Picking the preps: Sheldon, Jesuit, Lincoln and Elk Grove in showdown showcases
Another week, another full slate of high school football games, and we’re not so much concerned about the excessive heat as much as bragging rights on. You know, as in, who picked more games right. We’ll ponder as we hydrate.
Young buck Cameron Salerno won last week, going 6-1 and missing only on Folsom beating Serra as the San Mateo team beat the Bulldogs 17-12. I went 5-2, Chris Biderman bounced back big and went 5-2 and Jim Patrick was a respectable 4-3.
Friday night games
No. 4 Sheldon (2-0) at No. 8 Christian Brothers (2-0)
JoeD’s pick: Both teams figure to score plenty, but I’m going with the senior quarterback, Jesiah Machado of Sheldon, over the young freshman QB Deakon Holden, though CB receiver Phillip Bell will be a handful. Sheldon 35-30.
Biderman: Did someone say Phillip Bell? Arguably one of the top college prospects in the region only has eight catches for 80 yards in two games this season. I say he’s due for a big game so I’m going against the grain here. Give me the Falcons, 28-24, with Bell getting to the end zone three times.
Patrick: Sheldon has been absolutely rolling. So has Christian Brothers. When in doubt, I toss a coin ... and then pick the same team as Joe. Sheldon 42-35.
Salerno: This is going to be the best game of the week. Two really good teams that can make deep playoff runs in a few months. I’ll go with Sheldon, 52-35.
No. 5 Jesuit (1-0) at St. Ignatius (1-0)
JoeD: Jesuit is hitting the road this early season, winning its opener in Nevada over Manogue and now heading to San Francisco, where fans will bundle up in the evening chill. St. Ignatius is from the stacked West Catholic Athletic League, a bruiser, but Jesuit prevails behind QB Trenton Dewar, 21-20.
Biderman: The hardcore football folks call it S.I. so I’m going to call it S.I. SI. wins at home under their newly installed lights, 24-18.
Patrick: Why is Joe the only guy that gets to use his first name on his picks? I’m the editor, why don’t I do something about that? We’ll never know. St. Ignatious wins, 28-14.
Salerno: Let’s go with Jesuit. They opened up the season strong in Nevada and now they have another tough test on the road. Holy Bowl looms next weekend. 31-28, Jesuit.
No. 19 Casa Roble (1-1) at No. 14 Lincoln (2-0)
JoeD: The Rams have a player to fear in WR Cole Owens, who laid the wood on Wood with 222 yards and four touchdowns last week, but the Zebras defend as well as anyone. Lincoln wins 24-23.
Biderman: I’m riding the Zebra train until it falls off the tracks. This team *clears throat* is earning its stripes. Lincoln, 24-16.
Patrick: Cyborg and Tarzan vs. the Fighting Zebras. The nicknames write this story in advance. I like both teams a lot, so I’m giving Lincoln the home-team choice. Lincoln, 28-24.
Salerno: Lincoln had a dramatic win last week, overcoming a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat Yuba City 28-27. I was the only person who picked the Zebras and I’ll do the same (Editor’s note: Biderman also picked Lincoln last week, but Cam has a need to feel like he’s special, so we let it slide.). 35-24, Zebras.
No. 9 Elk Grove (1-1) at Menlo-Atherton (1-1)
JoeD: Thundering Herd coaches joked on social media that they’re suddenly in need of a 6-foot-3 cover corner to deal with 5-star, Oregon-bound recruit receiver Jurrion Dickey, who scored four times in a big win over powerhouse Bellarmine of San Jose. Elk Grove has the running game to stall such moments but it won’t be enough as MA wins 28-24.
Biderman: Elk Grove scored 61 points last week with just one pass attempt from David Hale. While that’s impressive, I have a hard time believing the same formula will work against a team like M.A. Give me the home team, 20-17.
Patrick: Elk Grove is a stalwart in our area but Menlo-Atherton scores points in bunches (with 48 in its opening game). MA will outrun Elk Grove 35-21.
Salerno: Menlo-Atherton has one of the best players in the country in Jurrion Dickey. I’ll be the Sacramento homer here and pick Elk Grove, which is coming off a 40-point win over Antelope. Give me the Herd 35-31.
No. 10 Del Oro (2-0) at Clayton Valley Charter (0-1)
JoeD: Don’t we all dig ambitious non-sectional scheduling? Del Oro has played tremendous defense in its fast start and has the run game to match CVC, the powerhouse from Concord. DO in a tight one, 17-14.
Biderman: I refuse to gloss over the fact Clayton Valley Charter calls themselves the “Ugly Eagles.” My first instinct is to pick the Uglies by 60 but I’ll rein it in, 17-14.
Patrick: I picked against Del Oro last week and paid the price, earning mockery and chants around the metro area for finishing last in our picks. No more! This week I’m going Del Oro in a walk, 35-14.
Salerno: The Sierra Foothill League is the best conference in the area. Del Oro has a strong group. The Golden Eagles will get past Clayton Valley Charter, 35-17.
Bella Vista (2-0) at Del Campo (0-2)
JoeD: Coach Jim Gray has BV playing inspired ball and has them off to their best start since 2009, and the good vibes continue in this rivalry game that dates back to 1963. DC coach Matt Costa is already fired up, but BV wins 27-24.
Biderman: I’m taking Bella Vista because their tight end, Damian Rickett, is averaging 100 yards and a touchdown per game. 33-24.
Patrick: Bella Vista didn’t win a football game the first three years I lived in Sacramento. It also didn’t win any games the three years before I lived in Sacramento. Bella Vista wins 34-22.
Salerno: Bella Vista snapped a 48-game losing streak last season and now it’s 2-0. Jim Gray said after the win over Highlands he wanted to build the program back up. Starting 3-0 would be a perfect way to do that. 21-20, Bella Vista.
Galt (2-0) at Colfax (1-1)
JoeD: This is a throwback game from the old rivalry days of the Golden Empire League, and it pits fiery first-year coaches in Colfax’s Jason Stowers and Galt’s Mervyn Brookins. Go with the home vibe Falcons, 30-24.
Biderman: Galt in two games has outscored their opponents 80-39. Colfax has been outscored, 23-43. This deep dive into analytics tells me the road team wins, 24-20. #moneyball
Patrick: I’m a big Colfax guy, but Galt has won my heart. Maybe it’s the cool country air and the open spaces. Maybe it’s the Starbucks out by Highway 99. Maybe it’s the football team absolutely romping through a couple of early games, led by quarterback Cole Erman and receiver Kayson Jones. The Warriors win, 28-24.
Salerno: Fun history lesson. Jason Stowers was my US History teacher my junior year of high school. He’s back in the green and white and I like his team to get past Galt, 21-14.
Season totals:
JoeD: 11-3 and wondering what went wrong
Biderman: 8-6 and getting a hang of this nonsense.
Patrick: 10-5 and not even trying hard
Salerno: 12-2 and really gloating
This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.