Pick the Preps: Will Folsom, Sutter and Winters win CIF State football finals?
The high school football season across the greater Sacramento region started in the unrelenting heat of July with conditioning drills.
The marathon campaign included mid-August scrimmages and 10 weeks of regular-season action, and, for the fortunate few, another month of the playoffs. The season ends this week in Southern California with three regional programs left standing.
As for our plucky Pick the Preps crew that forecasted games this season, this is also a race to the final day. Yours truly and Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions and the NFHS Network are tied for first place, because we keep score, too. Winner gets extra stadium hot dogs and napkins.
Scott Tedmon, the championship basketball coach who doubles as a color voice on NFHS games, won this pool a year ago. He’s in last place now. Come on, coach. Be better. Nick Pecoraro of MaxPreps is in third place, subject to change.
Open Division
De La Salle (12-0) vs. Santa Margarita (10-3)
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Saddleback College
On air: Spectrum News TV, NFHS
JoeD: We’re previewing this whopper because it’s the top game on the menu and the last game of the prep season across the country. DLS is a program to be appreciated, and enough of the noise and nonsense that “they recruit!” No, the Spartans win with execution, fine athletes and superb coaching, including head coach Justin Alumbaugh. DLS is fast, and that’s dangerous, and the Spartans win, 24-23.
MatthewB: Santa Margarita is making just its second state-championship appearance while De La Salle leads California with its eighth appearance. This one feels like it should be closer than the last few Open Championships. Santa Margarita wins it, 31-28.
NickP: Does it feel a little odd not seeing Mater Dei or St. John Bosco in the Open finals? Maybe, but this allows for new blood to raise the trophy. Santa Margarita has been a team on a mission, and with Trent Mosley lighting up the stat sheet lately from the WR position, anything is possible for the Eagles. Santa Margarita wins, 35-24.
CoachT: While my reign as Pick the Preps champ is about to end, we have actual meaningful titles for stellar teams in play. DLS is unbeaten, but SM has played a tougher schedule, knocking heads with SoCal powers Sierra Canyon, Orange Lutheran and Centennial. Eagles sensational Tulane-bound QB Trace Johnson will lead Santa Margarita to a 28-21 win.
Division 1-AA
Folsom (13-1) vs. Cathedral Catholic-San Diego (11-2)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Saddleback College
On air: Spectrum News TV, NFHS
JoeD: Raise your helmet if you’re still wowed by what happened last Friday when Folsom rallied from 18 down to stun unbeaten Riordan of San Francisco 42-38, a credit to the defense that pitched a second-half shutout and to backup quarterback Brody Rudnicki, who came in late in the third quarter, down 10, and engineered a comeback for the ages. It’s unclear if Ryder Lyons’ injured non-throwing left shoulder/collarbone will allow him to play, and if he doesn’t, he will be rooting for Rudnicki. Folsom wins, 30-28.
MatthewB: The NorCal championship win over Riordan has to be one of the more impressive wins in coach Paul Doherty’s tenure with Folsom. The Bulldogs win their sixth state championship, 35-30.
NickP: Glad I stopped by Folsom to witness such a cool moment. Every time the Folsom fans chanted “Brody! Brody! Brody!” he made a big play. When you have the depth that Folsom has, you have a good chance to win. Bulldogs do just that, 39-34.
CoachT: I’m still catching my breath after Folsom’s classic comeback. While Rudnicki garnered all the headlines, my game ball went to the Bulldogs defense. Whether it’s the return of Ryder or run it back with Rudnicki, Folsom wins, 34-24.
Division 3-A
Sutter (13-1) vs. Barstow (11-3)
When: Friday, 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Buena Park High School Stadium
On air: NFHS
JoeD: What a magical season for the storied Sutter Huskies and longtime coach Ryan Reynolds, who credits previous coach Scott Turner for elevating the program. Reynolds has upped it a bit, and the Huskies are a skilled, balanced and tenacious lot with an X-factor in the versatile Max Bringgold, who can run with the ball, catch the ball, throw the ball and defend the ball. Barstow of San Bernardino County is on an 11-game winning streak, but Sutter wins, 28-27.
MatthewB: After Sutter suffered its only loss in Week 10, the Huskies have responded by playing their best football. The Huskies mantra “Hit or Sit” has been demonstrated in their play. Sutter wins in their first state championship appearance, 24-21.
NickP: After eight tries at a NorCal championship, Sutter finally finds itself in a state title game. The Huskies have steadily raised the program’s bar since joining the Sac-Joaquin Section a few years ago. This is the year Sutter finishes with a state crown, 15-14.
CoachT: We have a clash of the Buttes vs. the Gateway to Needles. Sutter comes in hot. Barstow has eked out wins the last two weeks. Sutter is ready to take home the title to their loyal fans, adored horses Darla and Skittles, and a massive parade down Main Street. Sutter wins, 38-21.
Division 6-A
Winters (13-1) vs. Morse (10-4)
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Saddleback College
On air: Spectrum News TV, NFHS
JoeD: Who doesn’t appreciate small-town football, where touchdowns can rev up a region? Winters is a feel-good story with an alum coach in Daniel Ward and a host of gritty achievers, including dual-threat QB Lane Brown, one of the finest players in the storied history of the program who accounted for three touchdowns to beat Minarets in a NorCal final. Winters wins, 21-20.
MatthewB: What a special moment for these programs as they are both making their first-ever state championship game. Winters is rolling on both sides of the ball, and the Warriors get it done, 27-20.
NickP: While Morse has a prolific running back with a terrific name in Superior Garror (2,201 yards, 29 TDs), Winters feels like it has the defense to counter such a ground attack. The Warriors are just a September one-point loss from taking a perfect record into the finals. They’ll get the job done, 25-14.
CoachT: Morse is averaging a staggering 47.5 points a game in the playoffs. Winters is no slouch on the scoreboard either, averaging 35. In a high-scoring, video-game style shootout, Warriors QB Brown rallies Winters late to win, 48-45.
Totals
JoeD: 3-2 last week, 57-29 this season
MatthewB: 4-1, 57-29
NickP: 4-1, 54-32
CoachT: 3-2, 52-34
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM.