Sacramento-area prep football rankings: SFL holds top 3 spots, showdowns loom
The test of a team throughout any season is how it responds to defeat or victory. A theme in this week’s Bee Top 25 football rankings is how teams bounced back big from opening losses, or continued to roll on.
Top-ranked Folsom fell to Serra of San Mateo in a clash of Northern California powers, but kudos for the ambitious scheduling as the Bulldogs have played at a state level since 2010. Because Folsom lost to the top team in NorCal, it will not drop in the rankings.
No. 2 Granite Bay opened with a big win at Elk Grove on the road and then backed it up with a rousing home-opening effort over Davis in front of another great crowd. Monterey Trail showed well in a loss to De La Salle, which for years has devoured the best of the Sac-Joaquin Section, and still mostly does, until Folsom beat the Spartans in the NorCal Division I-AA finals last season.
Oak Ridge has stormed to a 2-0 start, having outscored two good teams 56-0 and 62-0. The Sierra Foothill League occupies the top three Bee ranking spots: Folsom, Granite Bay and Oak Ridge, followed by Delta League title contenders Sheldon and Jesuit.
THE BEE’s TOP 25
1. Folsom 1-1
The Bulldogs fell to Serra 17-12 because they were unable to get on track offensively after dropping 48 on Monterey Trail in an opener. A late fumble inside the Serra 5-yard line was a crusher but setbacks can be resounding reality checks.
2 Granite Bay 2-0
The Grizzlies are off and running behind sophomore back Carter Jackson and freshman Isaiah Ene, who had two scores and two interceptions on defense and just picked a scholarship offer from Arizona.
3. Oak Ridge 2-0
The Trojans have arrived with physicality, offensive balance and purpose, rolling a good Vacaville bunch 62-0. Maddox Varella had four touchdown strikes.
4. Sheldon 2-0
The Huskies roar into an intriguing showdown against Christian Brothers with the offense clicking, the defense playing well and a lot of guys seeing action.
5. Jesuit 1-0
The Marauders beat Manogue of Reno in their first out-of-state game as Jagger Shaddix, Anthony Seibles, Johnnie Brannon and Ike Ikebu each played big.
6. Rocklin 1-1
The Thunder, smarting from a 14-0 opening loss at Turlock, produced a 27-7 effort over McQueen of Reno as Mavrik Collins, Joey Roberts and Mason Silva led the charge.
7. Monterey Trail 0-2
The Mustangs were within two of De La Salle in the fourth quarter before falling 36-20. It was an inspired MT effort, the norm, led by Fata Puloka and Davon Donaldson.
8. Christian Brothers 2-0
Second-year coach Larry Morla and first-year defensive coordinator Cody Galea have the Falcons soaring with young players playing beyond their years.
9. Elk Grove 1-1
The Thundering Herd beat a solid Antelope team by 40 in unleashing its option attack to the tune of 61 points. David Hale and Wayshawn Parker led the way. Next is Menlo-Atherton, led by 5-star Oregon-bound WR Jarrion Dickey, who had four touchdowns in his first game for his hometown team.
10. Del Oro 2-0
The Golden Eagles dig the idea of defending. It paid off in the opener against Inderkum, and against Del Campo in a 34-7 victory, Thomas Graham II had two interceptions, including a 75-yarder into the end zone.
11. Placer 2-0
The Hillmen revel in tight games, edging Casa Roble and then Roseville. Coach Joey Montoya in a Saturday memorial honored his late-great grandfather, Bill Miller, winner of section titles as Placer’s coach a generation ago.
12. Whitney 2-0
Wildcats, listen to your coach Zac McNally when he says everyone has to up their game. The looming Sierra Foothill League schedule allows for no off nights.
13. Grant 2-0
Coach Carl Reed said the Pacers “hit rock bottom” in going 0-9 last season. This fast start has rejuvenated the program behind leaders such as JoJo McCray and Kingston Lopa.
14. Lincoln 2-0
The Zebras trailed big to Yuba City, got mad, got even, and then won 28-27. Peyton Raper had 22 tackles, Thomas Mukai had three touchdown passes and Isaac Gomes had two touchdown catches and blocked the point-after kick that would have made it a 28-28 game.
15. Sacramento 1-1
The Dragons lost to upstart McNair of Stockton 28-21 and brace for a winless, yet talented Inderkum team, where athletic director Justin Reber will surely bear hug his old friend, Kimbbie Drayton, Sac High’s first-year head coach.
16. Vacaville 1-1
The Bulldogs took one square on the chin strap against Oak Ridge, falling 62-0 after an impressive opening win over Davis. Crunch time is here with Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa and Granite Bay looming.
17. Woodcreek 1-1
The Timberwolves lost a frustrating contest to Whitney 21-9, leaving coaches to challenge the troops to improve in a hurry.
18. Roseville 1-1
The Tigers want a rematch with Placer, like, right now on a sand lot if it has to, after losing a thriller in Auburn. Roseville can score in bunches.
19. Casa Roble 1-1
After a close loss to Placer, the Rams battered Wood 50-0 as Cole Owens had five catches from Connor Campbell for 222 yards and four scores. Yes. He’s good and he’s healthy.
20. Vista del Lago 1-1
A crushing loss at Manteca didn’t derail Vista. The Eagles rolled Ponderosa 46-9 as Johnny Koett hit Matt Long for four first-half TD passes. Granite Bay test Thursday is big.
21. Dixon 2-0
The Rams rolled Winters 42-22 as Jett Harris passed for 243 yards and four touchdowns with Armijo, Wood and Fairfield next.
22. Rosemont 1-0
The Wolverines pulled away from McClatchy in the fourth quarter as John Straw earned his first coaching victory.
23. Sutter 2-0
The Huskies have arrived from the Northern Section as a small-school monster, rooted in line play, defense and superb coaching.
24. Liberty Ranch 2-0
The Ranch is here thanks to playmakers such as Arthur Draeger and a strong defense. The home crowds and “The Flock” rooting section rock.
25. Yuba City 0-2
The Honkers are a few plays away from being 2-0, losing tough games to Vanden and Lincoln.
Bubble: Bradshaw Christian 1-0; Center 1-0; El Dorado 2-0; Galt 2-0; Marsysville 2-0; West Park 1-0; Woodland Christian 2-0.
Schedule
Kickoffs are between 7-7:30 p.m., unless noted:
Thursday
Oakmont at Davis
Lindhurst at Highlands
Vista del Lago at Granite Bay
Rosemont at Natomas
Friday
Edison-Stockton at Folsom
Sheldon at Christian Brothers
Elk Grove at Menlo-Atherton
Grant at Reno
Monterey Trail at Saint Francis
Tokay at Kennedy
Lincoln-Stockton at Antelope
McClatchy at Ripon
Twelve Bridges at El Dorado
Jesuit at St. Ignatius
Del Oro at Clayton Valley Charter
Sacramento at Inderkum
Pleasant Valley at Yuba City
El Camino at Foothill
Liberty Ranch at Linden
East Nicolaus at Marysville
Woodcreek at Nevada Union
Wheatland at Gridley
Vanden at Burbank
Galt at Colfax
Cardinal Newman at Vacaville
River Valley at Chico
River City at Pioneer
Dixon at Armijo
Whitney at Clovis
Bradshaw Christian at Middleton
Cordova at Rio Linda
Stone Ridge at Foresthill
Placer at Silver Creek
Fremont at Esparto
Wood at Napa
Bella Vista at Del Campo
Millennium at San Juan
Franklin at Tracy
Manteca at Cosumnes Oaks
Woodland Christian at Vacaville Christian
Casa Roble at Lincoln
Valley at Ponderosa
Roseville vs. Laguna Creek at Cosumnes River College
West Park vs. Pleasant Grove at Sheldon
Saturday
Mira Loma vs. Encina at El Camino, 11 a.m.
Los Molinos at Delta, 6 p.m.
Capital Christian at Rocklin, 7 p.m.
Johnson vs. Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
Sutter at Arcata, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 4:19 AM.