Picking the preps: Holy Bowl, small-school showdowns and more in high school football
What are we, gluttons for grief and discord?
Yes, please. Our intent is to project intriguing high school football games each week for something fun and different.
OK, that’s nonsense. We aim to fire up coaches and their assistants, their players, and their girlfriends, and their ex-girlfriends, and everyone’s parents.
Our staff, Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick, Cameron Salerno and yours truly, each swung and missed on last week’s Casa Roble at Lincoln contest. But really, did we? You go with the home team that’s played good defense, right? Sure. Unless the defense is dealing with a game-breaker like Cole Owens (writing his name down again, just in case). Casa Roble coach Chris Horner is pleading for us to pick against his plucky Rams the rest of the way. Don’t count Jim Patrick out!
We also all missed on the Bella Vista vs. Del Campo game, but not to stick it to DC and fun first-year coach Matt Costa, who absolutely used our blunder picks to fire up the troops. Rather, we went with BV because the Broncos were a feel-good 2-0 after years of drudgery. We even irked retired Del Campo coach Mike Dimino, who reminded me that DC had beaten BV 18 straight times, and if I blundered the pick, I would buy him lunch.
Hot dog with nothing on it and warm, flat soda for you, Dimino. I’ll leave it on the hood of your car.
Onward. We wheel out more picks.
Thursday
Cosumnes Oaks (1-2) at Inderkum (1-2)
JoeD’s pick: Both teams expected better starts, or to at least play better D. Inderkum did last week, blasting injury-ravaged Sacramento, 40-0. This is a high-scoring affair with a 105-degree kickoff, or your money back. Inderkum wins 42-38.
Biderman: I saw Inderkum nearly pull off a three-score comeback two weeks ago at Grant. I think the team has resolve and might get on a roll after their blowout victory last week. Keep in mind, in no way am I speaking confidently about this. Tigers: 26-20.
Patrick: I choose you, Joe. I choose you. And also Inderkum. Inderkum 35-20.
Salerno: Inderkum is coming off a solid win over a preseason favorite in Sacramento. The Tigers get past Cosumnes Oaks 35-27.
Friday
No. 7 Rocklin (2-1) at Antioch (1-1)
JoeD: I positively dig picking games that leave Biderman and Patrick to scratch their domes and wonder, “who, what and why?” Rocklin has come on strong since opening with a 14-7 loss at Turlock, and the run game and D win on the road here, 24-20.
Biderman: Thanks so much for this, Joe. I’m going to keep it simple and make this pick based on you having Rocklin as the No. 7 team in the section. Also, the Rocklin Thunder just sounds cool. Hashtag analysis. 20-13.
Patrick: Fun fact: I don’t speak English. So Joe’s taunts fall on deaf ears. Or so I am told via Google Translate. Rocklin Lightning wins 28-20.
Salerno: It’s a tough game for Rocklin on the road but the experience of senior quarterback Joey Roberts should be enough. Rocklin 21-20.
No. 9 Placer (3-0) at No. 18 Vista del Lago (1-2)
JoeD: Never mind the record of VDL (we can hear the Placer coaches preaching that all week), because the Eagles gave Granite Bay a game, losing 45-36, and they have a terrific passer in Johnny Koett and a deep-threat star in WR Matt Long. Go with the QB and deep threat, 42-35.
Biderman: Placer is averaging 297 rushing yards per game. But I’m going to take the home team and avoid being a contrarian because, frankly, my 9-12 record on these picks needs to get better. Hopefully I’ll be able to show my face at Placer after this. Eagles get back to .500, 34-28.
Patrick: Alright, enough with the jokes. I’m taking Placer because every time I pick against them, they win anyway. They’re always physical on the lines and they will not allow VDL to run all over them. Placer wins 35-28.
Salerno: Vista del Lago played Granite Bay tough last week. That’s not an easy task on the road against the No. 2 team. I saw the Eagles play a few weeks ago. Long is a rising junior receiver that should be playing on Saturday’s. Give me Vista del Lago 38-35.
Tokay (3-0) at No. 22 West Park (2-0)
JoeD: The Tigers of Lodi have wins over two Stockton teams and just raced past Kennedy 36-0, and they face a team that’s even more prolific. New kids on the block? West Park has come of age and wins here, 42-30.
Biderman: West Park is averaging 590.5 yards per game. I’m assuming it’s because they haven’t been playing the ‘85 Bears to start the season. Still, the offense is clicking. Give me the Panthers at home, 40-32.
Patrick: West Park has a lot of seniors and a coach with aspirations for more than just winning the league. They’ll handle Tokay here, 35-14.
Salerno: Cam forgot to pick this game but West Park is down the street from his house and he’s deathly afraid of two things: 1. Somebody shaving his head; and 2. Ticking off a close neighbor. West Park, 35-28.
Antelope (0-3) at River City (1-2)
JoeD: Why pick this game? Hey, these guys compete, too, and we haven’t irked those coaches yet. Antelope’s defense has been stretched and worse, but it’ll stand taller here. Titans beat RC, 28-17.
Biderman: Speaking of irking coaches, River City’s should start putting their stats on the internet so my half-baked research can make my picks less idiotic. For that I’m taking Antelope, 38-23.
Patrick: Joe wanted me to cover this game because I have a spot in my heart for River City. True! But also, Antelope is better than its record and I’m taking them 35-7.
Salerno: Antelope cruised through the regular season in 2021 but have struggled early. The Titans will bounce back thanks to three touchdowns from recently committed Sacramento State running back Curron Borders. Antelope 45-14.
Natomas (2-1) at No. 21 Sutter (3-0)
JoeD: Sutter is new to this section but not new to winning. This is one of the top small-school heavies anywhere. Though Natomas if faster, Sutter prevails, 30-20.
Biderman: Sutter’s outscored opponents in its first three games 125-14. I’m taking the Huskies on their home field until they offer a reason not to, 33-17.
Patrick: We are so dull, picking all the same teams, but really, the schedule is rough this week. I’m tempted to be different ... but I am not. Sutter wins 34-20.
Salerno: Sutter is off to a good start as a member of the Sac-Joaquin Section. They will improve to 4-0 with a 28-24 win over Natomas.
Saturday
No. 6 Jesuit (2-0) vs. No. 14 Christian Brothers (2-1)
JoeD: The Holy Bowl means anything can happen in front of some 15,000 at famed Hughes Stadium. CB may have starting quarterback William Littlejohn back, meaning deep strikes to star receiver Phillip Bell are in order. Jesuit has played stellar defense and wins 35-17.
Biderman: My insistence on picking Christian Brothers seemingly every week might finally pay off now that their starting quarterback could be back. I’m going against the grain and taking the underdogs, which means I’ll probably be hearing from the Jesuit coaches about it Saturday. Falcons, 34-30, in a barn burner.
Patrick: I told Joe at the start of the season that I thought Jesuit should be the No. 2 team in our rankings. I really like Christian Brothers’ young talent, but I gotta stick with my instincts. Jesuit wins, 42-28.
Salerno: The Holy Bowl is the Mecca of high school football in Sacramento. Big Red has dominated this rivalry. So give me Jesuit 42-28.
Season totals:
JoeD: 16-5, and gleefully printing up T-shirts that read, “We Aim To Irk”
Biderman: 9-12, and irking fewer coaches.
Patrick: 13-9, and fired up to fire up principals and superintendents now.
Salerno: 16-5, and flummoxed at how he’s not 20-1.
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.