Prep football preview: Breaking down 10 games, with predicted scores, league showdowns
It’s league-opener time for regional high school football, with several intriguing nonleague games thrown in, making for a nice menu of games to ponder this week.
Sometimes the rankings allow for slight tweaking to place ranked teams next to each other, and then let them decide it on the field. This week came together beautifully, with five such matchups.
With De La Salle losing to a Northern California team north of Fresno for the first time since 1991, Folsom now stands as the top dog, No. 1 in NorCal for the first time since 1962, when John F. Kennedy was in the White House.
And more streaks: Folsom has not lost a league game since a Delta League setback to Pleasant Grove and coach Joe Cattolico in 2011. The league streak has swelled to a regional record 52 in a row. Folsom has not lost a Sierra Foothill League game since entering the league before the 2014 season, a run of 45 straight SFL wins.
Regarding our Bee staff picks/guesswork, yours truly came within a goal-line stop on the final play from going an expected 10-0 last week (sarcasm encouraged here) as Oak Ridge held off Elk Grove 28-27. I got the score right, just not the team. Jim Patrick and Cameron Salerno went a solid 8-2 each, and both are buying lunch this week.
We dig in, eye black and all, for another week of fun, all games subject to change with COVID-19 protocols.
No. 7 Oak Ridge (2-1) at No. 1 Folsom (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: How Folsom handles the invited pressure of being No. 1 in Northern California will be telling. Does Oak Ridge have enough stoppers to slow down Folsom’s attack, led by QB ace Tyler Tremain? And one more thing: Oak Ridge hasn’t beaten Folsom since 2006. That’s 15 consecutive setbacks to their rivals located just down Highway 50, including a playoff game.
Bee picks: JoeD: Folsom 42-21; Patrick: Folsom 56-21; Salerno: Folsom 52-14
No. 14 Whitney (2-2) at No. 2 Rocklin (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Quarry Bowl is a fitting way for these teams to kick off SFL action. Whitney’s losses are to strong teams in Lincoln of Placer County and Clovis of the stacked Central Section but comes in banged up while the Thunder has yet to be challenged in blasting through teams with Kenny Lueth at QB and a dominant defense and offensive line.
Bee picks: JoeD: Rocklin 35-13; Patrick: Rocklin 35-7; Salerno: Rocklin 45-14
No. 5 Del Oro (4-0) at No. 4 Granite Bay (3-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: The atmosphere with dueling student body sections is a nice backdrop for this SFL clash with teams coming off superb defensive efforts. When it’s this close, sound logic suggests picking the home team.
Bee picks: JoeD: GB 17-16; Patrick: Del Oro 27-14; Salerno: GB 28-27
No. 10 Elk Grove (0-2) at No. 11 Lincoln (2-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: Elk Grove was denied of a win over Oak Ridge on the final play, and it has speed, size and depth to make a Delta League championship run, but this is a nonleague game against a team that plays terrific defense and has offensive balance. This would rank as the biggest home nonleague win for Lincoln in many years.
Bee picks: JoeD: EG 21-20; Patrick: Lincoln 28-14; Salerno: EG 28-17
No. 12 Christian Brothers (2-1) at No. 11 Sacramento (3-0)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Outlook: Which CB team will show up, the one that shut out a talented Sheldon team in the second half or the one that got boat raced 44-0 to Jesuit? A healthy D.J. Crowther at RB will help CB as the senior star has been slowed by a bad ankle. The Dragons are balanced, athletic and superbly coached, and they entertain their lawn-chair packing fans with good football.
Bee picks: JoeD: Sac 35-31; Patrick: Sac 35-28; Salerno: Sac 35-21
No. 17 Antelope (3-0) at No. 16 Yuba City (2-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: The deep Capital Valley Conference features these contenders Woodcreek and Roseville. Can the host Honkers contain RB Curron Borders, averaging 188 yards a game? Yuba City has played the stronger schedule, including a loss to Vanden.
Bee picks: JoeD: YC 28-24; Patrick: YC 31-21; Salerno: Antelope 35-31
No. 18 Vista del Lago (2-1) at No. 19 Capital Christian (1-2)
When: Friday, 7:15 pm
Outlook: Nice way to kick off the Capital Athletic League with offensive fireworks on the menu. VDL is led by QB Jakob Hollingshaus and RB Tyler Petersen, and CC is paced by QB Anthony Garcia and RB Cameron Sampson. CC is coming off losses to powerhouse programs Valley Christian of San Jose and Rocklin.
Bee picks: JoeD: CC 42-35; Patrick: VDL 34-14; Salerno: VDL 35-31
Woodland (4-0) at No. 24 El Dorado (3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Home games in Placerville are a happening, and the Cougars are on a roll, having won their three spring games and each encounter thus far behind offensive balance and a stout defense headed by LB Evan Ward, who has to slow down a team that averages 240 yards rushing a game behind James and Jonathan Thompson and Mason Thomas, and Woodland can pass with Santana Munoz.
Bee picks: JoeD: El Dorado 21-20; Patrick: Woodland 27-14; Salerno: El Dorado 28-21
Nevada Union (2-1) at No. 25 Union Mine (3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Beware and behold, Gabe Baker is invading El Dorado County. The powerhouse QB/LB can run, pass and tackle, and he has dominated all comers. Union Mine has its own beast in Baker family friend Jaxon King, who towers in the trenches, and the Diamondbacks have a solid QB in Calvin Owens and a playmaking WR in Joe Repass.
Bee picks: JoeD: NU 35-31; Patrick: UM 28-21; Salerno: Union Mine 31-28
Lincoln-Stockton (1-1) at Monterey Trail (0-3)
When: Saturday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: This is a fun nonleague game of strong running teams with Monterey Trail eager for a win and dangerous with QB Frank Arcuri and RB Ronnie Brutus, each battle tested from a brutal early schedule against NorCal-ranked heavies Folsom, De La Salle and Los Gatos. Lincoln is led Arizona-bound RB Jonah Coleman.
Bee picks: JoeD: MT 28-24; Patrick: LS 28-24; Salerno: LS 35-31
Bee season totals: JoeD: 14-5; Patrick: 13-6; Salerno: 13-6.