Bee’s Best: Breaking down The Bee’s Sacramento-area prep football Top 25

The best part of football at any level is that the same theme resonates: Put up or shut up.

Heading into opening week of the high school season in the Sacramento region, there was a lot of chatter between teams, some of it posted on social media by players, some of it by assistant coaches. Some players engaged in pregame antics just before kickoff, including the Grant Pacers. Some of those players, before Saturday’s titanic tilt against Folsom, acted as if they had not been on a big stage before, and nothing speaks louder than an emphatic victory.

The Sacramento Bee’s top-ranked team, the Folsom Bulldogs, delivered big, crushing previous No. 2 Grant 51-13 in Del Paso Heights in a game televised on ESPN. Grant players, some of whom later admitted to being too emotional in their efforts to flex their muscle, were humbled in front of a community that embraces their Pacers.

It’s how teams respond that defines a season.

Fast risers in these rankings include previously unranked Whitney, which stunned previous No. 13 West Park, and previous No. 21 Woodcreek, which rolled previous No. 7 Jesuit.

1. Folsom (1-0)

The Bulldogs stormed to a 47-7 lead at Grant behind the unflappable Ryder Lyons, who passed for 408 yards and four touchdowns, two to Rob Larson. Jason Hill Jr. played superb cover defense, and playmaking receivers Isaiah Williams and Jameson Powell dazzled with Powell taking a muffed punt back 98 yards to open the scoring. Folsom next plays at Central Coast Section powerhouse Serra of San Mateo.

2. Oak Ridge (1-0)

A year after losing to state-ranked Frontier of the Central Section, the Trojans beat the Bakersfield team 40-7 on their home turf as Nick Johnson tossed two TD passes and Tyler Andujar ran for two, and the defense was stellar. Oak Ridge next is at Mission Hills of San Marcos.

3. Rocklin (1-0)

The Thunder impressed in rolling Turlock 35-7 as Reeve Slone passed for 208 yards and hit Josiah Andrews, Connor Bow and Greyson Smith for touchdowns. Breyden Dehner and Asher Runnion each recorded three sacks. Rocklin next visits Reno power Bishop Manogue.

4. Grant (0-1)

The Pacers were handled by Folsom, unable to get the ball to star receivers Zo Edwards and Koby Shabazz, and it will be telling how the team bounces back. Next is a home meeting with Central Section No. 1-ranked Clovis East of Fresno.

5. Granite Bay (1-0)

The Grizzlies rolled Rio Americano 45-17 as Isaiah Ene led the rushing game and Darnell Turner the defense, intercepting two passes. Next is a major test at Bay Area No. 2-ranked Pittsburg.

6. Twelve Bridges (1-0)

Connor Frontiera had three TD passes, two to Dylan Amos, Chase Wyhlidko rumbled for 127 yards and two scores and Colton Hogge pancaked defenders on offense in the trenches and had two sacks in a 42-7 rout of Christian Brothers. Next is Reed of Reno.

7. Monterey Trail (1-0)

In beating Inderkum 27-22, the Mustangs rushed for 328 yards behind linemen Henry Talakai, James Xiong, Jaden Calvan, Cyrus Cuffee and Paul Reyes, and Xavier Collins led the defense with 10 tackles. Next is Amador Valley of the North Coast Section.

8. Inderkum (0-1)

The Tigers impressed in rallying back at Monterey Trail, though the effort fell just short in a 27-22 setback. The team aims to up its run game with North Coast Section powerhouse Marin Catholic visiting this week.

9. Casa Roble (1-0)

In downing Placer 46-30, the Rams of Orangevale dazzled behind QB Aidan Lopez, the speedy Jaylan Barcenas and in the trenches. Next up: Ponderosa in Shingle Springs.

10. Roseville (1-0)

The Tigers without veteran QB Mason Susnara beat Antelope 21-17 behind versatile vets Colton Wolfe, D’Marcis Gresham and JJ Yong. Next is the rivalry clash The Junction Bowl.

11. Placer (0-1)

The Hillmen have a ground game to fear, rushing 46 times for 273 yards against Casa Roble with Shaun Jones leading the charge, but the defense gave up far too many yards. Next is a home game against Laguna Creek.

12. Del Oro (1-0)

The Golden Eagles belted Downy of Modesto 39-14 as Nolen Sauve tossed four touchdown passes, and the defense muscled up a year after getting muscled. A Sept. 5 home game against Placer looms.

13. Woodcreek (1-0)

In rolling Jesuit 38-13, the Timberwolves forced seven turnovers, the run game rushed 39 times for 219 yards and four different runners reached the end zone. Also, four players had interceptions on defense. Next is a Placer County rumble at Whitney.

14. Jesuit (0-1)

Big Red was handed a big setback in falling to Woodcreek 38-13, though the offense grinded out 198 yards rushing with Jeremiah Brannon going for 95 yards. Next is a home game against Rio Americano.

15. Whitney (1-0)

With stoppers Jason Taormino and Cash Stevens combining for 21 tackles, 10 for losses, the Wildcats downed West Park 17-13 in a rousing opener. Next is Woodcreek.

16. West Park (0-1)

In falling to Whitney 17-13, Jaden Jackson passed for 217 yards and two scores, but the run game was off with plenty of time to address it. Next is a home game against Vacaville.

17. Vacaville (0-1)

The Bulldogs of Solano County lost a wild 65-64 opener in overtime to Atwater, spoiling a 316-yard, four-touchdown night for QB Brendan Jackson. The run game produced 344 yards, an average of 12.3 a carry, as Roman Conner-Owens had three rushing scores. Next is West Park.

18. Destiny Christian Academy (0-1)

With 10 players sitting as they await CIF transfer clearance, DCA was humbled by Linden, 15-12. The passing game produced three yards and the run game 19. Next is Menlo-Atherton of the Bay Area.

19. Sutter (1-0)

Behind defensive leaders Troy Bowens, Justice White and Gavin Lavoie, the Huskies rolled Amador 56-7, leading 41-0 at the half. Losi Asiata and Max Bringgold each rushed for scores. Next is Fairfield.

20. Vista del Lago (1-0)

In beating Laguna Creek 35-22, sophomore Jacoby More passed for 263 yards and four TDs, and Brendan Miller and Jack Gibbons combined for 16 tackles to welcome coach Mike Struebing back on the sideline. Next is Bradshaw Christian.

The Next 5:

21. Elk Grove (0-1) 22. Sacramento (0-0) 23. Christian Brothers (0-1) 24. Bradshaw Christian (1-0) 25. Woodland Christian (1-0) Bubble: Pleasant Grove (1-0), Lincoln (1-0), Yuba City (1-0), Antelope (0-1), Liberty Ranch.

The Bee’s Sac-Joaquin Section Top 15:

1. Folsom (1-0) 2. Oak Ridge (1-0) 3. St. Mary’s-Stockton (1-0) 4. Rocklin (1-0) 5. Manteca (1-0) 6. Grant (0-1) 7. Granite Bay (1-0) 8. Edison-Stockton (0-0) 9. Twelve Bridges (1-0) 10. Central Catholic-Modesto (0-1) 11. Turlock (0-1) 12. Monterey Trail (1-0) 13. Inderkum (0-1) 14. Casa Roble (1-0) 15. Sonora (1-0)

This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM.