Picking the Preps: Small-school showdown; more SFL action; Delta at Woodland Christian
Another week and another full menu of interesting games dot the regional high school football schedule.
Last week, the Sierra Foothill League kicked off, but the only matchup that went to the wire was the Quarry Bowl, where Rocklin beat Whitney 13-10 on a late Logan Pandis field goal.
It was collectively a good week for the Bee prediction crew as Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick and Cameron Salerno each went 5-1 and yours truly was a badly beaten second at 4-2.
More games, more guesses.
All Friday games
No. 6 Rocklin (5-1) at No. 2 Del Oro (6-0)
JoeD: Every week is a rivalry week in the SFL, so it seems, and here’s another one. For as good as Rocklin has been, Del Oro has been better, and this one will be decided in the trenches. DO wins 21-20.
Biderman: Del Oro’s win over Granite Bay last week might be one of the most impressive of the season to date. The Golden Eagles might be the real deal. Give me DO in a close one, 27-23.
Patrick: Rocklin is surprising me this year. It felt like the entire team last year was seniors and they would face a down season. Instead, they reloaded. That’s just a nice way of saying I’m still picking DO, 28-14.
Salerno: I picked against Del Oro last week so I will not make the same mistake twice. 24-14, Del Oro.
No. 5 Oak Ridge (5-1) at No. 4 Granite Bay (5-1)
JoeD: Both teams scored in bunches in starting their seasons 5-0, but both were shutout in the second half last week, OR falling at Folsom 42-13 and GB losing at Del Oro 21-10. This figures to be a defensive fight. OR muscles one out, 21-20.
Biderman: Granite Bay is too talented and well-coached to drop two games in a row. Oak Ridge is tough but give me the Grizzlies on their home field, 24-20.
Patrick: I’m writing this before Biderman so I can’t just riff off his pick. Granite Bay is young, give me Oak Ridge 38-27.
Salerno: Both teams are coming off a tough loss. This is truly a tossup, so give me the home team. 28-27, Granite Bay.
No. 9 Elk Grove (3-3) at No. 8 Sheldon (5-2)
JoeD: This Delta League series ramped up a few dozen degrees in intrigue and intensity when longtime Elk Grove coach Chris Nixon landed at Sheldon. Both teams are in the Delta hunt with Jesuit. EG has the run game to keep Sheldon’s offense on the sideline just enough. Herd wins 35-28.
Biderman: The Thundering Herd, appropriately, have a dominant running game but will need more through to air to win a tough one on the road. Give me Sheldon, 30-26.
Patrick: The Sheldon coach occasionally texts me. Advantage, Huskies! Sucking up to the media always pays off. Sheldon wins 64-14.
Salerno: Sheldon has a great offense. Elk Grove has been battled tested with a tough schedule. I’ll pick the Huskies, 35-28.
Del Campo (2-4) at No. 14 Vista del Lago (4-3)
JoeD: It was a shootout a year ago between these teams in the Capital Athletic League with VDL prevailing 35-33. Vista’s passing game with Johnny Koett and Matt Long will be the difference with VDL winning, 42-21.
Biderman: Del Campo is in desperation mode as they try to make a playoff run despite an early-season forfeit. But VDL will be too much. Give me the home team, 35-24.
Patrick: Finally, an easy one. (Not really; Del Campo’s record should be 3-3 but we won’t get into that). I’ll take VDL 34-20.
Salerno: Matt Long reminds me a ton of Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp. Johnny Koett loves to feed him the ball. I think they connect for two scores on Friday. 52-14, Vista del Lago.
Delta (6-0) at Woodland Christian (5-1)
JoeD: WC won this Sacramento Metro Athletic League contest last season 42-36 in a thriller in Clarksburg. Now the rematch is in Yolo County. I’m going with the gritty Saints on the road, 34-30.
Biderman: Two of the best Division VII teams in the area squaring off. I’m inclined to pick the home team in a very evenly matched showdown. WC, 26-24.
Patrick: Woodland Christian has most of its talent back from last year, and the Hinkle brothers are legit. Plus they are on their home field, with lights not powered by construction power generators. Woodland Christian wins 34-28.
Salerno: I’m picking Delta 42-40. Small school pride!
El Dorado (3-3) at Bradshaw Christian (4-1)
JoeD: The Sierra Valley Conference is a good race, and this showdown pits the passing attack of ED with star QB Anthony Mahaffey against the run game of the BC Pride. Go with the hometown Pride, 35-32.
Biderman: Bradshaw Christian is coming off a tough loss at Union Mine, but I expect their stout defense to bounce back at home in another league contest. Give me BC, 23-13.
Patrick: I promise we will cover a Bradshaw Christian game sooner or later. Gimme BC in a makeup call, 34-24.
Salerno: Mahaffey is a great quarterback but Bradshaw Christian has a great team. Give me BC 28-24.
Rosemont (4-1) at No. 18 Liberty Ranch (6-0)
JoeD: Yet another SVC game that figures to be high scoring, this one playing out in Galt. Rosemont reached a section final last season and LR seeks such a season now. Go with the home Hawks and RB Arthur Draeger, 30-28.
Biderman: Give me the Ranch, who has some dudes in Draeger and tight end Cody Smith, 31-26.
Patrick: I just realized Cam is running away with the picks and I’m going to have nightmares about this. Deep sigh. My heart (and competitive attitude) say I should pick Rosemont, but my head says Liberty Ranch rolls onward. Hawks win 42-28.
Salerno: Great matchup between two good teams. I like Liberty Ranch to maintain its perfect record. 45-35.
Season totals:
JoeD: 38-11, and no comment.
Biderman: 31-18, and coming off his best week.
Patrick: 37-12, and coming on strong.
Salerno: 42-7, with just one loss in three weeks.
This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 8:53 AM.