Prep football roundup: Notes from a wild season and early peek at players of the year
At the high school football midway point of the regular season, here are some things we have observed and learned — or things we think we know:
Crowds are a thing: Prep football is a must-see deal this fall with tremendous crowd support at locations near and far. Rooting sections are competing against each other, as are the bands, dance teams and cheerleaders with the backdrop of game action. It’s a far cry from last fall when the pandemic canceled the season, and the shortened spring season where big crowds were not allowed.
“It’s just nice to be back,” Vista Del Lago coach Kyle Landes said Friday night as his team was surrounded by students after beating El Camino. “To be able to get (a win) for the seniors who lost out last year, it’s a great thing.”
No room for the nobodies: Nothing ruins a good night, or good half, like someone yelling “Gun!” in a crowded stadium, which led to a panicked exit for a Delta League game on Sept. 17, or the sound of gunfire near a venue after two teams played without incident Friday. School staff and security handled both incidents expertly, but it’s important to know that these are extremely rare incidents.
Bulldogs bite: Folsom has played the part of top dog as The Bee’s No. 1-ranked team that is also top-ranked in Northern California. The Bulldogs have blasted through five teams, including preseason No. 2 Monterey Trail 56-14, current No. 3 Jesuit 56-7, NorCal No. 2 Pittsburg 38-17, Bee No. 6 Oak Ridge 54-7 and Grant 54-0.
Tyler Tremain has led the way on offense, twin brother Josh and fellow linebacker Justin Eklund the defense, and the team is superbly conditioned and coached. Showdowns loom Oct. 8 against De La Salla and Oct. 15 against No. 2 Rocklin.
Dreadful streaks end: Extra game balls and high fives to Bella Vista, which halted a 48-game losing streak, second-longest in state history, and to Mira Loma, for halting a 28-gamer. Neither skid suggests that these are not quality schools — they’ll compare test scores with anyone — but it does show that lack of playing experience leads to losses.
Pick-6 City: It’s been a big fall for interception returns for touchdowns. Jackson Hagopian of Jesuit has returned two for scores, Steven Duran III took one 100 yards for a score, Kris Bridgers had a 99-yarder for a TD for Marysville and Aiden Santos went 90 yards for Vista del Lago.
Ouch patrol: Injuries happen in this sport of controlled violence, and it will be telling to see the lasting impact on Rocklin, Christian Brothers and Oak Ridge.
Rocklin star quarterback Kenny Lueth strained a knee ligament against Del Oro on Friday and will not play this week against Granite Bay. Christian Brothers star back D.J. Crowther has missed much of the season with a high ankle sprain, which agonizes a guy who lives to compete. Oak Ridge receiver Sean Dwyer had two touchdown grabs against Granite Bay on Friday before going down with a broken collar bone. It’s not a stretch to say that neither of these teams will win a league or Sac-Joaquin Section championship without their leading guy in the mix.
Kudos to the smalls: We forever champion small-school ball and players who care just as much but compete on a smaller stage. This includes Bradshaw Christian, Colfax, Delta and Winters, each off to good starts. As for sharing the running back wealth amid a 5-0 start, Bradshaw Christian leader Anthony Tornatore nailed it when he said, “It’s all cool.”
Zebra pounce: Lincoln has a linebacker who could play anywhere in the region in hard-hitting, 6-foot, 195-pound senior Jordan Wagner. Said an Elk Grove assistant after his team played the Zebras, “You get a bunch of those guys wearing No. 1 and you’ll never lose, and that dude just hits so hard. Our guys felt it.”
Surprise, surprise, surprise: The surprise teams outside their own locker rooms this season include No. 12 Woodcreek at 6-0, No. 22 Union Mine at 4-0, No. 23 Pioneer at 4-0, No. 24 Woodland at 5-0 and No. 25 Rosemont at 5-0. Would these teams be winning Delta League or Sierra Foothill League games? That’s not the point. They’re beating teams of their equal and have energized their schools.
Monstrous efforts: Casa Roble has a receiver to behold in sophomore Cole Owens, who averages nearly 170 yards receiving a game and has eight touchdown catches from Jason Lindahl. Said his coach Chris Horner, “Cole Owens is a cyborg!”
Best winless teams: In a runaway, it’s Monterey Trail at 0-5 amid the most challenging schedule in Northern California and another longtime power in Placer at 0-4. League openers start this week for both.
Savoring the first W: It’s common for new varsity football programs to take it on the chin strap for a season or more as nothing tops experience. West Park of Roseville won its first game after an 0-4 start, topping Johnson 42-8 with the promise of a lot more to come.
Monterey Trail opened in 2004 and started 1-19, no thanks to being initially placed in the rugged Sierra Foothill League. The only regional school that did not suffer a losing season in Year One that we know of was Valley in 1977 when it went 5-5, but that school opened with a rare 4-year class unlike the traditional freshman and sophomore class to immediately ease overcrowding at Elk Grove High and Burbank. Said West Park coach Jason Tenner, “This year has been filled with lots of firsts, lots of crazy experiences. We told the kids it’s a process. I’m proud of them for persevering and trusting the coaching staff and what we’re trying to build here. We’re just getting started.”
Big-time backs: In an era of passing, we salute the runners, including section rushing leader Curron Borders, averaging 212.2 yards a game and has 17 touchdowns for surging 4-0 Antelope; Lamar Radcliffe, a Sacramento High sophomore averaging 170.4 for the 5-0 Dragons; Tyler Petersen of Vista del Lago, chugging and sprinting for 157.6 a game, Michael Cherry of 5-0 Rosemont, Jack Carner of 4-0 Pioneer and workhorses Darian Leon-Guerrero of Vacaville, Lavelle Dais of Placer and Arthur Draeger of Liberty Ranch.
Our midseason honors
The way we see it at this point for Bee Player of the Year accolades, if the season ended now:
Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Garcia, QB, Capital Christian: Has willed his short-handed team with throws long and short and with his legs.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Brear, Del Oro: Has recorded safeties, sacks and defensive touchdowns.
Lineman of the Year: Bobby Piland, Rocklin: A fourth-year starter in the trenches who is having his best season.
MVP: Tyler Tremain, Folsom: Makes all the throws, cares about his craft, credits teammates, coaches and family for his success.