Picking the Preps: Folsom vs. Oak Ridge; Granite Bay at Del Oro; Quarry Bowl
What is it the kids like to say? Now it gets “real.”
That’s what we’re facing in the high school football season as the Sierra Foothill League now joins each Sacramento-area league with the start of conference action. As for The Bee’s prep preview crew, we’re in midseason form, for better or worse.
The kid of the coverage lot, Cameron Salerno, went 7-0 last week and 13-0 the past two weeks. Showoff. Chris Bidermen went 5-2 in picks, but he still knows more football than the rest of of us. Jim Patrick went 4-3, and maybe that’s because he didn’t get enough oxygen in his Scoopy Bee mascot head. Yours truly went 6-1, but who’s counting?
The SFL is a meat grinder with No. 1 Folsom, No. 2 Granite Bay, No. 4 Oak Ridge, No. 5 Del Oro, No. 7 Rocklin and No. 15 Whitney.
Onward. More games, more picks/guesses.
No. 1 Folsom (4-1) at No. 4 Oak Ridge (5-0)
JoeD’s pick: Folsom has beaten Oak Ridge 16 consecutive times dating back to 2006, but it’s still a rivalry because the teams are so close proximity wise. OR has four shutouts this season, but Folsom has played the toughest schedule in the region, including wins over De La Salle, Pittsburg and Monterey Trail and a 17-12 loss to NorCal No. 1 Serra. Folsom in a slugfest, 28-24.
Biderman: I picked against Folsom against De La Salle, which was an obvious mistake. I won’t make it two weeks in a row. Give me the Bulldogs on the road, 30-24.
Patrick: Well, lesson learned, never pick against Folsom. I’m on the bandwagon ‘til they throw me off. Too much offensive firepower, tested in close games, the defense is beyond solid. Bulldogs win 42-21.
Salerno: Folsom has dominated Oak Ridge for a very long time. Folsom is coming off a great win vs. De La Salle. I think this will be closer than people think. 35-33, Folsom.
No. 2 Granite Bay (5-0) at No. 5 Del Oro (5-0)
JoeD: How good of a rivalry of late? Over the last 26 meetings, it’s tied at 13 wins each. Both can run with power and speed, and defend. Bruises everywhere. GB in a fierce one, 17-14.
Biderman: Carter Jackson and Isaiah Ene, two underclassmen at running back, keep racking up the Div. I offers. We may be giving the home team too much bulletin board material here (cliche alert!), but I’ll stick with the Grizzlies here. They just have too much talent are too well-coached. 26-18.
Patrick: Granite Bay likes to grind out wins via the run, Del Oro has a little more variety on offense and a great defense. Gimme the Golden Eagles, 28-21.
Salerno: I’m excited to cover this game. Both teams come into this game 5-0. Can’t remember the last time that happened. Granite Bay wins, 28-24.
No. 7 Rocklin (4-1) at No. 15 Whitney (3-2)
JoeD: This is the Quarry Bowl for the Placer County rivals, so intense that even the student sections get into it. Both teams are unbeaten against local competition. Take the Thunder, 28-21.
Biderman: Rocklin is averaging 213 rushing yards per game this season. That’s a great way to equalize the home-field advantage in a tough road environment. I’ll take the Thunder, 33-24.
Patrick: Usually, the picks get easier as we go down the list. That’s barely the case here. Rocklin graduated a ton of talent last year and I’m impressed the Thunder have stayed near the top of our rankings. Rocklin wins 35-14.
Salerno: The Quarry Bowl is a great rivalry between the Rocklin schools. Rocklin has looked strong since a early loss. 28-21, Rocklin.
No. 14 Casa Roble (4-1) at Mesa Verde (5-0)
JoeD: The visiting Rams have been a force for years, and hats off to the emerging Mavericks of Citrus Heights and their fast start under coach Lenny Casillas, playing inspired. But Casa is too deep and strong and wins 48-14.
Biderman: Mesa Verda has an impressive record and put together some lopsided scores (42-0, 53-0, 63-0 in games two through four) but they haven’t played anyone of Casa Roble’s caliber. The road team overcomes, 40-28.
Patrick: We’re biased toward coaches that give nicknames like “Tarzan” and “Cyborg” to players. Casa wins 77-6.
Salerno: Casa Roble has too much talent. Mesa Verde is off to a strong start. Casa Roble rolls 48-24.
Esparto (2-3) at Highlands (3-2)
JoeD: This figures to be a high-scoring Sierra Delta League showdown between small schools who score big. Esparto is run heavy and Highlands looks to pass with impressive freshman QB Walter Lewis. Esparto by a hair, or a yard, 30-28.
Biderman: Highlands is coming off a 37-0 victory on the road against Florin last week, but they should be careful not to have their guard down. Give me the Esparto Spartans, which rolls off the tongue nicely, 20-16.
Patrick: I saw Esparto play a tooth-and-nail game with Woodland Christian in the playoffs last year. There’s lots of talent and depth on that team. I’m going Esparto, 28-20.
Salerno: Saw Highlands play last season. They’re having a nice bounceback season. Give me Highlands 14-10.
Center (4-1) at Twelve Bridges (5-1)
JoeD: Twelve Bridges and coach Chris Bean have already turned heads with such an impressive start as a first-year varsity program, but Center and coach Digol J’Beily have been around the football block, and the Cougars’ depth and skill will prevail, 38-21.
Biderman: I’m all in on an upstart story. Give me the new kids on the block, the Twelve Bridges Rhinos, or the Dozen Pachyderms, as I like to call them, in the upset. 33-28.
Patrick: Twelve Bridges coach Chris Bean circled this game as one of the toughest on the schedule for his squad. With good reason. Give me Center, 35-20.
Salerno: Give me the new school! Twelve Bridges wins 35-34.
Season totals:
JoeD: 34-9, and clearly no math major.
Biderman: 26-17, and ready for more.
Patrick: 32-11, and insisting he’s warming up.
Salerno: 37-6, and gloating more than ever.
This story was originally published September 29, 2022 at 5:00 AM.