What to expect in section prep football semifinals. Can Jesuit beat Folsom?
The quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs included expected thrillers, some seedings upsets and too much fog.
So we’re suddenly at the semifinal rounds of the football action with no bad weather in the forecast, and did we just jinx that by even saying that?
Our panel – The Bee’s coverage crew of Joe Davidson, Jim Patrick and Cameron Salerno – debate and discuss the postseason.
Can Jesuit beat Folsom in Division I?
Davidson: We’re making this a talking point right up to the point we bear clippers and shear the lad. That lad is Cameron, who texted me the other day and insisted that if Jesuit beats Folsom, he’d shave his head live on our weekly video/podcast, “The Buzz with JoeD.” Jesuit lost its opener to Folsom big but has been dominant ever since, with a 10-game winning streak. It’ll be 11 as the Marauders tend to feast on turnovers as opponents slip, stumble and fall on that turf amid a mountain of turnovers and Saturday afternoon blues. The pass rush is relentless, led by Kai Wallin, and Garrett McGriff makes plays all over. The Marauders haven’t been this good in 20 years, maybe longer. Supremely motivated bunch. It’s their time.
Salerno: I love my hair. And I will not be shaving it, because Folsom is going to beat Jesuit despite the slippery turf conditions. Teams have complained to me about how dangerous and slippery Jesuit’s field is. Folsom is getting its mojo back and confidence with Tyler Tremain at quarterback. Jesuit is motivated, but Folsom has recently dominated this rivalry.
Patrick: You guys both make good points. Mostly, I miss having hair. As for prep football, I have been a little hard on Folsom lately. I think the Bulldogs have the better athletes and are well-coached; I think Jesuit might be even better coached but is maybe a notch down on athletes. If I had to bet my money on this game, it would go to Folsom.
What does St. Mary’s have to do to topple Rocklin?
Davidson: Bottle up Sierra Foothill League MVP Elias Mullican, who makes one-handed catches, and impact the game on both sides of the ball; find a way to contain two-way lineman terror Bobby Piland; win a track meet. Don’t see it happening, though St. Mary’s coach Tony Franks is as good as they come. Rocklin is 11-0, the only unbeaten team left in the section playoffs, because everything is working and will continue to work.
Salerno: St. Mary’s will need to score a ton to win. Good luck doing that. Rocklin’s smallest margin of victory this season is 20 points. They showed no signs of slowing down last Friday against Sheldon. St. Mary’s has a terrific receiver in Jadyn Marshall that Rocklin will need to keep an eye on. Elias Mullican should get some reps covering him.
Patrick: St. Mary’s has to play a perfect game and hope for a turnover or two from Rocklin. It could happen, but the margin for error is extremely slim.
Who wins the D-II semifinal games and why?
Davidson: In the Elk Grove Unified School District Bowl between surging Monterey Trail and Elk Grove, both teams run a ton, rarely pass, and we’ll be home in time for 9 p.m. “Seinfeld” reruns. I’ll take Elk Grove in a shootout of tremendous running teams, MT led by Ali Collier and Elk Grove by Ethan Archuleta and Zeke Burnett. Top-seeded Central Catholic outnumbers the star power at Antelope, and Curron Borders of Antelope will need to run for 200 yards-plus to win. CC wins a close one.
Patrick: Central Catholic beat some of the best teams in Division I, II and III this year. Antelope is great, but I don’t see how you pick against Central Catholic. And Elk Grove wins in a total coin-toss game.
Salerno: I’m going with Elk Grove in a close, high-scoring game. Both teams have come a long way and are coming off upset wins over No. 2 Granite Bay and No. 3 Vacaville, respectively. Antelope showed last week it can compete with anybody. Curron Borders struggled last week to his standards, so I like him to have a bounceback performance. Elk Grove-Antelope it is.
In D-III, can the Lincoln Zebras keep it rolling?
Davidson: Yes, and that means a win over a powerhouse running team in Manteca, which just blasted talented Sacramento Charter. Jordan Wagner is a difference-maker, with his amazing pick-six leading to the win over Christian Brothers last week. Lincoln is a senior-heavy team making its own history. The program came in 2-16 all-time in the playoffs, with a nine-game postseason losing streak. The Zebras have never won two in a row in the playoffs, until here and now, we think. The other D-III semifinal is Oakdale against Patterson, with Oakdale the winner.
Salerno: Manteca will be a tough game for Lincoln. The Zebras are coming off an emotional comeback win over Christian Brothers. This is the furthest Lincoln has advanced in the postseason in school history. I would’ve loved to see a Yuba City-Lincoln section finals match-up, but Lincoln-Oakdale has potential (if both teams advance).
Patrick: I love the Lincoln story line and I enjoyed interviewing those guys and talking to the coach Friday night. But Manteca destroyed Sacramento. Sacramento beat Christian Brothers, which went stride for stride with Lincoln. I think Manteca wins this one. Prove me wrong, Zebras, by all means.
In D-IV, Vanden or Vista del Lago?
Davidson: I favor the 1-2-3 offensive attack for Vista of Jakob Hollingshaus, Tyler Petersen and Matt Long over the athletic Vikings. It might be 49-47, but Vista is headed to the finals against Kimball, which should beat Merced.
Salerno: I have a simple rule. If I pick a team to lose and they prove me wrong and win, I’ll go with them the following week. I picked Vista del Lago to lose last week to Placer. For that reason, I like the Eagles to advance to the D-lV finals.
Patrick: I pick the opposite of Cam. That’s my rule. Vanden wins.
In D-V, how far can the Casa Roble Rams go?
Davidson: The Rams will reach a section final for just the third time since first making the playoffs in 1985 in D-I with a win here over storied Hilmar, thanks to the efforts of star quarterback Jason Lindahl, tough runner Josh Taylor and perhaps the return of receiver Cole Owens. Declining enrollment dropped the program down to D-III, including a section title in 2008, then to D-IV, and now here.
Patrick: What a weird bracket. A No. 7 seed (Casa Roble) playing a No. 6 seed (Hilmar) in the semifinals. It also happened in Division II, with Monterey Trail (7) and Elk Grove (6). Casa Roble can get red hot if Lindahl gets the offense going. I’ll go with the Rams.
Salerno: If Cole Owens plays Friday, Casa Roble wins. He’s as dynamic as any receiver and he’s only a sophomore. Lindahl has been lights-out. They will need another big performance from him to advance.
In D-VI, didn’t Bradshaw Christian just play Rosemont? What gives?
Davidson: These teams are rivals from the Sierra Valley Conference, won by Union Mine, which just fell to Casa Roble in D-V. Bradshaw beat Rosemont 36-12 last month by doing what it does best: run. The Pride rushed 57 times for 407 yards and five scores. This will be a tighter game, but Bradshaw advances with visions of the program’s sixth section crown and first since 2016, a credit to coach Drew Rickert.
Salerno: The Sierra Valley Conference is one of the best small-school conferences in the section. This will be a terrific match-up. I’m going with Bradshaw Christian.
In D-VII, who’s left, what are their mascots and who advances?
Davidson: Top-seeded Woodland Christian — the Cardinals! — has been strong to superb all season and is coming off just the second playoff win in program history, which started in 2007. WC beats a good Esparto team in a tight one. The other semifinal is Le Grand and Mariposa County, home of the Bulldogs and Grizzlies. We think.
Salerno: Jim had to turn in his gear a few days ago when his Delta Saints team lost in the postseason. Woodland Christian is the lone local team left in the bracket. Woodland Christian’s defense has been great this season. I like the Cardinals to run the table.
Patrick: I’m too sad about Delta getting knocked out to carry on here. I’m just going to pick Woodland Christian to move on.
Closing thoughts?
Davidson: It’s been a good run for local teams to this point, and that will continue, including an inspired Jesuit effort against Folsom. The Bulldogs as a group lacked confidence of late, according to coach Paul Doherty, before beating Lincoln of Stockton on Friday. Winning does wonders. Cameron, enjoy that hair while you can, young sir. Don’t worry. Your girlfriend says she thinks bald is beautiful, and she flatters Jim and me with such truths and facts.
Salerno: Will I actually shave my head if Jesuit wins? Absolutely not. I love my hair, and so does my girlfriend. But I’m very confident in that pick and it’s why I made such a comment. Folsom dominated Jesuit in the season opener, so something significant will have to change if Jesuit wants to advance. Folsom has won 12 of the last 13 meetings.
Patrick: We can’t actually force Cam to shave his head, but we can force him to cover field hockey or archery or perhaps an all-day art festival instead of high school football. Stay tuned.
This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM.