Top 25 football rankings: Rising Rio Americano unbeaten going into Vista del Lago showdown
The Folsom Bulldogs seemed ripe to be plucked this Sierra Foothill League season, a young team with a sophomore quarterback and a host of new defenders.
But two weeks into the SFL schedule, and there are the Bulldogs, in the familiar position of being on top. The program’s goal of claiming the SFL championship for the eighth time since entering the league before the 2014 season is off to a rousing start. Folsom on Sept. 29 hosted No. 2 Oak Ridge and broke free with a 28-point fourth quarter for a 42-21 victory, the 20th consecutive Bulldogs win in that series.
On Friday, the Bulldogs headed to Placer County to deliver a 34-21 triumph over then-No. 2 Rocklin. It was 14-7 at the half and 34-7 at one point as Folsom halted Rocklin’s 19-game home winning streak.
In those games, Ryder Lyons has played beyond his years at quarterback, extending plays with his feet, firing rockets downfield, and then thanking his linemen and defense for all of it.
The SFL remains a heavy theme in these rankings with No. 1 Folsom, No. 2 Oak Ridge, No. 4 Rocklin, No. 5 Granite Bay and No. 6 Del Oro.
There are three teams who remain unbeaten in the entire 190-member CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, and they’re in these rankings: No. 13 Rio Americano, off to its best start since the 1990s, and No. 17 Twelve Bridges, off to its best start in program history. OK, the Ragin’ Rhinos of Lincoln are in just their second season of varsity football, but it’s still quite a feat.
On Thursday, No. 18 Sutter hosts Twelve Bridges for the Pioneer Valley League title, or close to it. On Friday, Rio Americano visits No. 10 Vista del Lago with the Capital Athletic League championship on the line.
Let’s take a look at this week’s Top 25.
1. Folsom (5-2)
The Bulldogs have cemented their hold in these rankings against teams fired up to derail them. The grinders in the trenches continue to lead the way. The losses were to Northern California No. 1 Serra of San Mateo (21-14) and NorCal No. 2 De La Salle (14-7). Next: vs. Whitney.
2. Oak Ridge (6-1)
Players and coaches mobbed coach Casey Taylor to celebrate his 200th career victory, a 42-35 thriller at Del Oro, where Taylor won his first 149 games as coach. Joaquin Graves-Mercado had his finest outing with four TD passes. The feel-good vibes vanish if there’s a letdown from here. Next: vs. Granite Bay.
3. Grant (6-1)
Welcome back, Wayshawn. After missing several games with an injury, Wayshawn Parker roared back with a remarkable 380-yard rushing effort and five touchdowns in a 65-14 rout of River City to move to 3-0 in the Metro League. That’s a school record that even the amazing Onterrio Smith didn’t have during his memorable 1998 season. The loss was 21-19 at Oak Ridge. Next: at Kennedy.
4. Rocklin (6-1)
The Thunder trailed Folsom 14-7 at the half before yielding the next three touchdowns in suffering a 34-21 setback, but there will not be a rematch as Rocklin will be in the Division II playoffs and Folsom in D-I. Special teams hurt the Thunder with two muffed punts, a missed field goal and a blocked punt. All correctable. Next: vs. Del Oro.
5. Granite Bay (5-2)
The Grizzlies have found out the hard way — injuries — that they have quarterback depth, and they certainly have a tremendous running game as Carter Jackson went off again. The junior burner had 283 yards and three TDs in a 35-10 win over Whitney a week after going for 270 and four against Del Oro. Dominic Cattolico now takes over at QB for the Grizzlies, and he is as bright as he is ready for the task. Next: at Del Oro.
6. Del Oro (5-2)
The Golden Eagles have as great of a home-game vibe as any school in the entire state with quite a team to follow, including star QB Caden Pinnick. But Del Oro is a grumpy lot these days with an 0-2 start to the SFL, though all will be well again with some wins. Next: at Rocklin.
7. Inderkum (7-1)
The Tigers devoured River Valley of Yuba City 83-0 as 10 different players scored touchdowns and a ton of guys played for the Capital Valley Conference title hopefuls. The loss was an opener vs. Del Oro. Next: Oct. 20 at Roseville.
8. Casa Roble (6-1)
The Rams are a lock to win the Golden Empire League as the most talented and deepest program in the field. Trenches, skill guys, playmakers, coaches — it’s all there for a section and NorCal title run. The loss was to Del Oro, 31-13, after Casa Roble led 7-3 at the half. Next: at Woodland.
9. Jesuit (6-1)
The Marauders remain the favorites to win the Delta League because of line play, a balanced offense and the defense. In beating Franklin 34-6, a ton of guys played, including unsung grinder Johnnie Brannon IV, who makes plays all over. Next: vs. Cosumnes Oaks.
10. Vista del Lago (7-1)
As if Matt Long doesn’t do enough with touchdown grabs, TD runs and interceptions on defense, the sight of him blasting through guys on his way to the end zone punctuates his desire to compete. Same with QB star John Koett, who had three TD passes in a 55-27 rout of Del Campo to set up Friday’s Capital Athletic League showdown. Next: vs. Rio Americano.
11. Monterey Trail (4-3)
The Mustangs have won four consecutive games, battle tested from a brutal nonleague schedule. Gabe Coronado rushed for four touchdowns, had four tackles and forced a fumble on defense. Vontrelle Waffer rushed for 179 yards and two scores and had a 73-yard punt return score. Next: at Merced (nonleague).
12. Woodcreek (6-1)
The Timberwolves have just a 20-15 loss to Inderkum, but their hopes of winning the Capital Valley Conference remain if they close the season with wins over Antelope, Bella Vista and Roseville — and if someone can knock off Inderkum. It’s high school football. Anything goes. Next: at Antelope.
13. Rio Americano (7-0)
The Raiders haven’t been this good since the 1990s, and they’re not done yet after a spirited 31-13 victory over Christian Brothers. Toby Black had seven sacks and Ryder Trantham came off the bench to pass for 225 yards and three TDs to set up a showdown this week. Next: at Vista del Lago.
14. West Park (6-1)
The Panthers roll on, taking out Nevada Union 62-21 to remain unbeaten in Foothill Valley League play. Jaden Jackson passed for six touchdowns, three to Mason Johnson and two to one of the best in the section in Ryan Sisson, who had 198 yards on four catches. He’s still running. The loss was to Casa Roble. Next: vs. Ponderosa.
15. Laguna Creek (6-2)
In rolling Burbank 68-6, the Cardinals remained in the Metro League title chase by having nine players carry the ball with six of them scoring touchdowns. Mitchell Labrado attempted five passes, and three of them went for scores, two to the tireless Ryan Eddy. The losses were to West Park in an opener and in double-overtime to Monterey Trail. Next: vs. McClatchy.
16. Elk Grove (4-3)
A 1-3 start amid a tough nonleague schedule now looks like this: a 3-0 showing in the Delta League for the defending champs. David Hale had a 50-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Williams and rushed 11 times for 149 yards and two scores as the Herd rushed 40 times for 346 yards. Polo Cooper had three interceptions on D and David Miller returned his pick 98 yards for a score. Next: vs. Pleasant Grove.
17. Twelve Bridges (7-0)
The Ragin’ Rhinos had a bye, all the better to prepare for what figures to be the PVL title bout at Sutter, a dandy of a Thursday night special. Nathan Crawford has rushed for exactly 1,000 yards and 22 TDs in an MVP-like season. Next: at Sutter.
18. Sutter (7-1)
The Huskies muscled past Center 14-6 and know they have to play much better if they expect to topple red-hot Twelve Bridges. Sutter features a tremendous home vibe, be it on a Thursday, a Friday or a Saturday. Next: vs. Twelve Bridges.
19. Cosumnes Oaks (4-4)
The Wolfpack are ranked for the first time in a good while, a credit to coach Martin Billings and his staff. Brandon Lambert rushed for 125 yards in a 21-9 win over Pleasant Grove, and the D had three interceptions, including a 41-yard pick-6 by Kam Totton to keep CO’s Delta League title hopes alive. Next: Saturday at Jesuit.
20. Roseville (6-1)
Aaron Salas scored on a 2-yard run, set up by more big plays from Joel Bradley, to deliver a 7-0 effort over Bella Vista to keep the Capital Valley Conference title hopes alive and well. The loss was 39-30 to Laguna Creek. Next: at River Valley.
21. Placer (3-4)
The Hillmen are healthy and fired up to keep the train rolling with a three-game winning streak and a shot at the Foothill Valley League crown after blasting Lincoln 42-14. All of the losses were to Bee-ranked teams: 21-7 to Casa Roble, 34-27 to Roseville, 35-20 to Del Oro and 28-7 to Vista del Lago. Next: at Nevada Union.
22. Vacaville (3-4)
The Bulldogs are human. They lost to Vanden, 24-7, their first setback against that program since 1967. It was also Vacaville’s first Monticello Empire League loss since 2016. Next: vs. Fairfield.
23. Christian Brothers (5-3)
The Falcons lost 31-13 to Rio Americano, which put a dent into their repeat hopes as Capital Athletic League champions, but closing out with wins over El Camino and Vista del Lago could still result in a co-championship. Next: vs. El Camino.
24. Woodland Christian (7-0)
When you’re on a roll like this, everyone gets involved. In a 46-0 win over Western Sierra, senior kicker Cristian Morales scored his first touchdown, and Noah Rico, all 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds of him, caught a pass and stiff-armed his way for a 14-0 lead. WC opened the season with a 15-14 win over Bradshaw Christian. Next: at Delta.
25. Bradshaw Christian (5-2)
The Pride remained unbeaten in Sierra Valley Conference action with a 53-7 win over El Dorado by rushing 38 times for 407 yards and seven scores. The defense had seven sacks, two each by Tyler Fu and Devyn McDonald. The losses were 15-14 at Woodland Christian and 14-7 at Sutter. Next: vs. Liberty Ranch.
Bubble: East Nicolaus (4-2), Liberty Ranch (4-2), Pioneer (5-2), Union Mine (5-2), Winters (5-1).
The Bee’s Sac-Joaquin Section Top 15
1. Folsom (5-2)
2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (6-1)
3. Oak Ridge (6-1)
4. Central Catholic-Modesto (5-2)
5. Grant (6-1)
6. Rocklin (6-1)
7. Manteca (5-2)
8. Granite Bay (5-2)
9. Del Oro (5-2)
10. Tracy (6-1)
11. Inderkum (7-1)
12. Casa Roble (6-1)
13. Jesuit (6-1)
14. Escalon (6-1)
15. Vista del Lago (7-1)
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM.