Picking the Preps: Jesuit vs. Elk Grove, Monterey Trail vs. Grant, Placer vs. West Park
Now it’s officially football season. OK, it’s been football season since July, but when league championships are at stake, like now, that’s when it really starts to matter.
Last week, our Bee coverage crew of Chris Biderman, Jim Patrick, Cameron Salerno and yours truly elected not to pore over hours of film and debate cover-2 defensive schemes or whom traps and pulls better than others. Or ... something to that effect.
This week? Same policy. Going with guesses from the gut. Biderman is coming off his best week doing this, going 6-1, and the kid Salerno finally lost some steam, going a concerning 4-3. Patrick and I both went 5-2 and blamed a lack of film study for all of it.
No. 2 Monterey Trail (6-2) at No. 11 Grant (6-1)
JoeD’s pick: The Mustangs are riding an 18-game Metro League winning streak since entering the league, and they are fast, physical and fun. So is Grant, led by superb QB Jojo McCray, but MT has the momentum. Mustangs win 42-35
Biderman: I love the atmosphere at Grant and their story of rising back to prominence after some down years. Give me Grant in the upset in a barn-burner, 34-31.
Patrick: We are not sure what to make of Grant, which beat Kennedy 84-0 last week. Monterey Trail merely won 69-0 over Kennedy. MT has played a tougher schedule, so this is a prove-it game for Grant, as far as our picks are concerned. MT wins 35-28.
Salerno: This is a great Metro League game. Grant is coming off a blowout win and Monterey Trail has looked strong. 52-45, Monterey Trail
No. 4 Oak Ridge (7-1) at No. 5 Rocklin (6-2)
JoeD: The cool thing about ranking teams is we can place them right next to each other to let them decide it with helmets on. This is another whopper of a Sierra Foothill League clash pitting physical squads that can pound it on the ground or throw. OR wins a slugfest, 21-20.
Biderman: The numbers suggest Oak Ridge should put up a lot of points, but it’s going to be Rocklin’s senior night, and I think the Thunder will have an emotional edge while the OR looks forward to a bigger game next week at home against Del Oro. Thunder win, 24-20.
Patrick: It’s tempting to cover every SFL game, every week. The teams are just that good. My new maxim is “never pick against Oak Ridge, because every time I do they beat my brains in.” Oak Ridge wins 35-20.
Salerno: Rocklin is coming off a huge win and Oak Ridge blew out Whitney. Give me the Trojans on the road 24-21.
No. 6 Jesuit (7-1) at No. 7 Elk Grove (5-3)
JoeD: This is for the Delta League championship, and everyone here may be home well before curfew as both of these teams live to run. EG is tough on D but Jesuit squeezes this one out, 28-27, behind emerging QB star C.J. Lee.
Biderman: I’ve seen both teams play in person at different points this season. Jesuit has experienced leadership, the Herd have a big offensive line and ferocious running game. But I like Jesuit here, 30-26.
Patrick: Perhaps infamously, I’ve been riding Jesuit all season. Dance with the one that brung ya, as us Marauder fanboys say. Jesuit wins 28-21.
Salerno: When in doubt, pick the home team. 42-38, Herd.
No. 10 Placer (8-0) at No. 18 West Park (7-0)
JoeD: This is showdown of prolific teams to decide the Foothill Valley League, and the first team to 60 wins. Or 50. Whatever. Placer’s bevy of backs hold off the superb QB talents of Develle Barksdale of WP and prevail 50-42.
Biderman: I guess I need to stick with my trend in these picks and go against the grain to dig myself out of this hole in our standings (that’s good analysis, right?). I saw West Park earlier this season and was impressed with head coach Jason Tenner and athletic QB Develle Barksdale. Give me WP in a great game, 33-28.
Patrick: Man, I have to cover this game and will hear about this pick either way. Can I just call it a tie? I’m the boss, I can do whatever I want! But I won’t do that. Placer wins 35-28 and I’m hoping the West Park coach doesn’t crack my head open with his very-square jaw.
Salerno: This is one of the most underrated games of the season. I saw Placer earlier this season and think the Hillmen get the job done on the road 42-35.
No. 15 Casa Roble (7-1) at Pioneer (6-2)
JoeD: Casa Roble has it rolling with the pass, the run, the trenches, the D, and WR Cole Owens is always a difference maker. Rams win, 35-21, though Jack Carner of Pioneer will make an impact, again and always.
Biderman: Casa Roble has outscored it’s league opponents 165-0 in the last three games. How could I pick against them? Rams take it, 40-23.
Patrick: Finally, the analysis you’ve all been waiting for. The Carners follow me on Twitter but the Casa Roble coach calls me to do interviews while he’s on vacation in Hawaii. Plus CR’s offense is ridiculous. Slight advantage to CR, 72-68.
Salerno: Cole Owens is going to score a pair of touchdowns for the Rams. Give me Casa Roble in a high-scoring game, 45-42.
No. 24 Roseville (5-3) at No. 21 Inderkum (4-3)
JoeD: The Capital Valley Conference race is wide open with two weeks to go. Roseville QB Brandon Graydon is a duel-threat star, but the Tigers make just enough stops to win, 28-24.
Biderman: This is a tough game to pick but I’m going to take Roseville on the road because of their offense, 27-23.
Patrick: Once again, I’m relying on the famous Honkers test. Inderkum lost to Yuba City, Roseville won easily. Inderkum lost 14-7. For the first time in history, I’m picking Roseville, 34-20.
Salerno: I’m picking the Tigers to win. Joe is right, Graydon has been electric this season. 35-34, Roseville.
McClatchy (1-7) at Burbank (1-6)
JoeD: What in the world? Hey, these proud Metro League rivals have a lot to play for, such as pride. The schools have played each other in football since 1963, and both have good coaches working tirelessly to boost their programs, Bryan Golder at Burbank and Zac Cuda at McClatchy. The Titans win a tight one, 28-24.
Biderman: Throw out the records when these two teams square off. No, really, throw them out. The records are bad. Give me Burbank, 28-24.
Patrick: I saw McClatchy open against Twelve Bridges and thought they showed a lot of talent and good coaching, so I’m surprised the Lions are in this spot. Injuries are a real thing. I’m going with the Titans because I want to catch Cam before the end of the regular season, 28-26.
Salerno: Someone is getting their second win of the season on Friday. Well that’s unless they tie (oh wait this isn’t the NFL). Give me McClatchy 14-10.
Season totals:
JoeD: 49-14
Biderman: 41-22
Patrick: 47-16
Salerno: 50-13