Delta outguns VCA to usher in new era of 8-man football in Sacramento region

It was a Friday night that felt equal parts familiar and brand new.

The stands at Delta High School in Clarksburg, on the banks of the Sacramento River, were packed, the rusting yellowish lights glowing over the Delta farmlands. Before kickoff of a season opener, a horse carrying the American flag galloped across the field as the national anthem played.

But inside Dick Dichiara Memorial Stadium, this wasn’t the usual 11-on-11 game that the Saints have played for decades. This was the start of a new era, 8-man football, and it was proof that two schools in the Sacramento region — Delta and Valley Christian Academy of Roseville — could compete no matter how many guys lined up.

Both teams played their first 8-man game, electing to drop down to this level in an effort to save their programs from the grim possibility of suspending seasons. For Delta, it was a debut to remember.

Behind a dazzling night from senior quarterback Chase Parkinson and his favorite target Marcello Viramontes, the Saints pulled away in the second half to beat the Lions, 58–30.

The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section approved 8-man football this year to give smaller schools a competitive alternative. Instead of five offensive linemen, teams line up with three. The field is narrower, the spacing different, and the action faster.

“The narrowness of the field has been the biggest effect,” Delta coach Tim Rapp said. “Running out routes feels tighter. But you could see tonight — it’s still football, and it’s going to be high scoring.”

At times, it was. Though the first half remained tight, the pace quickened after halftime as Parkinson and Viramontes found their rhythm. Parkinson threw five touchdown passes, while Viramontes flourished in a dual role as receiver and running back.

Rapp said he sees a special balance in his two senior playmakers: Viramontes and bruising fullback/linebacker Jax Soto.

“I’m calling them ‘Lightning and Thunder,’” Rapp said with a grin. “Marcello’s shifty, Jax lowers his shoulder and pounds you. Together, they give us balance.”

Viramontes said the new format plays fast.

“It’s a very fast-paced game, a lot of scoring, really good competition,” he said. “Running back is harder because you’ve got to shift through everything. At receiver, if they’re not on you, it’s wide open.”

The narrow field added another wrinkle.

“On out routes you’re just automatically out of bounds, so you have to cut upfield,” Viramontes said. “At running back, everyone’s so much closer.”

Soto, meanwhile, said 8-man football fits his style perfectly.

“Honestly, I prefer it a lot more,” Soto said. “As a linebacker, I like things tight and contained. And as a running back, I’m not really side-to-side like Marcello — I just like going through people. With fewer defenders, that’s a lot easier for me.”

He also praised the team’s leaders. “Definitely Chase, our quarterback, and Grayson Friend, our lead lineman,” Soto said. “Those two are going to get us through these games.”

For Valley Christian, the night was about growth. The Lions suited up just four seniors, with most of their roster underclassmen.

Coach Doug Williams said the result didn’t dampen the experience.

“Oh, it’s a lot of fun,” Williams said. “You watched — it was a football game. These kids had the best night of their lives. We came up on the losing side of it, but that just motivates us to work harder and get better.”

Williams said the Lions’ mistakes were self-inflicted. “Most of our problems were mistakes,” he said. “We felt good with our concepts. Now it’s just about going back to the film and cleaning things up.”

Rapp said his Saints adjusted well after Valley Christian blitzed heavily in the first half, forcing Delta away from inside runs.

“In the second half, we just got outside,” Rapp said. “Those runs started going for 10, 12 yards a pop.”

As for Parkinson, the senior has his sights set on the next level.

“Chase had a phenomenal night,” Rapp said. “He scrambled, he hit passes on time — he’s a captain, and as he goes, that’s how we’ll go.”

Delta’s goal is bigger than just one win.

“We want to win our league and get to the section playoffs,” Rapp said. “For the first time, we feel like we’ve got a chance.”

For the small schools in Clarksburg and Roseville, the night felt larger than football.

This story was originally published August 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM.