Picking the preps: Playoff showdowns await in Placer County, Folsom, Sacramento, Manteca
Round three is here in a rush. It’s time to gear up and game-face for the Sac-Joaquin Section football semifinals.
Last week, it was Upset City as four teams sporting 10-0 records entering the week ended the week at 10-1, and everyone kindly turn in your gear promptly and stand by for the team banquet.
With St. Mary’s of Stockton falling to Turlock in Division I, Downey of Modesto getting run over by Granite Bay in D-II, Placer getting shutout in the second half against Woodcreek in D-III and Liberty Ranch getting stung by Dixon in D-5, Sutter is the last unbeaten team still standing in the section.
The Huskies are 11-0 and the top seed in D-5, leery of upsets.
Our preview and coverage crew is down a man as Jim Patrick has turned in his notepad to chart trains in a new public information officer role, or he left because he couldn’t catch the kid, Cameron Salerno, or yours truly in our weekly picks.
Chris Biderman is running last in this race, but shoot. Kudos to Biderman. He’s a Bay Area product who didn’t know this area or the mascots until this season. He also knows football, having covered the 49ers inside and out for years, and he’s a tad bit busy helping new Bee sports boss Jason Anderson cover the Kings inside and out. Come on, Biderman! Show up!
Salerno was the only one who picked Woodcreek to beat Placer, but then again, he attended Woodcreek, so he had to pick the Timberwolves. He’d pick Woodceek to beat UC Davis, if pressed.
More games, more picks, with seedings:
Division I
No. 5 Central Catholic (8-4) at No. 1 Folsom (10-1)
JoeD: Never mind CC’s record. It’s misleading as the Raiders of Modesto played a brutal schedule, including a loss to state No. 2 Bosco and NorCal No. 1 Serra and other bruisers. CC and Folsom have combined to win a remarkable 30 section championships, and CC is in the D-I race for the first time, elevated in division by the section’s “continued success” model. It worked fine last year as CC won the D-II section crown. Folsom has skill players galore, as does CC. Who plays better D? Go with Folsom in a thriller, 42-37.
Biderman: I’m 96% certain I’ve picked the Bulldogs every time we’ve picked one of their games this year, so now isn’t the time to stop. To Joe’s point, Central Catholic won’t be intimidated given they played St. Mary’s, Bosco and Serra already this season. But the Bulldogs showed out in their playoff opener, beating Sheldon by 54 points last week. Give me Folsom, 44-30.
Salerno: Folsom is still the top dog in the area, pun intended. CC outplayed Monterey Trail and runs a similar ground-and-pound style offense. It could be a situation where CC controls the clock and tries to keep the Bulldogs’ offense off the field. I still think Folsom finds a way, 35-28.
No. 7 Turlock (8-4) at No. 3 Oak Ridge (9-2)
JoeD: The gritty and snarling Bulldogs of Turlock opened the season with a 14-7 win over Rocklin, which beat Oak Ridge 21-17 in Sierra Foothill League play, which really doesn’t mean a whole lot except this: Turlock is legit and this will be a fight. OR is nails at home and takes it, 35-30.
Biderman: This is an awfully close matchup statistically. Turlock is averaging just over 34 points per game versus Oak Ridge’s 39. Turlock has the edge in passing yards, 235-219, and total yards, 438-412. But I wonder if Turlock will have the same level of energy after its thrilling 51-50 win over St. Mary’s last week. Give me the higher-rated home team in a barn burner, 48-44.
Salerno: I almost certainly thought we were heading for a Folsom-St. Mary’s section championship showdown in D1. Turlock had other plans and that’s what makes the playoffs fun. I still think the Trojans win, which would set up an all-SFL section championship game in D1. Oak Ridge 42-38.
Division II
No. 4 Rocklin (8-3) at No. 1 Manteca (9-1)
JoeD: What an interesting game pitting two physical, run-heavy programs. Manteca has won eight section banners since 2001 and seeks its fifth since 2016, and the Buffaloes feature Florida State-bound RB/LB brute Blake Nichelson, who rampaged for a remarkable 400 yards and seven touchdowns on 24 carries in his team’s lone loss, a 56-49 setback to Central Catholic. Manteca wins here, 28-27.
Biderman: I’m buying what Rocklin is selling. The Thunder are built for this time of year with a physical style on both sides of the ball, and its regular-season schedule is a gauntlet of playoff teams, so this group won’t be intimidated by the top seed. Give me Rocklin on the road in a stirring upset, 28-24.
Salerno: Manteca is the best team in the bracket based on record, but the Buffaloes haven’t had to endure the grind of the Sierra Foothill League. Rocklin looked very impressive in a win over Jesuit last week. Give me the Thunder on the road, 35-34.
No. 6 Granite Bay (8-4) at No. 2 Del Oro (9-2)
JoeD: This is a rematch of a bruising Sept. 30 SFL game in Loomis in which DO won 21-10 in a game that included no second-half points. A lot of teams have lost regular-season meetings with their rival only to exact revenge in the playoffs. Biderman, this is for you: It happened in the 1980s when Cordova would top Christian Brothers in the Metro League, only to have it reversed in the D-I playoffs, and it happened in the 1990s and early 2000s when Grant/Nevada Union beat Nevada Union/Grant in the Capital Athletic League only to have it reverse in the D-I field, with more examples in recent years. DO has more seniors, and that usually makes the difference in the playoffs. DO and star runner Kainoa Acia, fresh off a section playoff rushing record 413 yards, win it 24-20.
Biderman: Nothing from the 1970s, Joe? SMH. Well, I’m a big believer in Carter Jackson and Isaiah Ene, if that hasn’t been clear to this point, which is why I stubbornly stuck by Granite Bay all season (to my detriment in these picks). But I think a somewhat disappointing regular season is going to amount to an unexpected run in the playoffs. And I think they’ll exact some revenge against Del Oro on the road to validate my season-long take on Grizzlies. Give me Granite Bay, 20-17.
Salerno: I was at the first matchup between these two proud SFL programs and I’ll be there again on Friday. It’s hard to beat a team twice, like Joe said. Granite Bay has a formula that can win playoff games. Give me the Grizzlies on the road, 28-27. It’s possible we will see two all-SFL finals.
Division III
No. 8 Woodcreek (10-2) at No. 4 Christian Brothers (9-2)
JoeD: The upstart Timberwolves of Roseville earlier this postseason won just their second playoff game in program history, then toppled top-seeded Placer, so the skill, confidence and coaching are all in place. But who covers Phillip Bell, CB’s stellar WR? CB QB William Littlejohn had three first-half fumbles against Merced last week but also fired five touchdown passes. CB in a fun one: 42-40.
Biderman: The fact Christian Brothers survived the early part of its schedule without Littlejohn speaks to the quality of the program led by coach Larry Morla. I’ve been similarly in the bag for CB all season (strong initials) as I have for Granite Bay. I think Bell has a chance to be one of the best players to come out of the area. He’s made of the right stuff, even if his production as a sophomore doesn’t scream super star at the next level. He gets double covered as much as anyone around. Give me CB at home, 34-24.
Salerno: Let me give Joe a history lesson because I know a few things about Woodcreek. Last week was the biggest win in program history. Woodcreek, despite being in the SFL for many years, wasn’t a strong football program. This is the best team the Timberwolves have had. Christian Brothers has a great story, but I’ll take the Timberwolves on the road, 35-32.
No. 3 Grant (8-2) at No. 2 Patterson (10-1)
JoeD: The Pacers have found a new offensive gear, lighting up Monterey Trail for 42 points, Laguna Creek for 56 and Yuba City for 64 in their last stretch. QB ace JoJo McCray and his fleet of receivers will provide the most skill and speed for Patterson, which has lost only to Manteca. Grant is too fast and wins 28-24.
Biderman: Grant’s one of the most complete teams in the section, full stop. McCray knows exactly how to find his deep threats Kingstop Lopa and Kyrell Goss-Pruitt, and running back Joshua Hamilton is no slouch either. I like the Pacers on the road in a high scoring affair, 48-35.
Salerno: Grant is a surprising team in D-lll because they have so much talent. The Pacers are playing great football right now, led by McCray. I’ll take Grant on the road, 52-35.
Division IV
No. 7 Capital Christian (6-5) at No. 3 West Park (9-1)
JoeD: The Cougars started the season as a young team that succumbed to experienced, powerhouse teams. Now, they’ve come of age, including impressive QB Eddie Brusuelas, who led the way in a tight quarterfinal win at 9-1 Casa Roble. West Park also has a fine QB in Develle Barksdale, and the Panthers are tough at home. WP prevails, 40-38.
Biderman: Barksdale is one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the section. His dual-threat ability is awfully tough on opposing defenses and his array of weapons is difficult to slow down. Capital Christian has some dudes, namely Kanye Clark, who might be the fastest player in the section, along with running back Malakai Taione Tauataina. This is a great matchup that has me torn. Give me the road team in an upset, mostly because I need to improve my record in this space against my colleagues. CC wins, 40-39.
Salerno: I said last week there would be no upset and Capital Christian wouldn’t beat Casa Roble on the road. I was wrong. I’ll double down because I’ve seen West Park play in person and they have a lot of talent led by Barksdale. West Park advances in a high-scoring game, 52-45.
Division V
No. 5 Escalon (9-3) at No. 1 Sutter (11-0)
JoeD: What a showdown of traditional small-school powers who have combined to win 16 section titles over the years with Sutter doing its damage in the Northern Section before the switch to the Sac-Joaquin. Both teams run the ball, defend and are superbly coached. Sutter wins a fist fight, 14-10.
Biderman: I can’t possibly pick against Sutter. I love everything about that program. They’re tough, physical, well coached and awfully deep. The home team wins, 22-14.
Salerno: Sutter is having a great introduction to the Sac-Joaquin Section. This team is well on its way to winning a blue banner next week. Sutter wins, 24-14.
No. 6 Dixon (9-2) at No. 2 Sonora (9-2)
JoeD: The visiting Rams already know anything is possible after bouncing unbeaten Liberty Ranch, and as long as Jett Harris is at QB, upsets will happen. Like here and now. Harris and the guys take it, 28-27.
Biderman: Sonora has a plus-300 point differential over 11 games. That’s wicked decent. Far be it for me to pick against the home team here. Wildcats take it, 35-28.
Salerno: Jett Harris is such a cool name, so it’s only right I take Dixon. I hope this makes up for me picking against the Rams last week. Dixon wins, 38-24.
Division VI
No. 5 Bradshaw Christian (9-2) at No. 1 Summerville (10-1)
JoeD: The heart says go with the upstart Pride, who will lose just three players off this team to graduation and run the ball regularly, ideal for the playoffs. But logic says go with the veteran team, the top seed — Da Bears win 21-20.
Biderman: Summerville beat Esparto last week last week, the same week former editor Jim Patrick left the newspaper. If you know Jim, you know how much he adored Esparto. What does this mean for picks? No idea. But that win has me feeling better about picking Summerville, 24-20.
Salerno: When in doubt, pick the local team. It’s an added bonus that it would be an upset. Bradshaw Christian wins 42-35.
Division VII
No. 3 Woodland Christian (10-1) at No. 2 Le Grand (9-2)
JoeD: Le Grand has played a much tougher schedule, is tradition rich and balanced on offense. WC is thrilled to be here, beyond earning it on the field. The Cardinals were given second life last week by a sympathetic judge who issued a temporary restraining order against the CIF section office, which had ruled that WC had to forfeit its season for not turning in paperwork before the season for 11 freshmen players on the varsity. WC rides high and rolls on, barely, 35-34.
Biderman: So. Many. Picks. I have to run to Kings shootaround. Give me Woodland Christian just because! 28-23. By the way, 61-37 is a fine record that any professional gambler would take.
Salerno: Like Joe said, WC is lucky to still be in the tournament after almost having to forfeit. With that said, Le Grand wins 28-21.
Season totals:
JoeD: 73-25
Biderman: 61-37
Patrick: 67-31
Salerno: 75-23