference now is the Eagles fully expect to reach the City Championship game, and with the running of Michael Madkins and Greg Williams and a steady defense, it's very much possible.

Falcons update: Fairfield has been a playoff regular over the years and is fast and dangerous. The Falcons' last loss was 35-28 to Napa, the Monticello Empire League champion. The Falcons hurt teams with two passers in Keith Welch (1,366 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Tremayne Bondurant (1,172 yards).

Outlook: Fairfield comes in as an underdog, but it's whether the Eagles get to the quarterback that will be telling. Then again, Fairfield has to slow down the Eagles' running game, and that's been a real chore for everyone.

– Joe Davidson

Rio Americano Raiders (8-2) at Inderkum Tigers (9-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Inderkum High School.

Last meeting: Inderkum won 20-10 on Oct. 3.

Raiders update: The Raiders, in settling for second place in the Capital Athletic League after falling to Casa Roble 33-12 last Friday, saw usually steady senior quarterback Mardell Johnson throw two interceptions and fumble twice. They know they have to play mistake-free and generate more than the 158 yards in offense they had against the Rams to have a shot of upsetting the Tri-County Conference champions.

Tigers update: With a talented cast, coach Terry Stark's deception-based Wing-T attack remains formidable in the hands of quarterback Demetrius Williams. Desean Reed, Vince Mayle and Eric Pinkins lead the Tigers' quick and swarming defense.

Outlook: The Raiders had a 10-7 lead entering the fourth quarter of their last meeting with the Tigers, so they know they can play with an Inderkum bunch that has gone 36-8 over the last four years and reached the Division III semifinals in 2006 and 2007.

– Bill Paterson

SATURDAY

Burbank Titans (7-3) at Christian Brothers Falcons (8-2)

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Christian Brothers High School.

Last meeting: Christian Brothers won 28-18 on Sept. 13.

Titans update: Burbank will try to rebound after falling to Grant 35-13 for the Metro Conference title last Friday. Burbank's high-risk, high-reward option offense will need to avoid the mistakes it made in a five-turnover performance in the season opener against the Falcons. Standout quarterback Miles Freeman passed for 158 yards and two touchdowns, but also had three interceptions and a fumble that led to a Falcons touchdown. The Titans have one of the area's top defenses, allowing fewer than 12 points a game.

Falcons update: The Falcons' thunder-and-lightning attack of running backs Josh Tucker (149 carries, 1,247 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Marcus McDaniel (91 carries, 589 yards, seven touchdowns) has been nicely complemented by the play of quarterback Michael Lahey (50 for 80 passing for 601 yards, nine touchdowns), who has shown a steady hand since taking over the starting job in Week 3. The defense has forced 22 turnovers and made 20 sacks.

Outlook: Despite their small roster, the Titans are in better shape than in Week 1, when the heat and the Falcons' pounding offensive line wore them down in the second half. Having committed just seven turnovers in 10 games could be enough to give the Sierra Valley Conference tri-champions the edge in the rematch of last season's Division II playoff opener (won by Burbank 22-20).

– Bill Paterson