Pick the Preps: Rocklin-Folsom, Granite Bay-Jesuit, Grant-DCA, Franklin-Elk Grove and more
What a way to kick off league play on the Sacramento high school football scene: top-ranked Folsom taking on No. 2 Rocklin in a Sierra Foothill League showdown.
It would be wise to add extra eye black, tighten those chin straps and check the equipment before and after kickoff. This goes for the players, too, not just those fidgeting in the stands. This Friday-night encounter at Prairie City Stadium is a meeting between defending CIF Sac-Joaquin Section champions, with Folsom seeking another banner in Division I and Rocklin a repeat in D-II.
Players come and go, but the coaches have largely remained intact for these behemoth programs, led by head coaches Paul Doherty of Folsom and Jason Adams of Rocklin, both of whom praise their assistants and teams for making the grind worth it.
The programs have history, too. This is not their first rodeo together. In a 2021 battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2, Rocklin dropped the hammer on visiting Folsom, 40-7 in Placer County. That halted Folsom’s 48-game SFL winning streak dating back to when the Bulldogs entered the conference before the 2014 season.
That was Folsom’s first league loss in 11 years, ending a regional-record league winning streak of 54 games that stands to this day. But the rematch went to Folsom in the section D-I finals at Hughes Stadium with a 20-3 effort.
What does any of this have to do with Friday? Nothing. It’s interesting data, a glimpse of what’s happened before and something to chew on if your mouth piece has become stale.
▪ On the topic of effort, or lack thereof, we turn to our Bee Pick the Preps results last week. Nick Pecoraro, our Bee stringer and the host of highlight-heavy “Premier Preps” on YouTube, went 6-0. Enjoy your flowers, Nick.
Matthew Bessette, the play-by-play voice for the streaming NFHS Network by way of his ABC JAM Productions, went 5-1, and Scott Tedmon, the retired basketball coach and current color voice for NFHS games, went 4-2. I went a badly beaten 3-3. My vase includes dead flowers.
No. 2 Rocklin (3-0) at No. 1 Folsom (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This won’t be dull, or your money back. Rocklin has been fierce in the trenches, balanced on offense and motivated in the quick start. Folsom was humbled in the one-point loss to Serra-San Mateo, then unleashed on Turlock, 56-14. Rocklin beat Turlock 41-28 in an opener. Comparing scores only makes one dizzy. Both QBs are stars — Reeve Slone for Rocklin and Ryder Lyons for Folsom — but the running game is the difference here. Folsom by a yard, 21-20.
MatthewB: A battle between the top two teams in the section means it doesn’t get much better than this. Both have explosive offenses and stout defenses. The offenses own the day. Folsom wins it, 35-31.
NickP: Let’s see if we can keep those flowers smelling fresh for another week. Nothing against the Thunder, but I’ve learned to not pick against Folsom until they give me a reason for it. Bulldogs win, 30-24.
CoachT: Rocklin is well-coached, talented and has a terrific QB. That’s plenty for the Thunder to beat most teams. The Bulldogs are not most teams. Folsom wins 38-28.
No. 3 Grant (2-2) at No. 13 Destiny Christian (4-0)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: The Pacers have stacked up championships since 1991, including nine section banners, two CIF state crowns and three CIF state finals, and Destiny Christian Academy is officially 2.5 months old after it replaced closed-down Capital Christian, but the Lions have shown great promise early behind QB Dallas Munn, RB star Malakai Taione and a strong defense. They can turn the region upside down with a Metro League upset here. Grant wins, 35-21.
MatthewB: Grant bounced back from its loss against De La Salle and will have to do so again after falling at Clovis East last week. Grant wins a close one, 30-27.
NickP: It sounds weird to use the words “new” and “resurgent” in the same sentence when describing Destiny Christian, but that’s the deal on Mayhew Road. The Lions are off to a great start, but the Pacers will be too much, 40-28.
CoachT: A victory by DCA would send seismic shockwaves up and down the Valley. The San Andreas Fault is safe for another week. Pacers win, 45-24.
No. 5 Granite Bay (3-0) at No. 8 Jesuit (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: Welcome to the SFL, Jesuit Marauders, who will play in front of another packed house in this SFL opener. Granite Bay is coming off a bye, has solid QB Nick Harris, star RB/LB Isaiah Ene and a strong defense. Jesuit has to get its offense going after beating Christian Brothers 7-0 in the Holy Bowl. GB takes it, 21-14.
MatthewB: Two unbeatens looking to score a big SFL victory. Granite Bay was off and resting last week. Jesuit will be on a short week after a physical Holy Bowl on Saturday. The rested Grizzlies get it done, 17-14.
NickP: Jesuit roared out of the gates, scoring touchdowns by the shipload over the first two weeks before being slowed by a stout defensive effort from Christian Brothers. Granite Bay comes in fresh with two weeks of prep for the Marauders. Grizzlies win, 21-17.
CoachT: This sets up to be a good one between Top 10 teams. After last week, Jesuit needs to find its offense — and fast. GB is rested and ready to roar. Grizzlies win a low-scoring physical battle, 17-14.
Franklin (4-0) at No. 18 Elk Grove (1-2)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: The upstart Wildcats have equaled their victory total of the previous three seasons combined, a credit to coach Joseph McCray and achievers such as two-way lineman Aderian Adelabu, who had 13 pancake blocks and four sacks in a rout of Davis last week. Elk Grove features three-year starting QB David Hale and that tricky flex-bone option offense, and that’s the difference in the Thundering Herd’s 35-23 victory in this Delta League opener.
MatthewB: Franklin is looking for its first win against Elk Grove since 2013 and its first 5-0 start since 2012. Elk Grove had a rough first two weeks, but the Thunder Herd are coming off a win and a bye week. Elk Grove edges the much-improved Wildcats, 24-21.
NickP: Many believed it was a lock that the Delta League was going to be decided by Elk Grove or Monterey Trail in the final game of the season. Franklin comes in saying, “Don’t sleep on us.” Plenty to still be excited about in Wildcat country, but the Herd hands them loss No. 1, 32-21.
CoachT: Everything in my bones wants me to pick Franklin. Can the Cinderella story continue against the blue bloods from Elk Grove? Not so fast, my friend. Herd and Hale prevail, 38-24.
No. 20 Del Oro (1-2) at No. 6 Oak Ridge (0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: Del Oro badly needed a win and got it last week over a defending CIF state champion in Acalanes, and the Trojans have taken on bruisers in-state and out-of-state to prepare for the SFL. The pregame embrace between Del Oro coach Josh Parry and Oak Ridge’s Casey Taylor will be genuine as Taylor has been a mentor for the former Sonora High star who played in the NFL. Oak Ridge wins, 28-20.
MatthewB: We are not accustomed to seeing these perennial powerhouses coming in with losing records but they have both challenged themselves in their non-league schedule. Oak Ridge wins a tight one, 28-24.
NickP: Acalanes beat Birmingham in last year’s CIF state final. Del Oro schedules Birmingham for last week. Game canceled. Acalanes’ game is canceled. Del Oro schedules Acalanes last minute. Del Oro beats reigning state champ. What an injection into the Golden Eagles’ veins. But Oak Ridge is aching for a victory after a brutal schedule. Trojans win, 35-28.
CoachT: OR’s tough road work the past two games against great teams has prepared them for the SFL gauntlet. And there’s nothing like home sweet home. Trojans triumph 31-21.
Bear River (3-0) at Wheatland (3-0)
JoeD: A terrific Pioneer Valley League opener between throwback programs. Bear River has grinded out wins in the final seconds, and the host Pirates have rolled in their last two games. I take BR in another tight one, 14-13.
MatthewB: I love when we pick smaller school matchups, and this is a big one. It was a slugfest when these teams played last season, so expect nothing less here. Bear River wins by the same margin, 21-14.
NickP: The PVL will be an interesting field to keep an eye on in the lower divisions. Bear River and Wheatland are relatively young. I say anytime you have a quarterback named “Cash” as do the Pirates with junior Cash Tarrant, put your money on Wheatland, 24-17.
CoachT: Both clubs have bounced back from recent subpar seasons. The winner here will have an early edge towards the PVL title. Wheatland is at home and wins by a whisker, 21-20.
Season totals:
MatthewB: 18-6
NickP: 17-7
CoachT: 17-7
JoeD: 16-8