Picking the Preps: Firing up kids for more than 20 years; Jesuit vs. Sheldon showdown
Since we aim to fire up the troops with misguided, poorly researched projection picks for high school football games, here’s a flashback story for fun insight.
Some 20 years ago, I covered a game in the foothills. Before the kickoff, I dropped my computer bag off at a coach’s desk in the locker room, invited by the athletic director to do so. I then overheard the coach telling his players that respect has to be earned. The coach, now retired, barked to his bunch, “The Bee doesn’t respect you! They won’t rank you or cover your because they don’t even like you!”
Uh, coach. I’m right here. You’re ranked fifth. You’ve been covered inside out this season and every season. Why say that?
“Oh, hey. I mean, we have to motivate our guys any way we can.”
Said me, “Even with blatant lies?
Said he, “Well, they don’t know it’s a lie.”
We live to serve.
Last week, our Bee crew of Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick, Cameron Salerno and yours truly offered up no fibs, just scores yanked out of thin air. Patrick went 6-0 and won’t exaggerate that feat. Biderman went 4-2, and the kid and I went 6-1 each (the West Park-Tokay game was smoked out, so no game).
We fire up again with keen insight, allegedly.
Thursday
Pleasant Valley-Chico (3-0) at No. 4 Oak Ridge (3-0)
JoeD’s pick: Aaron Rodgers of Packers NFL fame starred at PV, and it’s been a powerhouse in the Northern Section for years. But Oak Ridge is a different animal, one that has outscored three good teams 182-0. OR wins 28-0.
Biderman: I’m not going to overthink this. I’m taking Oak Ridge, 24-20, purely out of spite for Rodgers and the way he’s handled the last, say, 24 months.
Patrick: I’m tempted to turn my “analysis” into a weekly comedy segment, where I talk about anything but the game at hand. That would be funny for myself and the 20 people that follow along weekly (Thanks for reading, Mom and Dad!). But in-jokes are the worst. Oak Ridge wins 28-21.
Salerno: Pleasant Valley is going to need Aaron Rodgers (2020/2021 MVP version) to take down Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge wins 35-21.
Friday
No. 10 Vacaville (2-1) at No. 2 Granite Bay (4-0)
JoeD: Vacaville took a bruising 62-0 loss to Oak Ridge but isn’t bad by any means. GB is still better and wins 28-14.
Biderman: Granite Bay has too much speed in its backfield with Carter Jackson and Isaiah Ene, who is a star in the making. Both guys will be playing at the division one level, but they’re both still underclassmen. GB wins 35-21.
Patrick: This is the first season in my four of covering prep football where Granite Bay looks like the team that’s competed for section titles. And the Grizzlies are full of young talent on both sides of the ball. I love the Bulldogs coaches and players, who are learning how to win at the varsity level quickly, but I’m picking Granite Bay, 34-14.
Salerno: Grizzlies have too many playmakers for the Bulldogs to handle. Carter Jackson is turning into a star. Granite Bay 35-13.
No. 1 Folsom (2-1) at Pittsburg (3-0)
JoeD: Another top-flight NorCal showcase game for the Bulldogs, who had a bye and watched the Pirates and their passing attack up close on Friday. Folsom’s D plays big and wins 28-23.
Biderman: Folsom coming off a bye means they’ll be fresh. Give me the Bulldogs, 33-28.
Patrick: Folsom’s incredibly tough nonleague schedule is drawing to a close. These games are very difficult to pick because there are no similar points of reference. Also, shoutout to the Pittsburg coach who somehow finagled an away game against a Las Vegas-area team. Viva, coach. Viva. I’m picking Folsom, 35-14, because I know their schedule and like the results.
Salerno: Big game for the Bulldogs. Can they stop Miami-bound quarterback Jaden Rashada? Folsom wins 35-31.
Menlo-Atherton (2-0) at No. 8 Del Oro (4-0)
JoeD: Menlo-Atherton has perhaps the top player in Northern California in 5-star mega-recruit receiver Jurrion Dickey, headed to the Oregon Ducks, but DO has played great D. It’s enough here, barely, as DO wins 14-13.
Biderman: Having sat in the traffic from the peninsula to Sacramento far too many times, give me Del Oro. Yes, this is bus-ride analysis. 24-18.
Patrick: It’s a weird year when an unbeaten Del Oro team is still just eighth in our rankings. Things will start to shake out soon with league play starting up. I’m taking Menlo-Atherton because I think the offense is better than Joe just gave them credit for, 34-28.
Salerno: It’s Del Oro’s homecoming this week, so that should add some extra fireworks. Give me the Golden Eagles 21-17.
No. 17 Lincoln (2-2) at No. 16 Woodcreek (2-1)
JoeD: The Zebras have two close losses and Woodcreek is coming off a bye, all the better to study and evaluate the Z’s. Woodcreek wins a thriller, 24-23.
Biderman: I’ll take Woodcreek but the fighting Zebras will always tug at my heartstrings, 35-28.
Patrick: Lincoln lost a ton of guys from last year’s playoff team; Woodcreek keeps threatening to develop into a power. I’m giving Woodcreek the homefield advantage pick, 28-20.
Salerno: Lincoln is coming off back-to-back tough loses to Casa Roble and Roseville. Woodcreek is fresh off a bye week. Give me Woodcreek 28-24.
Center (3-0) at Colfax (2-1)
JoeD: Center is led by alumni coach Digol J’Beily, whose team is playing stout D. Colfax and first-year coach Jason Stowers ran all over Galt 54-13 in its last game, but Center wins a good one here, 28-27.
Biderman: I’ll go with Center and the more experienced coaching staff, 30-24.
Patrick: I’m always rooting for Colfax, as our readers (my parents) well know by this point. Colfax, 34-20.
Salerno: Colfax will improve to 3-1 after a hard-fought 28-27 win over Center.
Cosumnes Oaks (1-3) at No. 11 Elk Grove (1-3)
JoeD: Both teams expected much more heading into this Delta League opener, and EG’s fast ground attack will outscore CO’s passing attack, 35-30.
Biderman: El Grove is far better than its record shows. They have a big offensive line and the quarterback play should improve as the year goes on. The Herd wins, 28-17.
Patrick: I don’t think this one’s going to be close. Elk Grove wins 42-14.
Salerno: Don’t let the record fool you. Elk Grove is better than a 1-3 football team. The Herd will roll 35-17.
McClatchy (0-3) at Kennedy (0-4)
JoeD: Why pick a winless bowl? Well, this is a rivalry that started in 1969, a Metro League opener, which will be won by McClatchy 28-7.
Biderman: McClatchy also happens to be the name of a newspaper company. I wouldn’t dare pick against it. 26-10.
Patrick: I’m a little surprised at McClatchy. I really like the coach and he has good participation numbers. I think the Lions are due, 35-12.
Salerno: I agree with Jim. McClatchy is due for a victory. 21-7, Lions.
Saturday
No. 6 Sheldon (3-1) at No. 5 Jesuit (3-0)
JoeD: Jesuit breaks in its new field in this Delta League opener with the intent of applying pass pressure on the Huskies, who are balanced on offense with QB Jesiah Machado and RB Devin Green. Don’t blink or you’ll miss a touchdown. Sheldon wins 34-31.
Biderman: Jesuit was impressive in the Holy Bowl last week, but they’ll need to avoid turnovers and silly mistakes. I’m assuming that has been an emphasis this week. Jesuit, 38-22.
Patrick: Same logic as last week. I picked Jesuit as the No. 2 team in the area entering this season. Opinions can change but I guess I’m a Marauders fanboy now. Jesuit wins 28-21.
Salerno: If this game was at Sheldon, I would pick the Huskies. But, this game is on a Saturday afternoon at Jesuit. That home field advantage will help. Jesuit wins 35-34.
Season totals
JoeD: 21-6, but should be 27-0 (I didn’t miss tackles).
Biderman: 13-14, but went 4-2 last week, so there is promise.
Patrick: 19-10, and yelping “glorious” because he went 6-0. (Editor’s note: This is a thing I do.)
Salerno: 21-6, and insisting he also didn’t blow coverages.