Picking the preps: Folsom vs. Serra, Roseville vs. Placer, Vacaville vs. Oak Ridge on tap
Why do we project winners, with scores, for high school football? Because we’re gluttons for punishment, and we aim to fire up teams with bulletin board material.
So, how’d we do in the openers? Cameron Salerno, Jim Patrick and I each went 6-1. Chris Biderman, who has covered Super Bowls and knows a thing or two about football, went a new-guy 3-4. Hold the heckling. He went picked Monterey Trail to beat Folsom, so bonus points for not going conventional.
Thursday night games
No. 21 Roseville (1-0) at No. 11 Placer (1-0)
JoeD’s pick: The wing-T is a tricky offense to defend, and so is RB Baylor Kelley, off to a fast start. Tigers are prolific, but not enough: Placer 35-30.
Biderman: I’m going to pick myself off the mat and take the favored, more highly-ranked home team, 27-18.
Patrick: All I know is if Joe picks Placer, I pick Placer. It’s a simple credo. But I’ll pick a wildly different score. 34-26.
Salerno: Roseville had a great start to the season but I like Placer in this one. 35-28.
Twelve Bridges (1-0) at Pioneer (0-1)
JoeD: Twelve Bridges, the new school on the block, won an inspired varsity debut, but now prepares for a motivated senior RB in Jack Carner, who didn’t play in Pioneer’s opening loss to Wood. Pioneer 28-17.
Biderman: I’m all aboard the Twelve Bridges train, logic be damned. Give me the Raging Rhinos, 24-20, in the upset so I can get my picks record back in line with the rest of you schmoes.
Patrick: I saw Twelve Bridges firsthand last Friday. They’re talented and well-coached, but so is Pioneer. Pioneer 34-14.
Salerno: Pioneer will bounce back. Getting Carner back would be huge. 28-14, Pioneer.
Natomas (1-0) at Liberty Ranch (1-0)
JoeD: This is a fun one pitting stellar backs, Arthur Draeger of Liberty Ranch and Mekhei Burd of Natomas. Who stops the mega back? Go with the Ranch, 24-21.
Biderman: Cody Smith, the gigantic and super-talented tight end, is going to have a big game. Give me the Ranch, 35-14.
Patrick: This is no fun. How am I going to pass Joe if we keep picking the same teams? Liberty Ranch cruises, 42-20.
Salerno: Liberty Ranch has a terrific running back in Draeger, who should carry the load. 35-24, Liberty Ranch.
Friday night games
Serra-San Mateo (1-0) at No. 1 Folsom (1-0)
JoeD: Folsom impressed in its opener, despite losing all-world tight end Walker Lyons to a broken leg, and can Serra handle the deep passing game of the Bulldogs? Folsom 28-24.
Biderman: Tom Brady’s recent absence from Buccaneers camp is notable. Might he have been at Serra, his alma mater, watching practices and coaching up the Padres? Who’s to say? Regardless, I’m picking Folsom so I’m allowed back on the blue turf, 26-24.
Patrick: OK, fine. I’ll be that guy. Serra wins 34-28.
Salerno: Rico Flores Jr. should be the best player on the field Friday. Add that with the rise of Austin Mack and you have a recipe for starting 2-0. 28-27, Folsom.
No. 7 Vacaville (1-0) at No. 8 Oak Ridge (1-0)
JoeD: A terrific nonleague rumble over the years, and it’ll continue here. Oak Ridge prevails with more playmakers and more experience, 35-21.
Biderman: Vacaville graduated too many star players since last season. They’ll get better as the season goes, but this one will be tough on the younger guys. Oak Ridge, 30-20.
Patrick: I was lucky enough to cover these two last year in Vacaville. The Bulldogs graduated most of the guys I saw; Oak Ridge did not. Trojans roll on, 42-21.
Salerno: Oak Ridge will have a great crowd on its home opener. That will be a factor. 42-28, Trojans.
No. 20 Inderkum (0-1) at No. 19 Grant (1-0)
JoeD: This was a game in the making for 20 years, and it finally happened last fall with Inderkum winning a tight one. Grant, recharged and reborn, takes this one, 21-17.
Biderman: Give me Grant, 24-14. I need to see more from Inderkum after their 35-8 loss to Del Oro to open the season.
Patrick: Call me slow to get on the Grant hype train. Inderkum wins, 28-21.
Salerno: If Carlos Wilson plays for Inderkum this week, that could make a big difference. With that said I still think Grant starts 2-0. Pacers, 21-17.
No. 16 Yuba City (0-1) at No. 22 Lincoln (1-0)
JoeD: The Honkers held tough against defending state 3-AAA champion Vanden in an opener and will have too much QB/LB Nick Afato here, though Zebras RB Ryan Hennig will be tough to stop. YC 30-27.
Biderman: The Honkers vs. the Fighting Zebras. Don’t know if there will be a better match up of mascots all season. In someone’s famous last words, give me the Zebras, 28-26.
Patrick: I love the Zebras but I like the Honkers in the All-Nickname Bowl. YC wins 34-28.
Salerno: I thought about picking Yuba City here, but Joe and I had the same exact picks. I need to be in first place this week. Zebras, 28-24.
Season totals:
JoeD: 6-1 and gloating
Biderman: 3-4 and unfazed
Patrick: 6-1 and boggled
Salerno: 6-1 and proud
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.