Pick the Preps: Monterey Trail-Elk Grove, Sutter-Casa Roble, a Winless Bowl game and more
Didn’t the high school football season in Sacramento kick off just days ago? Well, yes, in a matter of speaking.
It’s been a minute since the searing start of the season on Aug. 23, and now, quite suddenly, we’re here breaking down Week 10 games with the playoffs set to start Nov. 8.
The Golden Empire League, Pioneer Valley League and Delta League will crown champions this week, and such achievements still matter in an era where the focus seems to be on CIF Sac-Joaquin Section banners.
The GEL showdown pits Casa Roble hosting Sutter in Orangevale, and is perhaps a preview of a Division V playoff rumble, too.
The PVL honors will go to either Wheatland or the visiting Oakmont Vikings of Roseville. The Delta title will go to Monterey Trail if the Mustangs defeat fellow Elk Grove Unified School District member Elk Grove, unless the Thundering Herd prevail, thus creating a tie for the championship.
▪ Speaking of champions, heavies and pretenders, I won the pick-the-preps pool last season but am now running a badly beaten last. More film work needed. I went 4-0 last week in pick/guesses, as did Sacramento Bee freelancer Nick Pecoraro, the host of the weekly highlight show on YouTube called “Premier Preps.” Play-by-play man Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions with the streaming NFHS Network went 3-1 and leads this rat race; and retired area basketball coach Scott Tedmon, now trying to sound like an expert on NFHS, leads the pack with a 44-12 won-loss record.
No. 4 Oak Ridge (5-4) at No. 3 Rocklin (8-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
JoeD: The coaches for these Sierra Foothill League bruiser programs are great friends, Jason Adams of Rocklin and Casey Taylor of Oak Ridge. Funny story: Years ago, they coached their daughters in youth basketball, and after piling a pack of kids into his ride, Taylor was asked, “Daddy, did we win?” Taylor nearly went off the road. “No, we didn’t win! Wouldn’t even get the ball to mid court!” Off to ice cream they went. Who gets the treats after this one? Go with the home team in games this tight as Rocklin muscles it out, 17-14.
MatthewB: One more tune up before the playoffs for these heavyweights. Rocklin has taken five in a row from Oak Ridge. Does the streak end here? Not yet. The Thunder win, 27-21.
NickP: Oak Ridge sophomore Isaac Pierce had a season-high 124 receiving yards and has four interceptions in his last three games, including three pick-sixes. For the Thunder, Derek Keeley and Alex Durham have posted double-digit tackles in each of their past two games while Henry Hatada has four sacks over that span. Rocklin wins a meat grinder, 24-23.
CoachT: Is it possible for the No. 4 ranked team to be under the radar? It seems that way with Oak Ridge. A brutal early season schedule led to some losses but prepared the Trojans. Rocklin is rugged, resilient and ready to rumble, and led by QB Reeve Slone, who makes plays with his ammo arm and elusive legs. Thunder edge the Trojans, 24-21.
No. 11 Monterey Trail (5-4) at No. 12 Elk Grove (6-3)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: This was the expected showdown to decide the Delta, and here we go with two powerhouse running teams, meaning we’ll all get home before curfew. Monterey Trail has a speed advantage, and that leads to a 30-28 victory.
MatthewB: Both teams are right on the fringe of hosting a playoff game and a win here could secure that. The Mustangs narrowly beat the Herd, 28-24.
NickP: It feels like we can always count on Monterey Trail bouncing back from an 0-for-their-preseason schedule to challenge for a league title. Elk Grove is trying to bounce back from the upset of last week against Pleasant Grove. I’m going with the Mustangs, 33-28.
CoachT: This is a bare-knuckle bruiser between two teams that will knock you down, help you up, only to knock you down again. MT is finishing in typical dominating fashion after a brutal preseason schedule. Mustangs star RB D’Adrien Sanders breaks one late to secure a 34-31 MT win.
No. 21 Sutter (8-1) at No. 20 Casa Roble (6-3)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: This was the expected rumble for the GEL back in August, and if Elijah Huddle is back at WR for the host Rams, he’s a difference maker. Sutter has won 26 league championships, the first in 1963 and 19 in the last 24 years. Sutter’s loss was on a 99-yard drive at Bradshaw Christian. It may be a similar effort here, though Casa wins it, 24-21.
MatthewB: An outright league championship goes to the winner. Sutter will bring its physicality to Casa, which has found its groove and health after a slow start. Sutter wins, 31-28.
NickP: This one will get you a game recap in the Bee and Premier Preps highlights from yours truly. Cohen Peabody has emerged as a nice weapon for Casa Roble with 100-plus receiving yards and two scores in each of his past two games. But Sutter has defensive dudes attacking from all angles, including Mason Cartwright, Troy Bowens and Max Bringgold. Forgive me, fellow Orangevalians, but Sutter wins, 28-21.
CoachT: Sutter has dismantled every team this year not named Bradshaw Christian. The Rams are rolling, outscoring five GEL opponents 203-43. This is a battle of the irresistible force of Casa versus the immovable object of Sutter. Huskies defense gets it done, 24-21.
No. 24 Oakmont (7-2) at No. 25 Wheatland (8-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: How cool is this to have two upstarts fighting for league honors. Wheatland is two years removed from an 0-10 season and went 3-7 last season, and Oakmont went 0-10 last season. Kudos to both coaches. Oakmont has a QB playmaking star in Beau Ogles, and he’s the difference here in a tight one, 24-21.
MatthewB: I’ve been burned by picking against both of these team, so I need to get this one right. Oakmont has won its last four games and Wheatland has had two weeks to rest and prepare. I’m rolling with the Vikings, 20-17.
NickP: Oakmont has had a fantastic comeback season after last season, but Wheatland is at home and rested after a forfeit win over Center. Junior Konley Cova can do it all (602 rushing yards, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks). Wheatland takes the win and the PVL title, 20-15.
CoachT: Wheatland’s had two weeks to get ready for what I’m calling “The Turnaround Bowl.” Oakmont has ripped off four straight wins. Make it five as the Vikings beat the Pirates, 28-27.
El Camino (0-9) at Woodland (0-9)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: What on Earth are we doing previewing a Winless Bowl? Well, for kicks and because we can. These GEL members used to field fantastic football programs, and it wasn’t too long ago that they were in the playoffs. You can bet this game matters because no one likes a winless season. Woodland takes it, 20-7.
MatthewB: All you have to do is look at the last game we picked to see two teams with abrupt turnarounds. This one could be the win that gives one of these teams the momentum heading into next season. Woodland takes it, 28-21.
NickP: Woodland has been playing much better in the second half of the season. El Camino has only put up double-digit points once, and it was in the season opener. Take Woodland, 27-10.
CoachT: I remember the days when El Camino was a powerhouse starring All-American fullback Jerry Machen who played at Cal. The Eagles play hard but scoring has been a challenge. Woodland has been competitive with senior bruiser Brady Colbert playing both ways. Wolves will be howling after beating the Eagles, 24-10.
Season totals
JoeD: 38-18
MatthewB: 42-14
NickP: 41-15
CoachT: 44-12