Pick the Preps: Del Oro-Rocklin, Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove and more showdowns
Do rivalry games still matter in high school football?
They should, but in the greater Sacramento region, the shift of teams from one league to another through CIF realignment cycles have dimmed, dulled or eliminated some rivalries.
Anyone remember when Mira Loma vs. El Camino was the game to watch in the 1960s? Or how Cordova vs. Christian Brothers was the rivalry of the 1980s? Or Grant vs. Nevada Union in the 1990s and 2000s? Or the epic Del Oro vs. Granite Bay tussles in the 2000s and 2010s in Placer County? That series is still a thing but not as big of a thing every single season.
How about this: Who is the chief rival for the Grant Pacers since they no longer battle Nevada Union for Capital Athletic League crowns and playoff superiority?
What school is the big rival for the Folsom Bulldogs? Oak Ridge? Given that Oak Ridge hasn’t defeated Folsom since 2006, where’s the rivalry feel between those programs beyond sold-out venues? Even Oak Ridge coach Casey Taylor has said that it’s not a rivalry if one team keeps winning the showdown every single season.
The Holy Bowl between Jesuit and Christian Brothers has been topical since that series started in 1969, but it’s been decades since the Holy Bowl decided a league championship or was even played late in the season.
Rocklin has something of a rivalry with Whitney in the Quarry Bowl, a meeting between the Placer County schools since 2003. Rocklin does have a rivalry meeting this week when the Thunder host Del Oro. It won’t be for the Sierra Foothill League championship, but there is still something to be said about regional pride.
Speaking of pride, our Pick the Preps crew took a collective shot to the chin strap last week after delivering putrid predictions. None of us had a winning record. More film work needed. Our panel consists of yours truly, Matthew Bessette and Scott Tedmon of ABC JAM Productions and the streaming NFHS Network, and longtime media man Nick Pecoraro.
We vow to be better, or we turn in our gear.
No. 5 Del Oro (5-3) at No. 6 Rocklin (5-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Both teams need a victory to help steam into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs, where both figure to be serious contenders. This one feels like a smashmouth, low-scoring affair. Rocklin wins, 14-13.
MatthewB: We will be broadcasting this one live on the NFHS Network. Will this be the latest instant classic in the SFL? The league produces intriguing contests on a weekly basis. Rocklin needs a win in a big way and the Thunder get it here, 31-27.
NickP: The casual football fan might scoff at a fifth- vs. sixth-place game in the league standings. No, sir. This is the Sierra Foothill League, and Del Oro and Rocklin annually produce bangers on the field. This one will be no different with playoff implications at stake. Del Oro in a nail-biter, 21-19.
CoachT: Coming off my worst prediction/guessing week ever, it’s time for redemption. And it starts with Del Oro. Golden Eagles QB Nolen Sauve has been steady, and the defense has been stingy allowing. This will be a low scoring, physical battle with DO winning, 20-17.
Pleasant Grove (5-3) at Elk Grove (4-4)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
JoeD: This has had glimpses of a good rivalry in the Delta League between these Elk Grove Unified School District programs, and this one figures to be high scoring. Division II Elk Grove under longtime coach John Heffernan has seen his team improve, and Pleasant Grove under first-year coach Sam Cole seeks Division I playoff positioning. EG wins, 30-28.
MatthewB: Pleasant Grove has been a great story this year and can still finish second in the Delta. Elk Grove still has a shot at a Delta title if the Herd win out. There is a lot on the line in this one. The Eagles prevail, 28-25.
NickP: Elk Grove needs a win to have a chance at a potentially Delta League-deciding showdown in the regular season finale with Monterey Trail. PG isn’t going to make it easy for the Herd, but Elk Grove comes away with the win, 25-21.
CoachT: Elk Grove is in a familiar place battling for a playoff berth while PG looks to build on recent success by qualifying for a bowl game. Alphonso Moore Jr. does it all for EG and will lead the Thundering Herd to a hard fought win over the Eagles, 34-28.
Sacramento (4-4) at Fairfield (4-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
JoeD: This is a nonleague game that features a Fairfield of Solano County team that is 3-0 in the Greater Sacramento League and has a three-game winning streak. The Dragons of Oak Park are out of the Monticello Empire League title race but they have skill players galore, including RB Cordell Radcliffe, QB Laron James-Radcliffe and WR Damarie Taylor. Sac wins, 35-30.
MatthewB: This game could mean everything to Sac High’s playoff hopes while Fairfield’s playoff lives will be determined by their Week 10 encounter with Armijo. The hungry Dragons get it done, 40-34.
NickP: The boys from the 707 can play. And considering the Falcons of Fairfield are pushing for a postseason berth, there is a lot to play for. QB Tristen Smith and RB Imari Carter are having phenomenal seasons, and they’ll help power Fairfield past the Dragons, 32-28.
CoachT: Fairfield looks to keep it rolling. Sacramento has dropped two straight to powerhouses Vanden and Vacaville. One of these streaks will be snapped and behind the fighting Radcliffes, it’s Sac that wins a tight one, 38-31.
Mira Loma (7-0) at Vacaville Christian (7-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: We applaud the 8-man teams that compete just as hard as anyone, albeit with much smaller roster numbers than the 11-man programs. Mira Loma is The Bee’s top-ranked 8-man team in the section and Vacaville Christian is ranked third. ML wins, 35-21.
MatthewB: Mira Loma has outscored opponents by 331 points. The Matadors have been dominant to say the least. Vacaville Christian hasn’t been too shabby, either. The Matadors win, 42-35.
NickP: Both of these teams have been lighting up the scoreboard, starting with the QB play from the Falcons’ Dylan Eddings and the Matadors’ Deangelo Keys. This could be a section finals preview. This round goes to Mira Loma, 44-36.
CoachT: Wake up the echos on 4000 Edison Ave. The Matadors are mighty once again and look to stay unbeaten against the physical Falcons. Mira Loma is skilled and athletic paced by their fab freshman, Special K in Keion Kado. I’m a proud ML alum, so this is admittedly my homer pick of the year. Mats prevail, 48-38.
Totals
JoeD: 2-3 last week, 36-16 this season
MatthewB: 2-3, 36-16
NickP: 2-3, 33-19
CoachT: 1-4, 31-21