Pick the Preps: Predictions for the Sacramento area’s biggest high school football games
Week 8 is here, arriving as fast as a Carter Jackson of Granite Bay touchdown visit to the end zone. By the time the weekend is out, we could have a number of league championships secured in the 13 Sacramento-area high school football leagues.
Another tight race is the one brewing here in our weekly installment of Pick the Preps. I am tied with the fast-starting Matthew Bessette of ABC Jam and the NFHS Network, which broadcasts games near and far, as we sport identical 40-17 seasons records.
Area media guru Nick Pecoraro is running a close second while Scott Tedmon, our basketball savant trying to get in stride in football, is running anchor, learning the hard way that picking games because of family ties doesn’t cut it here.
No. 3 Grant (7-1) at No. 11 Monterey Trail (5-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: The Pacers are at full strength with Wayshawn Parker healthy and fellow RB Devin Green cleared by the CIF last week as a transfer. The senior star running backs head back to the Elk Grove Unified School District with a mission: To help Grant win the Metro League. Parker and Green in 2022 were key starters for Sheldon and Elk Grove, respectively. Parker is two yards shy of 1,000 yards. MT has not lost a Metro game since entering the league before the 2018 season, but that ends here. Grant 35-31.
MatthewB: We know about Grant’s offensive firepower, but Jeremiah Tuiileila is having a monster defensive season, including 15 sacks. Monterey Trail has found its groove after running the gauntlet in its preseason schedule, but Grant wins a thriller, 41-38.
NickP: Welcome back, Devin Green, who had four total touchdowns and 10 tackles in his season debut last week. This addition solidifies Grant as the legit repeat state championship contender most of us thought they’d be. Monterey Trail will not make it easy, but the Pacers win, 35-24.
CoachT: MT’s Metro League dominance will be derailed by Grant and its dynamic duo of Parker and Green. Pacers gallop past the Mustangs, 38-28.
No. 4 Rocklin (7-1) at No. 5 Granite Bay (5-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: The host Grizzlies will do what they do — run the ball — and this will come down to who seizes control in the trenches. GB has to get pressure on Rocklin QB Reeve Slone, who will otherwise carve up a defense. Rocklin wins, 21-20.
MatthewB: Rocklin bounced back after its first league loss to beat Del Oro. Granite Bay is now trying to do the same as it welcomes the Thunder, who win this one, 27-20.
NickP: The Reeve Slone-to-Nate Martin touchdown connection has started to heat up over the past couple of games for the Thunder. I expect this to be a low-scoring, hard-hitting game with Rocklin prevailing, 17-14.
CoachT: GB has a terrific student section and home crowd. The Grizz’s thunder-and-lightning RB combo of Isaiah Ene and Carter Jackson keeps Sloan and company off the field just enough to top the Thunder, 24-21.
No. 7 Inderkum (7-1) at No. 19 Roseville (7-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This is as big of a regular season home game in some time for the Tigers, who have fielded good teams since about the time the game was created and offer up a spirited home vibe. The fastest guys are on Inderkum’s side, especially on defense, in this meeting of Tigers to decide the Capital Valley Conference. Indy wins, 28-14.
MatthewB: One group of Tigers will earn their stripes and quite possibly a league championship. Inderkum looks to keep rolling as it boasts the best point differential in the section. Roseville is not talked about nearly as much as a 7-1 team should, but Indy wins in Placer County, 30-21.
NickP: One thing you can take to the bank this week is that the Tigers are going to win this game. Five of Ricky Cole’s nine pass attempts last week went for touchdowns. Cole leads the section with 28 TD tosses. He’ll keep adding to that total as the Tigers from Inderkum are crowned CVC champs, 42-21.
CoachT: Roseville roars early at home, but over four quarters, Indy is too much to handle as it wins, 38-17.
No. 13 West Park (7-1) at No. 21 Placer (4-4)
When: Friday: 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: Rigorous scheduling and a team trying to find itself is why the Hillmen started 0-4, but Placer has rallied to make this the Foothill Valley League title game. Go with a Hillmen hunch here, 35-34.
MatthewB: West Park is capable of striking as quick as any team on offense. Placer wants to pound opponents into submission. The contrast in styles makes this game so great. The Panthers win, 35-27.
NickP: Historically, Placer has turned winless non-league slates to league championship banners and deep postseason runs. West Park is no longer the new kid on the block, though. I have a feeling these two might see each other again in the playoffs. West Park makes just enough plays to win in Auburn, 22-21.
CoachT: West Park makes the trek to Placer a memorable one, defeating the Hillmen 31-30 in a classic to take the FVL title.
No. 15 Elk Grove (5-3) at No. 8 Jesuit (7-1)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
JoeD: For years, teams entered day games at Jesuit ready to roll only to wilt under the sun and the relentless line play of the Marauders. Jesuit clinches the Delta League championship here in a meeting of strong running teams led by talented QBs: CJ Lee for Jesuit and David Hale of Elk Grove. Jesuit wins, 31-28.
MatthewB: This is the last meeting in the Delta League between these powerhouses before realignment moves Jesuit into the Sierra Foothill League. Both teams are looking to bolster their resume in heading into a loaded Division II playoff bracket. Marauders take down the Herd, 27-24.
NickP: Jesuit is just a one-point loss away from being 8-0. Elk Grove has been dominant in its Delta League schedule thus far, but the Marauders have that Saturday afternoon home-field advantage and will avenge a league championship loss to the Herd from a year ago. Jesuit, 24-16.
CoachT: If a 7-1 team can be underrated, it’s Jesuit. EG is tough and physical. The Delta League difference-maker is Jesuit’s CJ Lee, who make plays when it matters most. The Marauders clinch the title with a 28-24 win.
Season totals and last week’s records
JoeD: 40-17 (5-1)
MatthewB: 40-17 (5-1)
NickP: 36-21 (4-2)
CoachT: 31-26 (3-3)
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 11:51 AM.