The Bee’s Top 25: Capsule updates, preview of how each team can win CIF section championship
The upstarts are what make football fun, especially if we take a peek ahead a bit here at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
That scramble starts Nov. 8. Coaches and student-athletes are conditioned not to look beyond the next practice and the next game, but not us. We’re geared to ponder the future, and high school teams work since January in the weight room and since July with the start of fall practice for a shot to enjoy the postseason.
Regular-season finales are Friday before the real action takes over. The playoffs are about the heavies, the defending champions, the upstarts and the upset-minded. An upstart focused on the immediate but encouraged about the future is Pleasant Grove, the gritty Eagles of the Elk Grove Unified School District.
Pleasant Grove pulled one of the season’s epic upsets last week, toppling red-hot Elk Grove 31-14 in a Delta League clash to move the Eagles to 6-3 overall and a for-sure spot in the Division I playoffs. The PG coach is Josh Crabtree, quick with the quips, quick with the stare-down glare or glance for a blown play, and quick with kudos for jobs well done. He speaks for many coaches about being emotional after a conquest like this, the time invested, the ups and downs, twists and turns.
“If I sat down and honestly tried to figure out how many hours we have spent together over the last three years since I took over here, I’m certain the number would be well into the thousands,” Crabtree said. “I’m not a robot. I love these kids. If you don’t love your players, why are you in this business?”
He continued: “What I asked the kids at PG to do when I showed up here here years ago was to have faith in the vision I had for what this football program could become. (Former Elk Grove High and Sheldon coach) Ed Lombardi always used to tell our teams at Sheldon that ‘belief was having faith without having any evidence.’”
The evidence is the work invested. Two years after going 1-9, and a year after going 4-7, the buy-in continues for the Eagles, who on Friday host a Laguna Creek team eager for a win to secure a playoff berth. Pleasant Grove is proof that turnarounds happen. It starts with leadership and a buy-in commitment from players.
“The kids at PG are our single greatest natural resource,” Crabtree said, adding that in his 25 years of regional coaching, the journey is never dull. “I’m a realist, and I know at some point this season will come to an end. So I’m staying in the moment and trying to help these kids take this thing as far as we can take it.”
The section office will release playoff brackets on a free NFHS online stream at 1 p.m. Sunday.
1. Folsom (8-1)
Division: I
Result: Beat Jesuit, 55-10
Next: Friday at Granite Bay
Update: The Bulldogs will four-peat as section large-school champions if opponents cannot stop QB star Ryder Lyons, or the warming-up fast RB Carter Jackson and ever-reliable Daymion Rivera, and especially if they cannot contain Theo Greule. The super senior will start his 50th varsity game in the trenches this week, and he leads the team in sacks, QB hurries, caused fumbles and punt return scores.
2. Grant (6-3)
Division: II
Result: Bye
Next: Friday vs. Cordova
Update: The Pacers will three-peat as a section champion, moving up a division this season, if they continue to attack with balance with QB Luke Alexander and RB Brandon Lambert, if the offensive line continues to set the tone. And this: if opposing guards, tackles, tight ends and backs cannot prevent Jeremiah Tuiileila from ransacking their backfield, that’s major trouble. He has 11 sacks and averages 13 tackles a game.
3. Rocklin (8-1)
Division: II
Result: Beat Del Oro, 35-14
Next: Friday vs. Oak Ridge
Update: The Thunder will repeat as section champions if they continue to do what they do best: run with power with Derek Keeley and with burst with Rafi Merino, stretch the field with QB Reeve Slone and do-all star Mikey Cunningham, dominate the trenches and defend.
4. Oak Ridge (5-4)
Division: I
Result: Beat Whitney, 64-0
Next: Friday at Rocklin
Update: The Trojans can win their second section since 2019 if they unleash more of the speedy and versatile Jasen Womack, continue to get the ball to rampaging, Alabama-bound TE Kaleb Edwards and play more inspired defense. Oak Ridge has lost the last two D-I finals to rival Folsom in tight contests.
5. Granite Bay (7-2)
Division: I/II
Result: Beat Davis, 52-14
Next: Friday vs. Folsom
Update: The Grizzlies will either be D-I or D-II in the playoffs, and they can win behind QB Nick Harris, RB/DB Isaiah Ene, WR Joseph Cattolico, and a defense that has shown it can be a factor. The coach, Joe Cattolico, is as good as it gets.
6. Twelve Bridges (9-0)
Division: IV
Result: Beat Roseville, 55-20
Next: Friday vs. Del Campo
Update: The remarkable Raging Rhinos of Lincoln can, as a third-year varsity program, win its first section after falling in the final seconds of the D-V finals last season by doing more of the same: Run behind a stout line and with RB Braeden Ward (1,523 yards, 23 touchdowns), maximize versatile, two-way playmaker Isaiah Rodriguez and hammer away on defense.
7. West Park (9-1)
Division: III
Result: Beat Kennedy, 49-0
Next: Playoffs, TBA
Update: The Panthers of Roseville have tasted the postseason before and can win the D-III bracket if QB Jaden Jackson, RB Ben Osby and WRs HaReal Greer, Mason Johnson and Dylan Smith really hit their stride — and if the defense can contain speed backs and deep-ball passers.
8. Placer (7-1)
Division: IV
Result: Beat Yuba City, 52-0
Next: Friday at River Valley
Update: The Hillmen can take the D-IV field if they run with speed, control the lines of scrimmage and get the ball to versatile Baylor Kelley. And if they can either avoid Twelve Bridges or beat them to avenge last week’s setback.
9. Christian Brothers (7-3)
Division: III
Result: Bye
Next: Friday at Rio Americano
Update: The gritty Falcons, thinned by injuries but fueled by pride and momentum, can win the program’s first section championship since 1983 if QB Isaiah Jordan can keep making plays off direct snaps, if RB Jay Cummings really heats up, and if teams cannot block the state’s leading tackler in Josiah Campbell, averaging 16.1 stops a game.
10. Inderkum (7-2)
Division: I
Result: Beat Rio Americano, 64-0
Next: Friday at Ponderosa
Update: Even in losses to Grant and Christian Brothers, the Tigers showed plenty, and they can win the program’s first section crown if QB Ricky Cole stays hot (27 TD passes, two interceptions), including getting the ball to WR Lono Chouteau. Also a must: if stoppers such as Isaac Estacio, Cruise Cole and Kyle Gurganious really up their games. Indy lost a tight game to Folsom in the 2023 D-I semifinals.
11. Monterey Trail (5-4)
Division: I
Result: Beat Cosumnes Oaks, 63-6
Next: Friday at Elk Grove
Update: Three losses were to out-of-area playoff-bound programs, geared to test the Mustangs, who can win the D-I bracket by running the ball to control the clock and by tackling the speed burners. MT used this formula to beat Folsom in the 2019 D-I semis.
12. Destiny Christian (7-2)
Division: III
Result: Beat Antelope, 42-21
Next: Friday vs. McClatchy
Update: The Lions can take the D-III field if QB Dallas Munn keeps firing passes and running when needed, RB Malakai Taione-Tauataina keeps on rolling and WR Greyson Smith adds to his 13 touchdowns. And if the defense can handle run-heavy teams.
13. Elk Grove (6-3)
Division: II
Result: Lost to Pleasant Grove, 31-14
Next: Friday vs. Monterey Trail
Update: The Thundering Herd can win their second section since 2019 if QB David Hale runs wild, if he can provide passing for balance and if the Pleasant Grove setback serves as a wake-up call.
14. Jesuit (5-4)
Division: II
Result: Lost to Folsom, 55-10
Next: Friday at Whitney
Update: The Marauders will be in a stacked D-II field that will include St. Mary’s of Stockton, but Big Red can make a charge if do-all grinder leader Jack Patock continues his stellar season and the lines hold their own.
15. Sacramento (6-3)
Division: IV
Result: Beat Fairfield, 34-14
Next: Friday at River City
Update: The Dragons can compete for their first section crown if everyone gets healthy, if the offense remains balanced, and if they can win the tight games after losing three of them in succession in Monticello Empire League play.
16. Vacaville (6-3)
Division: II
Result: Beat River City, 45-14
Next: Friday vs. Wood
Update: The Bulldogs are battle tested with early losses to playoff-bound Granite Bay, Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa and Rodriguez of Fairfield, teams that are a combined 24-2. Vacaville can make a title run if RB Tanner Boyd heats up and LB Brandon Morton keeps making stops.
17. Pleasant Grove (6-3)
Division: I
Result: Beat Elk Grove, 31-14
Next: Friday vs. Laguna Creek
Update: The Eagles can take a run at their first section crown since 2010 if they play inspired like they did in dominating Elk Grove; if QB Cole Davis is on target down field; if offensive cogs Bobby Mitchell, Jacob Beals and Cody Nydegger stretch the defense; and if grinders such as LB Maddox Ali keep making stops.
18. Bradshaw Christian (9-0)
Division: VI
Result: Beat Argonaut, 60-0
Next: Friday vs. Rosemont
Update: The Pride can win their sixth overall small-school championship with the proven formula of running the ball; with more steady QB play by leader Ethan Rickert; and with continued defensive excellence from Sam Danilyuk, Mateo Mojica and Devyn McDonald.
19. Roseville (6-3)
Division: IV
Result: Lost to Twelve Bridges, 55-20
Next: Friday vs. Woodcreek
Update: The Tigers can win D-IV if they play like they did in topping Placer, 36-35 behind leaders such as QB Mason Susnara, and if they avoid the avalanche that is Twelve Bridges. Or pull a stunner in a rematch.
20. Casa Roble (6-3)
Division: V
Result: Beat El Camino, 55-0
Next: Friday vs. Sutter
Update: The Rams can repeat as D-V champions if the offense remains prolific behind QB Aidan Lopez, WRs Connor Campbell and Ethan Horner and RB Braylen Blevins — and if star WR/DB Elijah Huddle can return at full force from a nagging injury.
21. Sutter (8-1)
Division: V
Result: Bye
Next: Friday at Casa Roble
Update: The Huskies won 15 section championships in the Northern Section, eight since 2012, and they can take their first in this section if RBs Marcus Meras and Dominic Souza and their offensive line set a fierce tone, and if the defense led by Mason Cartwright, Justice White, Troy Bowens and Max Bringgold keep making plays.
22. Woodland Christian (8-1)
Division: VI
Result: Beat Rio Vista, 54-0
Next: Friday vs. Highlands
Update: The Cardinals of Yolo County can repeat as section, NorCal and CIF State champions if offensive cogs Noah Hinkle and Devin Herrera and stoppers Cesar Abraham-Villegas and Carder Lang keep playing like they have since an opening loss to Bradshaw Christian.
23. Winters (8-0)
Division: IV
Result: Beat Willows by forfeit
Next: Friday at Paradise
Update: Spirited Warriors coach Daniel Ward says he has the best small-school football powerhouse in the greater Sacramento region. So let’s find out. Winters can win its eighth Northern Section crown if RBs Gio Jimenez and Sebastian Rodriguez continue to trample teams and the defense continues to pounce.
24. Oakmont (7-2)
Division: V
Result: Beat Marysville, 21-13
Next: Friday at Wheatland
Update: The Vikings of Roseville can win the D-V bracket by continuing to play inspired, which means more playmaking excellence from QB leader Beau Ogles. Stopping the run is also a must.
25. Wheatland (8-1)
Division: VI
Result: Beat Center by forfeit
Next: Friday vs. Oakmont
Update: The Pirates won 10 section titles in the Northern Section and can win their first in this section if they rediscover their defensive prowess behind LBs Isaac Martin, Joseph Franklin and Konley Cova. Friday will have a playoff feel.