The Bee’s Top 25 rankings: Sizing up the Sacramento area’s best high school football teams
The premiere league for Sacramento-area high school football is the Sierra Football League.
Many deem it the “Superior Football League” of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section.
The Folsom Bulldogs lead the pack in this power conference. They sit atop The Sacramento Bee’s rankings to open the 2024 season, which is exactly where they left off last season.
Since 2012, Folsom has been The Bee’s preseason No. 1-ranked team every season except one. Also ranked from the SFL: No. 3 Rocklin, No. 5 Oak Ridge, No. 6 Granite Bay, No. 13 Del Oro and No. 15 Jesuit, which was realigned from the Delta League.
A closer look at the Top 25 with last season’s records in parentheses:
1. Folsom Bulldogs (13-2)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: I
Outlook: In his sixth season as head coach, Paul Doherty may have his best team with a host of returning players and some incoming transfers sure to make an impact. QB Ryder Lyons was superb as a sophomore (3,578 yards passing, 929 rushing, 61 total touchdowns) in earning Bee Player of the Year honors and leading the Bulldogs to a Sac-Joaquin Section championship three-peat and the program’s fifth CIF state crown. Since 2010, Folsom has won 10 section crowns. RB Carter Jackson, the area’s top runner, returns to Folsom after two spectacular rushing seasons at Granite Bay. RB Daymion Rivera earned All-Metro honors in 2023, as did TE Nela Tupou and WR Jameson Powell. The trenches are led by OL Luke Sorensen and DL Theo Greule, the linebacker unit by Logan Hutton and the secondary by Jaron Hodson. The first two games are whoppers: at home vs. Long Beach Poly and three-time NorCal Open champion Serra of San Mateo.
2. Grant Pacers (12-2)
League: Metro
Division: II
Outlook: This program is as storied as there is in any sport in section history, the pride of Del Paso Heights. The Pacers seek a third consecutive section banner (and their 10th overall since 1991) and another trip to the state finals. The co-coaches are alums of the school in Carl Reed and Syd Thompson. QB Luke Alexander is one of eight starters back on offense. WR Koby Shabazz sparkled as a freshman and DL Jerimaiah Tuiileila is the reigning Bee Defensive Player of the Year after recording 23 sacks. Lucio Dominguez leads an OL unit that returns every starter. Grant plays powerhouse De La Salle in Concord on Aug. 30, and then Inderkum on Sept. 7.
3. Rocklin Thunder (12-2)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: I/II
Outlook: Rocklin powered its way to the section D-II championship last season and there’s enough back for coach Jason Adams to expect a repeat effort. Leading the chargee are QB Reeve Slone, RB/LB Derek Keeley, DBs Mikey Cunningham and Mavrik Collins and shadow-casting linemen in three-year starters Garrison Blank (a UCLA commit) and Henry Hatada. Adams raved about the strong culture in his program.
4. Inderkum Tigers (11-2)
League: Capital Valley
Division: I
Outlook: Defensive-minded coach Reggie Harris and offensive-minded co-coach Justin Reber are beaming at the potential of their team and seeking a rematch after pushing Folsom to the brink in the D-I playoffs last season. Twelve starters return, including record-setting QB Ricky Cole (49 TD passes, four interceptions), RB Kyle Gurganious (12 TDs), WR Lono Chouteau (16 TD catches) and two-way lineman Manny Colon. This could be Inderkum’s finest team yet, and there have been a few as the program seeks its 16th consecutive playoff showing.
5. Oak Ridge Trojans (10-3)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: I
Outlook: The Trojans of El Dorado Hills aim to overtake Folsom, battling their rivals in tight D-I section title games in 2022 and 2023 under alum coach Casey Taylor. The region’s top senior recruit is TE/DE Kaleb Edwards, a scholar and a baller at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, who has committed to Alabama. QB Joaquin Graves-Mercado and RB/DB Jasen Womack also return. How fast the OL comes together will be key as all five starters from 2023 graduated. DB Ryan Hickey and LB Braedon Mulgannon are among the 12 returning starters, and the early schedule is a grinder by design.
6. Granite Bay Grizzlies (6-6)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: I/II
Outlook: Coach Joe Cattolico lost some star power to graduation and by transfer, but great programs like this don’t miss a beat. Three-year varsity RB/DB Isaiah Ene is a junior playmaker on his way to becoming an all-time program great as the Grizzlies seek their 26th consecutive playoff berth, the section’s longest current streak. QB Nick Harris is ready to seize the job. WR/DB Joseph Cattolico, son of the coach, is quick and versatile. Seniors Austin Valdez and Kellen Ashford are top linemen.
7. Monterey Trail Mustangs (7-4)
League: Delta
Division: I
Outlook: Only 30 players dot the roster, which has been the norm under demanding yet beloved TJ Ewing, the only varsity head coach since the school opened in Elk Grove in 2004. No one gets more out of less than this program. After plowing through the Metro League with a 27-0 record over four seasons, Monterey Trail is back in the Delta. The returners include RB D’Adrien Sanders (13 TDs), DL/LB Elijah Folau and LB Gabe Coronado.
8. Elk Grove Thundering Herd (6-5)
League: Delta
Division: II
Outlook: Elk Grove knows about the postseason, having reached it 33 times since 1984 with 12 section finals appearances and seven crowns. The flex-bone run offense returns QB leader David Hale (14 rushing TDs in 2023) whilee the defense is led by Washington State-bound DE Lucan Amituanai and DB Polo Cooper for coach John Heffernan.
9. Casa Roble Rams (12-2)
League: Golden Empire
Division: V
Outlook: The Rams of Orangevale won the D-V section championship and figure to be even better this season under fired-up veteran coach Chris Horner. He returns 12 starters, including QB Connor Campbell (34 TD passes, four interceptions), RB Braylen Blevins (951 yards, 12 TDs), Sacramento State-committed WR Elijah Huddle (12 TDs) and WR Ethan Horner, son of the coach, whose winning 2-point conversion in the section finals is a family highlight forever. DL Darren Dalton is a force. The opener at Placer is a gauge game out of the gate.
10. Placer Hillmen (6-5)
League: Foothill Valley
Division: IV
Outlook: Alum coach Joey Montoya is in his 18th season in Auburn, where he honors his late grandfather and Hillmen championship coach from the 1970s, Bill Miller, with continued success. Nineteen starters are back, including QB Rian Williams, RBs Baylor Kelley and Shaun Jones and linemen Ivan DeSilva and Connor Atkinson. It could lead to the program’s 12th league title in 13 seasons and seventh section final under Montoya.
11. West Park Panthers (10-3)
League: Metro
Division: III
Outlook: The Panthers of Roseville are no longer the new kids on the block as a new school. They have arrived under coach Jason Tenner, who returns 17 starters from a playoff team, including QB star Jaden Jackson, WR/DB Mason Johnson (committed to Nevada), RB/LB Calvon Johnson, Sacramento State-committed OL Max Moore, DE Briggs Bevans and DB Guy Razzano.
12. Vacaville Bulldogs (7-5)
League: Monticello Empire
Division: II
Outlook: The Bulldogs of Solano County are a playoff regular since the 1970s, and classy coach Mike Papadopoulos returns 11 starters and reinforcements from a 10-0 junior varsity squad. The offense graduated its leading passer and rusher, but key linemen return and the defense should be stout again, led by DB Elijah Cline and linemen Jaden Beamon-Santos and Jose Medina.
13. Del Oro Golden Eagles (8-5)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: II
Outlook: The Golden Eagles of Loomis are led by first-year coach Josh Parry, a longtime program assistant and a former NFL bruiser. Passion is his game. He has to replace star QB Caden Pinnick, now at UC Davis. RB Marcel Urquhart is back after rushing for seven TDs, as is WR Jackson Malbrough (five TDs) and rising-fast TE Landon Parry, son of the coach, and who already has the best biceps at the family dinner table.
14. Woodcreek Timberwolves (11-2)
League: Capital Valley
Division: III
Outlook: The school is celebrating its 30th year in Roseville, and last season’s squad was the best in program history. The best player in program history may be four-year varsity do-all RB/LB Brody Krupp, a game-changer at 6-0 and 225. Other versatile cogs among the 10 returning starters who reached the D-III section finals under ever-positive coach Brad Hunkins include Josiah Melendez and Tanner McSweeny.
15. Jesuit Marauders (9-2)
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: II
Outlook: Big Red made the big move to the SFL after more than 40 years mostly in the Delta League, and Jesuit will host Friday night games all season for the first time (the school opened in Carmichael in 1963). Veteran coach Marlon Blanton, as classy as they come, returns only two starters on offense and three on defense, but does Jesuit ever have off seasons? The leaders include RB John Patock, RB/DB Alan Cordano and OL/DL Tristan McLoughlin.
16. Christian Brothers Falcons (7-5)
League: Capital Valley
Division: III
Outlook: Alum coach Larry Morla opens at Twelve Bridges and plays rival Jesuit in the Holy Bowl at Hughes Stadium, so it’ll be fast and furious from the start. Junior QB Deakon Holden is a three-year starter who welcomes a revamped line after graduation losses, and he will again look to WR Isaiah Jordan (10 TDs). The D is led by LB star Josiah Campbell. The 25th playoff berth in program history seems likely.
17. Twelve Bridges Raging Rhinos (12-1)
League: Foothill Valley
Division: IV
Outlook: Spirited coach Chris Bean turned this new school in Placer County into an instant winner, reaching a section final last season. Graduation hit hard, though there is depth and talent everywhere, including promising QB Connor Flaherty and RB Braeden Ward. Returners include WR Isaiah Rodriguez and RB/LB Ryan Wanger. Bridges impressed in a scrimmage against Del Oro.
18. Roseville Tigers (6-5)
League: Foothill Valley
Division: III
Outlook: The Tigers of Placer County return 11 starters for coach Adam Reinking and talent from a 9-1 JV team. QB Mason Susnara, TE/LB Kaiden Bedone, OL/DL Nick Bernasconi and OL/DL Dillon Johnson are back. Johnson is a 4.5 student who does it all, including long snap.
19. Pleasant Grove Eagles (4-7)
League: Delta
Division: I
Outlook: The Eagles of Elk Grove played six quarterbacks last season due to every fluke injury but prefer to use one — Cole Davis, who is healthy and motivated. Never-dull coach Josh Crabtree, punishing FB/LB Maddox Ali, WR/DB Jacob Beals and DL Roman Patterson were paramount in boosting Pleasant Grove from a 1-9 team in 2022 to a playoff group in 2023. Fifteen starters return for what figures to be a special season.
20. Vista del Lago Eagles (10-2)
League: Capital Valley
Division: IV
Outlook: The Eagles of Folsom have made the playoffs in 12 of the last 13 seasons, including the last three under coach Kyle Landes. A record-setting offense lost its top passer and receiver to the college ranks, but 12 starters return overall, including WR/DB Will Green and Matt Werpy and LB Nick Navarre.
21. Sacramento Charter Dragons (5-7)
League: Monticello Empire
Division: III/IV
Outlook: The Dragons of Oak Park have a ton to play for, including campus pride as the fight is on to regain charter status. Sac High urged the CIF to move its sports programs into the MEL, never mind the road trips to Solano County. QB Laron James-Radcliffe will throw to WR Robert Hammell and hand off to star RB and scholar Darius Moore.
22. Cosumnes Oaks Wolfpack (6-6)
League: Delta
Division: I
Outlook: The Elk Grove Unified School District program lost players to transfer, which adds fuel to their drive for a playoff return under beloved coach Martin Billings. Four offensive linemen return to assist promising duel-threat QB Josh Garcia and dynamic B Marvin Simmons, a weight-room buff. The defense is led by LB Tristan Jackson and DL Dyland Duncan-Cruz.
23. Woodland Christian Cardinals (15-0)
League: Sierra Delta
Division: VI
Outlook: From meager beginnings in Yolo County with three wins in the program’s first three varsity seasons to last season’s spirited Division 5-A state title march, the Cardinals have arrived under coach Mike Plaschke. WC sported the best record in the state last season, the only one to go unbeaten, a big deal for a school with just under 200 students. Eleven starters return, including do-all Noah Hinkle, OL Zander Gimenez and DB Devin Herrera.
24. Bradshaw Christian Pride (10-3)
League: Sierra Valley
Division: VI
Outlook: Longtime coach Drew Rickert seeks the program’s sixth section title, 17th playoff berth and 13th consecutive postseason appearance. Nineteen returning starters make it doable. The run-heavy offense includes RB Mateo Mojica, also a tackling machine at LB, RBs Brandon Burden and Nathan Zeppieri, QB Ethan Rickert (son of the coach), TE/DE Devyn McDonald and OL/DL Miles McFarland. The opening games: Woodland Christian, Vista del Lago and Sutter.
25. Sutter Huskies (9-3)
League: Golden Empire
Division: V
Outlook: Graduation whisked away some star power on offense and the defensive line, but 14 starters return for a small-school juggernaut used to reaching section title games. The defense should be strong again with LB Mason Cartwright and DB Max Bringgold, and TE Trenton Harter is a prospect at 6-4 and 245 pounds. The league title game could come down to a Week-10 home showdown against Casa Roble.
Bubble: Bear River (5-6), Bella Vista (4-7), Colfax (7-5), Del Campo (4-6), Destiny Christian (2-8), Foothill (7-4), Johnson (6-4), Laguna Creek (7-4), Liberty Ranch (6-5), Marysville (5-6), Natomas (4-6), Nevada Union (6-5), Pioneer (8-4) Rio Americano (9-3), Rosemont (6-6), Sheldon (5-6), Union Mine (9-3), Whitney (2-8), Yuba City (4-7).
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.