Prep Blog

Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs
Opening round

Division I
Tracy 55, Enochs 24
Los Banos 27, Modesto 26 (OT)
Burbank 25, Lincoln-S 23
Monterey Trail 59, Pitman 21
Nevada Union 62, Napa 12
Sheldon 20, Oak Ridge 17
Pleasant Grove 28, Franklin-EG 7
Vacaville 49, Grace Davis 0

Quarterfinals (all games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Los Banos (8-3) at Tracy (11-0)
Burbank (7-4) at Monterey Trail (9-2)
Sheldon (8-3) at Nevada Union (10-1)
Pleasant Grove (8-3) at Vacaville (10-1)

Note: The games should get tighter now, and expect a great show between Burbank and Monterey Trail. The Titans run the triple-option and the Mustangs go with the veer, two offenses you just don't see any more. What's more the coaches - John Heffernan of Burbank and T.J. Ewing of Monterey Trail - are old friends and playing rivals from their days in San Mateo.
Old coaching friends meet again as Ed Lombardi takes his upset-minded Sheldon bunch to Grass Valley to take on Nevada Union and Dave Humphers. And Plesant Grove-Vacaville should be a high-scoring affair.

Division II
St. Mary's 49, Buhach Colony 7
Del Oro 42, Christian Brothers 13
Granite Bay 56, Sacramento 0
Folsom 42, Woodcreek 7
Grant 65, Tokay 0
Fairfield 45, Rosemont 17
Atwater 18, Stagg 13
Rocklin 35, Elk Grove 7

Quarterfianls (all games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Del Oro (9-2) at St. Mary's (11-0)
Granite Bay (9-2) at Folsom (10-1)
Fairfield (9-2) at Grant (11-0)
Atwater (8-3) at Rocklin (11-0)

Note: Del Oro has the mother of all challenges in trying to slow down and contain St. Mary's and that prolific spread offense machine. Then again, St, Mary's has to make stops on a run game that features Bryce Pratt. Should be a very good game.
So will Granite Bay-Folsom, as the Grizzlies will look to run the ball to keep the Bulldogs spread scoring machine off the field. Dano Graves has 54 total touchdowns. Grant and Fairfield may be a shootout, too, unless Grant's defense happens to be the most ferocious thing Fairfield has experienced. Fairfield did outlast Monterey Trail in an opening-week shootout, and Monterey Trail responded with four shutouts .

Division III
Inderkum 47, Rodriguez 7
Casa Roble 35, Manteca 28
Oakdale 36, Natomas 0
Vanden 48, Yuba City 14
Sierra 59, Mira Loma 6
Benicia 26, Patterson 20 (OT)
Rio Linda 35, Bella Vista 26
Del Campo 36, Pioneer 0

Quarterfinals (all games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Casa Roble (7-4) at Inderkum (11-0)
Oakdale (10-1) at Vanden (10-1)
Benicia (9-2) at Sierra (10-1)
Rio Linda (9-2) at Del Campo (10-1)

Note: Inderkum has been motivated to return to the D-III finals after losing a hearbreaker to Casa Roble in the championship last season. And look who is coming for dinner Friday? The Tigers get their chance at sweet revenge.
Oakdale-Vanden is an interesting matchup, as is the running of Cameron Mikell against the defense of Del Campo, which has played great down the stretch.

Division IV
Lincoln-L 49, Livingston 15
Sonora 20, Whitney 7
Placer 57, Foothill 20
Calaveras 18, Dixon 14
Modesto Christian 64, Colfax 7
Escalon 38, Hilmar 21
Summerville 33, Ripon 0
Central Catholic 52, Argonaut 24

Quarterfinals (all games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Sonora (9-2) at Lincoln (11-0)
Calaveras (7-4) at Placer (10-1)
Escalon (10-1) at Modesto Christian (11-0)
Summerville (10-1) at Central Catholic (10-1)

Note: This bracket took a hit of unpredictability when Calaveras stunned No. 2 Dixon, allowing No. 3 Placer to host a second game. Sonora-Lincoln is also a curious meeting as Sonora just eliminated defending champion Whitney.

Division V
Mariposa 34, Lindhurst 0
Highlands 24, Denair 21

Semifinals (All games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Mariposa (6-5) at Capital Christian (7-3)
Highlands (6-5) at Le Grand (6-4)

Note: Capital Christian is the clear favorite here, and it just had a bye. Highlands won its first home playoff game since 1985 but it gets brutal from here.

Division VI
Delta 39, Big Valley Chr. 8

Semifinals (all games Friday, 7 p.m.)
Vacaville Christian/Millennium at Bradshaw Christian
Delta at Brookside Christian

Note: Resting for the title repeat run is Bradshaw Christian, which leads the state in rushing with nearly 5,000 yards. Delta and coach Bob Lee are in the otehr semifinal with a team that runs pretty well, too.

Here's a look at some of the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs
Week 1
Division I
Nevada Union 62, Napa 12
Tracy 55, Enochs 24
Los Banos 27, Modesto 26
Burbank 25, Lincoln-Stockton 23
Monterey Trail 59, Pitman 21
Sheldon 20, Oak Ridge 17
Pleasant Grove 28, Franklin 7
Vacaville 49, Grace Davis 0

Note: Two mild surprises here if you base things on seeding with Sheldon rallying to beat Oak Ridge in El Dorado Hills. Oak Ridge had not lost since Week 3 against Grant. Burbank, a week after a strong showing against Grant, beat Lincoln-Stockton to set up a great matchup at Monterey Trail in Round II. Eric Niedeberger had four scores for NU, which continues to roll (and continues to batter Napa when the teams play in the playoffs).

Division II
Grant 65, Tokay 0
St. Mary's 49, Buhach Colony 0
Del Oro 42, CBS 13
Granite Bay 56, Sacramento 0
Folsom 42, Woodcreek 7
Fairfield 45, Rosemont 17
Atwater 18, Stagg 13
Rocklin 35, Elk Grove 7

Note: All the heavies rolled, as expected. The wind and rain was not an issue because there was no wind and rain after kickoff. Grant defense was superb, as was Devontae Butler with 201 yards on 15 carries.

Division III
Inderkum 47, Rodriguez 7
Vanden 48, Yuba City 14
Del Campo 36, Pioneer 0
Casa Roble 35, Manteca 28
Oakdale 36, Natomas 0
Sierra 59, Mira Loma 6

Note: Great rally and win for Casa Roble, the defending champion, at Manteca.

Division IV
Lincoln 49, Livingston 15
Sonora 20, Whitney 7
Placer 50, Foothill 14
Calaveras 18, Dixon 14
Modesto Christian 64, Colfax 7

Note: There will be a new champion in D-IV as Whitney fell at Sonora. And the upset here was Calaveras winning at Dixon.

The end didn't come with a bang, but rather a whimper.

Nevada Union, for the past eight seasons the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I girls volleyball kingpin, is no longer a defending champion. That honor instead goes to Oak Ridge, the defending D-II champs who came into The Pavilion at UC Davis and handed the Miners their first section playoff loss in a decade.

"I could not be more proud of my Oak Ridge family," said Trojans coach Becky Potter, who in two years has them to two titles.

Oak Ridge is now the first school in the section's history to win volleyball titles in three different divisions as the Trojans won the D-III crown in 2002 and D-II titles in 2005 and 2008.

The Trojans were able to stifle the double-barrel outside attack of junior Ellie Selleck and the Miners' lone senior Abbie Miraldi while utilizing its own formidable outside duo of Kayla Berringer and Katie Vaughn.

The teams split their prior two meetings with Oak Ridge claiming a four-set home victory on Sept. 30 while the Miners swept the Trojans in the semifinals of the St. Francis Super 8 on Halloween.

"Two months ago we wouldn't have won that third set, and it would have gone four or five," Potter said. "Now they refuse to lose and I couldn't ask for anything more."

Photo: Oak Ridge senior middle blocker Sarah Horning and junior outside hitter Katie Vaughn block a swing from Nevada Union sophomore middle Jenna Britton during the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I girls volleyball championship match on Thursday night at the UC Davis Pavilion. Photo courtesy of Drew Horning.

With the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs to kick off tonight, we wanted to mention a standout performance that failed to be reported to us during last week's final round of regular-season play.

Center senior running back Dylan Crabtree rushed for 342 yards and all four touchdowns on 44 carries in Center's 28-21 win over Cosumnes Oaks.

Crabtree finished the season with 1,329 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Center, which finished 3-7, did not advance to the postseason.

Nerves can be a funny thing.

No one is immune to them, but in certain situations teams rise to the occasion, while others can be consumed by them.

Such was the case on Thursday night as St. Francis seized the moment, and momentum, in sweeping Rocklin in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II girls volleyball championship match, 3-0 (26-24, 25-13, 25-21) at The Pavilion on the campus of UC Davis. The win gives St. Francis its 10th volleyball section title and marked the third straight year the Troubadours defeated Rocklin in the section playoffs and the second in a title match.

"We've worked really hard this year," said senior outside hitter Kacey Clark, who had eight kills. "Everyone is on the same page and we know what we're capable of."

Clark's service lifted the Troubadours, who erased an 18-15 deficit late in the first set to take it 26-24, in the second set as she served up three aces as part of a 10-0 run that inflated their lead from 6-3 to 16-3, effectively taking any momentum Rocklin had and putting it on the St. Francis side of the net.

"It's disappointing because we were playing so well," Thunder coach Dave Muscarella said. "The pressure of this game got to some of our younger players."

Pressure is something the Troubadours know all too well. Last year, coming off a thrilling win in the semifinals at Rocklin, St. Francis was riding high on emotion only to have sharp tack by the name of Oak Ridge burst its bubble with a convincing sweep in the section final. In the ensuing year, St. Francis coach Alynn Wright said, her Troubadours have done a lot of growing.

Particularly the middles, juniors Mary Clark and Zoe Nightingale.

"They're both such great competitors," Wright said. "They push each other every day to be that much better."

Clark and Nightingale were stellar once again Thursday night, patrolling the net and keeping the Thunder's sophomore outside duo of Katelyn Ivy and Cailyn Prewitt for the most part in check and erasing the bitter taste last year.

"We've used that (as motivation) all year," said Nightingale who had 12 kills and five blocks.

Lyana Perez had a match-high 22 assists for the Troubadours.

No matter how they do Friday night at fourth-seeded Folsom in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, No. 13 Woodcreek already has had a remarkable season.

Although it is one of only four teams in the 76-school playoff field with a losing record, few would argue against the 4-6 Timberwolves being among the loaded, 16-team Division II field.

Woodcreek finished in a three-way tie for third with Granite Bay and Del Oro to earn a playoff spot in the Sierra Foothill League, arguably the section's toughest. They also beat two of the area's top teams in Del Oro and Del Campo.

But for awhile, it looked as if the Timberwolves were headed for a repeat of 2007, when they went 0-10, rather than last year's breakthrough campaign in which they made the football playoffs for the first time in school history. Woodcreek went 6-6 and advanced to the D-II semifinals, losing to eventual Open Division state bowl champion Grant.

This season, Woodcreek started 0-3, losing to Casa Roble, Placer and Bear River. The 35-34 loss to the Bear River was the toughest to take. The Timberwolves failed to make a two-point conversion run and missed a field goal late in the game that could have won it.

"That start shook us up a little, considering our high expectations and good feelings coming from 2008," Woodcreek coach John Hildebrand said. "We kind of hit rock bottom. To overcome such a slow start is pretty awesome."

Woodcreek lost league games to Rocklin and Granite Bay without senior running back James Nunley, the team's heart and soul. He's battled and assortment of dings, including a slight shoulder separation suffered in a 16-7 must-win over Roseville in Week 9 that secured a playoff berth for the Timberwolves.

Those are the only two games he has missed in 11 years of football, Hildebrand said.

"I almost had to wrestle with him to keep him off the field against Rocklin (a 28-0 loss)," Hildebrand said. "We've climbed on his back a lot this year."

Against Roseville he carried 42 times for 283 yards, including 12 times in the Timberwolves' winning touchdown drive. It's also the drive in which he banged up his shoulder.

The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Nunley is one of those rare kids who has played four varsity seasons. He has carried the ball an amazing 735 times for 4,279 yards and 43 touchdowns.

"That's what I love about James," Hildebrand said. "He's built more like a scat back. But in addition to the moves, he has the toughness and the ability to finish runs."
And the stamina and courage to keep going when tired and hurt.

"When you have a kid that carries the ball 42 times and keeps asking for it even at the end, you have someone special," Hildebrand said.

Hildebrand decided to hold him out of the 34-10 loss to Granite Bay last Friday because the shoulder was still tender and a playoff berth already was secured.
That resulted in a nice bonus.

Junior Blake Cervantes, a 6-2, 185-pound defensive back and wide receiver moved over to running back and gained 133 yards on 27 carries behind the Timberwolves undersized but tough interior line of guards Sean Boyle (6-foot, 190 pounds) and Sam Klein (5-9, 208) and center Blaine Wickstrom (5-8, 175).

Woodcreek will need good games out of both Nunley and Cervantes, plus some timely passing from senior quarterback Matt Mazzuca, to carry out a pretty simple game plan - keep the ball away from Folsom's high-powered offense as much as possible.

"We've done our best when Matt's had his best games," Hildebrand said.

Mazzuca was 10 for 16 for 140 yards and a touchdown in the 27-23 win over Del Campo and 10 of 14 for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a key 28-6 win over a then 5-1 Oakmont team. The senior, who didn't play last year to focus on baseball, threw no interceptions in those two games.

"Sometimes I see him make a mistake or be a little late on something and wonder what could have been had we had him for two years," Hildebrand said. "But at the same time, he's taken every snap and taken some hellacious hits. When he's on, we have a nice balance."

But that might not be enough against a team like Folsom, which is averaging nearly 48 points and 500 total yards per game.

"No one quite runs the spread like Folsom," Hildebrand said. "They are at a whole other level. When most offenses run middle screens, they're looking to pick up maybe five or 10 yards. Folsom's screens go for 80-yard touchdowns."

Woodcreek's defense has played solidly through most of the season.

The senior leaders are all-league defensive end Cameron Stettner (eight sacks) and defensive back Nick Stephenson. Junior defensive back Geordan Nunley, James' younger brother, and linebacker Jason Stewart also have been standouts.

"We don't have the greatest record, but we believe in ourselves," Hildebrand. "By the same token, we are going to have to play our best game by far to beat Folsom."

A look at the CalHiSports/ESPN bowl rankings for Northern California schools. And keep in mind that only section champions are eligible for a bowl invite, meaning out of Grant, Rocklin, St. Mary's, Del Oro, Granite Bay and Del Oro only one reaches a bowl as all compete in Division II.

Division I North
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 10-0 def. Burbank (Sacramento) 40-22
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 8-2 def. California (San Ramon) 49-10
3. (4) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 8-1-1 def. St. Ignatius (SF) 18-11
4. (6) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 9-1 def. Davis 56-0
5. (7) Tracy 10-0 def. Lodi 52-7
6. (8) Deer Valley (Antioch) 10-0 def. Heritage (Bentwood) 31-18
7. (3) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 8-2 lost to Foothill (Pleasanton) 31-21
8. (9) Granite Bay 8-2 def. Woodcreek (Roseville) 34-10
9. (10) Vacaville 9-1 def. Wood (Vacaville) 54-13
10. (11) Monte Vista (Danville) 7-3 def. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 42-7
11. (12) Lincoln (Stockton) 8-2 def. Chavez (Stockton) 53-3
12. (13) Folsom 9-1 def. Sheldon (Sacramento) 63-28
13. (5) Berkeley 9-1 lost to Pinole Valley, 13-10
14. (NR) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 8-2 def. Florin (Sacramento) 40-6
15. (15) Serra (San Mateo) 5-5 lost to Valley Christian (San Jose) 34-21

On the bubble: Burbank (Sacramento) 6-4, California (San Ramon) 5-5, Fairfield 8-2, Foothill (Pleasanton) 6-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 7-3, Milpitas 8-2, Pittsburg 6-4, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 7-3, San Benito (Hollister) 8-2, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 6-4, Sheldon (Sacramento) 7-3.

Breakdown: If you read CalHiSports.com you know the playoffs in this division baffles everyone on the staff. Even the janitor can't figure this out and he comes up with some creative explanations. This time he shook his head--twice. Grant of Sacramento, Giant Killers last year in the Open Bowl game against Poly of Long Beach and a team that until last Friday had given up 13 points all season, seeded No. 3 in a Sac-Joaquin Section's Division I-II playoffs?
While it sets up a potential Grant-Rocklin game in the semifinals, it still doesn't make sense. Must be computers, which really have a tough time getting out to see teams play. Oh well, St. Mary's of Stockton, the team everyone would like to see in a bowl game against Oaks Christian, isn't disappointed although Folsom is in that bracket and the Bulldogs are not a team to be taken lightly. Bellarmine Prep of San Jose getting seeded No. 5 behind No. 1 Pioneer of San Jose is...shocking.
That's a completely different case than Grant's seeding. If the Sac-Joaquin seeding system was applied in the CCS, Pioneer might be No. 8 instead of No. 1. Defending CCS Open Division champ Bellarmine even has to open up on the road against a Palo Alto team that for some reason no one can figure out got seeded ahead of the Bells.

Division II North
1. (1) Rocklin 10-0 def. Roseville 51-27
2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (SJ) 9-0-1 def. Riordan 38-14
3. (3) Inderkum (Sacramento) 10-0 def. Natomas 21-7
4. (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 8-2 def. Oakmont (Roseville) 56-8
5. (5) St. Francis (Mtn View) 7-3 def. Sacred Heart Cath. (SF) 66-13
6. (6) Encinal (Alameda) 9-1 def. Moreau Catholic (Hayward) 55-15
7. (7) Paradise 9-1 Bye
8. (8) Lincoln 10-0 def. Colfax 27-17
9. (9) Sierra (Manteca) 9-1 def. Weston Ranch (Stockton) 35-14
10. (NR) Del Campo (Fair Oaks) 9-1 def. Bella Vista (Fair Oaks) 23-13

On the bubble: Casa Roble (Orangevale) 6-4, Bella Vista (Fair Oaks) 7-3, Enterprise (Redding) 9-1, Foothill (Palo Cedro) 7-4, Los Gatos 7-3, Manteca 7-3, Novato 7-3, Oakdale 9-1, Palo Alto 7-1-2, Petaluma 10-0, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-0, Placer (Auburn) 9-1, Sonora 8-2, Vanden (Travis AFB) 9-1, Whitney (Rocklin) 7-3.

Breakdown: Not much chance for movement here as the top nine teams either won or did not play. Vanden's stay in the elite group was short-lived as the Vikings were upended by D1 North Rodriguez of Cordelia, 28-21, which opened the door for Del Campo of Fair Oaks. The Cougars, who have been led all season by QB-RB-LB Ryan Dimino, downed Bella Vista by 10. Del Campo is seeded No. 2 behind Inderkum but ahead of Sierra (Manteca) in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III playoffs. Archbishop Mitty of San Jose, meanwhile, has steadily moved up but its No. 2 rating will get a fast test as Valley Christian, the No. 5 team in Division III, comes calling this week and has been surging in recent weeks.

Division III North
1. (1) St. Mary's (Stockton) 10-0 def. Edison (Stockton) 55-6
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 8-1-1 def. Alisal (Salinas) 34-21
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 9-1 def. Livingston 52-0
4. (4) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-1 def. Tamalpais 32-7
5. (5) Valley Christian (San Jose) 7-3 def. Serra (San Mateo) 34-21
6. (6) Escalon 9-1 def. Ripon 21-6
7. (8) Sutter 8-2 Idle
8. (9) St. Mary's (Berkeley) 8-2 def. Kennedy (Richmond) forfeit
9. (10) Salesian (Richmond) 9-1 def. Cal. School for Deaf (Fremont) 43-0
10. (NR) Carmel 9-0 def. Pacific Grove 78-6

On the bubble: Argonaut (Jackson) 6-4, Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 6-4, Cloverdale 9-1, Colfax 6-4, Fort Bragg 8-2, Fortuna 7-3, Healdsburg 6-4, Hilmar 8-2, Middletown 9-1, Ripon 7-3, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 7-3, Seaside 7-2-1, Scotts Valley 5-3-2, *Wheatland 8-3, Windsor 6-4.

Breakdown: St. Mary's of Stockton got the No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section's Division II playoffs and in many way it's hard to argue against the Rams. They played a very tough schedule and only one team, highly respected Div. I Bellarmine Prep of San Jose, got within 30 points (24). OK, so St. Mary's opens against Buhach Colony of Atwater and will gain even more respect and a long look at the Open Division berth if it runs the table from here on out. Still, we continue to see the possibility that it will be best for the future of the bowl games to put St. Mary's and Oaks Christian opposite each other in Div. III instead of the Open Division. Knowing how tough it is going to be for other top-ranked teams in D3 North and D3 South to just get bowl eligible, the nightmare would be to see Oaks or St. Mary's lined up against a clearly inferior opponent in a D3 state bowl game.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Modesto Christian 10-0 def. Ripon Christian 56-7
2. (2) Ferndale 10-0 def. McKinleyville 27-13
3. (3) Modoc (Alturas) 9-0 Idle
4. (4) Portola 10-0 Idle
5. (5) Bradshaw Chr. (Sacramento) 9-1 def. Woodland Christian 77-0
6. (6) St. Francis (Watsonville) 6-3-1 def. Harbor (Santa Cruz) 21-7
7. (7) Fall River (McArthur) 9-2 def. Tulelake forfeit
8. (8) Capital Christian (Sac.) 7-3 def. Golden Sierra (Garden V.) 49-20
9. (9) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 9-2 def. Etna 55-0
10. (NR) Quincy 8-3 def. East Nicolas 38-30

On the bubble: Burney 7-3*, Colusa 6-4, East Nicolas (Nicolas) 6-4*, Hoopa Valley (Hoopa) 8-2, Maxwell 8-3, St. Vincent (Petaluma) 7-3, Vacaville Christian 6-4, Valley Christian (Dublin) 5-5.

Breakdown: Like the South, all but one of the North Small Schools either won or didn't play but since it was No. 10 St. Vincent of Petaluma that fell, Quincy moves into the final spot. Are you ready for section championship games already? The early finish to the season (due to annual bad weather concerns) is the way it works in the Northern Section, which undoubtedly was part of the reason Hamilton of Hamilton City got blasted by St. Margaret's in last year's bowl game. It was a month between games. No. 7 Fall River of McArthur, meanwhile, has a rematch with Maxwell for the Division V title Saturday at Fall River. The Bulldogs beat Maxwell 24-12 earlier this year. Maxwell plays in a rare three-team league.

Where once 80 stood, 10 remain. The Sac-Joaquin Section volleyball championship finals have arrived.

With more intertwining stories than a Tarantino film it promises to be another memorable night at the Pavilion on the campus of UC Davis.

Division I

Click to view the bracket

No. 1 seed Oak Ridge (26-11) vs. No. 11 seed Nevada Union (34-9), 8 p.m.

What to watch for: Nevada Union took the Trojans out of system in the teams' last meeting at the St. Francis Super 8 on Halloween -- Oak Ridge's last loss -- with a tough serve game. Expect the Miners to try to do more of the same tonight or it could be a long night for its young back-row defense.

Who to watch: With such evenly matched units on the outside and in the middle, the stage may be set for Oak Ridge senior rightside hitter Lena Buckendorf to tip the scale in the favor of the Trojans as setter Brittney Larsen may look to set more often, especially if the Miners' block stifles outside hitters Kayla Berringer and Katie Vaughn.

Division II

Click to view the bracket

No. 1 seed Rocklin (31-7) vs. No. 2 seed St. Francis (35-6), 8 p.m.

What to watch for: Expect a bit of a feeling-out period during the first set of this match as the teams have not faced each other since last year's section semifinals -- a five-set comeback victory for the Troubadours. Though St. Francis has much the same team it had last year, Rocklin's roster turned over quite a bit, particularly the starters.

Who to watch: Rocklin sophomore outside hitter Cailyn Prewitt may be the one player most likely to have a profound impact on a section final tonight as she has an incredibly tough serve and and an even harder swing capable of taking over a match.

Division III

Click to view the bracket

No. seed St. Mary's-Stockton (18-7) vs. No. 3 seed El Camino (30-6), 6 p.m.

What to watch for: The Eagles can't afford to become one- or even two-dimensional against a strong, veteran squad like St. Mary's. In the Eagles' win over Del Oro last Thursday setter Bridget Herenda masterfully moved the ball around, utilizing all of her hitters and every set in her repertoire to down one of the strongest teams in the entire region. Look for more of the same tonight.

Who to watch: Eagles sophomore Natalie Riddering should get plenty of opportunities to pound the ball tonight whether it be from the outside, middle, backside or out of the pipe and, as it has all season, how often she converts will go a long way in determining El Camino's success.

Division IV

Click to view the bracket

No. 1 seed Christian Brothers (26-10) vs. No. 3 seed Ripon (38-9), 6 p.m.

What to watch: The atmosphere for this match in the past has at times overshadowed the action on the court itself. Both schools travel well and have passionate, loud fan bases. In the cavernous UC Davis Pavilion expect pro-Indian and pro-Falcons chants to drown out much of the other action.

Who to watch: Falcons senior middle blocker Katie Hoekman has been on a tear during the playoffs, averaging about 10 kills and five blocks per match despite sitting late in matches because CB's opponents have been so over-matched. Hoekman's athleticism (she's quite a basketball player as well) serve her well in coach Jeff Deter's system, which calls for middles to hit from all spots of the floor, particularly from behind the setter.

Division V

Click to view the bracket

No. 1 seed Bradshaw Christian (25-10) vs. No. 10 seed Ripon Christian (record unavailable), 4 p.m.

What to watch: The Pride is enjoying its finest volleyball season ever, but is in uncharted territory in its first section final and hasn't played in a venue quite like The Pavilion with its cavernous interior, high ceiling and plentiful space beyond each baseline. Meanwhile Ripon Christian is making its seventh appearance in a section final this decade and enters as defending champion. How nerves do or don't affect Bradshaw Christian to start the match will be crucial.

Who to watch: Bradshaw Christian junior outside hitter Patty Orozco is the Pride's do-anything, all-everything player. She'll get plenty of swings from all over the court and how she handles that pressure will have a profound impact on this match-up.

A look at the Cal-Hi Sports/ESPN football NorCal Top 15. Nine section teams in the top 15 is further proof that this section is loaded.

Northern California Top 15

1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 10-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 8-2
3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 10-0
4. (5) Rocklin 10-0
5. (6) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 9-0-1
6. (7) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 8-1-1
7. (10) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 9-1
8. (11) Tracy 10-0
9. (12) Deer Valley (Antioch) 10-0
10. (9) Palma (Salinas) 8-1-1
11. (4) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 9-1
12. (13) Inderkum (Sacramento) 10-0
13. (14) Del Oro (Loomis) 8-2
14. (15) Granite Bay 8-2
15. (NR) Vacaville 9-1

Breakdown:
Amador Valley's upset loss to Foothill of Pleasanton last Friday night not only helped clear the way for Deer Valley of Antioch to secure the No. 2 seed behind De La Salle in the North Coast Section Div. I playoffs but it also dropped them down in the NorCal overall rankings.

With Rocklin moving up from No. 5 to No. 4, this means that three of the top four teams in the CIF North Open Division rankings will all be involved in the same Sac-Joaquin Section playoff. Only one will get on the board in Carson when teams are picked for this year's games on Sunday, Dec. 13, which further aids in the likelihood that whichever team wins that section title will get the open division bid from the North.

Still, no one should count out De La Salle even with two losses. For even Grant, St. Mary's and Rocklin, beating either Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey of Lakeland of Florida would be very tough and De La Salle still hasn't lost a game to any other NorCal school (at least from the CIF's definition of NorCal) since 1991.

Newly-ranked Vacaville, led by 1,300-yard rusher Jimmy Hines, ended its regular season last Friday with a seventh straight comfortable win as the Bulldogs beat Wood of Vacaville, 54-13, to finish undefeated in the Monticello Empire League.

Since suffering their only loss of the season to an impressive Granite Bay squad, the Bulldogs haven't even played a close game as seven straight wins have come by more than 30 points.

It was just three years ago that Vacaville was celebrating a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship and with all of those other teams in the Division II playoffs the Bulldogs have to be considered one of the favorites this year along with unbeaten Tracy and 9-1 Nevada Union (which has lost only to Rocklin).

Baby steps.

That's what the Bradshaw Christian girls volleyball team has taken in each successive year of Ric Reyes' four-year coaching reign. The Pride made its second playoff appearance in his first year in 2007, won its first playoff match in 2008 and made it to the semifinals last year before a disappointing five-set loss to Woodland Christian ended the season.

BCS again found itself matched up with the Cardinals in Sac-Joaquin Section Division V girls volleyball semifinal on Tuesday night and as they've done the three previous years, advanced one step further than the year before.

The Pride overcame a shaky start in downing Woodland Christian 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-10, 25-22) to make its first-ever section finals appearance and the automatic berth into the CIF NorCal playoffs that goes along with it.

"It's funny, this year we put much less emphasis on winning and more emphasis on team," Reyes said, "and yet we end up going further than we've ever gone."

At a school that already has a rich basketball tradition -- the girls basketball team has won back-to-back D-V section titles and the boys team is also the defending champion -- and the defending D-VII football champions, Reyes feels it's time to take his team to that level.

"We hope to be right there with those teams," Reyes said. "We want to be around for a long time,"

Early on, however, things didn't look good for the Pride. Woodland Christian came out swinging and had BCS on its heels. The nerves were most evident in junior setter Chloe Hudson, who was called for four double touches in the first set before being pulled briefly by Reyes for a breather.

"I just needed to re-focus," Hudson said. "I knew I needed to get back in there and do it for the team."

Both teams combined for 19 unforced errors in the first set but it was Woodland Christian, a more experienced playoff team, that prevailed.

Pride standout outside hitter Patty Orozco, held to just two kills in the first set, got going in the second with a kill that knotted the score at 2-2 early. Several points later another Orozco kill made the score 6-4 in favor of BCS and put her on the service line where she served two aces in a row to put the Pride up 8-4, a lead it would not relinquish.

With BCS leading 9-5 in the third set Orozco again toed the service line and served out eight straight points to give the Pride a commanding lead it again did not surrender.

The Pride will now face Ripon Christian, which swept Forest Lake Christian on Tuesday night, in Thursday's section final at UC Davis.

"We've worked so hard and now we're there!" Orozco said. "I know we're going to do well."

Click here to view the D-V bracket

Division I

Click here to view the bracket

No. 12 seed Pleasant Grove gave top-seeded Oak Ridge all it could handle but ultimately fell in five sets, 3-2 (20-25, 25-13, 25-18, 15-25, 15-13).

"As much as we struggled, we showed a lot of heart tonight," Trojans coach Becky Potter said. "For them to pull it out was a testament to our seniors not wanting to give up. And our younger players fought for their seniors."

Seven-time defending D-I champion Nevada Union travelled to No. 2 seed Napa and handed the Indians a four-set loss, 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-9). Abbie Miraldi and Ellie Selleck each had nine kills apiece for the Miners, who will meet defending D-II champion Oak Ridge for the third time this season in Thursday's section final.

"What better time for the tiebreaker?" Potter said. "It's gonna come down to who wants it more and who plays better defense."

Division II

Click here to view the bracket

Top-seeded Rocklin had no problem with No. 12 seed Bella Vista, putting away the Broncos in straight sets, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-17). Sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Ivy led the way with 10 kills while Corissa Santos had nine and Olivia Lane added seven.

No. 2 seed St. Francis swept visiting third-seeded Atwater, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21) behind 14 kills and 10 blocks from senior outside hitter Kasey Clark. Junior middle blocker Zoe Nightingale also had a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs and fellow middle Mary Clark added 14 kills for the Troubadours who will face Rocklin in Thursday's section final.

Division III

Click here to view the bracket

El Camino's 'Underbirds' continued to fly, travelling to Sonora to defeat the second-seeded Wildcats 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-22). The Eagles will face three-time defending champion St. Mary's of Stockton in Thursday's section final at UC Davis.

Division IV

Click here to view the bracket

Top-seeded Christian Brothers again made quick work of its opponent, this time fourth-seeded Escalon, 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-16). The Falcons will face Ripon for the fourth straight year in Thursday's section final at UC Davis.

The teams also met in last year's NorCal final in which Christian Brothers rallied from down two sets to none to beat the Indians.

"Should be another knock-down, drag-out match," Christian Brothers coach Jeff Deter said. "The rivalry lives on."

Sacramento High is No. 2 behind national power St. Mary's of Stockton in NorCalPreps.com's preseason girls basketball Northern California top 20 coaches poll.

The Dragons, coming off a 23-10 campaign under second-year coach Michele Massari, are led by NCAA Division I signees Brittany Shine (Florida) and Kyra Dunn (Pittsburgh).

Oak Ridge, featuring 2008-09 Bee Player of the Year and Stanford signee Sara James, is No. 5.

St. Mary's of Stockton is ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 1 in the West Region by ESPN's HoopGurlz.com.

Sac High is No. 9 in the West Region behind St. Mary's, (2) Mater Dei-Santa Ana; (3) Brea Olinda-Brea; (4) Long Beach Poly; (5) St. Mary's-Phoenix, Ariz.; (6) Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas; (7) Highland-Gilbert, Ariz; (8) Oregon City, Ore.

Here's NorCal Preps complete top 20:

1. St. Mary's-Stockton; 2. Sacramento; 3. Carondelet-Concord; 4. Mitty-San Jose; 5. Oak Ridge; 6. Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland; 7. Modesto Christian; 8. St. Mary's-Berkeley; 9. Vanden; 10. Berkeley; 11. Dublin; 12. St. Ignatius-San Francisco; 13. Dougherty Valley-San Ramon; 14. Northgate-Walnut Creek; 15. Encinal-Alameda; 16. Presentation-San Jose; 17. Campolindo-Moraga; 18. Valley Christian-San Jose; 19. Pinewood School-Los Altos Hills; 20. Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco.

Every so often, we run into a football player who is more than just a brawler in shoulder pads.

Last season, it was Sean Nill of Laguna Creek, a terror in the trenches who especially prided himself in his theatre and drama work. And there was Grant quarterback Kipeli Koniseti, who could fire a 40-yard strike and use those same fingers to play a nice tune on the piano.

This season, it's Alex Chernyy, a powerful 240-pound senior defensive tackle for Whitney from Moldova, a country between Romania and Ukraine. He is in his first year of football, and a rising star at the position, who has played the panflute in concerts and weddings since his youth.

Most of those in attendance for Simone Heyward's National Letter of Intent signing ceremony Monday at Rosemont High School claimed to have known her since she was this tall.

In toasting the 2008 Metropolitan Conference Player of the Year and Louisiana State University's newest softball signee, the implication in the running joke was that the 5-foot-4 centerfielder hasn't grown much.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Heyward, the oldest of the three of Earl and Mavis Heyward's children, on Tuesday took what she called the first step in a long and prosperous journey.

"I just signed up for my future," she said.

Next fall Heyward will enter LSU as a freshman and onto a softball squad that is a perennial force in the tough Southeastern Conference. The Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament each of the last three years.

"LSU is getting a fantastic student-athlete," Wolverines coach Bill Kapp told a group of over 40 family members, teammates, friends, coaches and teachers at the beginning of the ceremony. "But more importantly, a great person."

Heyward carries a 4.0 grade point average at Rosemont in addition to holding elected student office and just recently began championing the cause of other academic achievers at the school. While the recognition she's received as a student-athlete is nice, she says, recognition should start with those who achieve in the classroom.

"Students need to be recognized more for academic achievement," Heyward said. "That hard work needs to be rewarded."

Heyward's impact on the softball diamond is equally as impressive. For a program entering just its fifth year, she has served as the cornerstone in what Kapp hopes to build into regional power.

"She makes everyone around her better," Kapp said. "Once girls see how hard she works, they know what we expect."

In 2007 Heyward started as a freshman and led the team in batting average (.583) and steals (38) in leading Rosemont to its first-ever playoff appearance. As a sophomore in 2008 she hit .614 with five home runs in winning the Metropolitan Conference Most Valuable Player award. Despite missing a large portion of the 2009 season because of injury she keyed the program's biggest win to date -- a 5-4 win over Woodcreek in the first round of the playoffs, knocking the perennial contender out of the postseason.

"She's one of the best natural-born leaders I've ever been around," Kapp said.

It all began when she was eight. On a whim the family decided to start Simone off in tee-ball in the now-defunct Florin Town Little League.

"We just wanted to keep her active," said Heyward's father, Earl.

Current Rosemont assistant softball coach Marcus Sabala was Heyward's first coach on the diamond and remembers his first impression of the youngster.

"She was fast, and not just for her age," Sabala said. "We were guaranteed to score a run whenever Simone got on base."

With his front-row seat to her softball success, Sabala said sees Heyward as a role model, a beacon for younger players in the Rosemont program.

"A lot of the younger players look at her as an inspiration," Sabala said.

Heyward said that everything she's accomplished has started in the home. Her father Earl's side of the family is rich in athletic talent -- Dad was a three-sport athlete in high school and an uncle played basketball at UCLA -- while she says her mother instilled her with a need for scholastic fulfillment. All the years of playing ball in the yard with Dad and doing homework with Mom culminated with Monday's signature.

"As a Dad you don't want to show emotion -- you know how we are," Earl said. "But as the day she gets on the plane comes closer I'm sure the emotions will come out."

The Bee's Bill Paterson wrote about the wild finish in Woodland on Friday where three laterals, some luck and good karma allowed Pioneer to score on an amazing 57-yard play with no time left, putting Pioneer into the playoffs. And dousing any feel-good ending to an already miserable season for Woodland.

A look at the Sac-Joaquin Section playoff schedule.
By all means, let's hear predictions for each division. More to come on the blog and in the print editions of The Bee.

Division I
No. 16 Enochs (4-6) at No. 1Tracy (10-0)
No. 9 Modesto (7-3) at No. 8 Los Banos (7-3)
No. 12 Burbank (6-4) at No. 5 Lincoln (8-2)
No. 13 Pitman (6-4) at No. 4 Monterey Trail (8-2)
No. 14 Napa (5-5) at No. 3 Nevada Union (9-1)
No. 11 Sheldon (7-3) at No. 6 Oak Ridge (7-3)
No. 10 Franklin-Elk Grove (6-4) vs. No. 7 Pleasant Grove (7-3)
No. 15 Grace Davis (6-4) at No. 2 Vacaville (9-1)

Note: There's only one unbeaten team in the field with Tracy, but why do we tend to think the real favorites are Nevada Union or Vacaville? Or perhaps Pleasant Grove if quarterback Taylor Congdon is at full health? And how much damage can Burbank inflict here?

Division II
No. 16 Buhach Colony (6-4) at No. 1 St. Mary's (10-0)
No. 9 Christian Brothers (7-3) at No. 8 Del Oro (8-2)
No. 12 Sacramento (6-4) at No. 5 Granite Bay (8-2)
No. 13 Woodcreek (4-6) at No. 4 Folsom (9-1)
No. 14 Tokay (6-4) at No. 3 Grant (10-0)
No. 11 Rosemont (6-4) at No. 6 Fairfield (8-2)
No. 10 Atwater (7-3) vs. No. 7 Stagg (8-2)
No. 15 Elk Grove (4-6) at No. 2 Rocklin (10-0)

Note: Stacked, loaded, outrageously talented. That's the D-II field in a matter of words with unbeaten heavies in Grant, Rocklin and St. Mary's - all with arguments as to why they should be the top seed. And there's Folsom, Del Oro, Granite Bay and danger teams in Woodcreek, CBS and Fairfield. Did we say stacked and loaded?

Division III
No. 16 Rodriguez (5-5) at No. 1 Inderkum (10-0)
No. 9 Casa Roble (6-4) at No. 8 Manteca (7-3)
No. 12 Natomas (6-4) at No. 5 Oakdale (9-1)
No. 13 Yuba City (6-4) at No. 4 Vanden (9-1)
No. 14 Mira Loma (6-4) at No. 3 Sierra (9-1)
No. 11 Patterson (6-4) at No. 6 Benicia (8-2)
No. 10 Bella Vista (7-3) at No. 7 Rio Linda (8-2)
No. 15 Pioneer (6-4) at No. 2 Del Campo (9-1)

Note: If it's not Inderkum against Del Campo in the finals, then it's a stunner. A darkhorse may be Rio Linda, spinning a bit from two straight losses after blitzing to an 8-0 start. That Natomas is here after four consecutive 1-9 seasons is testament to legendary coach Frank Negri.

Division IV

No. 8 Livingston (6-4) at No. 1 Lincoln (10-0)
No. 5 Whitney (7-3) at No. 4 Sonora (8-2)
No. 6 Foothill (7-3) at No. 3 Placer (9-1)
No. 7 Calaveras (6-4) at No. 2 Dixon (9-1)
Split bracket
No. 8 Colfax (6-4) at No. 1 Modesto Christian (10-0)
No. 5 Hilmar (8-2) at No. 4 Escalon (9-1)
No. 6 Ripon (7-3) at No. 3 Summerville (9-1)
No. 7 Argonaut (6-4) at No. 2 Central Catholic (9-1)

Note: It's a split bracket, but talk about a heavyweight field in the upper bracket with Lincoln, Whitney, Placer, Dixon and Sonora.

Division V
No. 5 Lindhurst (4-6) at No. 4 Mariposa (5-5)
No. 6 Denair (5-5) at No. 3 Highlands (5-5)
No. 1 Capital Christian has a bye
No. 2 Le Grand (6-4) has a bye

Note: The clear leader here is Capital Christian and quarterback James Lee, though athletic Highlands looms as a real threat, too. The top two seeds have the benefit of an opening-round bye to scout and rest.

Division VI

No. 5 Vacaville Christian (6-4) at No. 4 Millennium (6-4)
No. 6 Big Valley Christian (6-4) at No. 3 Delta (7-3)
No. 1 Bradshaw Christian (9-1) has a bye
No. 2 Brookside Christian (7-3) has a bye

Note: A year ago, Bradshaw Christian stunned defending champion Vacaville Christian late, but there may not be a rematch. Expect Bradshaw to return to the finals against Delta, a team Bradshaw crushed earlier this season.

No team entered the football postseason in a more bizarre or exciting way than Pioneer did on Friday night against rival Woodland.

Two seconds and 57 yards away from losing to the Wolves by a point, the Patriots used four laterals to weave their way to a most improbable touchdown and a 13-8 win that resulted in the home crowd storming the field at Pioneer High School.

"It was like Cal and Stanford all over again," said Pioneer coach David Butterworth. "It was one of the craziest plays I have ever seen."

Butterworth was referring to "The Play" in which Cal beat Stanford in a similar way in 1982.

Only this time there was no trombone player involved.

"I just told them to pitch it around and see what happens," Butterworth said. "It was a situation we've never practiced for."

Jacob Snethen and 6-foot-5 James Tillman played key roles. Snethen took Jason Williams' pass that started the play, then finished it after taking a lateral from Tillman and running the final five yards or so to the end zone.

Tillman's height helped keep the play alive.

"At one point, he was running around with the ball up in the air, looking like he was going to pitch it. But he'd fake and run for some more yards," Butterworth said. "He finally lateraled to Snethen just as he was going down."

Certainly a lot of the Woodland people thought he was down. They stood in stunned silence by the dramatic turn of events.

The winning touchdown came shortly after 1-9 Woodland had gone 89 yards to score on a Jonathan Wax 1-yard run, then made the two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead with just over two minutes to play.

The win helped Pioneer (6-4) and the embattled Butterworth - some parents have been trying to oust him as coach - land an at-large berth for the postseason. The 15th-seeded Patriots will play Friday at second-seeded Del Campo (9-1).

"That's going to be a whole other challenge," he said. "But we're still alive and have our head above the water. The kids are doing a great job."

Tight end Arturo Amaya had five catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns and Clinton Johnson rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries to lead Sacramento past McClatchy 28-14 in the annual Bell Game today at Sacramento High School.

It was the Dragons' fourth consecutive win and puts them into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs for the second time in three years. They play Friday at Granite Bay.

Sacramento finished 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Metro Conference. It qualified for the postseason as an at-large team under the section's new, expanded format.

"We beat everybody we were supposed to beat and lost to everyone (Grant, Burbank, Folsom and Rosemont) we were supposed to lose to," said Sac High assistant coach Paul Doherty. "The season has played out kind of like we expected."

McClatchy finishes 2-8 overall and 2-4 in the Metro.

The regular season is complete, in the books, for memory only. Here's a look at The Bee's latest Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10.
This has been updated since the section playoff brackets have been released.

The Bee's Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10
1. Grant (10-0)
The Pacers seek their third perfect season since 2006 and have all the ingredients to do so. The defense was tested by Burbank, a good thing, as the Pacers have not been challenged for many weeks.
Playoff keys: Grant has a proven playoff back in Devontae Butler, and teams can win championships with a superb run game and strong defense. Indefinite loss of all-purpose blur talent Dezmon Epps hurts.
Playoff chances: Excellent, and the Pacers are piping mad at not being the top seeded. As the No. 3 seed, Grant still gets a nice draw, with Rocklin the heavyweight looming and the upper bracket including St. Mary's, Folsom, Del Oro and Granite Bay.

2. St. Mary's (10-0)
The Rams won the section D-I title a year ago and now covet the D-II prize with a spread offense that has annihilated teams. There is talk that this is the best offense in the state and the best team in school history. Time will tell.
Playoff keys: No one doubts this team's ability to score, but it has given up yards on the ground when games have been close, so keep an eye on that, and can the Rams slow teams down if its a shootout.
Playoff chances: Excellent. Thee will be no easy cruise as the top seed with Del Oro, Granite Bay, Folsom looming.

3. Rocklin (10-0)
The Thunder are enjoying a real championship glow on campus in recent months, including the basketball team winning the NorCal D-II title last season. A key player on that team is the leading force in football in tailback Jackson Cummings.
Playoff keys: Balance has been paramount for the Thunder, with Cummings and QB Jimmy Laughrea and WRs Holden Huff and Tiger Sorenson. The defense has also been stout in big wins of Granite Bay and Del Oro.
Playoff chances: Better than ever, though the D-II field is tougher than ever. Rocklin would love to meet Grant in a semifinal - and it would be at a neutral field. This is Rocklin's golden chance to seize a title as the team is senior dominated.

4. Inderkum (10-0)
The Tigers are 10-0 for the first time, and a year after nearly winning the D-III section title, this is your clear favorite. It's a testament to coach Terry Stark, a program builder.
Playoff keys: No doubt Inderkum can run like the wind with Antonio Bumpers, Demetrius Williams and Devin Hartley, but how well can the Tigers pass if trailing? Defense has also been very strong with four shutouts.
Playoff chances: Outstanding as the top seed in D-III. Main threat in D-III is Del Campo.

5. Nevada Union (9-1)
The Miners are looking an awful lot like the Miners of old, and those section D-I title teams of 1993, '94 and 2005 are among the best in regional history. You can bet this group wants to create its own legacy.
Playoff keys: Maintain the offensive balance with ultimate QB leader Broughan Jantz and a host or runners, and let the defense attack at will behind Eric Niederberger, Zach Vallejo and others. One question is the ability to handle a super speed back as Franklin ripped off two 60-yard TD runs earlier this season.
Playoff chances: Superb. NU is the third seed in D-I, hungry to extend the playoffs a bit longer than a year ago when it lost a heartbreaker to Pleasant Grove.

6. Tracy (10-0)
The Bulldogs are making the alums proud as it has been many years since the program was this good, and Tracy makes the D-I field all the more intriguing.
Playoff keys: The ability to pass to provide balance as QB Casey Winchman is one of many fine runners for Tracy. And playoff experience is slim here.
Playoff chances: Very encouraging as the top seed. This is a confident, strong running team with a good defense.

7. Folsom (9-1)
The Bulldogs and St. Mary's have the most dynamic offenses in Northern California, and both live by the spread. Dano Graves is a touchdown machine, running for four scores and passing for three in a rout of Sheldon to clinch the program's first league title - a share - since 1990.
Playoff keys: Running the ball with Jordan Richards is paramount so speed defenses don't key on Graves. And the defense has to provide stops and not rely on shootouts.
Playoff chances: Extremely promising if every game is a shootout in the upper D-II bracket that includes St. Mary's, Del Oro and Granite Bay.

8. Del Campo (9-1)
The Cougars suffered the stunning loss to Woodcreek, then later rebounded with a great win over Pleasant Grove and cruised through the Capital Athletic League. Now it wants a whole lot more, specifically a D-III title.
Playoff keys: Unleashing Ryan Dimino, Eddie Plantaric and all the playmakers that make this such a strong team. Dimino is a load as a running QB, and he can throw a nice ball.
Playoff chances: Very good as the No. 2 seed, with a target date against Inderkum, the D-III favorites.

9. Del Oro (7-2)
The Golden Eagles were licking their wounds at this time a year ago, at 4-6 with so many close losses. What has motivated Del Oro of late is the two tough losses to Woodcreek and Rocklin and a chance to make it all right with a playoff run in D-II.
Playoff keys: Everyone knows the Golden Eagles can run with Bryce Pratt, and QB Max Magleby has shown he can throw a good ball. Balance has to be there.
Playoff chances: Promising. If Del Oro plays like it did most of the season, it has a very good chance to win it all, but this bracket allows no margin of error.

10. Granite Bay (7-2)
The Grizzlies, rated as high as No. 3 in this poll, make everyone in D-II nervous because of its depth, defense and hunger to make this their tournament. Close losses to Del Oro and Rocklin inspired the team - made it mad - to dominate down the stretch.
Playoff keys: Avoiding the mistakes that crippled the Grizzlies against Rocklin, and making sure the running game keeps the heat off of the passing game.
Playoff chances: Don't all the contenders in D-II have a chance? Absolutely, and Granite Bay's chances are very good, as always.

On the bubble: Lincoln (10-0); Pleasant Grove (7-3); Monterey Trail (8-2); Vacaville (9-1); Oakdale (9-1); Placer (9-1).

If there was any doubt before, Grant High School football coach Mike Alberghini knows his talented team can bounce back from a knock-down punch.

The top-ranked Pacers beat No. 19 Burbank 40-22 Friday night in Del Paso Heights to win the Metro Conference championship, finish the regular season 10-0 and extend their victory streak to 24 games over two seasons.

But the score was misleading.

When Charlie Vue put the Pacers ahead 26-8 with 8:04 left to go in the third quarter with a 32-yard field goal - a huge lead for a team that had allowed two touchdowns total in its previous nine games - the Pacers appeared to have things locked up.

But this is Burbank (6-4, 5-1) and this is a rivalry game and the Titans can dish out the hits and make the big plays just like the Pacers.

With junior quarterback Tu'uta Inoke leading the way, the Titans scored two unanswered touchdowns to close within 26-22 with 5:29 to left.

You could feel the collective air go out of the Grant faithful - many wearing "Pacers for Life" shirts and jackets - so used to one-sided slaughters.

The momentum had clearly shifted and a fired up Titans team pinned Grant at their own 19 after the kickoff.

But a few plays later, from their own 30, the incomparable Devontae Butler, the Pacers' workhorse throughout the evening, broke off right tackle, scooted outside and ran along the sidelines for 53 yards to the Titans' 17.

Three plays later, quarterback Glenn Deary snuck over from a yard out for a 33-22 lead and 4:30 to play. Butler, who rushed for 293 yards on 34 carries, clinched it when he scored his fourth touchdown on an 18-yard run with 1:29 left. That came three plays after Robert Isaacs sacked Inoke for a nine-yard loss on fourth and desperation at the Titans' 30 yard-line.

"We put the ball in Devontae's hands and we blocked for him there," coach Mike Alberghini said of the back-breaking 53-yard run. "It was nice to see the kids bounce back. I thought for a minute there Burbank was going to break, but then they made a couple of plays and to the finish they played hard."

Added defensive coordinator Reggie Harris: "Sometimes we'll bend, but we're not going to break. That's embedded in the kids."

Grant had shut out seven opponents and allowed single touchdowns to Rosemont and McClatchy.

But Burbank's Inoke ran for two touchdowns, passed for another and led the Titans on scoring drives of 61, 74 and 68 yards. He also led the Titans on another long drive in the second quarter that ended when Isaacs intercepted his pass on Grant's one-yard line. That, however, resulted in a safety against the Pacers when Butler was tackled in the end zone for a one-yard loss.

Inoke finished with 73 yards rushing and 119 yards passing. In all Burbank, had 264 yards of total offense.

"They executed their plays well," Harris said of Burbank. "We missed a lot of tackles. Now we know we are in the battle form here on out. It was a big wake-up call."

Alberghini expected Burbank to score some points. But he didn't think they would control the ball as much as the did.

"We tackled poorly and that's just a sign of (the first stringers) not playing enough and not playing tough teams like Burbank," Alberghini said. "But I told the kids this is the fastest team we are going to play. And they do a hell of a job coaching."

It looked for awhile like Grant was on the way to the kind of 55-6 romp they put on Burbank in last season's Sac-Joaquin Section D-II championship game.

Grant opened the game by driving 65 yards in six plays to score on its first possession. Butler had all the yards - the Pacers also were assessed three five-yard penalties - including the one-yard touchdown run.

Junior linebacker Poka Lopa tackled Inoke in the end zone for a safety early in the second quarter, then the Pacers went ahead 16-0 a few minutes later on Butler's eight-yard scoring run.

Although Burbank closed to within 16-8 on a safety and Inoke's 40-yard touchdown run, the Pacers moved ahead 23-8 on Butler's seven-yard run. Butler helped set that up with a 53-yard kickoff return.

The reliable Vue then but Grant up by 18 points with his field goal. It came after a Grant procedure penalty nullified a nine-yard touchdown run by Butler.

The game, which started late because of a senior night celebration, also was penalty marred. Burbank had 13 penalties for 85 yards and Grant 15 for 105.

"Their key players made plays and our key players made plays," Alberghini said. "But I think it was frustrating for both sides because neither of us have had much competition in league, and it showed tonight, especially for us."

Burbank suffered a huge loss when section sack leader Victor Amerson was carted off with an injured left ankle five plays into the game. He had 16 sacks coming into the game.
Neither team will face each other again this season.

Under the section's new playoff format, Burbank will be in the D-I playoffs. Grant is going to be in D-II along with unbeatens St. Mary's of Stockton and Rocklin and other powerhouses, Folsom, Granite Bay and Del Oro.

But who the Pacers will play won't be known until Saturday night, when the brackets are released under the new playoff format.

Grant is ranked fourth in the USA Today's West Region rankings and No. 2 in the state behind Oaks Christian of Westlake Village in Cal-Hi Sports' state rankings.

Yet based on strength of schedule, Grant is third behind St. Mary's and Rocklin within the section because of the Metro's poor overall win-loss record.

Alberghini believes based on winning last year's CIF Open Division state bowl title and going 10-0 this season with a largely junior-dominated team should be enough to get Grant the top seed. Section officials can move teams two spots up or down "to correrct a serious injustice in the seeding."

"I'm confident this team can compete with anybody," Alberghini said. "If you told me at the start of the season that with these young kids we'd start 10-0, I'd be giddy. Now the greedy part comes in. We want more."

Here's what new Oregon coach Paul Westhead says of McClatchy's Ariel Thomas and his first women's basketball class signing class announced today:

"We have two extremely talented senior guards right now, so we knew signing a guard would be vital," Westhead said. "Ariel is a player who could have the opportunity to play right away next year. She is capable of being a scorer at the collegiate level and is also capable of handling the ball in the fast break system. Ariel played in some very high-profile games this summer with her AAU team and met those challenges."

The 5-foot-6 senior is rated as the nation's No. 29 point guard by Scout.com and also was recruited by Nebraska and Texas Christian.

Just call them The Underbirds.

Though the seedings didn't say so, most if not all in attendance at third-seeded El Camino's Sac-Joaquin Section Division III second round playoff volleyball match on Thursday night felt that the host Eagles were the decided underdog against sixth-seeded Del Oro.

"No one outside of this team thought we could win," El Camino coach Martin Soyama said. "No one."

And while it's true that Del Oro, a Sierra Foothill League powerhouse, had the height, the speed and the finesse, El Camino had the guile. And a little extra inspiration.

Before downing Del Oro 3-2 (11-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, 15-3) Soyama cut together an inspirational video featuring clips from classic underdog sports movies like Hoosiers, Miracle and Remember The Titans.

"That got us really pumped up," sophomore outside hitter Natalie Riddering said.

Following a first-set drubbing -- only fitting for an underdog -- the Eagles came out and served tough, keeping Del Oro's potent attack grounded.

"We knew serving would be important tonight," El Camino senior libero Lainey Gordon said. "It always is. It's the one part of the game you have complete control."

Del Oro jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second set before the Eagles went on an 8-2 run to take a 10-7 lead with senior outside hitter Alayna Robie leading the way with three kills. During that stretch El Camino's defense tightened, making it harder for Del Oro attackers to find the floor. Repeatedly Hannah Oros, Belle Obert and Emily Mattevi would swing for the back line only to have Gordon or another Eagles back-row player track it down.

"(Hitting deep back) is their biggest strength, so defending it had to become mine," Gordon said.

Meanwhile the Eagles' offense began to catch fire behind a brilliantly-set match from junior Bridget Herenda. Herenda, whose tough serve was instrumental in keeping Del Oro out of system, mixed up the Golden Eagles' block by setting an array of different balls, Robie on the shoot, Riddering out of the pipe and Megan Lunger on the slide.

"I wanted to get the middles going so they couldn't get comfortable camping out on Natalie and Alayna," said Herenda, who had 47 assists.

Riddering's star shone brightest in the fifth set when she served an ace and had five of her 27 kills, most of which came facing a triple block.

"I worked a lot in practice on ways to get around that," she said.

Elsewhere in D-III fifth-seeded Placer swept host No. 4 seed Pioneer 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-13).

Click to view the D-III bracket

Division I
Click to view the bracket

Top-seeded Oak Ridge continued to roll with a sweep 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-5) of eighth-seeded Edison behind 11 kills from junior outside hitter Katie Vaughn and nine from senior middle blocker Sarah Horning. Senior setter Brittney Larsen dished out 30 assists.

Seven-time defending champion Nevada Union went into Modesto and swept the third-seeded Panthers 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 26-24) with a 16-kill performance from senior outside hitter Abbie Miraldi. Junior outside hitter Ellie Selleck chipped in 12 kills.

No. 12 seed Pleasant Grove swept Golden Valley-Merced 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-17) behind four aces apiece from Sara Konkel and Megan Pollock and 12 kills from Emily Seros.

Division II
Click to view the bracket

Top-seeded Rocklin swept ninth-seeded Buhach Colony-Atwater 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-18) behind 12 kills and two aces from sophomore outside hitter Cailyn Prewitt and nine kills and five aces from sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Ivy. Junior middle blocker Olivia Lane had seven kills.

No. 2 seed St. Francis, playing without senior outside hitter Kasey Clark, who was out with flu, needed five sets to defeat seventh-seeded Roseville 3-2 (25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-4).

"Roseville played very good defense and we got tentative," St. Francis coach Alynn Wright said. "That's the kind of match we needed; I'm pleased with their fire and desire to win."

Troubadours junior middle blocker Zoe Nightingale had 24 kills, nine digs and eight blocks while fellow junior middle Mary Clark had 16 kills, four blocks and two aces. Senior setter Lyana Perez had 47 assists.

Division IV
Click to view the bracket

Top-seeded Christian Brothers continued to roll with a sweep of Le Grand 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-16) behind 11 kills, eight digs and seven aces from senior middle blocker Katie Hoekman. Whitney Swain led the Falcons with 22 digs while Kim Fazio had 12 digs off the bench to go along with three kills and three aces.

Division V
Click to view the bracket

Top-seeded Bradshaw Christian needed four sets to defeat Jim Elliot Christian 3-1 (25-10, 25-13, 18-25, 25-13). Patricia Orozco led all players with 22 kills while Brianna Yadon had 10 kills

A year ago, Oak Ridge tied for the Sierra Valley Conference championship yet limped into the playoffs battered and bruised.

That's because the Trojans were walloped by rival Ponderosa 61-35 in a Week 10 game in as horrific a rout as a league title team has ever endured. Lyndell Scarr rambled for a school-record eight touchdowns and an area record 471 yards.

Ponderosa still didn't get into the playoffs at 7-3 and expected to roar through this regular season. But when Scarr strained his knee early this season, his team's chances also stalled.

Now Ponderosa targets a 3-3 finish in the SVC - with a win over Oak Ridge on Friday.
And look who is running amok again. Scarr.

"Don't remind me," Oak Ridge coach Eric Cavaliere cracked this week. "He was a nightmare last year. From what I've seen on film, he's running well again."

So is Oak Ridge, actually, with Jacob Allen and Jordan Matanane. Oak Ridge hasn't lost since falling 14-0 to top-ranked Grant in Week 3.

Other items of interest heading into Week 10:

* Scarr's 471 last season bettered the previous area mark of 452 by James Montgomery of Cordova in 2005, against Oak Ridge of all teams (really, this is a championship program!). The Sac-Joaquin Section record belongs to Dallas Bernstine of Bethel-Vallejo when he scooted for 555 against Vintage in 2001.

* McClatchy coach Malcolm Seabron said he chatted with Grant coach Mike Alberghini for 15 minutes after the teams played in Week 9, the Lions absorbing a 62-6 rout.

"He's an amazing coach with a great program," Seabron said. "It was a great talk. I learned a lot from him in just 15 minutes. We strive to be as good as Grant."

When Seabron played for McClatchy, in 1989, the Lions were football powers. They last reached the playoffs in 1996 - getting battered by Chad Elliott, Donte Stallworth and Onterrio Smith with a second-half running clock.

* Grant plays Burbank for the Metropolitan Conference title for the third consecutive season. Burbank won a thriller in 2007 for the program's first outright conference title in 40 seasons and Grant rolled in 2007 and '08 (and in the section D-II title game).

Burbank is fast, athletic and on a roll, having won six straight. Then again, Grant is all of those things and on an even bigger role, having won 23 in a row.

"For all the talk of how bad the Metro is, people forget that it was Grant and Burbank that played for the D-II section title last year," Grant defensive coordinator Reggie Harris said. "And we know how good D-II has been. I think Burbank will make a real run in D-I this year."

I do too.

* Here's hoping Taylor Congdon plays for Pleasant Grove. He's the gritty senior quarterback who missed the second half of the overtime loss to Folsom in Week 9 with a hip pointer. He missed the second half of last season with a knee injury, though the Eagles still reached the D-I section championship.

* If Folsom beats Sheldon, the Bulldogs will clinch its first league title - at least a share - since 1990 when they won the D-II section title under coach Tom Doherty, who still comes to Folsom games (and says this year's team may be the best in school history).

* Placer and Whitney play in a classic Pioneer Valley Conference finale in a rematch of the D-IV section title game, won by the Wildcats. Whitney has endured all sorts of injuries with 11 starters having missed three or more games, yet are still a real threat to repeat.

And Placer has been superb with the wing-T this season under coach Joey Montoya, though still smarting from a close loss to Lincoln last week.

* Lincoln aims to go 10-0 for the first time if it can beat Colfax, a credit to coach Ken Lowe and leaders Alex Stewart and Moses Stanley.

* If Rocklin wins, it will have gone from 4-6 to 10-0 for the first time.

* Sheldon aims to get into the playoffs for just the second time in school history, joining the Delta River League title team of 2006.

* Inderkum seeks to go 10-0 for the first time with a win over Natomas in a battle for the Tri-County League championship.

* Natomas is 6-3 with two 1-point losses after winning a single game in each of the previous four seasons. Long live the great Frank Negri.

The Bee's Nathaniel Levine has been preparing weekly projections of how the Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs may look. With the playoffs actually around the corner, he takes one last look of how the seedings could turn out.

There would be some interesting matchups but remember that Sac-Joaquin Section officials reserve the right to tinker with the brackets in accordance with certain situations.

You can see the playoff projections by clicking here.

With the regular season finale upon us here in Week 10, how about a lively debate as to who The Bee's Coach of the Year should be.

Let's base it on regular-season achievement to this point (and drum up the debate again after the playoffs).

Add your thoughts by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of this blog.

The candidates include, but not exclusive only to...
Listed in no particular order:
Bee Coach of the Year Candidates:

Greg Benzel, Rocklin
Thunder beat Nevada Union, Granite Bay and Del Oro in thrillers with balance, and with super defense against GB and DO;also clinched first Sierra Foothill League championship.

Mike Alberghini, Grant
Win over national power Bellevue set the tone, and has best defense in the state with cast of newcomers; have won 23 in a row and seek third perfect season since 2006.

Ken Lowe, Lincoln
From 1-9 and lost and weary to the cusp of 10-0, the Zebras are in midst of greatest season in school history. More than that, team is major D-IV section title threat, if not favorites.

T.J. Ewing, Monterey Trail
From an 18-game losing streak earlier this decade at MT to a win over Folsom and four shutouts and possible share of Delta River League title, it all points to Ewing, revered by his players.

Frank Negri, Natomas
The ageless wonder - at 74 - has in his first season transformed the Nighthawks into a force, injecting hope and discipline after team went 1-9 in four successive seasons; two 1-point losses.

Terry Stark, Inderkum
A program builder at all his stops - Mira Loma, Natomas and here - Stark has the Tigers off to school-record start thanks to the wing-T, great defense, speed; favorite to win D-III.

Joey Montoya, Placer
Only lost to Lincoln in thriller and has Whitney next; has put the program - his alma mater - back into the forefront in three short seasons with wing-T, discipline, drive.

Eric Cavaliere, Oak Ridge
Slow start this season included losses to Folsom, Rocklin and Grant, teams that are a combined 26-1; winners of Sierra Valley Conference and D-I threat to be sure.

Scott Winslow, Dixon
Lost only to Vanden, a team that is 9-0, and have rolled in the Capital Valley Conference, including thrilling rally to beat Rio Linda on Friday. Very good program.

Dave Humphers, Nevada Union
Miners have cruised, losing only to Rocklin, and impressing in all other efforts; this choice looks all the more solid with a roll through D-I playoffs, too.

Kris Richardson, Folsom
The Bulldogs graduated a ton and here they are rolling along with a host of junior skill players and a much improved defense; program seeks first league title since 1990

Matt Costa, Mira Loma
Another miracle worker who has transformed a down program into a formidable one. Mira Loma, a power in the 1960s, '70s and early '80s, is back in the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons. Costa's the biggest reason.

Unlike some of her girls basketball counterparts, McClatchy senior Ariel Thomas didn't sign her NCAA letter of intent today with Oregon, where she will play next fall on scholarship for veteran coach Paul Westhead.

This was the first day of the week-long early signing period for most college sports, including basketball.

But the 5-foot-6 Thomas says she doesn't plan to sign until Friday when her father Sean will be home.

"We're going to have a small family dinner party," she said. "I didn't want to do it until my father could be there."

But after a morning practice at McClatchy, Ariel spent most of the the day congratulating and accepting graduations from some of those who are part of what is believed to be the best girls basketball recruiting class in area history.

Among her Just Believe Sports club teammates: Oak Ridge's Sara James (Stanford) and Sacramento High's Kyra Dunn (Pittsburgh) and Brittany Shine (Florida) are all moving on to major programs.

"We've been texting each other with congratulations and how proud we are of each other," Thomas said.

Thomas verbally committed to Oregon in early October after a home visit by Westhead. She was Westhead's first recruit.

Thomas also gave strong consideration to Nebraska and Texas Christian, the school where her father attended before going on to play in the NFL.

But she said she was won over by the chance to play point guard for the 70-year-old Westhead, a coach famed for his up-tempo teams in previous stops with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, three NBA teams including the Los Angeles Lakers and Loyola Marymount.

"At first I didn't know much about him, but then I started looking things up," she said. "I love that style of always running. We're going to put up some big numbers. But I also like the school and the family atmosphere."

Westhead made no secret of his plans when his hiring was announced in March.

"I'm going to do the fast break, we're going to outscore people," Westhead told the Oregonian. "We're going to shoot the ball every five seconds or less, preferably less. Hopefully we'll create a lot of excitement."

Thomas will have some familiar company when it comes time to adjust to college. One of her JBL teammates, forward Deanna Weaver of Wilcox High in Santa Clara, also is signing with Oregon.

Sean Chambers, her club coach who heads the girls basketball program at new Antelope High School, says Thomas will thrive in Westhead's system.

"She's going to play right away," he said. "They want her to come in and run the show. They have big plans for her."

Even though considered one of the nation's top point guard recruits, Thomas has spent most of her high school career playing other positions.

"I've pretty much played the two (shooting guard), three (small forward) and four (power forward) and, a few times, the five (post)," she said. "But that's where I was needed."

As a freshmen for coach Harvey Tahara, she helped the undersized Lions win the D-I Sac-Joaquin Section championship and reach the Northern California Division I title game, where they lost 66-44 to Berkeley.

She's been the team's top rebounder for three seasons and its leading scorer for two. Last year, though, she missed nearly two months of the season with a torn hamstring in her right leg and played in only 15 games. McClatchy, 47-19, the previous two years, went 13-14 and failed to make the playoffs.

"That was a very humbling experience watching from the bench," she said. "It was definitely hard, but it let me see the game from a different perspective."

Playing with Just Believe Sports during the spring and summer gave her a huge boost for this season. The team won several major tournaments across the country and finished ranked seventh best nationally.

"It's one of the best teams to come out of Sacramento," Thomas said. "We knew a lot of people underestimated us because we're from Sacramento and the West Coast.
"But we had great team chemistry. We were like a clock where every piece was working in synch. It was a great experience."

A look at the CalHi-Sports/ESPN Bowl Rankings with a bunch of local teams, including Grant at No. 1 in Division I North and Rocklin at No. 1 in Division II North (but impossible for both teams to reach a state bowl because only section champions are eligible).

Division I North
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 9-0 def. McClatchy 62-6
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 7-2 def. Foothill (Pleasanton) 33-7
3. (3) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 8-1 def. Livermore 34-7
4. (4) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 7-1-1 def. St. Francis (MV) 27-21
5. (5) Berkeley 9-0 Idle
6. (7) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 8-1 def. Elk Grove 35-14
7. (9) Tracy 9-0 def. Franklin (Stockton) 44-0
8. (10) Deer Valley (Antioch) 9-0 def. Antioch 42-14
9. (6) Granite Bay 7-2 def. Oakmont 51-14
10. (12) Vacaville 8-1 def. Napa 60-7
11. (NR) Monte Vista (Danville) 6-3 def. California (San Ramon) 45-24
12. (13) Lincoln (Stockton) 7-2 def. Bear Creek (Stockton) 47-21
13. (15) Folsom 8-1 def. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 27-26 OT
14. (11) San Benito (Hollister) 8-1 lost to Palma (Salinas) 24-23
15. (8) Serra (San Mateo) 5-4 lost to Archbishop Mitty 20-7

On the bubble: California (San Ramon) 5-4, Fairfield 7-2, Foothill (Pleasanton) 5-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 6-3, Milpitas 7-2, Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 7-2, Pittsburg 5-4, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 6-3, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 6-3, Sheldon (Sacramento) 7-2.

Breakdown: The philosophy that playing a really tough schedule will give a team an edge over one that doesn't comes into play in this week's ratings on several fronts. Grant's early-season schedule keeps the Pacers securely atop the list despite the ridiculous scores in Sacramento's Metro League games. McClatchy can claim to be one of just two teams to score on Grant this season. Undefeated Tracy and Deer Valley (Antioch) and once-beaten Nevada Union (Grass Valley) scooted past Granite Bay, which has two losses. The biggest mover and shaker this week is Monte Vista, which took out previous No. 14 California of San Ramon, 45-24.
That win enables the Mustangs to go back in front of a Foothill (Pleasanton) team it lost to, 41-37, since California has a win over Foothill. Monte Vista's other two losses are to De La Salle and Amador Valley and both of those games could have gone either way.
Toward the bottom of the top 15, Serra of San Mateo's 20-7 setback to fast-closing Archbishop Mitty of San Jose and San Benito of Hollister's one-point loss to Palma of Salinas weren't enough to knock either out of the Top 15. Both Mitty and Palma are No. 2 in their CIF Northern California bowl game rankings.

Division II North
1. (1) Rocklin 9-0 def. Del Oro (Loomis) 24-21
2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (SJ) 8-0-1 def. Serra (San Mateo) 20-7
3. (6) Inderkum (Sacramento) 9-0 def. Yuba City 42-14
4. (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 7-2 lost to Rocklin 24-21
5. (3) St. Francis (Mountain View) 6-3 lost to Bellarmine (SJ) 27-21
6. (8) Encinal (Alameda) 8-1 def. Kennedy (Richmond) forfeit
7. (10) Paradise 9-1 def. Enterprise (Redding) 49-13
8. (9) Lincoln 9-0 def. Bear River (Grass Valley) 29-15
9. (NR) Sierra (Manteca) 8-1 def. Oakdale 44-42
10. (NR) Vanden (Travis AFB) 9-0 def. Hogan (Vallejo) 48-14

On the bubble: Casa Roble (Orangevale) 5-4, Bella Vista (Fair Oaks) 7-2, Del Campo (Fair Oaks) 8-1, Enterprise (Redding) 9-1, Foothill (Palo Cedro) 6-4, Los Gatos 7-2, Manteca 6-3, Novato 6-3, Oakdale 8-1, Palo Alto 7-1-1, Petaluma 9-0, Placer (Auburn) 8-1, Shasta (Redding) 7-3, Sonora 8-1, Whitney (Rocklin) 7-2.

Breakdown: If Division II South is the deepest, this is the zaniest. Rocklin scored big points for handing Del Oro of Loomis its second straight loss, 24-21, and Mitty continues to get high grades after a 20-7 win over Serra of san Mateo, a Division I power. Sierra of Manteca takes a big jump from the bubble to No. 9 off its win over Oakdale, which drops to the bubble to make room for unbeaten Vanden of Travis AFB, which inched out the previous No. 5 Mustangs plus unbeaten Petaluma and Del Campo for the No. 10 slot.
Paradise, meanwhile, earned its Northern Section No. 1 bid with an impressive 49-13 spanking of previously unbeaten Enterprise of Redding. We wonder if the Paradise band still plays that march from the Lord of the Rings movies whenever their team is driving it down the field? If so, they played it a lot against Enterprise.

Division III North
1. (1) St. Mary's (Stockton) 9-0 def. Tokay 49-13
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 7-1-1 def. San Benito (Hollister) 24-23
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 8-1 def. Patterson 51-7
4. (4) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 8-1 def. San Rafael 46-0
5. (6) Valley Christian (San Jose) 6-3 def. Riordan 54-13
6. (5) Escalon 8-1 lost to Modesto Christian 21-16
7. (8) Hilmar 8-1 def. Orestimba (Newman) 26-22
8. (10) Sutter 8-2 def. Wheatland 42-15
9. (NR) St. Mary's (Berkeley) 7-2 def. Albany 48-18
10. (NR) Salesian (Richmond) 8-1 def. Tomales 28-0

On the bubble: Argonaut (Jackson) 5-4, Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 5-4, Colfax 6-3, Fort Bragg 7-2, Fortuna 7-2, Healdsburg 6-3, Middletown 8-1, Ripon 7-2, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 7-2, Seaside 6-2-1, Scotts Valley 4-3-2, Wheatland 8-2, Windsor 6-3.

Breakdown: To show how strong St. Mary's of Stockton's hold on the No. 1 spot is that there was no consideration whatsoever of moving Palma up despite a truly impressive one-point win over Division I San Benito of Hollister. The top six schools held their positions, except Escalon, which dropped just one spot after a five-point loss to Small School No. 1 Modesto Christian. A couple of East Bay schools-St. Mary's of Berkeley and Salesian of Richmond-move into the Top 10 based on their performances late in the season while Sutter wrapped up its regular season with an impressive 42-15 win over previous No. 10 Wheatland to gain two spots.
Valley Christian will have to hang tough for one more West Catholic Athletic League game, facing Serra of San Mateo.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Modesto Christian 9-0 def. Escalon 21-16
2. (2) Ferndale 9-0 def. St. Bernard's (Eureka) 55-14
3. (3) Modoc (Alturas) 9-0 def. Los Molinos 70-12
4. (4) Portola 10-0 def. Colusa 42-0
5. (6) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 8-1 def. Vacaville Christian 55-8
6. (5) St. Francis (Watsonville) 5-3-1 lost to Santa Cruz 17-14
7. (7) Fall River (McArthur) 8-2 def. Chester 42-12
8. (8) Capital Christian (Sac.) 6-3 def. Lindhurst 42-6
9. (9) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 8-2 def. East Nicolas 41-0
10. (NR) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 7-2 def. Kelseyville 35-12

On the bubble: Burney 7-3, Colusa 6-4, East Nicolas (Nicolas) 6-4, Quincy 7-3, Hoopa Valley (Hoopa) 7-2, Vacaville Christian 5-4, Valley Christian (Dublin) 5-4.

Breakdown: These teams haven't moved around much in weeks. Modesto Christian's win over Escalon was a plus for Small Schools and the next three also came out on top. We did move up Bradshaw Christian one spot for the manner in which it dominated a Vacaville Christian team that won the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. VII title last season. The only newcomer is St. Vincent of Petaluma moving in to No. 10 over Hoopa Valley of Hoopa. Four of these teams above get a week off with byes as the Northern Section starts its playoffs.

Stephanie Blumm is no stranger switching gears.

The Roseville junior already holds four school records on the track so when volleyball coach Ron Grove asked her to play middle in place of an injured teammate in Tuesday night's first round playoff match with Ponderosa, Blumm was more than game if not a little timid.

"I was a little nervous," admitted Blumm, who has played outside hitter for the Tigers this season.

Blumm, playing the middle for injured teammate Simone Durham, led the seventh-seeded Tigers with 10 kills as they beat No. 10 seed Ponderosa 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 22-25, 25-21) in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II first-round match on Tuesday night at Moeller Gym.

Junior outside hitter Jessica Richardson pitched in nine kills for the Tigers while fellow outside Allison Campbell had eight. More often than not for the Tigers took a little bit off of their swings and put the ball where Bruin defenders were not, instead of bombing away.

"We're emphasizing hitting smart," Grove said.

Roseville cruised in the first two sets before the Bruins awoke from hibernation and started depositing kills instead of hitting errant balls out of bounds.

Bruin junior middle Sara Hickenbottom notched five kills and four blocks (including set point) in the third set alone leading Ponderosa back into the match. Hickenbottom led all players with 17 kills.

The Bruins jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and led 20-17 late but Blumm was too much down the stretch, notching three kills and block as the Tigers used an 8-1 run to close out the match.

"We're peaking," Grove said. "We're playing our best volleyball at the right time."

In other D-II action No. 2 seed St. Francis had little problem with visiting Rosemont, as the Troubadours swept the Wolverines 3-0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-9). Junior middle blocker Zoe Nightingale led the way with 12 kills and four blocks while fellow middle Mary Clark chipped in eight kills.

Top-seeded Rocklin beat Folsom 3-1 (25-14, 25-14, 20-25, 25-12) as sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Ivy led the way with 15 kills and three aces. Junior middle blocker Olivia Lane had nine kills and four blocks for the Thunder.

Thunder coach said he pulled Dave Muscarella pulled his starters in set three in order to give his bench some experience before re-inserting the starters for the fourth set.

"I just wanted to get (the non-starters) some playing time so that they're as comfortable as possible when we need them down the road," he said.

Sixth-seeded Granite Bay used 20 kills from Karli Pedone to down visiting Beyer-Modesto 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-19).

"(Beyer) was a really tough, scrappy team," Grizzlies coach Jamie Ingram said. "They made it tough on us to find the floor tonight."

Division I

Top-seeded Oak Ridge swept visiting Chavez 3-0 (25-8, 25-9, 25-23) behind 15 kills from junior outside hitter Katie Vaughn and 12 kills from senior outside hitter Kayla Berringer. Senior setter Brittney Larsen added 35 assists.

No. 11 seed and seven-time defending D-I champion Nevada Union travelled to Lodi and handed the sixth-seeded Flames a four-set loss 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18).

12th-seeded Pleasant Grove swept No. 5 seed Rodriguez 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-14).

Division III

Belle Obert and Hannah Oros each had 11 kills to help sixth-seeded Del Oro top No. 11 seed Sierra 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 26-24). Kate Kessler had 34 digs and Bailey Humes had 18 assists for the Golden Eagles.

Fifth-seeded Placer rallied from down two sets to none to stun Rio Americano 3-2 (23-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-12)

Third-seeded El Camino rolled Woodland (25-14, 25-11, 25-14).

No. 10 seed Union Mine swept seventh-seeded Center 3-0 (25-5, 25-14, 25-14).

Fourth-seeded Pioneer needed four sets to beat No. 13 seed Whitney (25-17, 25-9, 23-25, 25-20). Sophie Rominger led all players with 18 kills.

Division IV

Top-seeded and four-time defending champion Christian Brothers swept Hilmar 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-10) behind eight kills, eight digs, five aces and three blocks from senior middle blocker Katie Hoekman, while Whitney Swain led all players with 12 digs.

"We talked a lot about keeping focus on what we do," Falcons coach Jeff Deter said. "We were disciplined tonight and really tightened the screws."

Mariko Kawashima and Kaitlyn Christner had 10 kills apiece to lead fifth-seeded Golden Sierra over Calaveras 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-20).

Division V

Top-seeded Bradshaw Christian swept Victory Christian (25-15, 25-10, 25-17).

With Week 10 of prep football season upon us, we have Nathanial Levine's latest Prep Playoff breakdown here with some interesting changes, including Grant the No. 3 team in Division II.

Click here for projection charts

Four area teams are represented in NorCalPreps.com's preseason boys NorCal basketball top 20.

Sacramento is ranked No. 2 behind Salesian of Richmond, the CIF State Division IV champion.

Sheldon is No. 3, Jesuit No. 14 and Rocklin No. 18.

Here's the complete top 20:
1. Salesian; 2. Sacramento; 3. Sheldon; 4. De La Salle-Concord; 5. Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland; 6. St. Mary's-Stockton; 7. St. Francis-Mountain View; 8. Newark Memorial; 9. Castro Valley; 10. Bellarmine-San Jose; 11. Rodriguez-Fairfield; 12. Oakland; 13. Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco; 14. Jesuit; 15. San Ramon Valley-Danville; 16. St. Joseph's of Notre Dame-Alameda; 17. McClymonds-Oakland; 18. Rocklin; 19. Analy-Sebastopol; 20. Berekely.

The Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs are upon us and, if the regular season was any indicator, we're in for a wild ride.

Can Nevada Union get it done on the road in order claim its unprecedented eighth straight Division I title? Or will Oak Ridge become the first team in section history to win titles in three different divisions? Will St. Mary's of Stockton and Christian Brothers continue their recent run of titles? Which teams on the cusp will break through and assert themselves as major players?

Read on ...

Division I

Click here to view the bracket

Who should win: No. 1 seed Oak Ridge (23-11, 11-1 Sierra Valley Conference)
The defending D-II champions look to become the first school in the history of the section to win titles in three different divisions (D-II in 2005 and 2008 and D-III in 2002). The Trojans have quite possibly the best outside hitter tandem in the section in senior Kayla Berringer and junior Katie Vaughn and a crafty setter in senior Brittney Larsen who can generate offense all by herself with her deceptive "on-two" attack.

Who could win: No. 11 seed Nevada Union (31-9, 8-4 Sierra Foothill League)
The Miners seek an unprecedented (they keep pushing the envelope) eighth straight D-I title with the youngest squad they've had in years. Leading the way is lone senior Abbie Miraldi, who notched the championship-winning block in last year's five-set section final thriller against Napa. This year though, the Miners will have to do it on the road after holding either the No. 1 or 2 seeds in each of the past five years. Nevada Union beat Oak Ridge the last time the teams met on Halloween at the Super 8 Tournament albeit in a best-of-three sets match, while Oak Ridge claimed a four-set non-league victory over the Miners on Sept. 30.

No. 2 seed Napa (28-8, 15-0 Monticello Empire League)
The Indians have six seniors back from last year's section runner-up squad, all looking to erase memories of that five-set loss to Nevada Union.

Dark horses: No. 12 seed Pleasant Grove (23-4, 8-2 Delta River League), No. 14 seed Vintage-Napa (15-10, 10-5 MEL).

Division II

Click here to view the bracket

Who should win: No. 2 seed St. Francis (32-6, 10-0 DRL)
Too many weapons. The Troubadours have four hitters topping 6-feet and four who have notched at least 100 kills. It's a good problem for St. Francis setter Lyana Perez to have as she has the best middle tandem in the area in juniors Zoe Nightingale (322 kills, .459 hitting percentage) and Mary Clark (294 kills) at her disposal in addition to a smart, powerful outside hitter in senior Kasey Clark (278 kills). And should you stymie those attackers, the Troubadours still have senior rightside hitter Kiki Kosler (88 kills) and senior outside hitter Alex Henry (141 kills) to throw at you.

Who could win: No. 1 seed Rocklin (28-7, 10-2 SFL)
The Thunder earned the top seed in D-II by navigating a brutal league schedule (the SFL put five teams in the playoffs) and is as dangerous as anyone in the playoffs at any level due to its dominant serving. If sophomores Cailyn Prewitt and Katelyn Ivy's serves are on, they can keep any team out of system and pick up easy points via the ace. Prewitt and Ivy generate a good deal of offense for the Thunder at the net along with junior middle Olivia Lane. The Thunder is eager to erase memories of last year's semifinals, when it surrendered a 15-6 lead in what would have been the clinching fourth set before going on to drop the match at home ... to St. Francis.

No. 7 seed Roseville (23-7, 7-5 SFL)
The Tigers are young, hungry and capable. Roseville put together an impressive body of work knocking off Del Oro, Nevada Union and Rocklin in SFL play in addition to an impressive nonleague win over El Camino - all playoff teams.

Dark horses: No. 6 seed Granite Bay (14-11, 6-6 SFL), No. 10 seed Ponderosa (14-19, 6-6 SVC).

Division III

Click here to view the bracket

Who should win: No. 6 seed Del Oro (24-6, 8-4 SFL)
The Golden Eagles were enjoying one of their finest seasons ever until dropping their final three Sierra Foothill League matches (all in sweeps) and thus losing the top seed in the D-III bracket. That simply means Del Oro, which has more than enough firepower with Aly Duffin and Emily Mattevi, will need to win a pair of matches on the road in order to get to the section final for the first time in 30 years.

Who could win: No. 1 seed St. Mary's-Stockton (15-7, 12-0 Tri-City Conference)
The Rams, thanks to an especially low roof over their volleyball court, enjoy one of the biggest home-court advantages anywhere and will look to take advantage of that to get back to the section finals for a chance at a fourth-straight D-III title.

No. 3 seed El Camino (27-6, 15-0 Capital Athletic League)
In his first year at the helm former Loretto coach Martin Soyama led a relatively young group of Eagles to the school's first Capital Athletic League championship in over a decade. Now he has the Eagles, led by sophomore outside hitter Natalie Riddering, poised to make a run at El Camino's first-ever section title.

Dark horses: No. 10 seed Union Mine (18-10, 7-5 SVC), No. 12 seed Rio Americano (22-13, 11-4 CAL).

Division IV

Click here to view the bracket

Who should win: No. 1 seed Christian Brothers (24-10, 11-1 SVC)
The four-time defending champion Falcons have battled through illness and injury all season but appear to be near 100 percent heading into the playoffs. Christian Brothers' twin tower middle tandem of Megan Anders (6-foot-4) and Katie Hoekman (6-foot) is complimented nicely by powerful outside hitter Erika Cuevas.

Who could win: No. 2 seed Vacaville Christian (25-2, 12-0 Central Valley Christian League)
The Falcons have never made a section championship match, despite owning the second seed in D-IV in 2007 and 2008.

No. 3 seed Ripon (35-9, 14-1 Trans Valley League)
The Indians have met Christian Brothers in the past three D-IV title matches and have left unhappy each time. Junior outside hitter Cheyann Deprue (474 kills) along with a set of fresh faces on Larry Keethe's squad hopes to change that.

Dark horses: No. 5 seed Golden Sierra (21-9, 12-0 Golden Empire League), No. 11 seed Colfax (12-7, 10-2 Pioneer Valley League).

Division V

Click here to view the bracket

Who should win: No. 6 seed Forest Lake Christian (14-9, 9-3 CVCL)
The Falcons hope experience (all 12 players on coach Travis Smith's roster are upperclassmen) will carry them to their first section final since 2006 and bring the school its first title since 1998. Forest Lake Christian is the only team in the D-V field with a win over top-seeded Bradshaw Christian.

Who could win: No. 1 seed Bradshaw Christian (22-10, 14-0 Sacramento Metro Athletic League)
The Pride looks to break through and establish itself as a volleyball force much the way the school's basketball and football programs have in the past few years.

No. 13 seed Turlock Christian (20-13, 10-5 Southern League)
The Eagles have appeared in five section finals in this decade (tied for the most with Ripon Christian) but have managed to win just once.

Dark horses: No. 5 seed Woodland Christian (19-9, 9-3 CVCL), No. 10 seed Ripon Christian.

Checked out Grant football practice today for a story I am working on this week on the Pacers defense and the injury news is mixed.

Vei Moala, Grant's mountain of a man in the trenches, practiced and will be good to go Friday against Burbank in the Metropolitan Conference championship game. This comes as a sigh of relief for Grant as Moala missed most of Saturday's game at McClatchy with a sore ankle. He is a target for chop blocks and blockers who dive at his lower legs - anything to contain him, so avoiding such tactics, double teams and making plays makes for triple duty on every snap.

Not so encouraging at the moment is the status of Dezmon Epps, Grant's quickest player who was sidelined against McClatchy when his arm got caught during a play and yanked back, popping his shoulder out. He will not play Friday, and his playoff status at the moment is unknown.

Epps is a blur in the open field, a threat on handoffs, receptions and on returns. In other words, a game-breaking threat any time he handles the ball.

Grant assistant coach Aaron Garcia said today, "I tell college recruiters that he's one of the best players around, a great player who can do anything."

Look for more plays and more action for sophomore Shaq Thompson.

Week 10 is here, with a peek at the schedule and the playoffs looming.

Thursday
Mira Loma at El Camino
Union Mine at Rosemont

Friday
Bella Vista at Del Campo
Cosumnes Oaks at Center
Dixon at River City
Rio Linda at Foothill
West Campus at Antelope
Florin at Monterey Trail
Folsom at Sheldon
Davis at Nevada Union
Laguna Creek vs. Franklin
Valley vs. Elk Grove at Cosumnes River College
Capital Christian at Golden Sierra
Encina at Highlands
Marysville at Lindhurst
Burbank at Grant
Bear River at El Dorado
Lincoln at Colfax
Placer at Whitney
Valley Christian at Vacaville Christian
Woodland Christian at Bradshaw Christian
Del Oro at Oakmont
Rocklin at Roseville
Woodcreek at Granite Bay
Christian Brothers vs. Vista del Lago
Cordova at Galt
Oak Ridge at Ponderosa
Natomas at Inderkum
Woodland at Pioneer
Yuba City at River Valley
Cristo Rey at Foresthill
Mesa Verde at San Juan

Saturday
Casa Roble at Rio Americano
Pleasant Grove at Jesuit
Kennedy at Johnson
McClatchy at Sacramento

A look at our latest Bee Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10.

I added a different twist this week with each team's quality wins and game-face pulse to this point.

1. Grant (9-0)
The Pacers are roaring toward the program's third 10-0 regular season finish since 2006, with dangerous rival Burbank looming Friday to decide the Metropolitan Conference championship. Grant steamed McClatchy 62-6 - yes, allowing a touchdown, of all the nerve. McClatchy scored on a bomb late against the Grant reserves when it appeared the receiver pushed off. Vei Moala miss most of the game with a sprained ankle and Dezmon Epps missed the second half with a shoulder injury.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Grant): Montgomery-Santa Rosa (7-1) 42-0; Edison-Stockton (6-3) 27-0; Bellevue-Washington (8-1) 14-0; Oak Ridge (6-2) 14-0; Rosemont (6-2) 56-7; Sacramento (5-3) 63-0.
Game-face pulse: Stoic, hungry for more.

2. St. Mary's (9-0)
The Rams are the defending Division I section champions seeking to win the prize in D-II with a spread offense that includes Cal-bound major recruit Josh Harper at receiver. Rams rolled rival Tokay 49-13 on Friday to wrap up the Tri-City League championship.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to St. Mary's): Bellarmine Prep-San Jose (7-0-1) 34-10; Los Banos (6-2) 39-7; Lincoln-Stockton (7-1) 48-18; Central Catholic (8-0) 50-28; Stagg (7-1) 85-40; Tokay (6-2) 49-13.
Game-face pulse: Confident and sure.

3. Rocklin (9-0)
The Thunder seized the golden chance to secure the program's first Sierra Foothill League championship, beating rival Del Oro 24-17 for yet another signature triumph this record season. The balance of QB Jimmy Laughrea, RB Jackson Cummings and WR Holden Huff - and the defense - make for a viable D-II section title threat.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Rocklin): Oak Ridge (6-2) 40-32; Nevada Union (8-0) 41-36; Woodcreek (4-4 - and only team to beat Del Campo, and beat Del Oro) 28-0); Granite Bay (7-1) 14-7; Del Oro (7-1). Next is Roseville for a chance at first 10-0 start.
Game-face pulse: Relieved and eager for more.

4. Inderkum (9-0)
The Tigers rolled Woodland 46-0 to set up a Tri-County Showdown with neighborhood rival Natomas (6-3). Inderkum has the wing-T in high gear behind QB Demetrius Williams and a stout defense.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Inderkum): Windsor (6-2) 29-0; Fernley-Nevada (7-2) 46-19; Pioneer (5-3) 41-28; Yuba City (5-3) 42-14.
Game-face pulse: Supremely confident of 14-0 season.

5. Nevada Union (8-1)
The Miners clinched at least a share of their second straight Delta Valley League championship The wing-T is prolific and balanced with Broughan Jantz and a host or runners including Drew Hoskin, and the defense is formidable behind LBs Eric Niederberger, Zach Vallejo and Juan Espinosa. Only loss was in Week 2 to Rocklin (9-0) 41-36.
Next is a regular-season finale against Davis (2-7).
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to NU): Natomas (6-2) 34-0; Franklin-Elk Grove (5-3) 49-28.
Game-face pulse: Thrilled yet thirsting for more.

6. Tracy (9-0)
Belted Franklin-Stockton 44-0 to wrap up the San-Joaquin Athletic Association title with the school's best club since the 1982 section title team. Next is Lodi (4-5) and then the D-I playoffs.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Tracy): Los Banos (6-2) 27-24; Manteca (6-2) 35-20; Washington-Fremont (6-2) 42-21; Lincoln-Stockton (7-1) 37-21.
Game-face pulse: Ecstatic with best team three decades.

7. Folsom (8-1)
The Bulldogs beat Pleasant Grove 27-26 in overtime to keep their Delta River League hopes alive. Folsom has the terrific spread offense and QB Dano Graves and receivers Kori Babineaux and Tyler Trosin and RB Jordan Richards. The Bulldogs seek their first league title since 1990. Next is Sheldon (7-2).
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Folsom): Oak Ridge (6-2) 54-33; Sacramento (5-3) 69-26; Franklin-Elk Grove (5-3) 43-13; Casa Roble (5-3) 55-33; Pleasant grove (6-2) 27-26.
Game-face pulse: Delighted with OT win and good health.

8. Del Campo (8-1)
The Cougars geared their seasons to take on rival Casa Roble and it paid off in full with a 24-0 victory in Orangevale to clinch the Capital Athletic League championship. Leaders Ryan Dimino, Eddie Plantaric, Jaron Wilson and Orlando Ortiz led the way. It's looking like a Del Campo-Inderkum title tilt in D-III. Next is Bella Vista (7-2). Only loss is to Woodcreek, which also stunned Del Oro.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Del Campo): Pleasant Grove (6-2) 20-7; Mira Loma (6-2) 30-6; Casa Roble (5-3) 24-0.
Game-face pulse: Pleased defensively, and delighted with Casa rout.

9. Del Oro (7-2)
There can't be too many teams in the state more dangerous and more frustrated with a two-game skid than this one. The Golden Eagles went for it on 4th-and-10 late at Rocklin and came up short in a game in which Bryce Pratt played strong in the second half and tight end Adrian Williams showed that he could be a major recruit next season as a senior. Next is Oakmont and a chance to build some steam heading into the meat-grinder D-II playoffs. Losses are to Woodcreek (16-9) and here.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Del Oro): California-San Ramon (5-3) 28-21; Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (5-3) 49-14; Franklin-Elk Grove (5-3) 62-12; Granite Bay (7-1) 27-21 OT.
Game-face pulse: Irritable, grouchy, steaming.

10. Granite Bay (7-2)
The mark of the great programs is how they recover after defeat. After back-to-back setbacks to Del Oro and Rocklin, the Grizzlies have rolled Roseville 70-28 and Oakmont 51-14 and now prepare for giant-killer Woodcreek, which has beaten Del Campo and Del Oro.
Quality wins (with records excluding loss to Granite Bay): Pittsburg-Antioch (5-3) 30-20; Burbank (6-2) 22-6: Vacaville (8-0) 31-13; Point Loma-San Diego (6-2) 22-12; Oakmont (5-3) 51-14.
Game-face pulse: Pleased but hardly satisfied just yet.

On the bubble: Lincoln (9-0); Pleasant Grove (6-3); Monterey Trail (7-2); Vacaville (8-1); Vanden (9-0); Oakdale (8-1); Placer (8-1).

Rivalries and winning teams are nice for more than riveting football games.

They produce huge gates, which is a plus for cash-strapped athletic programs.

One of the hardest spots to try to find a parking spot Friday night was on the surrounding streets near Orangevale's Casa Roble High School.

The No. 16 Rams were playing host to No. 7 Del Campo, their fierce Capital Athletic League rivals.

Despite a drizzly night, more than 4,000 packed the Rams' stadium to watch the Cougars (8-1, 4-0) defeat Casa Roble 24-0 behind incomparable senior quarterback Ryan Dimino, who rushed for two touchdowns and threw for a third in going over 3,000 combined rushing and passing yards this season.

But even though the Rams (5-4, 3-1) didn't play well Friday, they continue to generate the kind of interest that equals additional dollars for a Casa Roble athletic department that, like many schools, is more dependent than ever on parent and community gate support because of school district budget constraints.

Crowds for Casa Roble football games have steadily grown since coach Norm Ryan took the reins as coach eight years ago after the Rams had muddled through three consecutive 1-9 seasons.

During that stretch, the Rams have won 66 games, four league championships and the school's first section football title. That came last season when Casa Roble enjoyed a storybook 13-0 season.

Under Ryan and former offensive coordinator Jeff Baer (he retired after last season), the Rams were one of the first area teams to run the spread offense, which has been a crowd pleaser at those schools that run it well.

"Since our team stated winning, people get on the bandwagon," says Casa Roble athletic director Jorie Baer, Jeff's wife. "The offense helps. It's made a huge difference because it's not a boring game."

It hasn't hurt that neighboring Bella Vista also has developed a strong program under third-year coach Matt Polston.

She said last year's Bella Vista at Casa Roble game produced one of the biggest crowd's in school history, with nearly 5,000 spectators packing a stadium that seats fewer than 3,000.

"We generate crowds for Del Campo because of the football competitiveness," she said. "But Bella Vista is the neighborhood rivalry. The kids grow up with each other. They know each other, and they are talking constantly to one another.

"It's always been big, but has gotten even bigger since Bella Vista started winning."

Baer understands that rivalry well. She played basketball at Bella Vista and led the Broncos' girls basketball team to a CIF state championship appearance in 1993 before moving over to Casa Roble.

What a great night of high school football.

I covered the Rocklin-Del Oro thriller, with Rocklin holding on 24-21 as Jackson Cummings scored two short touchdowns to offset a monstrous second half by Bryce Pratt. Great atmosphere, typical overflow, tense Sierra Foothill League showdown. Rocklin holds off Del Oro with a minute to go as a 4th and goal TD pass attempt falls incomplete.

It was also good to see resident blogger/comment contributors to the sacbee.com posts in dsore, theblackswan and a host of others who check out prep games because of the thrill of it, whether or not their teams are involved or not.
Other scores as of this moment include:

Folsom 27, Pleasant Grove 26 in overtime (Dano Graves winning TD pass and PG misses extra point in OT)
Nevada Union 35, Elk Grove 14 (another monster game for Eric Niederberger)
Del Campo 24, Casa Roble 0 (3 TDs for Ryan Dimino)
Lincoln 29, Bear River 15
Placer 34, Colfax 27
Granite Bay 51, Oakmont 14
CBS 72, Cordova 36
St. Mary's 49, Tokay 13
Natomas 35, River Valley 8
Sierra 44, Oakdale 42 (Oakdale's first loss)
Sheldon 28, Florin 0
Franklin 34, Davis 7
Laguna Creek 44, Valley 0

The Sac-Joaquin Section volleyball playoff brackets are out and if there's a theme, it's that the usual suspects look to be in prime position once again.

Defending Division II champion Oak Ridge grabbed the top seed in Division I as the Trojans moved up a division this year. Perennial power Rocklin is the top seed in D-II while three-time defending D-III champion St. Mary's of Stockton is tops in that division once again, as is four-time defending D-IV champion Christian Brothers.

For the first time in five years Nevada Union is not the top seed in Division I, instead the Miners grabbed the No. 11 seed and if they are to win their unprecedented eighth straight title must do it on the road, including a possible trip to No. 2 seed Napa, which took the Miners to the limit in last year's D-I final.

Click here for the D-I bracket

With its sweep of Nevada Union last night Rocklin won its second straight Sierra Foothill League title and vaulted itself to the top seed in D-II ensuring it home-court advantage until the Section finals at UC Davis.

St. Francis will be the No. 2 seed in D-II by way of an unblemished record in the Delta River League -- the ninth straight year the Troubadours have not dropped a match in league play. The Troubadours have a brutal road in front of them if they are to get back to the D-II final for the third straight year as they would face either seventh-seeded Roseville or No. 10 seed Ponderosa in the second round and possibly No. 6 seed Granite Bay or No. 3 seed Atwater in the semifinals.

Click here for the D-II bracket

Three-time defending champion St. Mary's of Stockton has the top seed in D-III. El Camino, which under first-year coach Martin Soyama swept through the Capital Athletic League with a 15-0 record, is the No. 3 seed while Del Oro, seeking just its second section championship and first in 30 years, holds the sixth seed.

Click here for the D-III bracket

Four-time defending champion Christian Brothers holds the top seed in D-IV but likely will have to go through perennial challengers Ripon (No. 3) and Golden Sierra (No. 5).

Click here for the D-IV bracket

Bradshaw Christian snatched the top seed in D-V while defending champion Ripon Christian, one of the most decorated schools in the section in terms of volleyball championships with 12, will be the No. 10 seed. Woodland Christian has the No. 5 seed but to get back to the section finals for the fifth time in seven years the Cardinals would have to go through the Pride in the semifinals, which would be a rematch from last year.

Click here for the D-V bracket

Here's a closer look at The Bee's Top 20 football rankings with comments.

This will be a major weekend of football with league title tilts. And possibly more rankings upheaval. If Del Oro beats Rocklin, Folsom beats Pleasant Grove, Dixon beats Rio Linda and Casa Roble beats Del Campo, there will be a major rankings shakeup.

The Bee's Top 20

1. Grant (8-0)
Pacers have lost to two local teams since the end of the 2005 season (Burbank and Ponderosa in 2007) and have won 22 straight. End with McClatchy and Burbank before playoff march.

2. Rocklin (8-0)
Wins over then No. 2 Nevada Union and then No. 3 Granite Bay prove staying power with previous No. 2 Del Oro next. Very legit team that seeks first D-II section title.

3. Inderkum (8-0)
Should improve to 10-0 and maybe 13-0, though Casa Roble and Del Campo will be in D-III playoffs, too. Loaded with excellent leader coach in Terry Stark.

4. Nevada Union (7-1)
Lost only to Rocklin in a game Miners felt was theirs; been inpsired and prolific ever since and should cap regular-season 9-1 for second straight season and seeks another D-I title.

5. Del Oro (7-1)
Lost to pesky Woodcreek, the same team that also beat then No. 4 Del Campo; big win over then No. 2 Granite Bay; Rocklin next with a chance to redeem Woodcreek loss.

6. Granite Bay (6-2)
Close losses to then No. 3 Del Oro and then No. 4 Rocklin; dangerous playoff team to be sure that could roll from here behind Matt Kine and host of others.

7. Del Campo (7-1)
That loss to Woodcreek kickstarted Cougars; 20-7 win over Pleasant Grove in Week 5 justifies high ranking, with biggest game of year next at Casa Roble.

8. Pleasant Grove (6-2)
Have impressed since loss to Del Campo, routing Sheldon and rallying to beat Monterey Trail in recent showings. Matt Robinson, Taylor Congdon and Jalen Sauders are studs.

9. Monterey Trail (6-2)
Six-game winning streak ended in 28-21 loss Friday to Pleasant Grove; still major D-I threat that could roll from here behind that fast and fierce defense.

10. Folsom (7-1)
Lost 2 weeks ago to Monterey Trail 22-21 in overtime; all is good again with win Friday over Pleasant Grove, which prompts soar in rankings. Look for Dano Graves to be inspired.

11. Lincoln (8-0)
Best team since 1970, and probably best team in school history with wins over Whitney and Placer and 10-0 start likely for a team that has never won a section title.

12. Rio Linda (8-0)
Never off to this good of a start, though detractors wonder about ranked foes. Friday against Dixon is major test for Capital Valley Conference title.

13. Placer (7-1)
Agonizingly tough loss to Lincoln will inspire Hillmen from here; beat Casa Roble on last play this season - and beat Woodcreek. Whitney looms huge now.

14. Whitney (6-2)
Losses only to unbeaten Oakdale and unbeaten Lincoln on late play; battling rash of injuries yet still dangerous. Showdown with Placer looms.

15. Oak Ridge (5-3)
Beat Casa Roble, CBS and Vista del Lago when those teams were all ranked; darkhorse threat in D-I after winning five straight, and counting.

16. Casa Roble (5-3)
Close losses to Placer and Oak Ridge and a blowout loss to Folsom, yet this is the CAL champs with win over Del Campo on Friday. Have won 4 CAL titles this decade.

17. Sheldon (6-2)
Losses only to Monterey Trail and Pleasant Grove in successive weeks, and still strong despite major injuries. QB Raymond Dickerson is a real talent.

18. Burbank (5-3)
Losses to CBS and Granite Bay early with chance to show how good the Titans are in Week 10 showdown at Grant, the last Metro team to beat the Pacers (in 2007).

19. Dixon (7-1)
Only loss was to still unbeaten Vanden, in a rout, with a chance to win Capital Valley Conference on Friday against Rio Linda, a repeat of last year.

20. Vista del Lago (5-3)
First year with seniors and Vista lost 7-6 to Oak Ridge in what likely was the Sierra Valley Conference title game.

A look at the Cal-Hi Sports/ESPN Northern California Top 15. Notice how Cal-Hi kept Del Oro ranked ahead of Nevada Union. Rocklin moves up to No. 5. All rankings are interesting, all good for conversation.

Northern California Overall Top 15 (CIF North Open Division)
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 6-2
3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 8-0
4. (5) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 7-1
5. (7) Rocklin 8-0
6. (8) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 7-0-1
7. (9) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 6-1-1
8. (11) Berkeley 9-0
9. (12) Palma (Salinas) 6-1-1
10. (6) St. Francis (Mountain View) 6-2
11. (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 7-1
12. (10) Granite Bay 6-2
13. (14) Oakdale 8-0
14. (15) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 7-1
15. (NR) Serra (San Mateo) 5-3

Breakdown: Although Del Oro lost a game last week, 16-9, to Woodcreek of Roseville, that still wasn't enough to drop the Golden Eagles all the way out from the NorCal top 15. Already on the year, Del Oro has picked up impressive wins over California of San Ramon, Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa and Granite Bay and will have a chance for another huge win this week and a chance at winning the Sierra Foothill League with a road game at Rocklin. The Thunder is currently alone atop the league standings at a perfect 8-0, including a 14-7 win on the road two weeks ago vs. Granite Bay. Rocklin also has handed Nevada Union its only loss of the season. If Del Oro beats Rocklin, all three SFL teams would be in the NorCal top 15. If Rocklin wins, Granite Bay may have to drop in the rankings as well since it has a head-to-head loss to Del Oro. The only other team to lose last week from the NorCal rankings was previous No. 13 Los Gatos. The Wildcats have been hit with some injuries and fell to Palo Alto. Serra was put back in even with three losses since those losses have come against De La Salle, St. Francis and Bellarmine in close games. The Padres also are playing Archbishop Mitty this week.

Grant has slipped from the top seed to the No. 3 seed in Division II in this week's prep football playoff projection. See the complete projections for all divisions in Nathaniel Levine's Week 8 charts.

Check out some of the best players from high school football games in October as seen during Access Sacramento's Game of the Week. Schools include Del Campo, Pleasant Grove, Cosumnes Oaks, Rio Linda, Rosemont and Sacramento. Full game coverage with Will James and Jim Dimino can be seen on Comcast and Surewest Cable Channel 17 on Tuesday's at 7 pm, Friday's and 8 pm and Saturday's at noon.

St. Francis, led by senior Marissa Mar's one-under par 71, shot 373 en route to winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Master's Meet at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton on Monday.

The Troubadours, along with Oak Ridge (437) and Christian Brothers (446) qualified for the CIF NorCal championships next Monday at Almaden Park in San Jose.

Mar's 71 tied Enochs of Modesto's Shawnee Martinez for the lowest score of the day, followed by Granite Bay freshman Paige Lee, who shot a 72.

Center's Sagee Palavivatana (73) and Lodi's Marissa Hinchman (75) will join Martinez and Lee as individual qualifiers from the Sac-Joaquin Section for the NorCal tournament.

The weekly look at the Jim Dimino "Dimino Dozen" rankings with eight additional teams.
Dimino is the long-time color analyst for the Access Sacramento "Game of the Week" (check local listings and on this prep site for weekly highlights).

Dimino's Dozen Rankings
(and The Red Zone teams)
1. Grant 8-0
2. Inderkum (8-0
3. Rocklin (8-0)
4. Nevada Union (7-1)
5. Folsom (7-1)
6. Del Oro (7-1)
7. Del Campo (7-1)
8. Pleasant Grove (6-2)
9. Granite Bay (6-2)
10. Rio Linda (8-0)
11. Monterey Trail (6-2)
12. Lincoln (8-0)
In The Red Zone
13. Placer (7-1)
14. Oak Ridge (5-3)
15. Casa Roble (5-3)
16. Sheldon (6-2)
17. Whitney (6-2)
18. Burbank (6-2)
19. Dixon (7-1)
20. Vista del Lago (5-3)

A look at the latest Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10 with a lot of moving and shuffling.

Woodcreek is one team that has absolutely jammed up things quite a bit and its no where to be found in any rankings. The Timberwolves of Roseville are the only team to beat Del Campo and Del Oro but they have been undone in other games amid mistakes and injuries. And seaon-long-term consistency is everything in these rankings.

Del Oro slips from No. 3 to No. 7, and Granite Bay and Del Campo jump back into the Top 10. As for the argument of why Monterey Trail or Folsom isn't in, consider this: Pleasant Grove, not too long after losing to Del Campo, just edged Monterey Trail 28-21, and Monterey Trail was coming off of a 22-21 overtime win over Folsom.

As for Lincoln, yes the Zebras have monster wins over Whitney and Placer, but Lincoln was ranked 13th in The Bee's regional Top 20 and isn't going to leap frog Rio Linda, Pleasant Grove, Del Campo, Granite Bay, Folsom and Monterey Trail. In short, it's an up year for prep football across the board. This Top 10 has one Division IV team in Oakdale.

And this: It all shakes out even more this week with Del Campo going against Casa Roble, Pleasant Grove playing Folsom and Del Oro taking on Rocklin.

The Bee's Section Top 10

1. Grant (8-0)
The Pacers didn't allow a point again and...oh, wait. They had a bye. Next is a road game against McClatchy and then the Metropolitan Conference championship against visiting Burbank in Week 10. Grant has outscored teams 367-7 this season with seven shutouts. The only score came against Rosemont, on a double-pass. The Pacers remain the top-ranked team in Northern California.

2. St. Mary's (8-0)
It's too early to look ahead, sure, but people can't stop buzzing about the prospect of a Grant-St. Mary's showdown in the Division II playoffs, the point-a-second Rams taking on the unyielding Pacers. One thing is for certain: there isn't a more prolific, balanced team in any division than the Rams, who waxed McNair 66-0 to move to 3-0 in the Tri-City Athletic League. The star here is Josh Harper, headed to Cal, who had a 67-yard touchdown on a punt return, raced in for a 65-yard touchdown and scored on passes of 60 and 38 yards from Marcus McDade. St. Mary's has outscored its league foes 213-47 and faces Tokay next.

3. Rocklin (8-0)
The Thunder is for real, thundering along to their best start in school history and ready to claim the Sierra Foothill League title outright should it down Del Oro this week. Rocklin led Oakmont 46-0 at the half and sat the starters the second half in a 46-6. Jackson Cummings rushed for 213 yards and three scores in the first quarter alone. Jackson was a key member of Rocklin's Northern California D-II championship basketball team, so he understands winning and leading. With Jimmy Laughrea at quarterback, the Thunder has terrific balance.

4. Inderkum (8-0)
The Tigers have never been this good, this balanced, this fast, this hungry to win. Inderkum rolled Yuba City 42-14 as Devin Hartley scored on two Demetrius Williams passes and on an 83-yard run. He just might be the fastest talent in the region. This is your clear D-III favorite, with Del Campo and Casa Roble also in that mix, but the favorite at this point is Terry Stark's team.

5. Nevada Union (7-1)
Against Laguna Creek, the Miners were burned for an early 80-yard touchdown bomb to Diondre Batson, who burned NU for a late play last year in the mud in a Delta Valley League showdown. Only this time, the Miners prevailed - big - in coasting 55-20 to move to 3-0 in the DVL. Drew Hoskin rushed for 154 yards and two scores on 10 carries and Chris Biertuempfel returned his second punt for a score this season. Eric Niederberger had a touchdown and a crushing sack to pace a defense that featured interceptions by Justin Fike and Biertuempfel. Next is Elk Grove, always dangerous, but this is an NU team determined to finish strong and win the program's second D-I section title since 2005 and fourth overall since 1993.

6. Tracy (8-0)
The Bulldogs may have their best team since winning the 1982 Division I section championship over Cordova under legendary coach Wayne Schneider. Tracy moved to 3-0 in the San-Joaquin Athletic Association with a 62-21 rout of Bear Creek, taking a 41-7 halftime lead as Depray Celestine scored five of his team's first six touchdowns. The leading contenders in the D-I playoff field are Nevada Union, Tracy, Pleasant Grove, Monterey Trail and Vacaville.

7. Del Oro (7-1)
The Golden Eagles came to a crashing halt, falling to ever dangerous Woodcreek 16-9, and it's a stunner after so many impressive showings this season. The killer was a late touchdown that would have tied it being called back on offensive pass interference. Bryce Pratt went over 100 yards again, but he fumbled three times after being so sure-handed all season. How Del Oro responds from here will show how much of a championship bunch this is, as Rocklin will surely test the Golden Eagles resolve. And this: Many a section title team recovered from a regular-season loss to catch fire.

8. Oakdale (8-0)
The Mustangs held off pesky Manteca 35-23 in a Valley Oak League game behind Tim House, who had three touchdowns. Oakdale rushed for close to 400 yards. The longtime section power - and The Modesto Bee's top-ranked team - is gearing for a showdown with Sonora and then another section title run.

9. Granite Bay (6-2)
Bouncing back in a huge way from agonizingly tough losses to Del Oro and Rocklin, the Grizzlies battered Roseville 70-28 in a Sierra Foothill League rout as Matt Kine scored four times and Brandon Keeney tossed four touchdown passes. The Grizzlies are proof that a loss can serve to inspire, including in 2007 when a rout to Rocklin was the launching pad to a section title season.

10. Del Campo (7-1)
The Cougars are here because their win over Pleasant Grove now looks even more impressive, considering Pleasant Grove beat Monterey Trail, which had won six straight, including a great win at Folsom. Del Campo beat Rio Americano 26-10 in a methodical effort as it gears up for Casa Roble in what's became perhaps the area's top rivalry the this decade. This is where leaders Eddie Plantaric, Jaron Wilson and Ryan Dimino need to play to their reputation.

On the bubble: Pleasant Grove (6-2); Monterey Trail (6-2); Folsom (7-1); Rio Linda (8-0); Lincoln (8-0); Vanden (8-0); Placer (7-1); Sonora 7-1.

Friday night's 13-6 loss to Pioneer Valley League rival Lincoln notwithstanding, Placer High School has one of the best offenses in the area.

But Hillmen coach Joey Montoya, the mastermind of that potent Wing-T attack, often talks these days about his "underrated" defense.

That's understandable.

It's the team's defensive improvement through Montoya's three-year tenure in Auburn that has been key in turning the 7-1 Hillmen back into a section power.

Placer's defense matched up well in it's battle with the big, strong Fighting Zebras.

They limited Lincoln to 206 total yards and held the Zebras' two biggest offensive weapons, running back Moses Stanley and quarterback Alex Stewart, largely in check.

Stanley, Lincoln's leading rusher and receiver, was held to minus one yard on five carries and had two catches for 21 yards. Stewart was sacked three times and had minus 16 yards rushing, just 50 yards passing and threw an interception.

But unlike the week before when the Hillmen returned two interceptions and a fumble recovery for touchdowns in a 51-7 win over Bear River, they were unable to force any back-breaking miscues against the methodical Zebras.

Lincoln, meanwhile, continued to feast on takeaways, stopping Placer scoring drives with two interceptions and a late fourth-quarter fumble recovery just a few yards from its own end zone.

But without Placer's defense making several key stops, the game could have gotten ugly.

"Our defensive play has been huge," Montoya says.

The defensive coordinator is Eric Rodarte, a boyhood friend of Montoya's and a former quarterback for the Hillmen.

Rodarte was an assistant coach at San Diego-area power Torrey Pines for several seasons before Montoya's lobbying and the chance to move closer to family enticed Rodarte back to Placer to teach and coach last year.

He helped Montoya on the offensive side last season when the Hillmen reached the D-IV section title game. After Jon Miller stepped down as defensive coordinator, Rodarte moved to the other side of the ball.

"When Eric said he'd like to be the guy, it was a no brainer," Montoya said. "He's one of the most intelligent guys I know. He's been perfect."

Rodarte has had some nice pieces with which to work.

Six-foot, three-inch, 205-pound senior linebacker Josh Klem is the leader. He's the team's second leading tackler and has five interceptions.

Senior linemen Mike Gray, Conner McKenzie and Jake Turney are the veteran anchors on the line while juniors Caleb Mitchell and Josh Turney, cornerstones on a 9-1 JV team last season, have been nice complements to Klem at linebacker.

Senior standout Asher Gotzmer, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark Friday, and Aaron Maddox play the corners while Brett Lenz is the strong safety and Cameron Southward the stopper at free safety.

Placer is allowing an average of 18 points a game, but Montoya says that figure is misleading.

"The amount of points given up isn't necessarily an indication of how well the defense is playing," he said. "In only two of our first seven games did our first-team defense play the entire game."

A look at the Week 9 prep football schedule.
There are some terrific matchups, including: Del Oro at Rocklin; Del Campo at Casa Roble; Folsom vs. Pleasant Grove; Rio Linda at Dixon.

Capital Athletic League
Del Campo at Casa Roble
Mira Loma at Bella Vista
Rio Americano at El Camino

Capital Valley Conference
Antelope at Cosumnes Oaks
Center at Foothill
Rio Linda at Dixon
West Campus at River City

Delta River League
Sheldon vs. Florin at Monterey Trail
Folsom vs. Pleasant Grove at Sheldon

Delta Valley League
Franklin at Davis
Nevada Union at Elk Grove
Valley vs. Laguna Creek at Cosumnes River College

Golden Empire League
Capital Christian at LindhurstHighlands

Metro League
Rosemont at Kennedy

Pioneer Valley League
Colfax at Placer
El Dorado vs. Mesa Verde at San Juan
Lincoln at Bear River

Sacramento Metro
Foresthill at Delta
Vacaville Christian at Bradshaw Christian

Sierra Foothill League
Del Oro at Rocklin
Oakmont at Granite Bay
Roseville at Woodcreek

Sierra Valley Conference
Christian Brothers at Cordova
Oak Ridge at Galt
Vista del Lago vs. Union Mine at Folsom
Tri-County League
Natomas at River Valley
Woodland at Inderkum
Yuba City at Pioneer

Nonleague
Sacramento at Lathrop
Whitney at Golden Sierra

Saturday

Delta River League
Monterey Trail at Jesuit

Golden Empire League
Encina vs. San Juan at El Camino

Metropolitan Conference
Grant at McClatchy
Johnson at Burbank

Sacrament Metro
Woodland Christian vs. Valley Christian at Highlands

While Sacramento and its surrounding area is home to several perennial volleyball powers, when there is talk of dynasties the discussion begins and ends with Nevada Union.

The Miners have won the last seven Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championships and, after winning their fourth Super 8 Tournament championship in six years, appear headed in the direction of an unprecedented eighth in a row.

Nevada Union downed host and top-ranked St. Francis in three sets 2-1 (29-27, 11-25, 19-17) on Saturday night to claim the championship title in Sacramento's annual playoff tuneup summit.

"This really helps us moving forward," said Bob Rogers, who along with longtime co-coach Larry Peterson came out of a one-year retirement to return to Nevada Union's sideline this season. "With the young players we have every competition helps."

The Miners avenged earlier losses to Oak Ridge, who they'll likely have to go through at some point of the D-I playoffs, in the semifinals and Christian Brothers in pool play.

Each winner of the Super 8 (established in 2004) has reached at least the NorCal semifinals.

Super 8 Results

Pool 1
St. Francis def. Napa 25-21, 25-22
Oak Ridge def. Union Mine 25-17, 21-25, 15-7
St. Francis def. Union Mine 25-12, 25-20
Oak Ridge def. Napa 25-15, 23-25, 15-11
Napa def. Union Mine 15-25, 25-23, 15-13
St. Francis def. Oak Ridge 22-25, 25-23, 15-6

Pool 2
Christian Brothers def. Granite Bay 25-12, 25-14
Nevada Union def. Golden Sierra 25-12, 25-16
Christian Brothers def. Golden Sierra 25-20, 25-18
Nevada Union def. Granite Bay 25-22, 25-18
Golden Sierra def. Granite Bay 26-24, 27-25
Nevada Union def. Christian Brothers 25-23, 25-17

Consolation bracket
Union Mine def. Golden Sierra 21-25, 26-24, 15-8
Napa def. Granite Bay 25-18, 25-21
Union Mine def. Napa 25-21, 26-24, 15-13

Championship bracket
Nevada Union def. Oak Ridge 25-22, 25-15
St. Francis def. Christian Brothers 13-25, 25-23, 15-12
Nevada Union def. St. Francis 29-27, 11-25, 19-17

A look at the Cal-Hi Sports/ESPN state Top 25 football rankings and how teams fared in Week 8. Expect Del Oro to fall completely out of the next rankings after the stunning loss at Woodcreek (apparently a late touchdown to tie was called back do to offensive pass interference, which added to the insult).

Cal-Hi Sports/ESPN Top 25 results
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 8-0 def. Oak Park (Agoura Hills) 59-0
2. Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 had a bye
3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 8-0 def. Locke (Los Angeles) 76-14
4. Oceanside 8-0 def. Orange Glen (Escondido) 57-0
5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 8-0 def. Los Alamitos 27-10
6. Lakewood 8-1 def. Millikan (Long Beach) 60-7
7. De La Salle (Concord) 6-2 def. Livermore 56-0
8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 8-0 def. McNair (Lodi) 66-0
9. Mission Viejo 8-0 def. Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 70-7
10. Servite (Anaheim) 7-1 vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 48-26
11. Moorpark 8-0 def. Thousand Oaks 28-21
12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 7-1 def. Crespi (Encino) 23-21
13. Serra (Gardena) 8-0 def. St. Bernard (Playa del Rey) 63-13
14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-0 def. Loyola (Los Angeles) 27-24 in OT
15. Del Oro (Loomis) 7-1 lost to Woodcreek (Roseville) 16-9
16. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 7-1 def. Ventura 35-7
17. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 8-0 def. Carter (Rialto) 41-17
18. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 8-0 def. Escondido 44-24
19. Buchanan (Clovis) 8-0 def. Clovis 28-7
20. Norco 7-1 def. M.L. King (Riverside) 32-13
21. Valencia 8-0 def. Hart (Newhall) 56-7
22. Centennial (Corona) 7-1 def. Santiago (Corona) 52-21
23. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 8-0 def. Temecula Valley (Temecula) 45-7
24. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 6-1 game at San Ramon Valley postponed to Saturday due to light failure
25. Bullard (Fresno) 8-0 def. Sanger 20-14

Lincoln may be a Division III-IV school enrollment-wise, but it is as physically imposing as any football team around.

The No. 13 Fighting Zebras flexed their collective muscle Friday night in beating No. 9 Placer 13-6 in front of a packed house in Auburn.

See The Bee's photo gallery of the game here.

Lincoln brought a huge rooting contingent that filled the bleachers and spilled out along the track. They had a lot to cheer about in watching their team go to 8-0 in football for the first time in 39 years.

"That's a long time," said Lincoln coach Ken Lowe. "Our fans have been supportive all year. We had a big crowd out there tonight. It's nice to see the small town backing you."

But there isn't anything small about the Zebras. They look big and play bigger. Six-foot-five, 300-pound Jacob Tryon and 6-5, 255-pound defensive end J.J. Castillo set the tone.

The defense is putting up some amazing stats: 30 sacks, 17 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. They got five more sacks, two interceptions (by free safety Todd Hinnebusch) and a fumble recovery against the Hillmen, a team that came in averaging nearly 45 points a game. Placer had nine plays that went for negative yards.

The fumble recovery, forced by Tryon and recovered by Castillo at the Lincoln 2-yard line with 2:23 to play, helped the Zebras preserve the win.

"We just watched it a couple of minutes ago on TV," Lowe said two hours after the game. "We're still in shock. We're still excited about it."

It's not as if Placer didn't move the ball on Lincoln, or have scoring opportunities.
In the second half alone, the Hillmen missed a 21-yard field goal after driving the ball to the Lincoln 3, had a pass intercepted by Hinnebusch at the Lincoln 2, then lost the fumble on its last series at the 2 again. Placer advanced the ball 74 yards, 49 yards and 63 yards with no points to show for it.

Placer (7-1, 3-1) had 277 total yards, still well below the 427 the Hillmen average.

"I thought we got off the ball well," Lowe said. "Placer is a big-play offense. We did a little bending, but we didn't break."

Tryon and Castillo did their own bending - twisting the Hillmen into pretzels with their strength and quickness. The agile pair filled holes, pressured the quarterback and laid some hard, legal licks on those who dared to get near them.

"JJ and Jacob, No. 45 and No. 77, were great," Lowe said.

The dynamic duo also helped free up fellow defenders such as Hinnebusch, Dylan Croisant, Danny Walsh, Bo Avery, Anthony Moreno and Dustin Knuuttila to make plays.

While Placer's defense was almost as formidable, the Hillmen couldn't stop Lincoln and bulldozing 205-pound fullback Tim Bevins every time.

Bevins, running inside his tackles, finished with 114 yards rushing on 21 carries and capped two Zebra drives of 80 yards in the second quarter and 86 yards in the fourth quarter with 2-yard and one-yard touchdown runs.

It was his most carries and his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season.

"He loves to block for his teammates," Lowe said. "But we were taking what Placer was giving us so we called Tim's number a lot."

Lowe hopes that his players, most of whom were on last year's 1-9 Lincoln team, won't lose their intensity now that they are 4-0 in the Pioneer Valley League and have the inside track to the title.

Lincoln already has beaten defending league and D-IV section champion Whitney and now the D-IV section runners-up in Placer. Bear River and Colfax still ahead.

"We're playing pretty good football right now," Lowe said. "Sometimes it's tough to get players up after a big win. We'll definitely need to focus on that."

Here's a look at some Week 8 football scores, with some stunners and thrillers:

Woodcreek 16, Del Oro 9 (Woodcreek also beat Del Campo)
Pleasant Grove 28, Monterey Trail 21
Oak Ridge 7, Vista del Lago 6
Lincoln 13, Placer 6
Sheldon 49, Jesuit 7
Nevada Union 55, Laguna Creek 20
Natomas 15, Woodland 13
Elk Grove 41, Davis 24
Bella Vista 28, El Camino 21
Sacramento 16, Kennedy 0
Rosemont 64, Johnson 32
Franklin 52, Valley 13
Ponderosa 35, Union Mine 31
Rio Linda 40, Antelope 7
Capital Christian 41, Marysville 19
Dixon 41, Foothill 20

Ashley Yudin and Paul Rose are soccer aficionados.

They can watch, talk or coach soccer any time, any place.

Yudin has coached the Davis High School boys team since 1992; Rose has been at Jesuit since 1979.

While the Davis-Jesuit rivalry is fierce - the two teams have each won five Sac-Joaquin Section Division I titles in the last 12 years - a love and respect for the sport binds the two.

They also have something else in common. Both have had near-death experiences.

Rose has twice overcome leukemia. The first time he coached the entire 1995 season unaware that he had cancer.

Yudin came close to dying during the 1994 season, just days before the Blue Devils were to play Jesuit.

"I was sitting on the bench one night and I struggled to get up," he said. "Then when I got home, I told my wife (Nancy) I wasn't feeling well and went straight to bed."

But a short time later Nancy insisted that her husband go to the hospital, which was close to their house.

"She helped me to get to the car. But she had to unlock the door, so she says, 'Can you stand here for a few seconds?' I said OK, then I fell.

"The next thing I remember is I'm on a gurney in the hospital and Nancy is on one next to me. When I fell, I broke her foot."

Yudin had suffered a ruptured bowel and learned he had Crohn's Disease, a chronic gastrointestinal ailment.

"We all have some cross to bear," Yudin says of the disease. "I've got it semi-under control."

While Rose, the winningest active boys soccer coach in California, closes in on 600 wins; Yudin said he doesn't know his high school victory total.

But it's no doubt substantial.

The Blue Devils have been league champions or co-champions every season but one. They have won D-I titles in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005 and 2007.

Last year, the Blue Devils went 21-2-1, beat the heavily favored Marauders on penalty kicks in the semifinals before falling to Merced 1-0 in the section title game.

They have had a number of standout players who have gone on to play in college.
They include Nate Boyden (UC Santa Barbara and the Seattle Sounders), Sam Reynolds (Fullerton State, Major League Soccer and Austin Aztex), Sule Anibaba (UC Davis), Jalil Anibaba (Santa Clara), Michael Strickland (Stanford), Jeff Strickland (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) and Alex Takakuwa (Penn).

Yudin, who retired in 2008 after a 31-year career as a research associate at UC Davis, also is director of coaching for the Davis Soccer Club, so he gets an advanced look at the talent headed for the high school program.

The Texas native likes working in both the club and high school environments.

"Both have a beauty," he said. "The beauty of high school is that it's a compact season. The team you pick you have for 2 1/2 months. The beauty of club is it's a year-round deal, so you can develop them.

"You can't really compare them. They are not like apples and oranges. They are like apples and pears, similar, but with a different taste."

What makes high school soccer special, Yudin says, is the community and student body support, something the higher-level club experience can't offer.

"For a club game, there might be, on a good day, Mom, Dad and maybe an uncle watching," Yudin said. "But for some of our key games that we play under the lights, we draw good crowds."

Davis has its own soccer stadium and when the Blue Devils play a team like Jesuit, the atmosphere is electric. He figures more than 2,700 watched last year's regular-season game in Davis and nearly 2,000 watched this year's Oct. 2 matchup.

Rose says Yudin is a worthy rival and a superlative coach.

"To build a program, a tradition you need to have coaches that are there for awhile," Rose said. "There's continuity, there's consistency."

Although the Davis-Jesuit rivalry is always fierce, sometimes bitter - there is a rift over an unsuccessful attempt to block former Marauder Max Flye, a junior and a Davis resident, from playing this season for the Blue Devils - Rose looks forward to his chats with Yudin.

"Obviously we go at it on the soccer field," Rose said. "But we're pretty good buddies. When I call him up, we never get off the phone in 10 or 15 minutes. We wind up talking for quite awhile."

Says Yudin: "I don't think Jesuit would be where they are without us or we would be where we are without them. I love to have them as rivals. Now is there any moment we want to lose to them or any moment Paul wants to lose to me: You know that's never going to happen."

Mike Alberghini has a football team that he can really unleash.

But he can't. Not for long stretches, anyway. Not now.

Alberghini is the football coach for the top-ranked Grant Pacers whose team is actually too good, too fast, too superior in every regard for the overwhelmed members of the Metropolitan Conference.

So Alberghini has a first half, sometimes a first quarter, to polish his team's passing attack, to try any trick plays, because to do any of that in the second half would really crush the opponent.

Grant has outscored teams 367-7 this season. Grant beat Johnson 62-0, Rosemont 56-7 and Sacramento 63-0. Against Kennedy on Friday night, the score was so lopsided there was a running clock in the second quarter. I have never heard of a running clock in the second quarter. It was needed.

Grant led 71-0 at the half and won 85-0 with reserves playing the better part of three quarters.

Alberghini wants his team to play hard, to compete, but he will not pile it on an overmatched opponent to pad stats, for any sake of state rankings. Not his style and the damage is too long lasting.

Still, what does he tell his reserves? Don't compete as hard as the starters? Don't run as fast?

"You can't tell kids who work hard, who practice hard and lift year round not to play hard," Alberghini said. "If they do that, then when it's a game when it's close and they give a half effort, then you get mad at them.

"It's hard. After 11 carries, I had to tell (leading rusher Devontae) Butler, 'I can't run you any more.' And I had to say we couldn't pass any more. But you want to stay sharp, too."

Grant has a bye this week and McClatchy in Week 9 and then a showdown with rival Burbank in Week 10, when the Pacers could actually play their starters into the fourth quarter. Then, in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff bracket that promises to be a meat grinder, the starters will play start to finish.

A look at the latest CalHiSports/ESPN Northern California Top 15 rankings

Notice the local flavor with No. 1 Grant, No. 3 St. Mary's, No. 4 Del Oro and No. 7 Rocklin, with Granite Bay and Nevada Union also in the mix.

All told: Amazing year so far for prep football. Raise your hand if you think Grant would clobber De La Salle?

1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 5-2
3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 7-0
4. (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 7-0
5. (9) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 6-1
6. (6) St. Francis (Mountain View) 6-1
7. (NR) Rocklin 7-0
8. (NR) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 6-0-1
9. (8) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 5-1-1
10. (5) Granite Bay 5-2
11. (12) Berkeley 8-0
12. (13) Palma (Salinas) 5-1-1
13. (14) Los Gatos 6-1
14. (15) Oakdale 7-0
15. (NR) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 6-1

Breakdown: Teams can and often do rocket their way up into the rankings by beating higher-ranked opponents. For Rocklin, taking down previous No. 5 Granite Bay, 14-7, was the trick. The Thunder also set themselves up for a potential battle of Sierra Foothill League unbeatens in two weeks against Del Oro. Mitty didn't beat a higher-ranked opponent, but the Monarchs tied previous No. 8 Bellarmine and then won a double-overtime tie-breaker. The official score says 14-14, but since Mitty won the tie-breaker it also moves ahead of the Bells in the rankings. Previous No. 11 Milpitas also dropped out of this week's rankings after suffering an upset loss to Palo Alto. The final open spot was between Nevada Union, Tracy and Deer Valley of Antioch. NU isn't unbeaten like the other two, but coach Dave Humphers' team has a loss by just 41-36 to Rocklin.

Jesuit's Paul Rose, the winningest active boys high school soccer coach in California, says he has to take a back seat in his own home when it comes to coaching success.

He says he can't top what his wife accomplished in three seasons as the tennis coach at St. Francis High School.

"She won three section titles in three years," Rose said. "It took me 12 years to get my first."

Carol Rose coached the Troubadours to Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championships from 2005 to 2007. The experience was special because her daughter Megan was a member of the team.

"I had a blast," she said. "But it is a big commitment of time."

A counselor at Jesuit, she stepped down after the 2007 season to take care of her mother before she passed away from Alzheimer's Disease. She also continues to work on a non-profit she started to help low-income students navigate the college financial-aid system.

"I was a low-income kid myself growing up," Carol said. "There's really a huge need, especially for those unfamiliar with the system. I have knowledge to share."

But she says that her husband, who is nearing 600 wins during a 31-year career at Jesuit, is clearly the No. 1 coach in the household, despite his protests.

"He's just being a knucklehead," she said. "He's just pushing the attention elsewhere."
***
Rose was hired right out of college to teach at Jesuit when he was 21 years old.

But a few months before arriving at the Carmichael school, he had to give a presentation to a group of his peers to get his soccer coaching license.

"I had to talk in front of all these coaches, and I was pretty nervous," Rose said. "I said to myself, 'If I'm this nervous, how and I going to be able to teach in front of kids in a classroom?'"

But soccer tryouts at Jesuit started two weeks before the school year began and things quickly fell into place for the history teacher.

"I felt comfortable because I had coached before," he said. "Then when I got into the classroom I realized, 'Wow, this is just like coaching.'"

***
Although many of his players are highly talented, scholarship-potential players, Rose has had few problems with so-called helicopter parents during his long tenure at the school.

"The parents overall are really great," Rose said. "They have always been supportive."

One area where he sometimes encounters problems is in the tough task of making cuts.

"A lot of kids that I have to cut I already have a relationship with, so it makes it really hard on them and on me," Rose said. "But in 31 years I don't think I've had to meet with parents more than five times.

"I've got a system, and I think it works really well. I meet with every kid trying out beforehand and tell them this is what they need to do to make the team. So they pretty much know if they haven't done it.

"It's not like a big surprise. And it's not impersonal, like putting a list up on the board.

"When I cut someone, I meet with them one on one. It takes time, but at least it's personal. They know I care."

***
Rose, who played soccer at Bellarmine in San Jose, is amazed at how much the game has evolved through the years.

"It was a very athletic, very direct game," Rose said. "If you had an individual guy who could dribble, you had an advantage.

"Now every kid can dribble. Now every kid coming out of comp or select has a pretty advanced skill set. Now the name of the game is speed of play."

Tactics also have evolved.

"Every year I learn new stuff," he said. "If you're smart, you'll pick up good ideas off others. Nobody has the complete book - maybe a few do - but I don't. The game has evolved so much since 1979 when I started that you have to change with it or you are going to get left behind."

Here's a look at The Bee's projected football playoff breakdown, compiled by Nathaniel Levine.

A closer look at The Bee's Top 20, with record and comments:

1. Grant (8-0)
Outscored teams 363-7 with 7 shutouts and pulling starters early in running-clock routs of late; Mike Alberghini won his 200th. Clear leader of Metro Conference.

2. Del Oro (7-0)
Golden Eagles capped 5-0 showing at home and now take running game/defensive act on road with 10-0 in mind. Showdown with Rocklin for Sierra Foothill League title looms.

3. Rocklin (7-0)
This the highest the Thunder have ever been ranked and it's earned, with wins over Nevada Union and Granite Bay; more to come. Showdown looms with Del Oro.

4. Inderkum (7-0)
Critics will remind that Tigers have not played a ranked foe all season; Antonio Bumpers had 4 TD, 300-yard game Friday. Showdown brewing with Natomas for Tri-County title.

5. Nevada Union (6-1)
Lost only to Rocklin; NU coach Dave Humphers says Broughan Jantz is best QB in the Sacramento area. Clear leader of Delta Valley Conference.

6. Monterey Trail (6-1)
Lost only to 5-2 Fairfield in shootout opener and have been amazing ever since; 4 shutouts, beat Folsom. Showdown with Pleasant Grove with Delta River League on line.

7. Folsom (6-1)
Bulldogs faced terrific defensive team speed and running game and still only lost by a point in OT to Monterey Trail. Big games with Pleasant Grove, Sheldon loom.

8. Granite Bay (5-2)
From No. 2 in this ranking to here after brutally tough/close losses to Del Oro and Rocklin. Still super dangerous rest of the SFL way and in D-II playoffs.

9. Placer (7-0)
Hillmen are hot thanks to wing-T and stout defense; beat Casa Roble and proved this is a team to fear.

10. Del Campo (6-1)
Loss to Woodcreek stung, yes, and then routed Pleasant Grove; showdown with Casa Roble looms.

11. Pleasant Grove (5-2)
Only losses are to Lincoln-Stockton by a point and to Del Campo; showdown with Monterey Trail next.

12. Rio Linda (7-0)
Huge line, great runner in Cameron Mikell, defense for classy coach Mike Morris who has best team.

13. Lincoln (7-0)
Next is Placer; haven't started 8-0 since 1975 - when Gerald Ford was healing the nation from Watergate.

14. Whitney (5-2)
Losses are to Lincoln late and to Oakdale amid turnovers, so quality losses; injuries still a problem though wins are still there for title push in Pioneer Valley League.

15. Oak Ridge (4-3)
Trojans lost to Rocklin (40-32), Folsom and Grant (14-0) and have since won 4 straight with balanced offense; Vista del Lago next for Sierra Valley Conference championship.

16. Casa Roble (4-3)
Rams recovered from last-second losses to Placer and Oak Ridge and setback to Folsom to bolt to fast start in CAL; crave Del Campo for another Capital Athletic League title.

17. Vista del Lago (5-2)
Eagles have lost to Central Catholic and Casa Roble but not in Sierra Valley Conference; showdown at Oak Ridge comes after nice second-half rally over CBS.

18. Sheldon (5-2)
Huskies were so impressive in 5-0 start and have been smoked by Folsom and Pleasant Grove; loss of RB Dewone Young is devastating. Coach Ed Lombardi will not lose his team.

19. Burbank (4-3)
Titans are back on track and rolling in Metro under coach John Heffernan and star Terrance Mitchell; losses are to CBS, Pittsburgh and Granite Bay; showdown with Grant in Week 10.

20. Dixon (6-1)
Rams have lost only to Vanden (7-0) and eye showdowns with Foothil and Rio Linda for the Capital Valley Conference title and a D-IV march.

A look at how the Cal-Hi Sports Top 25 fared. Local teams of note include No. 2 Grant, No. 8 St. Mary's, No. 15 Del Oro, No. 20 Granite Bay:

1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 7-0 def. Carpinteria, 43-0
2. Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 def. Kennedy (Sacramento), 85-0
3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 7-0 def. Fremont (Los Angeles), 61-0
4. Oceanside 7-0 def. Mt. Carmel (San Diego), 42-7
5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-0 def. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach), 34-6
6. Lakewood 7-1 def. Jordan (Long Beach), 25-0
7. De La Salle (Concord) 5-2 def. Granada (Livermore), 56-14
8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 7-0 def. Stagg (Stockton), 85-40
9. Mission Viejo 7-0 def. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 60-14
10. Servite (Anaheim) 6-1 def. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 30-20
11. Moorpark 6-0 def. Royal (Simi Valley), 51-0
12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 5-1 def. Chaminade (West Hills), 21-3
13. Serra (Gardena) 7-0 def. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood), 34-6
14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 7-0 def. Alemany (Mission Hills), 36-14
15. Del Oro (Loomis) 7-0 def. Roseville, 49-0
16. Rancho Cucamonga 6-1 lost to Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga), 31-28
17. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 6-1 def. Buena (Ventura), 44-27
18. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 7-0 def. Rialto, 49-6
19. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 7-0 def. San Pasqual (Escondido), 38-12
20. Granite Bay 5-2 lost to Rocklin, 14-7
21. Norco 6-1 def. Santiago (Corona), 44-39
22. Buchanan (Clovis) 7-0 def. Clovis West (Fresno), 38-14
23. Valencia 7-0 def. Golden Valley (Santa Clarita), 49-0
24. Centennial (Corona) 6-1 def. J.W. North (Riverside), 52-20
25. Bullard (Fresno) 7-0 def. Reedley, 52-42

Another look at Dimino's Dozen prep football rankings (and eight others in "The Red Zone").

Jim Dimino is one of the legendary coaching figures in Sac-Joaquin Section history, leading a juggernaut football program at El Camino in the 1970s and '80s. This is the 25th anniversary season of the Eagles 1984 Section Division II title team (the '85 team also won the section).

Dimino is the longtime color man to play-by-play voice Will James on the weekly Access Sacramento Game of the Week on the Hometown Sports Network (check local listings and check our prep site on Sacbee.com for weekly game highlights).

We will run Jim's rankings each Sunday when we run our Section Top 10. The Bee's regional Top 20 runs Tuesdays.

Dimino's Dozen
1. Grant (8-0)
2. Del Oro (7-0)
3. Inderkum (7-0)
4. Rocklin (7-0)
5. Monterey Trail (6-1)
6. Nevada Union (6-1)
7. Folsom (6-1)
8. Del Campo (6-1)
9. Placer (7-0)
10. Pleasant Grove (5-2)
11. Granite Bay (5-2)
12. Rio Linda (7-0)
The Red Zone Eight
13. Lincoln (7-0)
14. Oak Ridge (4-3)
15. Casa Roble (4-3)
16. Whitney (5-2)
17. Sheldon (5-2)
18. Vista del Lago (5-2)
19. Burbank (4-3)
20. Dixon (6-1)

A look at the Week 8 prep football schedule:

Monday
Sacramento Metro
Foresthill at Vacaville Christian

Thursday
Capital Athletic League
Bella Vista at El Camino

Capital Valley League
Cosumnes Oaks vs. West Campus at Rosemont

Pioneer Valley League
Mesa Verde vs. Bear River at San Juan

Friday
Capital Valley Conference
River City at Center
Foothill at Dixon
Antelope at Rio Linda

Delta River League
Florin at Folsom
Pleasant Grove at Monterey Trail
Jesuit at Sheldon

Delta Valley League
Davis at Elk Grove
Valley vs. Franklin at Cosumnes Oaks
Laguna Creek at Nevada Union

Golden Empire League
Marysville at Capital Christian
Encina vs. Lindhurst at El Camino
Golden Sierra at San Juan

Metropolitan Conference
Sacramento at Kennedy
Johnson at Rosemont

PIONEER VALLEY
Whitney at El Dorado
Lincoln at Placer

Sacramento Metro
Woodland Christian at Foresthill
Vacaville Christian at Delta

Sierra Foothill League
Oakmont at Rocklin
Granite Bay at Roseville
Del Oro at Woodcreek

Sierra Valley Conference
Vista del Lago at Oak Ridge
Ponderosa at Union Mine

Tri-County League
River Valley at Pioneer
Woodland at Natomas
Inderkum at Yuba City

Nonleague
Colfax at Highlands
Bradshaw Christian at Lathrop
Cordova at Turlock
Valley Christian at Tulelake

Saturday
Capital Athletic League
Del Campo vs. Rio Americano at El Camino, 1 p.m.
Mira Loma vs. Casa Roble at El Camino, 7:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Conference
Burbank at McClatchy
Sierra Valley Conference
Galt at Christian Brothers

A look at our latest Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10 football rankings.
Games of note this week include instant classics in Placer vs. Lincoln; Oak Ridge vs. Vista del Lago and Pleasant Grove vs. Monterey Trail.

1. Grant (8-0)
The Pacers steamed into their bye week this weekend by crushing Kennedy 85-0 in a Metropolitan Conference outing in Del Paso Heights for coach Mike Alberghini's 200th victory, all at Grant and all since 1991. It was 71-0 at the half as the Cougars were overwhelmed by the Pacers' ground game, speed and tenacity on defense. Devontae Butler carried only 11 times and had 246 yards and five touchdowns. Dezmon Epps and Ronald Fields each had a punt return for a scorer, and Kennedy was held to negative yardage. All told, the Pacers have posted seven shutouts and outscored teams 363-7 - all while pulling the starters after one or two series in the second half of every rout.

2. St. Mary's (7-0)
The Rams can score, make no mistake. Facing a one-loss Stagg team in a key Tri-City Athletic League game in Stockton, St. Mary's rolled to an 85-40 victory in what looked more like a girls basketball score. This one was never close as the Rams led 43-14 at the half. Marcus McDade had five touchdown passes - three to Louie Lechich - and ran for a score as his team amassed 601 yards of offense. Though Stagg had four touchdown passes, it also threw three interceptions, setting up more opportunities for the area's highest scoring team. Maurice Howze rushed for 175 yards on 12 carries and had two scores as the Rams rushed 41 times for 344 yards. Stagg coach Don Norton told the Stockton Record, "They're not the No. 1 team in the section for no reason. They have a lot of great players." Next is 1-6 McNair.

3. Del Oro (7-0)
The Golden Eagles backed up their stirring overtime win over Granite Bay with a thorough 49-0 win over Roseville in a Sierra Foothill League on homecoming night in Loomis. It was 42-0 at the half as Bryce Pratt rushed for 113 yards and three scores. With Roseville determined to contain the run, Max Magleby completed 9 of 11 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns to tight end Adrian Williams. Its five-game home stand a smashing success, Del Oro now plays at Woodcreek, a team that has two wins - against ranked foes in Del Campo and Oakmont

4. Rocklin (7-0)
The Thunder and coach Greg Benzel continued their best season - yes, the 2005 team reached the section D-II finals, but this bunch is better - and it has two major wins over Nevada Union and now 14-7 over Granite Bay. Rocklin trailed 10-0 after a Granite Bay field goal, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty had Granite Bay taking the points off the board and facing a first-and-goal at the 4. Instead, disaster happened as the Grizzlies fumbled at the Rocklin 2. The Thunder responded with a 98-yard scoring drive. Jimmy Laughrea passed for 242 yards and had touchdowns strikes of 14 and 75 yards to 6-foot-5 receiver Holden Huff. Defensively, Rocklin was superb behind Daniel Lessard, Andrew McEwan, Chris Clowdus, B.J. Roberts, Garth Keffer, Scott Polaske and Nick and Trevor Cooper. Next is 5-2 Oakmont.

5. Inderkum (7-0)
The Tigers had a fight on their hands in a Tri-County League game that all but determined the champion. Inderkum never led by more than 14 against Pioneer and prevailed 41-28 as Antonio Bumpers rushed for a school-record 300 yards and four touchdowns, thanks to his line of Kyle Coleman, Damon Deleon, Antonio Kanady, James Alon, Nate Falo and Jacob Monroe. A close game is actually a good thing for the Tigers, still the section class in D-III with Del Campo and Vanden.

6. Nevada Union (6-1)
The Miners have lost only a shootout to Rocklin in a game every one in Miners colors believes they should have won (dropped interceptions were a key). What matters now is this: NU is legitimately good, often dominant, and getting better by the week. It rolled Franklin of Elk Grove 49-28 on Saturday in what could amount to the Delta Valley League championship. Yes, NU allowed two 60-yard touchdown sprints by Kenny Hunt - the man is one of the top backs in the region - but the Miners still controlled all facets of the game. NU emerged confident that it will cap the regular season 9-1 for the second straight season. NU led 21-0 on three Broughan Jantz touchdowns - one rushing and two passing - and it stormed to a 42-14 lead. When Franklin scored, NU roared right back on the ground, with Drew Hoskin and Jason Slade churning out yards. Jantz, one of the top players in the section, hit Duncan Chapple for three TD passes and rushed for two more, and Justin Pike returned an interception 40 yards for a score. The defense also includes Juan Espinosa, Dan Pattinato, Zach Vallejo, Eric Niederberger and Luca Fistarol, a group that looks primed to devour the rest of the DVL schedule, starting with 2-5 Laguna Creek next.

7. Monterey Trail (6-1)
Say hello to another Division I section title contender in the Mustangs, a program five years old and coming of age nicely under coach T.J. Ewing. Monterey Trail had the athletes, scheme and drive to stall a Folsom team that was averaging 53 points, offering blitzes and closing speed to prevent the Bulldogs from going off, and Ewing went for the win in overtime and succeeded in prevailing 22-21 in a thrilling Delta River League game. Drake Tofi rushed for 211 yards on 34 carries - all up the middle in the veer - and he scored twice, including the game-winning two-point conversion. Rozale Byrd, Jim Meadows, Kalamani Fili, Ethan Clark (two interceptions) and a host of others key the fast defense that has four shutouts this season. Monterey Trail lost only to Fairfield in a season-opening shootout. Next is a game at two-time defending DRL champion Pleasant Grove.

8. Folsom (6-1)
Sometimes a loss can be a sobering, humbling wake-up call, and this could very well be the case here for the Bulldogs, who remain in the Top 10 because it was a one-point loss to a superb team. Folsom discovered that a fast and ferocious defense can disrupt the spread, and it didn't help that there were dropped passes. Folsom also found that it needs to shore up the run defense as Monterey Trail churned out more than 300 yards on the ground. Folsom did play good pass defense, however. In short, the Bulldogs expect to bounce back big. Next is Florin and then key games against Pleasant Grove and Sheldon, and you can bet every Bulldog is targeting a 9-1 regular-season finish.

9. Tracy (7-0)
Homecoming was festive for the Bulldogs, who belted Chavez 55-36 in a game that wasn't nearly this close. The running of Depray Celestine, Ricky Diaz and Jordan Strong led to a 35-0 first-quarter lead and 55-13 early in the third in the San-Joaquin Athletic Association contest. This effort came after downing Lincoln-Stockton. Strong had four rushing touchdowns. With NU and Monterey Trail, here's another D-I power to consider. Next is 1-6 Bear Creek.

10. Oakdale (7-0)
The top-ranked team by The Modesto Bee routed Weston Ranch 56-14 with balance and defense. The Mustangs now prepare for the meat of the Valley Oak League schedule with games against Manteca, Sierra and Sonora. Oakdale plays Manteca next

Others of note: Placer (7-0); Lincoln (7-0); Granite Bay (5-2); Vanden (7-0); Del Campo (6-1); Central Catholic (6-1); Rio Linda (7-0); Lincoln-Stockton, 5-2; Vacaville 6-1; Fairfield 5-2.

You could get lectured for 45 minutes nonstop by football referees about how difficult their job is, how us mere mortal human have no clue as to the rigors and challenges of working a game. Sure, sure. Some of that may be true.

But when referees blatantly blow the simplest of calls - gee, did the ball go through the uprights or not?- it's purely pathetic.

Look at this footage below and you can feel for the West of Tracy team that kicked a field goal with no time left against Edison of Stockton that would have won the game 24-22. You will see the ball hit the upright and bounce through, meaning a made field goal. You will also see the referee under the goalposts, on the right side, flinch, and because he did, he didn't see the ball go through. None of the other officials working the game, including the other one under the goal posts, had the guts to correct the call, even though they met for a moment to sort things out, meaning West made a field goal that was ruled no good and Edison held on 22-21.

And never will you see prep referees admit error. Ever. They are beyond that. Too much ego, too much pride. There has been a lot of good officiating this season, yes, from what I have seen and from what so many others tell me every week - coaches, media, fans, players.

But the officiating crew that blew this game - and that's exactly what they did - should be held accountable. West should be granted the victory because it did in fact make a field goal. This crew should be talked too. The one referee who was responsible for not looking at the ball above his head should be suspended for at least one game. The money they "earned" for this gaffe of a game should be used for a visual class. A trivia class, maybe - "Made field goal or not?"

If you're looking for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I favorite, I have one for you.

Nevada Union.

The Miners.

That pesky, determined lot from Grass Valley that is rounding into the most complete team in the large-school field.

Yes, Monterey Trail is a team to fear for does in D-I with its defensive team speed and the veer offense. And Tracy, Vacaville, Lincoln of Stockton and surging Oak Ridge are contenders. But none of those teams have the pedigree, experience and championship background as NU.

The Miners have lost this season only to Rocklin in a high-scoring affair. Tonight, in showing championship glimses, NU showed how dangerous it can be, downing Franklin of Elk Grove 49-28 at Cosumnes Oaks in what likely amounted to the Delta Valley League championship.

NU is 7-1 because it can do it all: run with a host of backs (including Drew Hoskin and Jason Slade), pass with Broughan Jantz, defend with some experienced linebackers and make plays on special teams. Coach Dave Humphers likes to put his best players on special teams, to make statement plays, like Juan Espinosa splattering a Franklin player on a kickoff block.

Jantz is the key to the Miners. The senior came in with nine touchdown passes and one interception and he hit Duncan Chapple for three scoring strikes and ran for two more in a dominating display of versatility, poise and confidence tonight.

He's emerging as one of the very best NU quarterbacks ever, and the Miners have had some great ones in reaching seven City Championship games since 1991, four section title games and winning section crowns in 1993, 1994 and 2005.

"He is phenomenal, and I think he's the best quarterback in the greater Sacramento area," Humphers said. "He's a great leader for us."

The defense is headed by linebackers Zach Vallejo, Espinosa, Eric Niederberger, defensive end Dan Pattinato and defensive back James Fike, who returned an interception 40 yards for a score against Franklin.

And another difference maker: kicker Conor Maloney, who booms kickoffs and is a reliable threat with field goals. Not many high school teams can say that.

When your offense is averaging 44 points a game, it's hard for the guys on the other side of the ball to get much attention.

But on Friday night, when No. 3 Granite Bay kept No. 6 Rocklin's offense under wraps most of the night, it was the Thunder's swarming defenders that came up big in beating the Grizzlies 14-7 on their home field in another Sierra Foothill League bruiser.

"You hear offense this and offense that with our team," said Rocklin coach Greg Benzel. "But our defense is progressing nicely. We've got guys who run to the football. They are very physical with their opportunities."

While junior quarterback Jimmy Laughrea rallied the Thunder (7-0, 2-0) with two second-half touchdown passes, both to Holden Huff, and passed for 240 yards, the defense set the tone.

Among the highlights:

• Senior linebacker Daniel Lessard had a critical fumble recovery and a late fourth-quarter 14-yard sack of sophomore quarterback Brendan Keeney.

• Five-foot-5, 130-pound senior defensive back Chris Clowdus forced a second-quarter fumble.

• Senior defensive back Andrew McEwan intercepted Keeney in the third quarter

• Linebacker Sean Moore knocked down a critical fourth-down pass in Rocklin territory with 4:25 to play.

• Trevor and Nick Cooper, B.J Roberts, Garth Keffer and Scott Polaske were among those who helped limit Granite Bay's potent fly rushing attack to 101 yards.

Lessard's fumble recovery on Rocklin's two-yard line late in the third quarter was a back breaker.

Two players earlier, the Grizzlies (5-2, 0-2) had gone ahead 10-0 on Adam Angulo's 25-yard field goal. But Granite Bay coach Ernie Cooper decided to take the points off the board when a roughing the kicker penalty gave them the ball first-and-goal at the Rocklin four-yard line.

After a two-yard gain by Danny Thomas, Keeney mishandled the ball as a wall of Rocklin defenders stormed the backfield.

Lessard recovered the loose ball, which ended the Grizzlies' fruitless 17-play drive. The Thunder marched 98 yards in the other direction, scoring on the seventh play, Laughrea's 14-yard touchdown pass to the towering 6-foot-6 Huff, a versatile talent who plays either tight end or wide receiver.

The drive also included 37- and 11-yard passes to Kyle Garvella and two 15-yard penalties, one for roughing the passer, the other for a personal foul. In all, Granite Bay was penalized 10 times for 112 yards.

The momentum clearly had shifted after the Grizzlies' defense dominated the Thunder through the first half. Rocklin had only 99 total yards, punted five times and turned the ball over on downs twice without getting near the end zone.

But Granite Bay could contain Huff only so long.

After Rocklin tied the game, the Grizzlies went four-and-out on the next series and so the Thunder struck quickly.

On first down at Rocklin's own 25, Laughrea and Huff connected on a 75-yard touchdown with 11:35 to play in the game. The 205-pounder was just too big and too fast to tackle in scooting more than 50 yards down the right sideline after catching the ball.

But that lead appeared as if it might be short-lived. Cory Brehm caught a Keeney pass over the middle and battled his way through several defenders for what appeared to be a 49-yard touchdown at the 8:06 mark.

A blocking-in-the-back penalty moved the ball back to the Rocklin 28, nullifying the touchdown. The Grizzlies gained three yards then turned the ball over on downs after three consecutive incompletions.

That's the kind of night it was for a Granite Bay offense that moved the ball but couldn't find the end zone. The lone exception was Matt Kine's nine-yard touchdown run that capped a four-play, 57-yard drive on the Grizzlies' second possession of the game.

Like Granite Bay, Rocklin struggled through most of the game trying to run the ball.
They were held to 69 yards - star back Jackson Cummings had 45 yards on 15 carries - but Laughrea gained two first downs on runs of 8 and 6 yards on their final possession to help run out the clock.

"Granite Bay and Del Oro have traditionally been our league's top football programs," Benzel said. "It's been them, then the rest of us trying to get over the hump. But we think our best opportunity (to be a championship team) is right now."

We don't have all the scores just yet, but here's a few to chew on:

Monterey Trail 22, Folsom 21, OT
Grant 85, Kennedy 0 (coach Mike Alberghini's 200th career win, all at Grant)
Rocklin 14, Granite Bay 7
Pleasant Grove 41, Sheldon 27
Elk Grove 37, Laguna Creek 16
Burbank 24, Rosemont 12
Foothill 24, Antelope 14
St. Mary's 85, Stagg 40 (not a typo)
Ponderosa 28, Galt 22
Placer 51, Bear River 7

Monterey Trail is officially for real. No doubts, no curiosity about it now. For real.

The upstart Mustangs stunned Folsom 22-21 in overtime tonight in a Delta River League thriller that says a lot about both teams. Monterey Trail went for the win in overtime after Drake Tofi scored from a yard out, using Tofi again to power in rather then an extra point attempt to force a second overtime. Folsom scored first in the extra period on a Dano Graves 10-yard touchdown pass to Kori Babineaux.

That Monterey Trail went for it speaks of the confidence of coach T.J. Ewing and his bunch that fears no team.

"We compete and we went for the win," Ewing said.

Monterey Trail showed that it has a great runner in Tofi, a 165-pound junior who competes as if he's Earl Campbell's kid brother - powerfully and with purpose. The veer offense still works, though this is the only team that seems to run it. Tofi bulled for 231 yards - all up the middle, and was joined in the backfield by quarterback Mike Calvan (71 yards rushing), Sedale Hunter (61) and Derek Bellamy (32).

Tofi had a 1-yard run earlier and Calvan also scored from a yard out. It went into overtime after Jay Flury barely missed a 37-yard field goal with no time left in regulation, after Monterey Trail drove 75 yards and chewed up more than 7 minutes on the clock.

Monterey Trail showed it can slow down the most dynamic offense in the area, and certainly north of Stockton, where St. Mary's has been blowing teams up all season. Graves had two touchdown passes after coming in with a state-leading 31.

Folsom, meanwhile, showed it can also play some pretty sound defense, particularly against the pass.

Here's a closer look at the State Bowl Rankings released by Cal-Hi Sports/ESPN. Notice the area teams - more proof that this is perhaps the area's best year for prep football - and keep in mind that such bowl rankings are considered when state section commissioners meet to decide who goes bowling.

Division I North

1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 7-0 def. Sacramento 63-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 4-2 def. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 42-14
3. (3) Granite Bay 6-1 lost to Del Oro (Loomis) 27-21 OT
4. (5) Folsom 6-0 def. Jesuit (Carmichael) 55-21
5. (7) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 5-1 def. Serra (San Mateo) 23-21
6. (12) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 5-1 def. Monte Vista (Danv) 24-21 OT
7. (4) Monte Vista (Danville) 4-2 lost to Amador Valley 24-21 OT
8. (8) Milpitas 6-0 def. Mountain View 48-18
9. (9) Berkeley 5-0 def. Richmond 41-0
10. (NR) Tracy 6-0 def. Lincoln (Stockton) 37-21
11. (6) Serra (San Mateo) 3-3 lost to Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 23-21
12. (13) Pittsburg 3-3 def. Heritage (Brentwood) 46-20
13. (14) Deer Valley (Antioch) 6-0 def. Freedom (Oakley) 49-17
14. (NR) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 5-1 def. Valley (Sacramento) 42-0
15. (NR) San Benito (Hollister) 7-0 def. North Salinas 29-15

On the bubble: California (San Ramon) 4-2, Fairfield 4-2, Foothill (Pleasanton) 4-2, Granada (Livermore) 3-3, Heritage (Brentwood) 4-2, Lincoln (Stockton) 4-2, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 4-2, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 4-2, Sheldon (Sacramento) 5-1, Vacaville 5-1.

Breakdown: Amador Valley's well-chronicled 24-21victory over Monte Vista of Danville allowed the Dons, who just two weeks ago weren't even in the Top 15, to soar all the way to No. 6. Now the test will be to stay there, facing another tough opponent this week in California of San Ramon. There is never an easy week in the East Bay Athletic League where only one team has a losing record. Granite Bay stays at No. 3 because losing in OT to Division II leader Del Oro of Loomis earns the "tough opponent" award. Another big move this week came from unbeaten Tracy, which earned its No. 10 spot with a 37-21 win over previous No. 10 Lincoln (Stockton). And since Lincoln lost by that much, a two-loss Pleasant Grove squad that lost to the Trojans also was replaced in this week's rankings. Pleasant Grove, however, does have the chance to move back up because in two weeks the Eagles will play No. 4 Folsom in a league game.

Division II North

1. (1) Del Oro (Loomis) 6-0 def. Granite Bay 27-21 OT
2. (2) St. Francis (Mountain View) 5-1 def. Valley Christian (SJ) 41-21
3. (3) Los Gatos 5-1 def. Lynbrook (San Jose) 54-10
4. (4) Oakdale 6-0 def. East Union (Manteca) 55-14
5. (5) Rocklin 6-0 def. Woodcreek (Roseville) 28-0
6. (6) Inderkum (Sacramento) 6-0 def. River Valley (Yuba City) 67-0
7. (7) Archbishop Mitty (SJ) 6-0 def. Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 49-7
8. (8) Sierra (Manteca) 6-0 def. Central Valley (Ceres) 49-20
9. (10) Enterprise (Redding) 7-0 def. Shasta (Redding) 33-20
10. (NR) Placer (Auburn) 6-0 def. Capital Christian (Sacramento) 48-20
.
On the bubble: Casa Roble (Orangevale) 3-3, Bella Vista (Fair Oaks) 5-1, Del Campo (Fair Oaks) 5-1, Encinal (Alameda) 5-1, Foothill (Palo Cedro) 4-2, Lincoln 6-0, Manteca 4-2, Novato 4-3, Paradise 6-1, Petaluma 6-0, Shasta (Redding) 6-1, Sonora 5-1, Whitney (Rocklin) 4-2.

Breakdown: Del Oro of Loomis proved its No. 1 rating here was well-deserved with the victory over previously unbeaten Granite Bay in overtime. Now it's No. 5 Rocklin's turn to play Granite Bay, which could lead to a Del Oro-Rocklin showdown at Rocklin on Nov. 6. Since the top eight teams won, some by very lopsided scores, there was no movement on top but Enterprise's 33-20 win over previously perfect Shasta in the Redding showdown allowed the Hornets to jump into the Top 10 at No. 9 with Placer of Auburn grabbing the final spot. Archbishop Mitty of San Jose will also have a chance to give this division a boost if it can beat defending Central Coast Section Open Division champ Bellarmine Prep on Friday.

Division III North

1. (1) St. Mary's (Stockton) 6-0 def. West (Tracy) 62-7
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 5-1-1 def. Alvarez (Salinas) 41-13
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 5-1 def. Gustine 44-0
4. (4) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 5-1 def. Novato 14-10
5. (6) Escalon 6-0 def. Ripon Christian 63-0
6. (7) Hilmar 6-0 def. Livingston 31-14
7. (5) Valley Christian (San Jose) 3-2 lost to St. Francis (Mountain View) 41-21
8. (8) The King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 6-0 def. Menlo (Atherton) 45-19
9. (9) Seaside 4-1-1 def. N. Monterey Co. (Castroville) 42-7
10. (10) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 3-3 def. Santa Rosa 28-14

On the bubble: Argonaut (Jackson) 4-2, Colfax 4-2, Fort Bragg 6-0, Fortuna 5-1, Healdsburg 5-2, Ripon 5-1, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 4-2, Scotts Valley 4-2, Sutter 5-2, Wheatland 6-1, Windsor 5-1.

Breakdown: St. Mary's is setting a mean pace in this division and its stock keeps rising as teams the Rams have beaten, like Bellarmine Prep of San Jose, just keep winning. The Rams only have two teams with winning records left on their schedule. A potential showdown of unbeaten teams fizzled, however, when this week's foe, Stagg, suffered a 13-6 overtime loss to Tokay (Lodi). Tokay is also 5-1 at this juncture. Cardinal Newman, which remained in the Top 10 despite having a losing record, fought its way back to .500 but now gets Montgomery of Santa Rosa, which is also 3-0 and tied with the Cardinals atop the North Bay League standings.

Small Schools North

1. (1) Modesto Christian 6-0 def. Riverbank 60-13
2. (2) Ferndale 7-0 def. Vacaville Christian 50-8
3. (3) St. Francis (Watsonville) 5-1 def. Aptos 14-6
4. (4) Modoc (Alturas) 7-0 def. Weed 68-6
5. (5) Portola 7-0 def. Hamilton (Hamilton City) 35-0
6. (6) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 5-1 def. Foresthill 55-0
7. (10) Fall River (McArthur) 5-2 def. Lakeview (Ore.) 36-18
8. (9) Hoopa Valley (Hoopa) 6-0 def. South Fork (Miranda) 36-0
9. (8) Capital Christian (Sac.) 3-3 lost to Placer (Auburn) 48-20
10. (7) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 5-2 lost to Portola 35-0

On the bubble: Burney 5-2, Colusa 4-3, East Nicolas (Nicolas) 5-2, Quincy 5-2, St. Bernard (Eureka) 3-4, St. Vincent (Petaluma) 4-2, Vacaville Christian 4-2, Valley Christian (Dublin) 4-2.

Breakdown: It's back to business for Modesto Christian as the Crusaders tackle 5-1 Ripon, a Division III bubble team, in a Trans Valley League game. Elsewhere, Portola collected its fifth straight shutout with the impressive win over Hamilton (Hamilton City) and is alone atop the Mid Valley standings. The big game within the division this week will see the battle of unbeatens when No. 2 Ferndale travels to No. 8 Hoopa Valley in a Humboldt-Del Norte showdown. Ferndale only allows 7.0 points a game but the Hoopa Valley defense has only yielded 21 in its last three games. Both prepped with comfortable victories.

Dano Graves isn't just generating local media interest for his sizzling play this season.
The Folsom High School junior quarterback is on the national radar now. He is the ESPN RISE Boys West Regional High School Player of the Week after passing for five touchdowns and running for one in a rout of Jesuit to kick off Delta River League play.
Graves was also recognized for leading the state in touchdown passes at the season's midway point - 31. The Bulldogs play host to 5-1 Monterey Trail - sporting four shutouts - tonight at 7:15 p.m.
Here's the ESPNRISE link on Graves:
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4576363
Or go to www.espn.go.com/highschool/rise

Here's the transcript of our live Prep football chat. Feel free to take a peek. Notice also the Grant hater who insists to his deathbed that all teachers at Grant are ordered to doctor grades. Wow. Such a scandal.

JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Hello prep football fans and followers....My name is Joe Davidson, ready to field questions about are teams, themes and trends. We can chat about anything - mid-season Player of the Year candidates, state bowl pursuits, realignment. Fire away and I'll do my best to catch up. Thursday October 22, 2009 6:48 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
6:54 At the season's midway point, who is the area Player of the Year?
Devontae Butler, Grant
( 14% )Bryce Pratt, Del Oro
( 57% )Dano Graves, Folsom
( 29% )Jackson Cummings, Rocklin
( 27% )Ryan Dimino, Del Campo
( 31% )Jalen Saunders, Pleasant Grove
( 44%)Devontae Butler, Grant

7:02 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Joe, how many teams from each league will make the play-offs? As an example the CAL had three last year...Casa, Del Campo and Rio. I have heard only two this year. Or, can that change?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:02 Guest
7:04 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Regarding playoff teams...there is a change to the playoff format, as we've chronicled and we have on-line now, but in short, each league will get at least 2 playoff teams. Teams with at least six wins are all of a sudden a lot more eligible than in years past.

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:04 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:05 [Comment From Placer AlumPlacer Alum: ]
What's up with Del Campo leaping ahead of Placer in your rankings even though they lost to Woodcreek by 3 and Placer beat em by 14?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:05 Placer Alum
7:06 [Comment From rdubrdub: ]
JD, since you were at your sisters wedding and not at the DO/GB game, I wanted to share with you Pat the following single pictorial.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:06 rdub
7:07 [Comment From CodamojoCodamojo: ]
why is Rio linda ranked so High. especially with close wins to sub-par teams
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:07 Codamojo
7:07 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
I told my sister she could have been married at halftime of the game. Casey Taylor said it would have added to the atmosphere. tried to link the photos, but couldn't. We got better shots on our sacbee gallery!

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:07 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:09 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Regarding Del Campo-Placer rankings...u are in error saying we jumped DC over Placer. Placer is No. 8 and DC is No. 9. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:09 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:10 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Regarding Rio Linda...the Knights are No. 12. That's not too high for a good team. Geez, pal. They're unbeaten. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:10 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:10 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Coach Al does not care if his students pass their classes. He gets them eligible during summer school
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:10 Guest
7:11 Linda Gonzales/sacbee.com: Here's a link to the Del Oro - Granite Bay photo gallery Joe just mentioned: http://www.sacbee.com/photos/gallery/2260123.html Thursday October 22, 2009 7:11 Linda Gonzales/sacbee.com
7:11 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Regarding the idiotic post about Alberghini and grades at Grant - you are so far off, it's laughable. He cares greatly about the players grades, that's why he meets with teachers and counselors. Any talk that he has teachers doctors grades is pure sour grapes. Sorry you have such a bad concussion Thursday October 22, 2009 7:11 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:11 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
why doesnt grant play local teams? are they afraid?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:11 Guest
7:12 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Why doesn't Grant play local teams? Not afraid at all. It's the other way around. Grant has to play out of area, out of state to get games. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:12 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:12 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
What happend to the TV show this year on Comcast Sports Net? It seemed to be developing a buzz last year with Gary and you guys from the Bee?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:12 Guest
7:13 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Regarding TV show on Comcast...loved doing the show last year with Bill Paterson, Gary and Q...it was dropped due to lack of funds. We hope to bring it back Thursday October 22, 2009 7:13 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:14 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
What do you think of Vacaville High? I know they have 1 loss against a very good Granite Bay team.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:14 Guest
7:15 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I am well aware of Vacaville. Super team, well coached, a real force for the D-I playoffs. We don't rank the Bulldogs any more as we next to zero circulation in that area. Yes, a very good game with Granite Bay Thursday October 22, 2009 7:15 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:15 [Comment From House FanHouse Fan: ]
What happened to Q?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:15 House Fan
7:15 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Regarding Quwan Spears - our former Bee guru is now doing Sports Information for the CIF. He's still within the greater prep circle, all class he is Thursday October 22, 2009 7:15 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:16 [Comment From CodamojoCodamojo: ]
have you had a chance to see the new alignment for next...your thoughts
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:16 Codamojo
7:16 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I have seen some of the realignments for next season and some of it looks great. I especially like Grant in one of the Delta leagues as you will have great games every week, not to mention huge crowds Thursday October 22, 2009 7:16 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:17 [Comment From Matt WingerMatt Winger: ]
So what is your take on the playoff breakdown, in my opinion the top 8-9 teams in the division 2 could beat most if not all of the teams in the division , according to the projections that were released.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:17 Matt Winger
7:18 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Playoff breakdown goes like this: Scary. If it really is Grant, Del Oro, Granite Bay, St. Mary's, Folsom, Rocklin in D-II, it's the best playoff bracket in section history. Amazing. No longer is D-I bigger, better, more attractive than D-II. That's in the past Thursday October 22, 2009 7:18 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:18 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Don't rank them because zero circulation? That is a joke... The rankings should be based on the best teams in the section/area...... not on "if" the area sells newspapers. Can't consider it a seriours ranking then.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:18 Guest
7:19 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
We rank section teams in the Section Top 10, if u care to pay attention. that is posted every sunday for 3 years now. Since dropping coverage of the MEL, we've had 2 complaints - two! You are second

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:19 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:19 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Grant is good because they have huge linemen, and get some good athletes. Coach does not care about academics. That is a shame
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:19 Guest
7:20 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Please ice your concussion. Grant is good because of the entire program - and it starts with coaching. If Grant doesn't care about academics, how come they have so many players going to Cal? Yea, a real shame

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:20 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:20 [Comment From PharoahPharoah: ]
hey Joe how are you? Is the seeding for the playoffs based sole based on record, opponents win's, and league? or are there other elements that come into play?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:20 Pharoah
7:22 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: In short, seedings are more based on that than ever, with the starting point being top 2 from each league go. Top 32 teams in D-I and D-II are in the playoffs, and then cut in half - 16 for D-I, 16 for D-2 as an example. Check our story and mock playoff on sacbee.com/preps. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:22 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:22 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Ever think that Vacaville doesn't buy Sac Bee papers because Sac Bee doesn't discuss Vacaville? Maybe if Vacaville was covered.... then I'm sure Vaca residents would buy. I know my family and friends would. Just my opinion.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:22 Guest
7:23 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: We covered Vacaville and the MEL for decades. The circulation dried up over there, and same with Napa and Fairfield. We pleaded with coaches in recent years to call in scores, to send stats, to give us info. Virtually no luck. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:23 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:23 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
What you think of St.Mary's so far.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:23 Guest
7:24 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: St. Mary's is scary good, great coach in Tony Franks, super passing game and a bluechip recruit in Josh Harper. Excellent team. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:24 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:24 [Comment From MattMatt: ]
If Grant, Del Oro, Saint Mary's, Granite Bay, and Rocklin do end up in the same playoff bracket, how would you handicap it, and would that mean that only one would qualify for a state bowl game since only one would become a section champ?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:24 Matt
7:25 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: At this moment, I'd go with Grant and St. Mary's and Del Oro as the favorites, with Grant the winner based on defense. And only a section champ is allowed to be considered for a bowl. this bracket will be super stacked Thursday October 22, 2009 7:25 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:25 [Comment From PharoahPharoah: ]
Guest, Grants coach cares about academics. You have no clue what your talking about. He has partnered with some community groups and they strive for excellence. If you look in the late 80's and early 90's hardly any Pacers went to college back then. Believe it or not there were ,uch more talented PAcers back then
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:25 Pharoah
7:25 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
This is absolute fact. Nice to have this comment here. There's been a lot of behind the scenes work to get Grant kids on track academically. Faking grades is the weakest, poorest, joke of a rumor.

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:25 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:26 [Comment From J MontanaJ Montana: ]
How do you see the CAL panning out this year? the DC v Casa winner in a few weeks should turn out to be the champ? Agree?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:26 J Montana
7:26 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I like DC to win the CAL, with Casa Roble second. Those two teams have been the heavies of that league this entire decade Thursday October 22, 2009 7:26 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:26 [Comment From John HullJohn Hull: ]
Hi, Joe: Keep up the good work. What is your input on Monterey Trail vs. Folsom?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:26 John Hull
7:27 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Super game Friday with MT and Folsom, defense vs. offense. I go with Dano Graves and Folsom until someone slows that team down. Last year, speed on defense and a running game doomed Folsom.

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:27 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:27 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Thanks for the info Joe... I will do my best at getting some newspapers circulating here in Vacaville..
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:27 Guest
7:28 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: We'll give u a Bee banner and some bee boxes to place in front of the school! Mark P is a super coach, and I loved working with Coach Z - an all time best. I know Tim Roe well, the sports editor at the Vacavill Reporter. He gives that region terrific coverage. The Dogs are known! Thursday October 22, 2009 7:28 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:28 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Joe, who do you see as the biggest suprise team so far?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:28 Guest
7:29 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Biggest surprise is a refreshing surprise - Lincoln and Alex Stewart, Natomas and Frank Negri, the ageless one. Makes for good stories and fresh angles Thursday October 22, 2009 7:29 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:29 [Comment From CodamojoCodamojo: ]
What are your thoughts About the Placer/Lincoln game commimg up. it will be the PVL version GB/DO game with big implications for league and playoffs Mojo Fo Lyfe
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:29 Codamojo
7:29 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Placer-Lincoln is a super showdown brewing, no doubt. I like the experience and wing-T of Placer and coach Joey Montoya, but if both are unbeaten - instant classic. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:29 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:29 [Comment From rjgbrjgb: ]
Joe - no love for GB now? remember Dwon by an extra 1st down really.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:29 rjgb
7:30 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Still lot of love for GB. Only dropped them one spot in the rankings because it was such a close game. GB may roll from here. Loaded team Thursday October 22, 2009 7:30 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:30 [Comment From PharoahPharoah: ]
Hey Joe thanks for bringing great prep coverage. I would love to shoot some ideas to you in the future!
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:30 Pharoah
7:31 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Send any ideas any time to my email at jdavidson@sacbee.com. Love to hear from the Grant basher too about any proof of faked grades. But wait, a real email means he'd have to reveal himself, and he won't. Easier to hide behind this. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:31 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:31 [Comment From BobBob: ]
Lincoln, who would'a thunk it! The game should be great, but I think Lincoln gets the nod in the mascot battle...
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:31 Bob
7:32 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Haha. No one beats the Zebras when it comes to mascots. How classic is that? Other cool thing is QB Alex Stewart...his dad, Scott, helped design the helmet logo. Talk about good living! Thursday October 22, 2009 7:32 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:32 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
I would have loved to see the Folsom 2009 vs.Casa 2008 schools go at it. That game may have ended up 70-70 at the end of regulation?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:32 Guest
7:32 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
How about Folsom this year against Grant's defense? That could happen.

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:32 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:32 [Comment From ??: ]
are you related to eddie davidson
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:32 ?
7:33 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: No clue who Eddie Davidson is, but if he just won the Lotto, I remember now. He's my cousin who owes me cash! Thursday October 22, 2009 7:33 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:33 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Casa Roble of last year should have gone to the state bowl game, not st. marys
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:33 Guest
7:33 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: There's good argument about Casa last year, but St. Mary's was pretty loaded as D-I section champs. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:33 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:33 [Comment From MattMatt: ]
Nice article, but why hasn't Bryce Pratt gotten player of the week, he is averaging 200+ a week with 20 touchdowns?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:33 Matt
7:34 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: We did a cover story on Bryce with color photo that ran twice as long as Prep of the Week story. He's gotten his love Thursday October 22, 2009 7:34 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:34 [Comment From whsDadwhsDad: ]
Where's your favorite stadium to watch a game in town (best atmospere, crowd, menu, etc)?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:34 whsDad
7:34 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Love watching games at Grant, at Placer, at NU, at Elk Grove and at Delta, the tiny school in Clarksburg. Tremendous settings. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:34 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:35 [Comment From kennykenny: ]
there's a girl kicking at inderkum this year. that's a good team. is it safe for her to be playing such a brutal sport?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:35 kenny
7:36 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
There are actually about 8 girls playing varsity football, mostly kicker or kickoff
The girls know the dangers. So far, over the years, no one has gotten hurt. I say good for them. I also notice that coaches from opposing teams go all out to block their PAT's. It's football, regardless of gender.

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:36 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:36 [Comment From JonJon: ]
Don't you think it's about time the CIF gives the Sac area HS teams a shot at those SoCal teams? Those bay area teams cant seem to win anything against those SoCal teams.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:36 Jon
7:37 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
What's nice is there is progress - a state bowl. What would have been even more of a boost is a NorCal playoff and SoCal playoff. Section commissioners in Bay Area voted it down. Gee, wonder why?

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:37 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:37 [Comment From J MontanaJ Montana: ]
I can see coach Al shutting down that Folsom sprint out...pass/run option...looking forward to that show down!
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:37 J Montana
7:37 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Al found a way to devour wing-T teams, too. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:37 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:37 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
What are the top 5 games you have witnessed in Sacramento prep football?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:37 Guest
7:38 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: All time prep football teams in Sac? Grant 2008, Elk Grove 1998, Cordova 1985, Grant 2006, NU in 1993, 94 Thursday October 22, 2009 7:38 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:38 [Comment From JonJon: ]
Pratt is overrated
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:38 Jon
7:39 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: He sure is overrated, isn't he? He's only averaging 206 yards a game with just 20 touchdown. What a bum. Why don't you tell him as much in a three point stance. Bet you'd do so in a serious back pedal Thursday October 22, 2009 7:39 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:39 [Comment From rdubrdub: ]
Jon-lmfao I thought so too but he torched my team behind their oline play
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:39 rdub
7:40 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Pratt has been terrific, and he's grown and matured as a leader. Got to admire that. And he heaps praise on his teammates and opponents. What's not to like? Thursday October 22, 2009 7:40 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:40 [Comment From J MontanaJ Montana: ]
Joe, that's the point, st M was a D1 school. They should have been in the same division as Grant...still don't understand why Casa was in that division?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:40 J Montana
7:41 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
The entire enrollment thing muddles everything up. Grant is D-II and plays in D-I bowl; St. Mary's wins section D-I and then goes to D-III bowl. Maddening. Maybe we need more bowls

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:41 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:41 [Comment From whsDadwhsDad: ]
Do you see any trends in the area that stand out as being really good or bad? For example: focus on money to drive decisions, any schools/programs dieing out, improvrd parity)?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:41 whsDad
7:42 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Bad trends are the suffering city schools and san juan unified schools where there is no money, decaying facilities. Good trend are the great crowds and student participation; also the spread offense has helped boost teams. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:42 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:42 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Why didnt some of the prep stars from last years all-metro squad not make any big school. example: Matt Satchwell from Casa Roble.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:42 Guest
7:43 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Another one is Zach Graves of Whitney. Satchwell and Graves were dominant prep players but colleges crave big guys with burst, and there are so many athletes who "don't make that cut". Satchwell is a good player. Not sure where he is now. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:43 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:43 [Comment From rjgbrjgb: ]
I give pratt his cudos, but, but, but , Ibelieve several area runners could do that behind the DO-OL
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:43 rjgb
7:43 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Sure, that's probably true, and Pratt could probably pile up yards at any school. The guy can play. He competes

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:43 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:44 [Comment From Davis dudeDavis dude: ]
Guest makes me wonder - How is Kipeli Konesti (Grant) doing at Arizona State?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:44 Davis dude
7:44 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Last I heard Kipeli is doing fine at Arizona State. Not on the active roster but he's there. Grant starters in college football include Christian Tupou at USC (DL) and Devan Cunningham at Fresno State (OL). With real grades, even! Thursday October 22, 2009 7:44 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:45 [Comment From JonJon: ]
Really Joe? You think Pratt can get over on the Grant D? I just don't see it.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:45 Jon
7:45 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I don't know how Pratt would do against Grant D, but he'd do better than most backs in this region against the Pacers. Grant may not allow anyone to run on them, Adrian Peterson included Thursday October 22, 2009 7:45 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:45 [Comment From sedbrosedbro: ]
With the school reallingnment next year, the CAl league is definitely going to see some big changes in their league schedules. do you think the move is a smart one?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:45 sedbro
7:46 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Too early to tell in CAL. Realignment is a necessary thing, and it's about the hardest thing to juggle. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:46 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:46 [Comment From J MontanaJ Montana: ]
Satch is at Sierra, not playing ball this year...he has promised AR coaches that plays for them next year...then in two more years, who knows!
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:46 J Montana
7:46 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Zach Graves is also at Sierra. If Satch has promised ARC coaches he's headed that why, why is he still at Sierra? Thursday October 22, 2009 7:46 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:47 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
How do you explain the overall strength of the SFL? So much talent in one league. Is it because the schools have money.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:47 Guest
7:47 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: SFL strength is based on a lot of factors - administrative support, tremendous coaches, big rosters and good athletes, community towns. And money helps. Absolutely. Lot of money generated, lof of money put in. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:47 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:47 [Comment From whsDadwhsDad: ]
Who are your projected league champs around town?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:47 whsDad
7:48 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I like Grant in Metro, Folsom in DRL, NU in Delta Valley, Placer in PVL, DC in CAL, Inderkum in Tri Thursday October 22, 2009 7:48 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:48 [Comment From Davis dudeDavis dude: ]
Do you think Folsom would have a chance of beating Grant if they met in playoffs?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:48 Davis dude
7:49 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: If both teams are healthy, Folsom absolutely has a chance against Grant. You bet. But...if Folsom can't handle Grant's speed pass rush and can't slow down Butler, lights out Thursday October 22, 2009 7:49 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:49 [Comment From garygary: ]
Who do you think will win the Rocklin-Granite bay game Friday
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:49 gary
7:49 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I will go with Granite Bay. Ernie Cooper is a master in recovery games. If Rocklin wins with Jackson Cummings and that passing game, that team is for real and GB is suddenly reeling big time Thursday October 22, 2009 7:49 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:49 [Comment From JonJon: ]
Davis dude, defense wins championships -- Folsom doesn't have any D
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:49 Jon
7:50 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Actually, Jon...Folsom's D is better than it's been in years. Allowing 14 points - against starters. But is it section title good? We'll see. We'll see if they slow the Monterey Trail veer that averages nearly 350 yards on the ground. Huge test. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:50 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:50 [Comment From Davis dudeDavis dude: ]
Jon - good point, but that's why I ask the question. Is Folsom offense so good that they become the exception to the rule
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:50 Davis dude
7:51 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Folsom's offense is fun and scary good, and it's a great question - can it overcome a pass rush? We find out Friday Thursday October 22, 2009 7:51 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:51 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
any thought to revenue sharing to equalize money for rich schools and schools in poorer areas?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:51 Guest
7:52 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: It wouldn't be fair to revenue share, though the idea is a noble one. Why should a Del Oro work so hard and have to hand money over to a San Juan? We'll never see it happen Thursday October 22, 2009 7:52 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:52 [Comment From whsDadwhsDad: ]
Who runs the best WingT: Indy, Oakdale, Placer, Lincoln, NU, or someone else?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:52 whsDad
7:53 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Best wing-T is still NU, the masters, and then there's Placer with Joey Montoya, too. Those teams could win section titles, too, NU in D-I and Placer in D-IV

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:53 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:53 [Comment From JonJon: ]
I'm gonna go look up their stats Joe, I could of swore they gave up a lot of points.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:53 Jon
7:53 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Overall, Folsom has given up some points, yes, but the starters have allowed about 14 a game, according to the coaches. They pull their guys in routs. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:53 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:53 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Who you think has a better offense this year St.Mary's or Folsom.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:53 Guest
7:54 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: It's about even between these teams offensively. The amazing thing is St. Mary's is senior dominated and Folsom is junior dominated. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:54 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:54 [Comment From Davis dudeDavis dude: ]
Joe - Do you think there is any underlying resentment of Grant's success? Everybody but everybody has been in their shadow for 3 of the past 4 years. It must be frustrating, yes?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:54 Davis dude
7:54 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: There is huge resentment to Grant's success. That's why some people offer idiotic claims of doctored grades, etc. People don't like to see winers, year after year. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:54 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:54 [Comment From VinceVince: ]
What chance do you give resurgent Mira Loma against DC tomorrow?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:54 Vince
7:55 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I give the upstart Mats a fighting chance - for a half. DC is too strong, too deep, too motivated with the ultimate player in Ryan Dimino. DC wins 48-17 Thursday October 22, 2009 7:55 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:55 [Comment From DodgersruleDodgersrule: ]
Folsom starting D gave up 26 points against an average Casa offense. Not sure where u r getting your info, but it`s not accurate.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:55 Dodgersrule
7:56 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Casa also was down 34-0 just before the half, thanks in part to a lot of 3 and outs. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:56 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:56 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Good point Joe, Casa is just not as talented as they were last year. Folsom had there backups in by halftime against Casa Roble
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:56 Guest
7:57 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com:
Casa was loaded last year and is still dangerous now. Huge CAL showdown - year after year - is Casa-DC

Thursday October 22, 2009 7:57 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:57 [Comment From MattMatt: ]
maybe you people should read and you would understand that he is talking about their starters
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:57 Matt
7:58 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Yes, the starters. Maybe the Grant hater can suggest that the Grant starters get better grades than the reserves? Thursday October 22, 2009 7:58 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:58 [Comment From Davis dudeDavis dude: ]
Nobody is talklin Del Oro much tonight. No respect for No. 2. How far do you think they can go?
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:58 Davis dude
7:58 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: If DO won the section, no surprise. History shows the ingredients to success is dominating run game and sound defense. Golden Eagles have that. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:58 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:58 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
What's amazing to me is the players on the dominant teams that sit out a half or more and still are near the top in game stats! Imagine their totals if they played a whole game.
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:58 Guest
7:59 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: That is amazing, yes, but could u imagine the hideous scores if that happened? 80, 90 points and a lot of fights and bad blood. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:59 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
7:59 [Comment From DodgersruleDodgersrule: ]
That`s a lie!! Score was 34 to 14 @ half, and Folsom coaches were worried when Casa scored the first 2 times they had the ball in the 2nd half. I should know, i worked the chains that game and was right with their coaches!!
Thursday October 22, 2009 7:59 Dodgersrule
7:59 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: We don't lie! I said i was 34-0 just befor the half. with 3 min to go. Thursday October 22, 2009 7:59 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:00 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Bottom line is this, chain man - Folsom lead Casa 34-0 late second. How much more defense u need? Casa did nothing for most of the first half Thursday October 22, 2009 8:00 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:00 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
You need to give more twitter updates on Friday nigh. I know people are tweeting you with scores. Share them
Thursday October 22, 2009 8:00 Guest
8:01 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: I tweet like a mad man! Will stretch out my thumbs Friday. The goal is to have mass tweet for scores. Thursday October 22, 2009 8:01 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:01 [Comment From VinceVince: ]
Just a general question, where do you get the information for score by score breakdowns on Saturday/Sunday? Do coaches call them in?
Thursday October 22, 2009 8:01 Vince
8:02 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Yes, we are totally at the mercy of coaches/stat keepers to phone in scores. It's the duty of the home coach to do so. Thursday October 22, 2009 8:02 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:02 [Comment From OL/DLOL/DL: ]
What do you think of the Christian Brothers/Oak Ridge match up Saturday? Looks to be a big one for the SVC playoff slot.
Thursday October 22, 2009 8:02 OL/DL
8:02 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Graet game. I think the winner takes the SVC. Favorite has to be Oak Ridge as it is on a roll, though CBS line and running game and QB Lahey are darn good, too Thursday October 22, 2009 8:02 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:03 [Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Do you think Grant for example would be better prepared for State play offs if they were challenged more in their league games? Sitting players for so much during a game while admired for sportsmanship doesn't really prepare them for a tight hard fought game.
Thursday October 22, 2009 8:03 Guest
8:03 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: No doubt Grant would be better prepared for even the section playoffs if it had more competition in Metro play. SFL teams will be battle tested come playoff time, though Grant will have more depth and more rested athletes, too Thursday October 22, 2009 8:03 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com
8:05 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com: Ok folks...that was fun. Keep reading our blogs, our game stories, features. And tweet the scores! Until next time... Thursday October 22, 2009 8:05 JoeDavidson@sacbee.com

At 7 tonight, I will conduct a live prep football chat for one hour. All topics are on the table - state bowl pursuits, rankings, top players, playoffs, realignment. Looking forward to it. We hope to make it a weekly segment. Log onto sacbee.com/live.