Picking the preps: League showdowns for Bradshaw Christian, Casa Roble; playoff fights
Suddenly, it’s Week 8 of the high school football season, meaning the back stretch of a season that started with smokey skies and COVID-19 testing problems now morphs into cooler weather. And this mandate for those hitting a game Friday: Bring an umbrella.
It takes at least four wins to become playoff eligible in the Sac-Joaquin Section in divisions I through VI, but for those who don’t have a strong nonleague schedule or compete in a particularly strong league, it would be wise to win five or more games to secure that extra season.
As for our Bee staff picks, I’m surrounded by slackers. I went 8-2 in picks last week, and Jim Patrick and Cameron Salerno went a “don’t sleep on us!” 6-4. Some of us just happen to guess a bit better than the others. (Editor’s note: Or pick opposite of Joe to try to catch up.)
No. 14 Whitney (4-4) at No. 2 Folsom (6-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Folsom is right where the rest of the Sierra Foothill League has been hoping for for years: vulnerable. Folsom’s two-game skid, to De La Salle and Rocklin, is the program’s longest such misery in 14 seasons. Whitney hits hard and competes, and it’ll show here, too. A Wildcats win would be the biggest for the program since the school opened in 2003.
Bee picks: JoeD: Folsom 21-17; Patrick: Folsom 28-14; Salerno: Folsom 35-14
No. 7 Inderkum (5-2) at No. 18 Yuba City (5-3)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: In this Capital Valley Conference contest, Inderkum has defensive playmakers, and the Tigers will need all of them to keep YC star QB Nick Afato in check as he comes off a five-touchdown effort.
Bee picks: JoeD: Yuba City 28-24; Patrick: Inderkum 35-21; Salerno: Yuba City 35-21
No. 15 Oak Ridge (3-5) at No. 16 Del Oro (4-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Oak Ridge coach Casey Taylor knew he’d return to Del Oro, where he led a championship program for 15 seasons, and now he needs a win to inch closer to a playoff berth. Del Oro has lost four straight games amid injuries and the rugged Sierra Foothill League after a hot start.
Bee picks: JoeD: OR 21-20; Patrick: OR 35-14; Salerno: OR 28-24
No. 21 Vista del Lago (5-3) at No. 19 Christian Brothers (5-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: This Capital Athletic League contest figures to be prolific, as playoff positioning is the goal. Both feature superb skill players, CB with Jake Elorduy, WR Phillip Bell and the possible return of RB D.J. Crowther (ankle) and VDL with QB Jakob Hollingshaus, WR Matt Long and RB Tyler Petersen.
Bee picks: JoeD: CB 42-40; Patrick: CB 35-20; Salerno: CB 35-31
No. 24 Union Mine (6-1) at No. 22 Bradshaw Christian (8-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The host Pride can clinch a share of the Sierra Valley Conference championship here, and Union Mine needs a win to hold onto those title hopes. BC averages 375.6 yards rushing a game with Anthony Tornatore having already gone for 1,195 yards and 14 touchdowns. UM comes in banged up and must receive the defensive effort of the season to win it.
Bee picks: JoeD: BC 24-23; Patrick: BC 34-20; Salerno: UM 28-21
Pioneer (6-1) at No. 23 Casa Roble (5-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Golden Empire League title hangs in the balance in a showcase of small-school star power. Jack Carner has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns for Pioneer, and the host Rams have been led by super sophomore Cole Owens, who missed last week’s thrilling win at Woodland due to a bum ankle. He’s a difference-maker.
Bee picks: JoeD: Casa 35-28; Patrick: CR 30-20; Salerno: Casa 42-38
El Dorado (4-3) at Liberty Ranch (4-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Sierra Valley Conference is so deep that these two programs expect to be playoff teams, but both need at least one more win to make that a certainty. El Dorado has been slowed by injuries and Liberty Ranch has come on strong, including handing Union Mine its first loss.
Bee picks: JoeD: LR 24-23; Patrick: LR 28-20; Salerno: LR 34-28
Natomas (5-3) at Johnson (7-1)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Outlook: West Park has the inside track to the Greater Sacramento League championship, but these two seek playoff berths, so every game counts. William Vue powers Natomas as a dual-threat QB, and Jayson Fowler does the same for the Warriors.
Bee picks: Joe D: Johnson 35-32; Patrick: Johnson 34-20; Salerno: Johnson 28-14
Foresthill (7-1) at Woodland Christian (7-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League banner is up for grabs, and the winner here gets at least a share of it. Ben Mercado has 15 touchdown passes and Kiernan Hammer nine TD runs for Foresthill. Woodland Christian rushes for an average of 251.2 yards a game, led by Billy Hinkle, who has scored 11 rushing touchdowns.
Bee picks: JoeD: WC 35-24; Patrick: WC: 34-20; Salerno: Foresthill 21-20
Del Campo (3-5) at El Camino (3-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The CAL is deep as these two are prolific and entertaining, if not snake-bit with injuries. Both need wins to become playoff eligible, and likely need two wins to secure a playoff berth. So yes, plenty left to play for.
Bee picks: JoeD: EC 45-42; Patrick: El Camino 28-20; Salerno: DC 21-20
Bee season totals: JoeD: 50-19; Salerno: 45-24; Patrick: 44-25.
This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 7:24 AM.