Pick the Preps: No. 1 Folsom visits No. 9 Jesuit under the lights, 12B vs Roseville, more
Where has the season gone?
The Sacramento-area high school football campaign started in the searing heat of August and has finally hit the cool stretch of the stretch drive. You know, games that do not kick off in 100-degree heat and without people muttering, “heat stroke!” as they work their way through the parking lot.
As we bound into Week 9, there are still a lot of league championships to be decided and playoff positioning for those not in the title race.
▪ Speaking of winners, contenders and pretenders, I am running a badly beaten last in our weekly round table Pick the Preps fun, going 3-2 in game picks last week while my running mates each went 5-0. Readers are right: We are clueless, allegedly.
Our running mates: Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions and the streaming NFHS Network; Sacramento Bee freelancer Nick Pecoraro, the host of the highlight-heavy Premier Preps on YouTube; and Scott Tedmon, the one-time championship basketball coach who leads our weekly picks with a 41-11 record and is willing to help anyone with Lotto numbers or whatever.
No. 1 Folsom (7-1) at No. 9 Jesuit (5-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: For several years, these teams played early in the season, with Folsom rolling, and in 2021, Jesuit nearly beat visiting Folsom in a thriller of a Division I playoff game. Now in Sierra Foothill League play, Folsom will look to unleash RBs Carter Jackson, Daymion Rivera and Erick Orme and a defense headed by the incomparable Theo Greule and fellow star seniors Kam Totton and Logan Hutton. Jesuit will pack the house, but Folsom wins, 42-21.
MatthewB: Jesuit will welcome mighty Folsom to play under the lights. Keep your eyes on the trenches. Folsom’s offensive line is a special group, led by senior Luke Sorensen. Jesuit has a lot of guys up front including two-way star Luke Johnston. The Bulldogs are just too tough, 35-27.
NickP: This has historically been a one-sided rivalry with Folsom winning 14 straight since 2007, but as Joe mentioned, Jesuit took the Bulldogs to the limit the last time they met, in a section semifinal. Folsom is just too loaded this year. Bulldogs win, 48-23.
CoachT: Folsom brings their galaxy of stars to Carmichael, which includes defensive stud/punt returner Theo “TD” Gruele. Under Jesuit’s bright new lights, the Bulldogs star that will shine the brightest is do-it-all running back Rivera. Folsom rolls, 48-28.
No. 6 Twelve Bridges (8-0) at No. 18 Roseville (6-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: The good people of Roseville Tigers football pride reminded us that the Foothill Valley League championship wasn’t last week when Bridges played at and beat Placer. It’s this week. Fair enough. Roseville can indeed make a claim for league honors with a win here, but we see RB Braeden Ward and the balanced offense prevailing in front of a great crowd, 42-28.
MatthewB: With all the star power on the Rhinos, guys like Brody Faddis (70 tackles) can get overlooked but are every bit as important. D’marcis Gresham has big play ability for the Tigers as he averages more than 10 yards a carry. Twelve Bridges remains unbeaten, 49-40.
NickP: Roseville is screaming, “Don’t forget about us!” The Tigers haven’t won or shared a league title since 2008, so they’ll be plenty fired up here. But Twelve Bridges is plenty motivated in its own right. Isaiah Rodriguez might be emerging as a Player of the Year candidate for the Rhinos, who win 40-21.
CoachT: Roseville’s mantra this week is “It’s not over until we say it’s over!” The place will be raucous and rowdy until the Raging Rhinos take control. 12B makes its own statement, rampaging to a 45-21 win.
No. 17 Yuba City (6-2) at No. 8 Placer (6-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: Yuba City needs a win here to remain in the FVL title hunt. The Honkers’ biggest win was a 29-28 win over Roseville, which beat Placer 36-35. Placer’s run game with Shaun Jones and Baylor Kelley prevails, 31-30.
MatthewB: Along with one of the best nicknames around, the Honkers have Peter Ithurburn, who always finds his way to the football and has 85 tackles. Placer’s Ivan De Silva is a massive young man and terrific athlete for the Hillmen. Placer gets back on track, 28-24.
NickP: Yuba City is just as much in a league championship race as anyone and won’t make it easy for the Hillmen. But Placer doesn’t often lose three straight games at home. The Hillmen bounce back from home losses to Roseville and Twelve Bridges with a 35-32 win.
CoachT: Yuba City has won four of its last five, leaning on a stout defense led by senior stopper Ithurburn. Placer brings speed, strength and an upset stomach after the loss to 12B. Hillmen get back on track, silencing the Honkers, 35-28.
No. 24 Marysville (4-4) at Oakmont (6-2)
JoeD: This one has Pioneer Valley League championship implications as Marysville, Oakmont and Wheatland are 4-1 in league play. Both of these squads are inspiring teams, proof that perseverance counts as both came off lean 2023 seasons. Marysville has a star RB in Dennis Syders, and Oakmont is led by gritty senior QB leader Beau Ogles. Oakmont in a fun one, 24-23.
MatthewB: As we head towards the section playoffs, let’s not forget how much a PVL title would mean to these programs. Marysville has an opportunistic defense led my Kaleb Hill’s three interceptions. Oakmont’s Mac Hughes is second in the section with 111 tackles. Marysville is playing its best football and wins here, 21-20.
NickP: I said the PVL was very intriguing a few weeks back, and it’s certainly shaping up to be an interesting finish over these last couple weeks. There’s a chance to have a four-way tie for first place with Oakmont, Marysville, Wheatland and Bear River all in the running. For this week, I’ll take Oakmont, 21-17.
CoachT: Marysville is on a three-game burner which includes knocking Wheatland from the ranks of the unbeaten. Oakmont has also won three straight, so something’s got to give. Adam Johnson leads the Marysville defense with 58 tackles and two fumble recoveries and he makes the big stop late to preserve the Indians win, 21-17.
Season totals
JoeD: 34-18
MatthewB: 39-13
NickP: 37-15
CoachT: 41-11