Picking the Preps: No. 1 Folsom vs. No. 2 Del Oro; showdowns in the GEL, SFL, GSL
Is it fall yet? When does the cool air settle in before kickoff and not by the middle of the fourth quarter?
We invite rain, but not on game day, and especially not during the playoffs, please. We are eight weeks into the high school football season with the playoffs starting Nov. 4, and though the weather may not indicate as such, the league races are heating up.
The Sierra Foothill League has another full menu of intrigue games, none bigger than No. 1 Folsom hosting No. 2 Del Oro in a meeting of the remaining clubs without an SFL loss.
The fun this week starts on Thursday with several games. As for our Bee prep preview crew, it was a solid week for all of us as us older sorts — Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick and yours truly — shed no tears that Cameron Salerno went a fair-to-average 4-3 last week.
More games, more guesses:
Thursday games
No. 22 Antelope (4-3) at No. 21 Woodcreek (6-2)
JoeD: Antelope has come on strong with a four-game winning streak and sits alone as the last unbeaten team in the Capital Valley Conference. Woodcreek is at home, and that’s the edge in an otherwise toss-up game, 28-27.
Biderman: Antelope averages 376 yards per game to Woodcreek’s 253 and has been more consistent at bothering opposing quarterbacks. I’m going to take the Titans on the road, 29-23.
Patrick: Antelope beat Yuba City by six; Woodcreek won by three points over Yuba City. The old Honker measuring stick tells us very little other than this is a good game. Woodcreek wins, 21-20.
Salerno: Curron Borders is a great running back and Antelope has hit its stride. With that being said, I’m picking Woodcreek 35-31.
No. 25 Pioneer (6-1) at No. 25 Dixon (6-1)
JoeD’s pick: Wait, what? Two teams at No. 25? What gives? Well, we do. We can do such things and then allow the teams to decide it on the field. This is a terrific showdown in the Golden Empire League, Dixon led by ace QB Jett Harris and Pioneer by star RB Jack Carner. Dixon won a thriller last season and does again here, 31-30.
Biderman: I saw Dixon play recently and was impressed with Harris’ arm strength. Carner is a force but I like the Rams at home, 24-21.
Patrick: Sheesh. Two games in a row where the common opponent tells us nothing. Pioneer and Dixon both beat Woodland by a touchdown. I’m picking Pioneer because I like the coach and Jack Carner’s mom follows me on Twitter, 28-27.
Salerno: Jack Carner is too good. Pioneer wins 28-24.
Vanden (6-1) at Wood (5-2)
JoeD: Vanden is the defending State Division 3-AA champion with 15 starters back, and they’re stinging from a loss last week to Vacaville that will go a long way in determining the MEL winner again. That halted a 13-game winning streak. Wood has a 50-0 loss to Casa Roble when the Rams played well and Wood had injury issues. Vanden wins here, 35-20.
Biderman: I’m a big continuity guy so I’m riding with Joe and his excellent point here. It’ll be Vikings, 33-27,
Patrick: Alright, I’m done researching games. Picking Vanden 28-20 because I like the name of the school.
Salerno: Vanden is the defending state champion and is coming off a tough loss to Vacaville. Wood might need Carson Strong if they want to win this one. 42-21, Vanden.
Friday games
No. 2 Del Oro (7-0) at No. 1 Folsom (6-1)
JoeD: Both teams are battle tested beyond the SFL wear and tear, and both feature sensational junior QBs, Austin Mack for Folsom and Caden Pinnick for Del Oro. DO has dominated the trenches this season, but Folsom has the deep-ball threats and wins 30-24.
Biderman: This is one of the best games of the year, obviously. I can’t pick against Folsom on its home field. Give me the Bulldogs on the blue turf in a 38-35 barn-burner.
Patrick: If anybody gives Folsom a hassle in the Sierra Foothill League, it’s going to be Del Oro. But it won’t be too much of a hassle. Folsom 42, Del Oro 21.
Salerno: It’s going to come down to Folsom’s offense vs. Del Oro’s defense. Advantage Folsom. 35-21, Bulldogs.
No. 5 Granite Bay (5-2) at No. 6 Rocklin (5-2)
JoeD: The Grizzlies are young, gritty, skilled. And young. Have we mentioned that? Rocklin will look to run with Mason Silva and Elias Brown, and that’ll be the difference with Rocklin winning 21-17.
Biderman: Granite Bay is super talented and it’s hard to imagine them losing three games in a row. On the other hand, Rocklin is getting back star linebacker Derek Houston into the mix, who should give the Thunder a better shot at slowing down the Grizzlies’ uber-talented running back duo. Rocklin wins, 26-23.
Patrick: Why is Granite Bay ranked higher than Rocklin if Joe is picking Rocklin? We’ll never know! I think Rocklin’s line play is the difference here as the Thunder can make an impact on both sides of the ball, 28-17.
Salerno: Don’t count out Granite Bay. They’re coming off two tough losses. I like them to bounce back 28-24.
Natomas (5-2) at Foothill (4-3)
JoeD: This could be for the Greater Sacramento League championship as these are the last two teams with no league losses. It’ll be fast, it’ll be fun, and it’ll be Natomas winning 38-31.
Biderman: Natomas has won its last three games by a combined score of 138-6. I’ll take the road team, 30-18.
Patrick: Natomas has a comfortable win over Rosemont, which Foothill lost to by 24. That’s why I’m rolling with the Nighthawks, one of my top five favorite nicknames in the area, 34-20.
Salerno: Natomas has had a handful of big wins this season. That’s all I need to know to pick them 42-24.
Rosemont (4-2) at Union Mine (4-2)
JoeD: It’s become much more than a game for UM and coach Kirk Anderson this season. His wife, Presley Anderson, last month was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. They have four young children. Each game, home and away, has included a “Fill the Helmet” benefit to support. UM wins an emotional one, 34-30.
Biderman: Ugh. Union Mine, 28-20.
Patrick: The Union Mine defense is rolling people, with 20 points allowed in the last three games. Plus I’m not picking against this team after reading Joe’s pick. UM, 34-20.
Salerno: I feel awful for picking Rosemont, but that was going to be my pick before I read what Joe said. Rosemont wins 35-34.
Season totals:
JoeD: 44-12
Biderman: 35-21
Patrick: 42-14
Salerno: 46-10
This story was originally published October 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.