Pick the Preps: Long Beach Poly at Folsom, Monterey Trail at Inderkum and other big games
If you’re a high school football enthusiast of any measure, you have probably heard of the Jackrabbits of Los Angeles County.
That would be Long Beach Poly, as decorated as they come in with blocking, tackling, speed and results. The school has the most victories in California state history with more than 800. They have been champions of the powerhouse CIF Southern Section 20 times. Along the way, Poly has seen more than 60 of its own play in the NFL, the most of any prep program in the country.
The Jackrabbits have history against Sacramento-area teams, though not favorable in their view, and they head to Bee No. 1-ranked Folsom on Friday night in a banger of a season opener between state powers to highlight a robust opening night of games.
Flashback Poly moments
▪ Grant in 2008 won the first CIF state Open Division championship by knocking off the nationally ranked No. 2 Jackrabbits 25-20 in Carson in a battle of 14-0 heavyweights. QB star Kipeli Koniseti accounted for three touchdowns and hit Darvin McCauley for the game winner with 1:11 to play, pulling the Sacramento region out of the shadows of an unfair perception that this was a second-tier football region.
The Pacers were moved by a parade in Sacramento days later. Fiery Grant coach Mike Alberghini, since retired, said then: “For a lot of these kids, it’s us against the world every day of their lives. We manned up and conquered that big world today.”
▪ In the 2012 Division I state final in Carson, Granite Bay and spirited coach Ernie Cooper stuck it to the Jackrabbits in Carson, using a late 77-yard drive in a steady rain to prevail 21-20.
The Grizzlies defense came up with five interceptions, including one for a score by Dylan Keeney, and John Cooley scored the winner on a 3-yard dive with 1:12 to go. Cooper had his guys wear their helmets for the 15-minute bus ride from the hotel to the field, and they tossed them in the air hours later in joy. Poly coaches before and after the Grant and Granite Bay games admitted that their players had no idea who the Pacers or Grizzlies were. They found out in a hurry.
Pick the preps
The Bee will again pick and project the biggest games of the week, all the more to fire up coaches, players and communities with bulletin-board material. Our panel includes: Yours truly, gearing up for my 35th season on the local beat; Bee freelancer Nick Pecoraro, who hosts the weekly, highlight-heavy Premier Preps on YouTube; play-by-play guru Matthew Bessette of ABCJAM Productions of the streaming NFHS Network; and Scott Tedmon, the retired championship basketball coach who does football color work on the NFHS Network.
Long Beach Poly at No. 1 Folsom
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: Folsom bounds into the season ranked No. 1 in the Sacramento area and No. 1 in Northern California by Cal-Hi Sports, the first such preseason ranking for a Sac-Joaquin Section program since Grant in 2009. The Bulldogs will need a balanced attack and stops on defense to hold off the speedy Jackrabbits. If the line protects QB star Ryder Lyons and if DL bruiser Theo Greule cannot be blocked, the Bulldogs prevail, 21-20.
MatthewB: I’ve been salivating over this one and will be fortunate to broadcast it. Kamarie Smith of LBP and Jameson Powell of Folsom are two of the top underclassmen receivers in the state. The Bulldogs defend the blue turf, 35-21.
NickP: Is it crazy to think that this might be one of Folsom’s most talented rosters? It’s certainly a scary thought knowing what the Bulldogs will have at full strength. Folsom gets off to a good start with a 35-30 win.
CoachT: LB Poly graduated 38 seniors, and despite retooling with young talent and speed to burn, it’s Folsom’s talent, depth and home cooking that will prove too much for the Jackrabbits, 35-21.
No. 7 Monterey Trail at No. 4 Inderkum
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: This is a rematch of a Division I playoff game from last season in which Inderkum belted the Mustangs 50-21 after a scoreless first quarter. QB Ricky Cole fired four touchdown passes to four different targets and ran for two scores, and he’s back for an encore season. Indy wins, 28-20.
MatthewB: We love a playoff rematch and will have a broadcast crew in Natomas to cover. The teams have contrasting styles which will make for a fun one. Inderkum wins, 28-24.
NickP: Cannot wait to see these two superbly coached and richly talented teams collide as I’ll be covering this game for The Bee. The programs are looking to get over the hump in 2024. Indy coach Reggie Harris says his Tigers love being considered underdogs. Inderkum wins, 28-24.
CoachT: Major props to these powerhouse programs for facing off. MT will peak later in the season, as always, but for now, this night belongs to Indy, 34-24.
No. 9 Casa Roble at No. 10 Placer
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This has been a terrific opener for several seasons, the proud programs going back and forth. Casa Roble won the D-V section title last season behind leaders such as QB Conner Campbell and WR Ethan Horton, son of coach Chris Horner, and the Hillmen return a whopping 19 starters. This could be coach Joey Montoya’s best team and his fastest in his 18 years in Auburn. When it’s this close to pick, go with the home team. Placer wins 28-27.
MatthewB: Placer County might not see a bigger nonleague game this season. Casa Roble has the firepower and the confidence to walk into Auburn and come out on top, 31-28.
NickP: Placer will be a threat to make another deep playoff run with size and speed. Casa returns plenty, including defensive stoppers Elijah Huddle (Sacramento State commit) and DL Darren Dalton. The Rams have just enough to stop the Hillmen, 21-20.
CoachT: No matter the enrollment size of schools, this is one of the great regional rivalries as these two have alternated wins the past three seasons. While Casa launched its section championship season with a win over Placer last year, the series trend continues with the Hillmen edging the visiting Rams, 34-31.
No. 16 Christian Brothers at No. 17 Twelve Bridges
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: Old school CB, which opened in 1876, visits the new-school Rhinos of Lincoln. CB returns a three-year starting QB Deakon Holden and senior two-way stars Josiah Campbell and Isaiah Jordan while 12B ushers in a wave of new leaders to replace the graduated ones. Experience will decide it. CB wins 24-21.
MatthewB: The Falcons are young up front but have a lot of talent returning otherwise. The new faces at Twelve Bridges will have to bounce back after a tough loss in the section championship. The Rhinos win it, 21-17.
NickP: It’ll be tough to replace the Class of 2024 at Twelve Bridges, but the word in Lincoln is that the Rhinos feel like they’re better than last year. Connor Flaherty is a mobile QB with weapons such as RB Braeden Ward and WR Isaiah Rodriguez. Twelve Bridges wins a close one, 27-23.
CoachT: It will be rocking in Rhinoville as the Falcons fly into Placer County. The Rhinos will rage early, but in the end Holden will be golden as CB wins 28-17.
Escalon at No. 12 Vacaville
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: Kudos to the storied Cougars of the 209 for taking on this challenge against a larger school of similar tradition. Escalon fears no one after decades of small-school dominance. This will be physical and low-scoring game with the Bulldogs prevailing 14-13.
MatthewB: Escalon has the unenviable task of replacing one of the greatest players in program history in departed QB Donovan Rozevink. Getting familiar with new playmakers is part of what makes the new football season special. Escalon is a true powerhouse program and it will show it here, 20-14.
NickP: Escalon resides in the proud Trans Valley League, one of the strongest leagues in Northern California, pound-for-pound. Both teams feature new QBs. Line play will be pivotal. Go with Escalon and a happy bus ride home, 21-14.
CoachT: I learned a painful lesson last year: Do not pick against Escalon. The Cougars ate up my picks and spit them out. Put away the spittoon. Cougars take down the Bulldogs, 21-17.
No. 23 Woodland Christian at No. 24 Bradshaw Christian
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: How can these small schools be ranked in The Bee’s Top 25? Because they produce, never mind the enrollment. A year ago, WC rallied to top the Pride 15-14 in an opener and never looked back, finishing 15-0 with a state 5-AA championship. BC returns 19 starters and has the experience and motivation for a measure of revenge for a 21-20 victory.
MatthewB: WC boasts the longest win streak in the state and BC has a group of seniors with experience. The Pride end the Cardinals’ streak in another classic, 26-24.
NickP: WC QB Isaiah Hunt proved he’s got big-game prowess when he was plugged into last year’s section championship game. BC will be one of the top running teams in the area with the three-headed monster of Mateo Mojica, Brandon Burden and Nathan Zeppieri. Go with BC, 33-28.
CoachT: As a small-school guy, this is my favorite opening-night matchup. WC comes off a magical 2023 season and hopes to keep the magic alive. However, BC’s physicality, experience and motivation at home is enough. The Pride prevails, 24-21.
