Pick the Preps: CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship football playoff game predictions
Eighteen weeks. That’s how long ago the championship grind began for the the 14 remaining teams in the 198-member CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, from the heat of July to the joys of a Thanksgiving day walk through.
Late-summer practice sessions led to an intra-squad scrimmage, then a scrimmage that includes referees to prepare for a 10-game schedule over an 11-week stretch. This is the fourth week of the section playoffs, leading to the championship games on Friday and Saturday.
Hughes Stadium on the campus of Sacramento City College will host six of the seven title games. The Division IV contest between 11-time champion Escalon and 85-year rival Patterson will be held Friday night at St. Mary’s High in Stockton. All section champions advance to a CIF Northern California Regional final at home sites on Dec. 1-2.
Our foursome of prep enthusiasts will be helmet deep in the action. Nick Pecoraro will be on the call for the NFHS Network or on the sideline for The Bee. Matthew Bessette of ABC Jam of the NFHS Network will broadcast six games at Hughes Stadium and sign autographs if the action ever slows down. Retired basketball coach and rabid football follower Scott Tedmon will offer insight and flavor and make food runs for us.
Here’s our breakdown of this week’s games:
Division I
No. 1 Folsom (10-2) vs. No. 3 Oak Ridge
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: Folsom expected to be here and seeks its 10th section banner since 2010 and 12th overall. Oak Ridge is back in its third final since 2019, winning it that season over Monterey Trail and falling to Folsom last season. And yes, there’s this 20-game winning streak Folsom has over Oak Ridge, dating back to 2006, a run not lost on Folsom graduates everywhere. But what a stage and opportunity for Oak Ridge to exact revenge. QB Ryder Lyons was superb in the first meeting this season, a Sierra Foothill League opener. He passed for 411 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another TD in a game that was 14-14 early in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs used breakaway plays to break it open in a 42-21 victory. Erick Orme ran for three TDs for Oak Ridge. This one feels like it’ll be much closer, especially with OR anchors such as Markus Hoffman and Gavin Malloy peaking. Folsom has to clean up its play — too many penalties — and it does just enough to record a 24-23 victory.
MatthewB: Among the guarantees in life are death, taxes and Folsom playing football Thanksgiving weekend. Oak Ridge came away with possibly the most impressive victory in the semifinals, throttling Central Catholic in Modesto, 31-14. The Bulldogs have impact players up and down the roster. The Bulldogs close out Day 1 at Hughes with another blue banner, 24-20.
NickP: Coach Tedmon is making food runs for us? Put me down for a burger with all the fixings. This game has all the makings for some fireworks. I’ve learned over the years to not pick against the Bulldogs until they give us a reason not to. That day has yet to come. Folsom hangs its 12th section banner with a 28-20 win.
CoachT: OR has yearned for this rematch and has earned it. Folsom has been resilient if not overly impressive. The bottom line is winning and the Bulldogs continue to do just that despite the Trojans marking in with high hopes. Bulldogs in a close one, 31-27.
Division II
No. 1 St. Mary’s (11-1) vs. No. 2 Rocklin (11-1)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: It’ll be the defensive clout of Rocklin against the offensive fireworks of St. Mary’s, which lost only to De La Salle, 24-10. Can the Thunder get pressure on Rams QB Samson Hunkin and slow down RB Asante Carter? Can St. Mary’s slow down Rocklin QB Reeve Slone and grinder back Derek Keeley? Rocklin coach Jason Adams is a terrific defensive coach and Rams coach Tony Franks is an offensive guru. Something has to give. Rocklin in an intense contest, 24-21.
MatthewB: The unstoppable force meets the immovable object. St. Mary’s averages 46 points in wins while Rocklin allows fewer than 13 in its wins. The teams met in a 2021 semifinal in which Rocklin won, 51-48. The Thunder find a way in a higher scoring game than they’re used to, 35-31.
NickP: Rocklin folks gave me a little bit of the stank eye for picking against them last week. Lesson learned, Thunder faithful. St. Mary’s has a ton of depth and big name players, but the name we’ll be hearing as D2 section champion will be Rocklin, with a 28-21 final.
CoachT: The old saying of styles make fights applies to this beauty. Rocklin brings an in-your-face physical presence while St. Mary’s has speedsters and a high-flying offense. Thunder wins the battle of the trenches and prevails 28-24.
Division III
No. 1 Grant (10-2) vs. No. 2 Woodcreek (11-1)
When: Friday, 3 p.m.
JoeD: The defending champion Pacers seek their ninth section crown, all since 1992 with another star-studded team. Woodcreek is in its first final, a credit to coach Brad Hunkins, who raves about the leadership on his team. Can the Timberwolves of Roseville slow down the 1-2 rushing attack of Wayshawn Parker and Devin Green and the passing attack led by QB Luke Alexander? Can Grant stall Woodcreek’s run game? It won’t be boring. Pacers prevail 35-28.
MatthewB: Woodcreek knocked off a defending champion in Vanden last week and now the Timberwolves have an opportunity to do it again. Grant has the personality to match its dynamic play on the field and will be looking to add to the rich history of the program. Pacers gonna pace as they eek one out, 36-35.
NickP: Woodcreek is essentially one play away from being 12-0. As great a season as it’s been for the Timberwolves, I fear they’ll need far more than just one big play to keep up with this loaded Pacers team. Grant has been the favorite to repeat from the start of the season. Pacers win, 45-28.
CoachT: This intriguing title game features first-time finalist Woodcreek and, historically, the greatest area football program ever in Grant. The Timberwolves have made history of their own, but the Pacers have too much firepower. They win, 38-24.
Division V
No. 1 Twelve Bridges (12-0) vs. No. 2 Casa Roble (11-1)
When: Friday, 11 a.m.
JoeD: We’ve talked about this potential matchup for months, and here it is, featuring programs led by coaches who are pals — Chris Horner of Casa and Chris Bean of Bridges. Can the Rams slow down the 1-2 Raging Rhinos punch of QB Whit Kruse (22 TD passes) and RB Nathan Crawford (1,839 yards rushing, 37 TDs)? Can 12B handle the speed of playmaker WRs Cole Owens and Elijah Huddle and the steady QB play of Connor Campbell (28 TD passes, two interceptions)? Who wins the trench war? Casa wins a thriller, 35-33.
MatthewB: Any interaction with either of these head coaches and you gain a deeper appreciation of them and their programs. Horner has Casa in the title game for the first time since 2018. Bean has brought a team from Lincoln to the championship bout for the first time in the city’s history and he has done it before any of the Rhinos have worn a cap and gown. The fairy tale year continues as the Rhinos win 31-28.
NickP: This one is so tough to choose. The debate in D5 has always been between these two. But I said in the beginning of the season that this was Casa Roble’s year. I’m sticking with it as the Rams win, 35-30.
CoachT: In our first week of Pick the Preps, I predicted this would be Casa’s year. After seeing 12B in person the past few weeks, the Raging Rhinos look invincible. This is by far the toughest game to call. It will be a classic, but it’s Casa’s year, 38-35.
Division VI
No. 3 Bradshaw Christian (10-2) vs. No. 4 Hughson (9-3)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
JoeD: Hughson is a defending section and CIF state champion, the pride of a one-school town where football really matters. BC fielded its first freshman class 20 years ago, and is a run-heavy outfit under coach Drew Rickert. BC’s rushing attack has produced 3,567 yards and 43 TDs. QB Ethan Rickert, son of the coach, is in his 25th playoff game over several sports, and he’s just a junior. BC wins 20-17.
MatthewB: Both teams scored big-time road victories last week as this matchup is the only one that does not feature the top seed in the bracket. Hughson is playing for something greater than football as head coach Shaun King is pulling for his father, Joe, who is battling Stage 4 cancer. Rickert showed his belief in his guys when he sent them out to go for a two-point conversion in a one-point semifinal victory over Sonora. The Huskies beat The Pride in a hard hitting contest, 17-14.
NickP: The defending state champion Huskies have a stout offensive line led by Division I college recruit Navi Arretche. Quarterback Robert McDaniel is a stud who led last year’s team to the state title as a sophomore. Huskies hold off the Pride, 18-14.
CoachT: This will be a slugfest. BC advanced with a last-second win over Sonora. Hughson took out top-seed Sutter and is on a mission to repeat. Mission accomplished. Hughson wins 24-23.
Division VII
No. 1A Ripon Christian (12-1) vs. No. 1B Woodland Christian (12-0)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
JoeD: This is a rematch of last season’s title game, won by RC, 28-16. RC coach Phil Grams said he has been inspired by the leadership and grit of this group, one that has rushed for 3,357 yards and 61 TDs and passed for 1,368 and 20. WC has just three starting seniors for coach Michael Paschke, whose program doesn’t feel it is a year away from making history. RC wins, 35-30.
MatthewB: To say these teams are rolling would be quite the understatement. The 14 points Ripon Christian allowed against Orestimba in the semis broke a five-game shutout streak for the Knights. Woodland Christian hasn’t won by less than 38 points since September. The Cardinals win their first blue banner in a tight one, 28-25.
NickP: Ripon Christian has been the school of champions the past couple of years, sweeping football, boys basketball and baseball last season while the girls volleyball team just repeated as CIF state champions. Woodland Christian has had a magical run, but the Knights make the Cardinals’ clock strike midnight and repeat, 24-21.
CoachT: Both teams have dismantled opponents to get here. WC has closed the gap on RC from last year, but the experienced Knights find a way, 38-31.
Last week and season totals:
JoeD: 5-0 (60-24)
MatthewB: 4-1 (60-24)
NickP: 1-4 (54-30)
CoachT: 5-0 (50-34)
This story was originally published November 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM.