Pick the Preps: Placer-Twelve Bridges, Monterey Trail-Rocklin and more
In the early days of the football program, when Monterey Trail High School opened in 2004, the Elk Grove Unified School District program was placed in the Sierra Foothill League.
Talk about a wake-up call from the jump: a new school with no football tradition was oddly placed in a powerhouse conference of established programs, presumably to get their feet wet and teeth kicked in.
That all happened, too.
The Mustangs went 1-19 in their first two varsity seasons under coach T.J. Ewing, though they grew from that and soon emerged as a powerhouse. That is still the case, and Ewing is still in charge.
On Friday, in a nonleague game, the Delta League Mustangs head to Placer County to take on the longstanding SFL Rocklin Thunder. No one is getting their teeth kicked in here. Coaches Jason Adams of Rocklin and Ewing and staff made this game happen to fill holes in their schedules.
On the topic of old school and new school, our Pick the Preps crew of forecasters wason point last week, mostly.
We all went 4-1 in guess/projections: Yours truly, longtime regional media man Nick Pecoraro, and Matthew Bessette and Scott Tedmont — Coach T— of the streaming ABC JAM Productions crew with the NFHS Network.
No. 7 Monterey Trail (5-1) at No. 10 Rocklin (4-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday JoeD: In what figures to be another banner season for regional football, these two bruisers seem to be lowly ranked, but what to do when the rankings pecking order is: 1. Folsom, 2. Oak Ridge, 3. Granite Bay, 4. Grant, 5. Twelve Bridges and 6. Del Oro? Just win, baby. MT has speedy backs and a fast, hard-hitting defense. Rocklin is all about power and a steady QB in Reeve Slone. Rocklin wins, 21-20.
MatthewB: We will have this one covered live on the NFHS Network. Big time non-league matchups aren’t typical in mid-October but we have one here. Rocklin wins, 24-21.
NickP: Rocklin responded from back-to-back losses with a Quarry Bowl win over Whitney. Damien Panteloglow was huge defensively in that game, and the Thunder continues with a 38-22 win.
CoachT: The Mustangs hit the trail to Placer County in a meeting of powerhouses. Led by senior Odie Jefferson, MT averages 262 rushing yards, while the stingy Trail defense yields a mere 9.2 points per game. This will be classic trench warfare, and when the physical pounding is done, Trail prevails 24-21.
No. 17 Placer (4-2) at No. 5 Twelve Bridges (6-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Roseville also has its eyes set on the Foothill Valley League championship, and then there are these two programs with championship visions. 12B has a 26-game regular-season winning streak, though 2024 Sacramento Bee Coach of the Year Chris Bean frets each week that if his guys don’t show up, the result will be a loss. 12B wins, 42-30.
MatthewB: I’ll be there live covering this one. Last year’s regular season contest was a classic. Shaun Jones and Chase Wyhlidko are both among the top runners in the section. Rhinos win another classic, 42-40.
NickP: Two of the best backs in the section will be showcased in Lincoln in Jones and Wyhlidko. Expect a physical game, but don’t be surprised if the score gets a little crazy. Rhinos win, 48-42.
CoachT: In short order, this has become an instant rivalry. Placer can make a big statement with a win. For the Raging Rhinos, it’s Hometown Heroes night, and they won’t be denied. 12B gets it done, 38-28.
No. 2 Oak Ridge (4-2) at No. 9 Jesuit (4-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Isn’t every week a rumble in the SFL? Can Oak Ridge bounce back from a tough 28-9 loss to Folsom after leading 9-7 at the half? Can Jesuit pull another SFL stunner after topping previous No. 3 Rocklin 20-14 at home? OR wins, 21-18.
MatthewB: Each team has a loss in the SFL as the league continues to be incredibly tough each week. The Trojans bounce back after falling to Folsom, 28-24.
NickP: Jesuit is coming off of a bye week. Oak Ridge is trying to bounce back after a tough loss to Folsom. But Big Red is finding its groove and Jesuit pulls it out, 31-20.
CoachT: This one promises to be a beauty under the lights in Carmichael. Jesuit can stake its claim to be this region’s giant killer with a win over the talented, physical Trojans. Coach Casey Taylor will make sure the Oak Ridge boys don’t look past a dangerous Marauders crew, and OR wins in a tight one, 27-24.
Elk Grove (2-4) vs. Laguna Creek (2-4)
JoeD: It’s been a lean start to the season for these programs that expected to make a run for the Delta League championship. The playoffs are still within reach, but teams must have four victories to be postseason eligible. Elk Grove wins, 30-24.
MatthewB: I don’t think anybody expected matching 2-4 records between these two. Both are in desperate need of a huge win. The Herd take it, 20-17.
NickP: It’s a fun Delta League race this year with Monterey Trail, Franklin, Laguna Creek and Elk Grove all in the mix. Ryan Eddy leads the way for the Cardinals while Alphonso Moore Jr. and Hudson Hall hold it down for the Herd, which wins, 26-22.
CoachT: Don’t let the records fool you. The Thundering Herd and Cardinals can play. LC looks for a third consecutive win behind the passing combo of Jayden Debbs to Ryan Eddy and the rushing attack of Levi Ramos and Kyle Draper. EG has struggled with consistency, and that will spell the difference. Cards clip the Herd, 31-28.
Marysville (4-2) at Bear River (4-3)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
JoeD: If Lincoln has emerged as the favorite in the Pioneer Valley League, then this game becomes all the more urgent for these two. The storied Indians of Yuba County are a few bounces away from being unbeaten. Bear River of Lake of the Pines/Grass Valley is agonizing over a 28-27 loss to Lincoln. BR wins, 27-20.
MatthewB: The PVL seems to always produce intriguing matchups. The environment in Grass Valley/Lake of the Pines promises to be one of the rowdiest around. Bear River wins, 17-10.
NickP: Sean Kinney had a huge night in defeat last week against Lincoln with 138 yards and three rushing TDs. Marysville’s Aidan Diaz Lawson (10 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries this season) will be the x-factor in a Marysville win, 27-20.
CoachT: Can Bear River bounce back after putting it all on the line last week against Lincoln and coming up short? As for the Indians, they are entering the toughest part of their PVL schedule. Bruins are battle tested and bounce back showing true grit in defeating Marysville, 28-24.
Totals
JoeD: 4-1 last week, 30-12 overall
MatthewB: 4-1, 30-12
NickP: 4-1, 27-15
CoachT: 4-1, 28-14