Pick the Preps: Rematches and revenge in mind for Sacramento-area CIF football semifinals
Any playoff tournament gets a boost when there’s a juicy rematch.
We have some for you in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs in the semifinals, where the momentum for the top seeds can be jarred and jolted with an upset loss.
In Division I, the Folsom Bulldogs on Friday night will encounter a fired-up Inderkum Tigers team that has a host of returning players from their outfit that nearly toppled Folsom in a large-school semifinal a year ago. Folsom beat Inderkum 36-29 on its blue turf in 2023, enroute to the program’s third consecutive section banner. Inderkum players and coaches haven’t forgotten, and the Tigers earned their shot at redemption after eliminating Granite Bay 35-20 last week.
In Division IV, top-seeded Twelve Bridges of Lincoln braces for a Placer Hillmen team bent on evening a score. On Oct. 18, the Raging Rhinos traveled to Auburn and dropped a 51-34 conquest on the Hillmen and went on to capture the Foothill Valley League championship with 10-0 regular season. Now Twelve Bridges is the host school in the rematch.
▪ Speaking of evening the score, I went a sold 7-1 in game predictions last week, which is still good for last place with my round-table preview crew. They are: the first-place, front-running Scott Tedmon, a color analyst on streaming NFHS football and basketball games; and second-place pickers in ABC JAM Productions guru and NFHS play-by-play man Matthew Bessette; and sports journalist Nick Pecoraro, the host of “Premier Preps” on YouTube.
Division I
No. 4-seed Inderkum (9-2) at No. 1 Folsom (10-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This is a nifty showdown of top quarterbacks, Ricky Cole accounting for 103 career touchdowns in two seasons at Inderkum and Ryder Lyons similarly shredding teams with his skill set to the tune of 111 TDs the last two seasons. In last year’s playoff game, Lyons was intercepted three times and managed just 136 yards passing, but he rushed 21 times for 191 yards and three TDs, and returning back Daymion Rivera rushed for 134 yards and a score. Those two will be in attack mode again. Cole accounted for two scores in the 2023 showdown. Folsom prevails, 35-30.
MatthewT: Inderkum’s Lono Chouteau and Folsom’s Jameson Powell are two of the best receivers around. With rain in the forecast, we will see how these potent passing attacks handle the conditions. Folsom goes to the ground game and wins it, 35-28.
NickP: It’s always around this time of year that I say that I won’t be picking against the Bulldogs until they give me a reason to. So far, they haven’t. Bulldogs roll onto the finals, 45-28.
CoachT: Inderkum is one of the few teams to hang with the mighty Bulldogs over the past two years and they are not intimidated. The QB matchup is compelling. The difference is Folsom’s depth and defense. The Bulldogs will be tested but win, 34-21.
No. 6 Turlock (9-3) at No. 2 Oak Ridge (7-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. in El Dorado Hills
JoeD: The Trojans are coming off of an inspired 45-20 win over a fast, run-heavy Monterey Trail team as Joaquin Graves-Mercado tossed two touchdown passes to Jasen Womack, who also ran for two scores. Turlock has won eight in a row and has shown no quit, including rallying to beat Central Catholic 43-42 last week in overtime behind impressive freshman quarterback Scout Silva. Not Scott Silva, mind you, but Scout Silva. Oak Ridge takes it, 38-30.
MatthewT: Turlock scored a win for the ages last week over 209 power Central Catholic. After a rough start to the season with their quarterback going down, the Trojans are playing fantastic football, but Oak Ridge advances to a third straight title game, 27-20.
NickP: Oak Ridge has encountered Turlock in each of its past four postseason appearances before this year and won each time. And although Turlock has outstanding defenders in Bradlee Green and Kaeden Patterson, I don’t see that trend changing this year, setting up another Oak Ridge-Folsom championship game. Trojans, 34-20.
CoachT: It’s been two months since Turlock tasted defeat, and the Bulldogs are on a roll. Coach Casey Taylor once again has Oak Ridge playing its best football when it matters the most. With QB1 Graves-Mercado back to complement Womack, Kaleb Edwards and crew, Oak Ridge wins, 35-24.
Division II
No. 4 Manteca (10-1) at No. 1 Rocklin (9-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This one figures to be physical and fun, and with both teams big on the run, it might be over by 8:30. Manteca comes in with a pedigree that includes nine section championships since 2001, with Rocklin looking to repeat as section champions. Rocklin’s offensive attack includes QB Reeve Slone, RBs Rafi Merino and Derek Kelley and WR Mikey Cunningham. The Buffaloes have rushed for 50 touchdowns, making for quite the challenge against Rocklin’s stout defense. Thunder take it, 21-20.
MatthewT: These teams met in the semifinals two years ago in Manteca. We will have the rematch in Rocklin covered on the NFHS Network. Both teams want to run the football and will need to in order to advance. Rocklin gets revenge two years in the making, 21-18.
NickP: Manteca sophomore Nikko Juarez is one of the best running backs in the section when healthy. His availability will be crucial for the Buffaloes. But even if Manteca is at full strength, I’m not sure if it’s enough to take down the Thunder at home. Rocklin wins, 38-24.
CoachT: Bring your lunch pail, hard hat, and a box of Band-Aids to this one. And forget the Rocky Mountains. Manteca is where the Buffaloes really roam. Rocklin can match anyone physically, so this promises to be a slugfest. Stars get the ink, but games are won by the big uglies at the line of scrimmage. Advantage Thunder, 24-21.
No. 3 Grant (8-3) at No. 2 St. Mary’s (9-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. in Stockton
JoeD: Grant looked tremendous in taking apart Jesuit 49-7 last week as Brandon Lambert rushed for 114 yards and three scores, and Luke Alexander passed for 260 yards and two TDs. The host Rams are also a prolific bunch, hardened by a brutal nonleague schedule. Grant’s defense makes enough stops to inch closer to its goal of a section championship three-peat, winning 42-40.
MatthewT: Don’t blink in this one or you might miss something. We are working with the St. Mary’s broadcast team to get this one covered. Grant’s Koby Shabazz is one of the most electric players you’ll see and just a sophomore. The Pacers win, 38-35.
NickP: St. Mary’s has a tremendous group of skill players that includes Kenneth Moore III, Osani Gayles and Ivan Huerta, among others. Grant counters with reigning Bee Defensive Player of the Year Jeremiah Tuiileila, Malachi Simonton and Julian Bruno. Pacers win in a shootout, 45-42.
CoachT: This is another D-II playoff beauty with future D-I college players all over the field. The Rams’ Kenneth Moore III is sensational and will give Grant all it can handle. Grant has an impressive blend of talented veterans, irrepressible youth and the best drum line in the land. Grant wins, 38-35.
Division III
No. 5 Destiny Christian Academy (9-3) at No. 1 Oakdale (8-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: When Dallas Munn is breaking free for 75-yard touchdown runs and you remember he’s the strong-armed quarterback, then things are rolling. That’s what the senior did last week against Christian Brothers in a 28-7 victory, and he’ll have to be at his best against the storied Oakdale Mustangs, who rev up their home crowds at one of the great venues in the state in “The Corral.” DCA wins, 28-21.
MatthewT: Destiny has been on a roll since their early league losses to Grant and West Park. Oakdale has the top runner in the section in Wes Burford. Oakdale’s run game is too much in the rain, 34-31.
NickP: Destiny will have its paws full with Oakdale junior Burford, who leads the section with 2,249 rushing yards – the only player in the section who averages better than 200 yards per game. The Mustangs are battle-tested in the VOL and make it hard for visiting teams to win at The Corral. Oakdale, 21-19.
CoachT: DCA is one of the hottest teams in the playoffs and the Lions will need to burn even hotter to win here. Oakdale’s Buford is averaging an insane 204.5 rushing yards per game and has 32 touchdowns. DCA will bring it all but won’t stop Burford, whose team wins a shootout at the OK Corral, 45-42.
No. 3 Vanden (9-2) at No. 2 West Park (10-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. in Roseville
JoeD: West Park impressed in eliminating Merced last week, 45-28, as Jaden Jackson passed for 204 yards and four TDs, three to Mason Johnson, and Ben Osby rushed for 206 yards. On defense, Gavin McDaniel blocked a field goal, Nick Pajcin returned a pick for a score, and Briggs Bevans had two sacks. These Panthers play big again in a 28-24 victory.
MatthewT: Vanden is riding a five-game win streak coming. West Park is back at full strength and win, 42-34.
NickP: Vanden QB Kalani McLeod is right there among the section’s leaders in passing yards with more than 3,000. West Park has the secondary to counter with Deacon Ogden and Gavin McDaniel leading the way. Panthers win to reach their first section final, 35-24.
CoachT: It’s Tradition versus New Kids on the Block here. The Panthers were semifinalists last year and look to take the next step. The Vikings are 4-1 on the road. West Park wins, 31-30.
Division IV
No. 4 Placer (9-2) at No. 1 Twelve Bridges (11-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. in Lincoln
JoeD: If Placer expects to win this revenge bout, the Hillmen can’t allow Twelve Bridges to do what it’s done all season: score in bunches early. In the first meeting, Bridges had four first-quarter touchdowns and won 51-34 as the team rushed 47 times for 400 yards and six scores, 229 and three of those coming from star RB Braeden Ward. Placer backs Shaun Jones and Baylor Kelley combined for four scores and 228 yards rushing. Bridges wins, 35-28.
MatthewT: We will be there bringing livestream coverage of this rematch. Many thought Placer got a tough draw with Escalon last week, but the Hillmen had no problems disposing of the Cougars, 42-2. Twelve Bridges hasn’t scored under 50 in a game this season. The Rhinos rage on, 45-42.
NickP: First off, I can admit when I’m wrong. I had Escalon beating Placer last week, and the Hillmen sent the Cougars packing. Well, nothing against Placer, but Twelve Bridges has just been dominant against every opponent this year and makes a return trip to the finals. Rhinos, 48-35.
CoachT: Placer had this one circled on its calendar for weeks. Coach Joey Montoya’s Hillmen are fast and physical. Coach Chris Bean’s Rhinos are fast, physical and on a mission after last year’s section final. For ground game enthusiasts, this one will be glorious. Repairing the turf will be in order when this clash is over. Raging Rhinos stomp their way back to Hughes Stadium with a 45-34 victory.
No. 6 Sacramento (9-3) at No. 2 Patterson (6-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. in Lincoln
JoeD: The upstart Dragons are in this semifinal because they outscored and outlasted Roseville 45-38 in a thriller last week, thanks to offensive balance and big plays. Patterson is this highly seeded because of its league, the Valley Oak, won by Manteca with Central Catholic and D-III top seed Oakdale running close behind. Patterson lost 56-40 to Oakdale and 39-27 to Manteca. Sac finds a way, 20-17.
MatthewT: The Dragons beat the Tigers of Roseville and now have to tame another group of Tigers in Patterson. Don’t be fooled by Patterson’s 6-5 record. This is one of the best offenses in the section. Patterson hangs on late, 40-37.
NickP: Patterson has an outstanding QB in Max Medina, who could eclipse the 3,000-yard passing mark on Friday. But here’s what I learned when I observed Sac High beat Roseville last week: Sophomore QB Le’Ron James-Radcliffe is poised beyond his years, the Dragons have tons of big-play capability and they are fueled by doubters. I’m going with Sac High, 27-26.
CoachT: The Dragons showed out in their impressive win at Roseville. Sac star RB Darrius Moore and the cast of youthful Dragons seem unfazed by the big moments and just keep on winning. The Dragons’ losses were by a combined 16 points to Rodriguez, Vanden and Vacaville. Darrius and the Dragons have at least one “Moore” game to play, as Sac wins, 34-31.
Season totals
CoachT: 58-17
MatthewB: 57-18
NickP: 57-18
JoeD: 51-24