Picking the preps: League showdowns for Folsom, Rocklin, Antelope, Inderkum, Elk Grove
In a flash, it’s suddenly week eight of the regional high school football season, and that means league races are barreling down the final stretch with three regular-season games to go. Teams have 11 weeks to play 10 games before the playoffs.
Teams need to win at least four games to become playoff eligible. The following leagues could decide champions, or darn close, by the end of the weekend: Sierra Foothill, Delta, Capital Athletic and Monticello Empire.
As for our trusty, don’t-take-it-to-the-bank Bee staff picks, yours truly went 8-2, missing on Folsom against De La Salle and Woodland Christian topping Delta. Jim Patrick went a yawning 5-5, and Cameron Salerno, for all his preparation and insight, went an uninspired 6-4. Come on, men!
No. 2 Folsom (6-1) at No. 2 Rocklin (7-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Neither team will have its starting quarterbacks, but the backups are plenty capable, Folsom with Carter Martinelli and perhaps even sophomore star call up Austin Mack, and Rocklin with Joey Roberts as the SFL crown is all but decided here. Rocklin’s stout defense, the most physical in the Sac-Joaquin Section, is eager to muscle up against the speed and skill of the Bulldogs, including TE Walker Lyons and WR Rico Flores. Rocklin has burners in Elias Mullican and Nathan Kent and a pass rush that has not been slowed all season. How does Folsom respond from its 31-10 loss to De La Salle?
Bee picks: JoeD: Folsom 21-20; Patrick: Folsom 28-14; Salerno: Folsom 28-21
No. 7 Elk Grove (4-2) at No. 3 Jesuit (6-1)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Outlook: Another day game for Jesuit, another heat index one as it’ll be a sauna here and nowhere else in the region, and that all favors a Marauders team that has won six straight with offensive balance and defensive fury. Elk Grove is a dominant run team with size in the trenches. Favor Big Red in the big heat, always.
Bee picks: JoeD: Jesuit 24-21; Patrick: Jesuit 34-20; Salerno: EG 28-27
No. 4 Granite Bay (6-2) at No. 14 Whitney (4-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The SFL has games galore each week, including this one that figures to be physical and intense. We sense an upset as Whitney’s losses have been to powerhouse programs, though GB has lost only to Jesuit and Rocklin.
Bee picks: JoeD: GB 21-20; Patrick: GB 28-14; Salerno: GB 28-21
No. 10 Antelope (7-0) at No. 6 Inderkum (5-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: How Inderkum’s fast, attacking defense handles the section’s most prolific rusher in Curron Borders (1,668 yards, 25 touchdowns) is the key with the Capital Valley Conference on the line. How the Titans deal with Inderkum’s emerging offense is also telling.
Bee picks: JoeD: Inderkum 24-21; Patrick: Inderkum 35-21; Salerno: Antelope 35-28
No. 12 Vanden (6-1) at No. 5 Vacaville (5-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: This one will pretty much decide the Monticello Empire League, and few home settings in the section can match the Bulldogs. Arrive early or get a helicopter to drop you off at midfield. Vacaville has balance with QB Ryan Vaughn and RB Darian Leon-Guerro. Vanden is fueled by dual-threat QB Tre Dimes.
Bee picks: JoeD: Vacaville 35-30; Patrick: Vacaville 35-14; Salerno: Vacaville 35-24
No. 9 Sacramento (7-0) at No. 11 Capital Christian (5-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: This game goes a long way in deciding the Capital Athletic League crown. Sacramento coach Justin Reber knows Capital Christian, having excelled there as a player and getting his coaching start there, and The Dragons have exceeded expectations with such a young team. The host Cougars have found their groove behind star QB Anthony Garcia and WR/DB Kanye Clark despite its own young roster.
Bee picks: JoeD: Capital 42-37; Patrick: Sacramento 35-28; Salerno: Sacramento 45-44
El Camino (3-4) at No. 19 Christian Brothers (4-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: El Camino has lost three in a row in the CAL, but the last outing was an encouraging 27-25 setback to Sacramento, and that caught the attention of CB coaches. The Falcons are getting healthy, and they have an ace QB in Jake Elorduy.
Bee picks: JoeD: CB 35-14; Patrick: CB 42-21; Salerno: CB 38-21
No. 20 Sheldon (5-2) at No. 21 Vista del Lago (5-2)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: This is a nonleague game that came about earlier in the season when COVID was still rearing its ugly scheduling nightmare ways, and it may be the highest scoring game of the week. The teams are led by fine QBs and RBs, Jesiah Machado and Isaiah Bickham for Sheldon and Jakob Hollingshaus and Tyler Peterson for VDL.
Bee picks: JoeD: Sheldon 42-40; Patrick: Sheldon 35-20; Salerno: Vista 28-23
Nevada Union (4-3) at Oakmont (3-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: This Foothill Valley League rumble is a must-have for both squads in order to secure playoff berths or to inch closer to that goal. NU means GBIA, as in Gabe Baker In Abundance. He plays QB and LB and never tires. Oakmont is led by its own skilled and gritty QB who has also played hurt in Danny Myles.
Bee picks: JoeD: NU 35-27; Patrick: NU: 35-21; Salerno: NU 38-24
Casa Roble (4-2) at Woodland (6-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Golden Empire League race is red hot with these two and Pioneer. Woodland has to deal with the pass-catch combo of Jason Lindahl and Cole Owens, who has 10 touchdowns and goes by “cyborg” by coach Chris Horner. Woodland can run with power with a bevy of backs and it balances things with steady QB Santana Munoz.
Bee picks: JoeD: Casa 24-21; Patrick: Woodland 35-21; Salerno: Casa 35-28
Bee season totals: JoeD: 42-17; Patrick: 38-21; Salerno: 39-20.