Pick the Preps: Oak Ridge-Folsom, Pleasant Grove-Monterey Trail, SFL and more
Quick, take a peek outside. Can it be?
Fall has arrived. The searing summer heat has given way to cloud cover and cooler temperatures, and on the high school football front, that generally means we are well into league play. On the topic of hot under the collar, our Pick the Preps crew blundered badly last week in projecting and predicting. Only longtime area media marvel Nick Pecoraro had a winning record at 3-2. Yours truly, Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions and the streaming NFHS Network and ABC JAM color voice Scott Tedmon all need more film work.
Here’s a peek at some of the top games dotting the Sacramento menu, along with Sacramento Bee ranking.
No. 2 Oak Ridge (4-1) at No. 1 Folsom (4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: If there’s a program that is poised to close the gap on Folsom in the Sierra Foothill League, it’s Oak Ridge, but that cannot happen until the Trojans can win a game in this series. Folsom is riding a 19-year, 23-game winning streak over Oak Ridge, including wins in each of the last three CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title games. Can OR get to QB star Ryder Lyons? Can OR slow down Jameson Powell? Can Folsom handle OR’s line strength? Folsom wins, 28-20.
MatthewB: We will be bringing you this one live on the NFHS Network. Oak Ridge has two hard-fought SFL wins, and things don’t get any easier. Folsom coming off a bye week is a scary sight for any opponent. The Bulldogs get it done, 35-24.
NickP: Let’s shout out some of the unsung defensive guys for Folsom. EJ Coleman and Matsen Wurm each have two interceptions, and Dylan Wolfe has 4.5 tackles for loss with two sacks. The Trojans will need to be at full strength to contend. Bulldogs win, 34-20.
CoachT: Every year when Oak Ridge plays Folsom we hear this familiar refrain. Is this finally the year for the Trojans? In what is essentially a backyard brawl, Lyons & Company are rested and ready coming off a bye week. The refrain remains the same as Bulldogs get it done again, 34-21.
No. 19 Destiny Christian (2-4) at No. 4 Grant (2-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Destiny Christian Academy isn’t just battling teams in the Metro League — the Lions of Sacramento are in an appeals/legal fight with the CIF in an effort to get a host of transfers cleared. This is a homecoming game of sorts for DCA coach Aaron Garcia, The Bee’s Player of the Year in 1987 when he set scores of regional passing marks in Del Paso Heights and who remains one of this region’s all-time players and good people. Grant with its full roster wins here, 38-20.
MatthewB: Our ABC JAM/NFHS crew will have live coverage of this one. These aren’t your typical 2-4 teams as both have challenged themselves with their nonleague schedules. The Pacers win, 28-24.
NickP: Grant is gaining valuable experience in challenging the heavyweights of the state, including Clovis East, De La Salle and Lincoln of San Diego over the past three weeks. The Pacers will look to get off to a fast start in Metro League play and win, 24-17.
CoachT: Grant has tested itself, at times beyond its reach, but now it starts to pay off as the Pacers will begin piling up wins when it matters. DCA is scrambling for a full roster, and that won’t get it done. Grant wins in impressive fashion, 38-20.
No. 6 Del Oro (4-1) at No. 3 Granite Bay (4-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: In the 2000s and beyond, this was one of the section’s must-watch rivalry rumbles, and it still resonates. Expect a great crowd and vibe, and some ferocious play. Can DO contain GB grinder back Isaiah Ene? Can GB muscle up with DO’s strength? GB in a fierce one, 14-13.
MatthewB: A lot on the line in this one as both teams try to stay in the SFL race. Del Oro continues to have a remarkable bounce-back year. Granite Bay is physical with one of the best run games around. The Grizzlies pull it off late, 22-21.
NickP: Del Oro QB Nolen Sauve has been efficient and effective with 14 TD passes to zero interceptions. The Golden Eagles also have a collective six interceptions on defense. DO takes this one, 20-17.
CoachT: Granite Bay will be rocking in front of one of the loudest and proudest student sections anywhere. DO is stout and will match GB’s physical prowess. In a down-to-the wire finish, Ene gets loose late and the Grizzlies survive, 21-20.
No. 22 Pleasant Grove (4-1) at No. 7 Monterey Trail (4-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
JoeD: First-year PG coach Sam Cole takes his upstart Eagles into MT territory, where Mustangs coach T.J. Ewing has another strong running team in this big Delta League duel. Cole is a defensive-minded leader, and his challenge is to slow down the MT rush attack that averages 270 yards a game and has scored 17 touchdowns, eight of those by Odie Jefferson.
MatthewB: Pleasant Grove has been a nice surprise at about the midway point of the season as they are already playoff eligible with four wins. It’s a new year and the same Mustangs as Monterey Trail continues to be one of the most consistently tough teams. Trail wins it, 34-28.
NickP: Odie Jefferson is a stud running the ball for the Mustangs, but they’re not a one-horse stable. Underclassmen Xander McKee and Nigel Flowers are stars in the making at MT, which runs away with a win, 44-22.
CoachT: Coach Cole has the Eagles screaming and they now face their toughest test. Trail torments teams with its blow-you-off-the-line-of-scrimmage running game. This is a step up in class for PG and it’s just a bit too much. Mustangs take a step closer to the Delta League title, 34-24.
No. 12 Vanden (4-1) at No. 21 Vacaville (4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
JoeD: This may well be for the Monticello Empire League championship, old school vs. old school between storied Solano County heavyweights. Vanden has won two CIF State titles in the last four seasons and has just a 16-13 loss to still-unbeaten Bay Area power Campolindo. Vacaville has won four consecutive games behind QB BRendan Jackson and Roman Conner-Owens. Vanden wins, 35-27.
MatthewB: One of the most underrated rivalries in the section. The environment in Vacaville will be electric on Friday night. Vanden slugs their way to the win, 14-10.
NickP: Vacaville has proven it can get into the opponent’s backfield with eight sacks and 33 tackles for loss. Vanden can get to the QB as well with nine sacks of its own. Caleb Jones has three interceptions. Safe to say this might be a defensive slugfest. I’ll give it to Vacaville, 14-12.
CoachT: In a clash of two outstanding teams, whoever secures the ball secures the win. Vanden has thrown seven interceptions but has yet to fumble away the ball. Vacaville has fumbled 11 times, losing four, and has been intercepted five times. Vikings win the decisive turnover battle and the game, 31-28.
Season totals
JoeD: 2-3 last week, 26-11 overall
MatthewB: 2-3, 26-11
NickP: 3-2, 23-14
CoachT: 2-3, 24-13