Prep Blog

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).