What to expect in the section football finals: Will Rocklin roll? Who are the underdogs?
The football playoff scramble started with 80 teams.
Fourteen remain over seven divisions in the Sac-Joaquin Section, the second-largest of the 10-section governing bodies across the state. Championship games are this weekend, punctuated by the Division I contest between top-ranked Rocklin and longtime power Folsom at Hughes Stadium on Friday and the D-II game on Saturday night at Hughes between Monterey Trail and 19-time overall champion Central Catholic of Modesto.
Our panel – The Bee’s coverage crew of Joe Davidson, Jim Patrick and Cameron Salerno – debate and discuss. All section title winners advance to CIF Northern California Regional championship games.
First things first, how did your picks do last week?
Davidson: Well, it’s a process, but I trust the process and embrace the culture. Wait. Wrong theme. I think I called every game correctly. Wait. Also not true. Of all the games I blundered on, and that was most of them, I went with home teams, mostly. I thought Jesuit would beat Folsom, but Folsom earned it on a field that is not easy to earn victories on.
Patrick: Just like Rosemont and Folsom, I am peaking at the right time. I missed two games last week. None of us saw Rosemont beating Bradshaw Christian, so no shame there, and Joe had me on the Elk Grove hype train; sorry, Monterey Trail. (See how I throw my guys under the bus like any good middle management executive?) Otherwise, I rolled.
Salerno: Terrible. Outside of Folsom/Rocklin, my picks didn’t do well. I thought we would see Elk Grove-Antelope in the Division ll section title game. We got the opposite. Just pick the opposite of what I pick at this point.
Any wagers on the Division I final between Rocklin and Folsom?
Patrick: It wasn’t really a wager last week, but Cam did say he would shave his head if Jesuit beat Folsom. Joe and I could have offered to match that, I guess. I wouldn’t feel that confident about any choice in Friday’s title game. Rocklin beat Folsom 40-7 on Oct. 15. Why would I pick Folsom? Because they’ve dominated the area for a decade and I’m going to ride that bull until it tosses me. No wager required.
Davidson: Wagers. I had Cameron’s commitment to shave his head notarized, sealed and binding. Folsom won. Kid’s off the hook. I’ll go with Rocklin in this one because of the rolling momentum. Folsom players will bristle at this, but shoot. Bristle on. Picked Folsom to beat De La Salle and Rocklin, and that didn’t work. I expect a much closer game, and Tyler Tremain is the key for Folsom. If he’s not chased and sacked, Folsom wins. Rocklin chases and sacks better than any program in the section, and Rocklin has more key unsung guys than anyone, such as linebacker Rio Patton, or tight end Peyton Smith, or kicker MacGregor Teselle, or quarterback Joey Roberts.
Salerno: If I had a dollar for every time someone mentioned anything about my hair over the weekend, I might be rich enough to not have to work a day in my life. Never will I make such a wager again. I think Joe owes me lunch. You can’t have a one-sided bet. This is a tough pick, but I’m going with Rocklin. This game will be closer than the one earlier in the season.
Monterey Trail is on a wild run in Division II. Can the Mustangs roll into the NorCal title game?
Davidson: Tall order, but the short answer is: yes. Most amazing thing about Monterey Trail is that it had its best team in 2020, but no season due to the pandemic, and then the spring team was monstrous, but no postseason. Mass losses to graduation and an 0-5 start to the season didn’t derail them, and here come the Mustangs, a credit to coach T.J. Ewing and his program. Central Catholic is terrific, led by a terrific coach in Roger Canepa. Still, Mustangs in a close one.
Salerno: Some Monterey Trail fans on Twitter insisted I was “sleeping on the Mustangs.” I don’t get much sleep in general, so that’s a false statement. I have picked against them the last two weeks and they’ve won. I’ll pick them this week for that reason.
Patrick: The problem is the Mustangs’ opponent, Central Catholic, which has beaten great teams in the top divisions. Central Catholic beat St. Mary’s, which gave Rocklin a huge scare last week in Division I. The Raiders beat Manteca, Merced and Kimball, two of which are playing in a section title game today. Plus I said early on Central Catholic is close to a lock to win it all. I’m sticking with that.
Rosemont knocked off top-seeded Bradshaw Christian last week. Can it keep going in Division VI?
Davidson: It’s already been a remarkable season for the Wolverines and longtime coach Rick Wanlin. The Wolverines are the only Sacramento City Unified School District program to make a section football final — ever. Sacramento High reached the D-III finals in 2013, but that school left the SCUSD in 2003 to become a charter school. Enjoy the ride, Wolverines, but beware the Argonaut Mustangs, a tough, gritty team from a region where sports matter.
Patrick: There’s no harm in picking the local team, right? Sure, I’ll ride the Rosemont hype train.
Salerno: Rosemont has a lot of young talent on the roster. Michael Cherry is a terrific running back for Rosemont and only a sophomore. I like Rosemont to keep the season alive.
Woodland Christian has had a number of close calls. Will the top-seeded Cardinals keep tiptoeing through the Division VII playoffs?
Davidson: Tiptoeing and maybe high-stepping its way to the championship. The Cardinals are in a section final for the first time, and the school opened in 2007. How can we not appreciate the efforts of small-school pride?
Salerno: Besides the winner of Folsom-Rocklin, Woodland Christian has the best chance from the area to make a run. I haven’t seen them play this season, but I know they have talent.
Patrick: Why not? The Cardinals got through their semifinal game against Esparto without any injuries. Their star athlete, Billy Hinkle, had a week to get his injured ankle healthy. Woodland Christian does a great job of avoiding turnovers. The Cardinals have a speed threat in Hinkle. They execute well. I think Woodland Christian wins, but it probably won’t be a blowout.
Non-football question: What are you looking forward to about Saturday and Sunday?
Davidson: Food, football, repeat. Can’t beat it. NFL action on Thanksgiving, with family, pass the stuffing and the remote. One of the great themes in all the years I’ve been at The Bee is how high school players and coaches strive to practice on Thanksgiving. It means they’ve had a great season.
Salerno: I say I get to work (on Saturday and Sunday), not have to work, because I love my job. I’m covering a section championship game on Saturday and then the 49ers on Sunday. It’s going to be a busy weekend of football, but I can’t complain.
Patrick: Well, if it’s non-football, I guess I’m looking forward to eating some Thai food with my parents, who are in town for the holiday. Pad Thai is my life but don’t sleep on pad se ew. And tom kha soup is both Whole 30 compliant and delicious. Plus I don’t think they’ve ever had street tacos. We should work on that.
It’s Thanksgiving week. What’s one thing you’re grateful for?
Patrick: I have a little holiday tradition. Every year, I pick someone I’m thankful for and send them a note letting them know. If you wanted a steaming serving of corn, I would go on and on about the subscribers who make our prep football coverage possible. And for sure, I’m beyond grateful for them. But I’m thankful for the football community around Sacramento. I repeatedly show up at high schools we haven’t covered and people love our work and want to talk about their kids. It’s that kind of openness that leads to better stories and better coverage.
Salerno: There’s a lot to be thankful for, but I’m especially grateful for my health and friends and family. I know that’s the cliche answer, but I have an amazing support system. I’m also thankful for my hair and that I don’t have to shave it off. Thank you, Tyler Tremain, Walker Lyons, Toure Hendrick and the rest of the Bulldogs for helping me keep my hair.
Davidson: I’m especially thankful for the good people in my life and for having the best sports gig anywhere. Covering regional sports is a joy, and this area for high school football in particular never runs thin on story lines — of upstart teams, of powerhouse programs, of inspirational players and of amazing coaching leadership.
Sac-Joaquin Section
Football finals
Division I
Rocklin vs. Folsom
Friday, 7 p.m. at Hughes Stadium
Division II
Monterey Trail vs. Central Catholic
Saturday, 6 p.m. at Hughes Stadium
Division III
Oakdale vs. Manteca
Friday, 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s
Division IV
Vanden vs. Merced
Saturday, 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s
Division V
Escalon vs. Hilmar
Saturday, 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s
Division VI
Rosemont vs. Argonaut
Saturday, 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium
Division VII
Woodland Christian vs. Le Grand
Friday, 2 p.m. at Hughes Stadium
Tickets: gofan.co
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.