Pick the Preps: St. Mary’s-Oak Ridge, Roseville-Woodcreek and more football action
This week caps the final nonleague part of the schedule for most of the high school football teams in the greater Sacramento region, and then the real fun starts.
Our Pick the Preps roundtable crew missed the boat last week in projecting Bee No. 1-ranked Folsom to topple Southern California heavyweight Mission Viejo of Orange County.
We are collectively concussed, and Folsom was rolled 53-14. What do we know, right?
In fact, none of us sported a winning record on our picks/guesses last week. We need more film work, less talk and bluster and more substance. And “we” is yours truly; Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions and the NFHS streaming service; Scott Tedmon, the championship coach who won this pool a year ago and does color work on NFHS broadcasts; and longtime area media marvel Nick Pecoraro.
Onward.
St. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0) at No. 3 Oak Ridge
When: 7 p.m. Friday in El Dorado Hills.
JoeD: This is a whopper of a showdown, the Sac-Joaquin Section’s top-ranked Division II program taking on an Oak Ridge program that seeks its fourth successive trip to the section D-I finals. Casey Taylor is 4-0 against St. Mary’s as coach, including his time at Del Oro. Make that 5-0 after a 24-21 win.
MatthewB: The contrast in styles between makes this one so much fun. Oak Ridge is big and physical. St. Mary’s has quick-strike ability like few others. Rams win, 30-27.
NickP: Arguably the top matchup within the section this week. The Trojans are always tough at home, and the Rams can score in a number of ways. A thriller in El Dorado Hills ends with St. Mary’s on top, 28-24.
CoachT: The Rams bring momentum and UCLA-bound receiver Kenneth Moore III for a beauty of a battle. Trojans are led by two-way star Jasen Womack and a physical defense. This one goes down to the wire, and the Trojans prevail, 27-24.
No. 20 Ponderosa (3-0) at No. 5 Granite Bay (2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: The upstart Bruins of Shingle Springs are off to a fast start under coach Davy Johnson, and he’s playing a Sierra Foothill League monster for the first time in the ultimate gauge game. GB is as good as advertised and wins 34-21.
MatthewB: The 3-0 start by the Bruins has been remarkable. Granite Bay looks as tough as ever and ready for the SFL gauntlet. The Grizzlies slug their way to a 24-20.
NickP: Pondo might be the biggest surprise team in the section, but the Bruins will have their paws full with GB’s bruising back Isaiah Ene. Granite Bay wins 42-30.
CoachT: Ponderosa has been one the best storylines in the early going. The Grizzlies are grizzled veterans in big games and experience shows as GB grabs the win, 31-14.
No. 8 Inderkum (2-1) at No. 12 Destiny Christian (2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Justin Reber knows this campus, having starred as a football player years ago when the school went by Capital Christian, and now he’s the Inderkum coach. DCA is trying to get its entire team on the field with some players still stuck in transfer limbo. Inderkum wins a thriller, 30-28.
MatthewB: Expect a high-scoring affair with athletes all over the place. The Tigers take this classic matchup against the Lions, 41-37.
NickP: Both of these teams have turned it on since opening-week losses. The trio of Cole brothers Brody, JJ and Cruise will be the difference. Inderkum, 27-20.
CoachT: This sets up to be a doozy between two teams with postseason dreams. As DCA’s roster grows, so will its hopes but this is too big an ask for now. Indy in a nail biter, 28-24.
No. 10 Roseville (3-0) at No. 11 Woodcreek (2-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
JoeD: The Junction Bowl figures to be a showdown, and the old-school Roseville Tigers aim to move to 3-0 this season against Roseville schools, mowing along despite a rash of injuries. Woodcreek in a tight one, 21-20.
MatthewB: There’s only room for one unbeaten squad in Roseville after this weekend. Woodcreek has a new coach and new life. Roseville is maybe the most resilient group in the area. I’m a Woodcreek believer, 28-24.
NickP: This has a chance to be the best edition of the Junction Bowl series with both teams coming in without a loss. Josiah Melendez and company look strong for the ‘Creek, and the Tigers impressed with a 2OT win over West Park last week. Gimme Woodcreek, 35-34.
CoachT: Who will rule the town? Roseville continues to impress without key cogs in their lineup. The Tigers will bring everything they have but T’wolves win, 31-28.
No. 18. Sutter (3-0) at No. 19 Bradshaw Christian (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: What a showdown of small-school greats this expects to be — again. Last season, BC won it 28-21 with a late 98-yard drive, a year after Sutter slugged out a 27-24 victory. Expect more of the same with Sutter prevailing 27-26.
MatthewB: Sign me up for these two meeting every year. Both are capable of winning championships and both fell just short last season. Sutter wins, 21-17.
NickP: All these programs seem to do is win, but something’s got to give on Friday. Mason Pisarski is the latest go-to back for the Pride. Losi Asiata and Robert Peiffer carry the load for the Huskies, who pull out the win, 34-28.
CoachT: With the way these two ground hogs run the ball, this could be the fastest played game in history. Physical, fun, and when it’s done, Sutter wins in a slobberknocker, 38-35.
No. 13 Jesuit (2-1) vs. Christian Brothers (0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Hughes Stadium
JoeD: This is the 54th Holy Bowl, and it resonates deeply even for alums. Remarkably, it took years for this series to get started, finally kicking off in 1969, as administrators for both schools feared that this rivalry could sour. It hasn’t, with Jesuit winning 7-0 last season. Coach Marlon Blanton wins his 101st game with Big Red, 42-20.
MatthewB: We will be there to cover the Holy Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. Last year, we didn’t see an offensive score in the game but that isn’t going to be the case in this one. Jesuit wins, 35-31.
NickP: Jesuit has bounced back from that opening loss in a big way. Brody Quinn and Noah Briceno are coming into their own. Jesuit wins, 35-14.
CoachT: Big Red has responded big-time after the opening loss to Woodcreek. CB will bring it all game long and represent itself well, but Jesuit successfully continues their “Response Tour,” handling CB 38-17.
Season totals
JoeD: 13-7
MatthewB: 13-7
NickP: 10-10
CoachT: 12-8
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.