The Bee’s Top 25 football rankings: Sizing up regular-season finales as playoffs approach
The final regular season games for the Sacramento-area high school football scene are set for Friday, and then the real fun starts.
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for Divisions I-VII kick off on Nov. 3. Unlike recent seasons, we know which division teams will be heading into the playoffs, and that will be reflected in these rankings.
Here’s a look at our latest Top 25.
1. Folsom (7-2)
The Bulldogs stand as the lone unbeaten in the stacked Sierra Foothill League race that will again send five of its six teams to the playoffs. Folsom can win its eighth outright SFL crown since entering the league in 2014 with a victory over Granite Bay. Folsom’s losses were 21-14 to Northern California No. 1 Serra of San Mateo and 14-7 to No. 2 De La Salle.
2. Oak Ridge (8-1)
The Trojans with a Friday home victory over Rocklin may well lock up the No. 2 seed in the D-I bracket opposite of Folsom. Their loss was 42-21 to Folsom after it was 14-14 early in the fourth quarter.
3. Rocklin (8-1)
A triumph over Oak Ridge in El Dorado Hills could secure the top seed in D-II for the Thunder as strength of league plays a big role in seedings, though St. Mary’s of Stockton is also in the mix for a top seed. The loss was to Folsom 34-21, a game in which the Thunder trailed by seven at the half.
4. Monterey Trail (6-3)
The Mustangs with a Metro League closing win over River City this week can secure a top-four seed in the D-I field. MT is rolling and impressed in its 35-34 win over Grant. The only local loss was an opener to Folsom.
5. Grant (7-2)
The Pacers with a win over Laguna Creek this week can lock up a top seed in the D-III bracket, where Grant is the defending champion. The losses are 21-18 at Oak Ridge and 35-34 at Monterey Trail.
6. Granite Bay (5-4)
This is the most misleading 5-4 team anywhere with out-of-area losses to Manteca and Pittsburg and tough SFL losses of 25-14 to Oak Ridge and 43-35 to Rocklin in triple overtime. This is one dangerous D-II outfit, just like last season.
7. Jesuit (8-1)
The Marauders won the Delta League and have no in-section losses. They can lock down a top seed in the D-II bracket with a win at Davis as those teams will depart the Delta for the SFL next academic year.
8. Del Oro (5-4)
The Golden Eagles are bent on halting their four-game SFL losing streak with a must-have contest against Whitney, where a win makes them a dangerous draw in the D-II field, especially with QB star Caden Pinnick leading the charge.
9. Inderkum (8-1)
The Tigers are Capital Valley Conference champions, winners of eight consecutive games, and seek a top-four seed in the D-I playoffs with a win Friday over Antelope on Senior Night. The loss was to Del Oro.
10. Vista del Lago (8-1)
The Eagles opened the season with a 42-35 loss to three-time defending section champion Manteca and have rolled since. A win Friday at Christian Brothers will secure perhaps the top seed in D-IV for the dynamic duo of QB John Koett and WR Matt Long.
11. Casa Roble (8-1)
The Rams have a competitive loss to Del Oro and with wins over Foothill Valley League champion Placer and FVL second-place West Park. A road win at Dixon for the Golden Empire League champions will secure either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in D-V with Twelve Bridges also in that argument. WR Cole Owens over the weekend gave a verbal commitment to play at UC Davis.
12. Woodcreek (8-1)
The Timberwolves have a 20-15 Capital Valley Conference loss to Inderkum and seek a high seed in D-III with a rivalry win over Roseville in the annual Junction Bowl, one of the region’s most spirited showdowns.
13. Placer (5-4)
The Hillmen won their 10th league championship in 11 seasons under alum coach Joey Montoya, whose team is rolling after a slow start amid a challenging early schedule. A victory over winless Oakmont will secure a high seed in D-IV for a team that has crushed foes of late with a running game that is heavy on power and speed.
14. West Park (7-2)
The Panthers of Roseville need a victory Friday over one-win Lincoln to get back on track after suffering a 35-21 loss at Placer. They figure to be a load in D-IV with plenty to prove.
15. Laguna Creek (7-2)
Of all the teams people talk about in the D-II playoff race — Rocklin, Granite Bay, Jesuit, St. Mary’s, Manteca, Elk Grove, Del Oro, Vacaville — don’t forget the guys in red and black, coached by an alum in Ryan Nill. Especially if they can beat Grant on Friday at Cosumnes River College.
16. Elk Grove (5-4)
The Thundering Herd with a win Friday over one-win Franklin hope to secure a favorable D-II seeding as home games are most certainly welcomed. Teams are not eager to face Elk Grove’s triple-option rushing attack.
17. Twelve Bridges (9-0)
A home win on Friday in the Placer County program’s first Senior Night will cap a remarkable 10-0 start and quite possibly the top seed in the D-V playoffs, where coach Chris Bean will continue to unleash star RB Nathan Crawford.
18. Rio Americano (8-1)
Entering this season, only the Raiders and coaches Reid Sanders and Jordan Botha figured to be ranked here and heading to the D-IV playoffs. A Saturday win at Sacramento High will be a launching point for a playoff run.
19. Sutter (7-2)
The battle-tested Huskies have tight losses to Northern Section No. 2-ranked Chico and to Twelve Bridges, making them a likely high seed in D-VI. This program is designed for playoff marches.
20. Cosumnes Oaks (5-5)
The Wolfpack has a bye this week and can get extra rest and preparation for a D-I playoff run, though to reach the finals, a lot of work has to be done on the road.
21. Roseville (7-2)
The D-III Tigers will be a factor in the postseason, especially if they beat rival Woodcreek on Friday. What a way to fire up for the playoffs.
22. Vacaville (5-4)
The D-II Bulldogs are not new to this dance, and they will play an emotional Monticello Empire League finale at rival Wood, where the Wildcats continue to play in honor of their beloved coach, Jacob Wright. He died Oct. 14 from a heart attack. That news also saddened many at Vacaville High who knew the man well.
23. Christian Brothers (6-3)
It’s been quite a road for the Falcons this season with a change of assistant coaches at midseason and a key player in Ezekial Castex transferring to Rocklin. But their goal of returning to the D-III section title game remains unchanged.
24. Woodland Christian (9-0)
This is a sure powerhouse in the D-VII field, including a season-opening win over Bradshaw Christian. A 10-0 showing secures the top seed.
25. Bradshaw Christian (7-2)
A Friday home win over Rosemont will secure a high seed in D-VI, where the Pride would love a rematch with Sutter, which beat BC 14-7 in September. Coach Drew Rickert is coming off his 150th win as the only varsity coach in program history.
The Bee’s Sac-Joaquin Section Top 15
1. Folsom (7-2)
2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (8-1)
3. Oak Ridge (8-1)
4. Central Catholic-Modesto (7-2)
5. Rocklin (8-1)
6. Manteca (6-3)
7. Granite Bay (5-4)
8. Monterey Trail (6-3)
9. Grant (7-2)
10. Jesuit (8-1)
11. Del Oro (5-4)
12. Inderkum (8-1)
13. Del Oro (5-4)
14. Casa Roble (8-1)
15. Escalon (8-1)
This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM.