Picking the preps: Folsom vs. Monterey Trail, Casa Roble vs. Placer highlight openers

Reach for your helmets, the season is here.

We don’t wear helmets in the sports staff at The Sacramento Bee, but we do know how to hit the ground running. Each week, The Bee’s sports crew of Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick, Cameron Salerno and yours truly will predict winners of a handful of high school games.

I won the season total last year, but don’t blame Jim. He’s still relatively new here. Cameron? He should know better. Biderman? We’re pulling him into the loop this fall.

The season kicks off Friday with kickoffs between 7 and 7:30 p.m.

No. 3 Monterey Trail at No. 1 Folsom

JoeD’s pick: Folsom 38-14, because the Bulldogs have more experience, more playmakers and have had Monterey Trail’s number.

Patrick: I told Biderman to stick with the higher-ranked team when he has doubts. But here he is, first pick ever, taking a swing with Monterey Trail. I’d like to join him but I have had my coffee and I’m taking Folsom, 42-14.

Salerno: The gap between Folsom and the other elite teams in Sacramento this season seems large. I don’t think the Bulldogs will have trouble with a strong program like Monterey Trail. 42-7, Folsom

Biderman: I’ll take Monterey Trail in an upset. Coach T.J. Ewing made a lot of changes after starting 0-5 last season with their gauntlet of a schedule that included a big loss to Folsom. They’re working hard to get off on the right foot and have the feeder system to replace their stars who recently graduated.

No. 21 Casa Roble at No. 12 Placer

JoeD: Placer 28-17 because the Hillmen have size in the trenches and a bevy of backs, and Casa Roble has talent but a lot of it young talent.

Patrick: Finally, I agree with Cam on something. Casa Roble has exciting talent and will find a way to eke out an upset. Also, I’m just picking the opposite of Biderman now.

Biderman: Placer lost on the road in this match up last year, so I’ll take them, the higher ranked team, in the revenge scenario on their home field.

Salerno: Casa Roble stunned Placer last season at home with the strong play of Cole Owens. I like the Rams in this game, 35-28.

No. 18 Inderkum at No. 10 Del Oro

JoeD: It’s hard enough to beat Del Oro and even more daunting to do so in Loomis, so the Golden Eagles prevail 20-17 in a defensive game.

Patrick: Interesting game but Del Oro’s always tough. If Joe says defense, I say it’s DO winning 31-27 in a shootout.

Biderman: Golden Eagles, fly fly fly (or something). Give me the home team, 24-14.

Salerno: When in doubt, pick the home team. Del Oro has one of the best home field advantages in the section. 24-14, Del Oro.

No. 17 Oak Ridge at Cosumnes Oaks

JoeD: Oak Ridge is vastly improved from its 3-7 showing a year ago, but CO is fast and dangerous. It won’t be enough: OR 30-21.

Patrick: Cosumnes Oaks is always on the edge of doing something really interesting. I saw Oak Ridge play last year and they looked good in a close game with Vacaville. Oak Ridge wins 27-20 in a coin toss.

Biderman: Oak Ridge went 1-4 on the road last season, so I’ll go with Cosumnes Oaks, 34-23, until the Trojans prove they are road warriors.

Salerno: Oak Ridge is going to have a bounceback season after going 3-7 last year. The Trojans blew out Cosumnes Oaks last season at home. 31-17, Oak Ridge.

Oakmont at Roseville

JoeD: This rivalry has been around since 1966, the Junction Bowl, and when it’s a toss-up, go with the home team. Roseville 21-20.

Patrick: There’s a new coach at Oakmont and the new guys rarely debut with big rivalry wins. I’m taking Roseville in a walk, 31-7.

Biderman: I’ll take Roseville looking to rebound from their 40-0 playoff loss to Oakmont to end last season. They’ve had a long time to stew (and they beat Oakmont 42-7 in last year’s opener, to clear up any confusion over team names).

Salerno: Great Roseville rivalry here. I’m going with the Tigers 20-14. It’s going to be a close one.

McClatchy at Twelve Bridges

JoeD: McClatchy has played varsity football since 1937, Twelve Bridges since this week. Go with the old school over the new school, by a hair: McClatchy 17-16.

Biderman: What Joe said. Although I’ll keep an eye on Twelve Bridges because what a story they would be if they cobbled together some wins.

Patrick: People forget we had a new school last year, West Park, that easily won its league. New teams can be good! I’m going Twelve Bridges, 27-13.

Salerno: I’ll take the underdog in Twelve Bridges. They’re looking to win the first varsity game in school history after fielding a JV team last season. 14-10, Twelve Bridges.

Bella Vista at Cordova

JoeD: The BV Broncos halted a six-year, 48-game losing streak last fall, second-longest in state history, but went 1-9. Jim Gray returns at coach while Corodva just hired a new coach in Kyle Williams. BV 28-27.

Biderman: Sometimes teams get a jolt from a new coach. Give me Cordova in Williams’ home debut, 23-20.

Patrick: Joe sometimes chooses the most random games for these picks. Cordova? I guess? 34-20?

Salerno: Bella Vista broke a huge losing streak last season and they’re hoping to get back on track this season. Give me the Broncos 17-14.