Favorites, contenders, players to watch in Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs
The Bee’s Joe Davidson sizes up the Sac-Joaquin Section football brackets:
Division I
FAVORITE
Folsom (10-0) – Bulldogs have the most speed and playmakers in the field, an unsung “D” and a proven coaching staff that has won five section titles this decade.
CONTENDERS
Oak Ridge (9-1) – Trojans are eager for a rematch with Folsom and have the offensive balance and defensive leaders to get there, though St. Mary’s looms in semifinals.
St. Mary’s (8-2) – Rams are the defending champions and have rumbling running back Dusty Frampton, who had his best games in 2016 postseason.
Jesuit (8-2) – Marauders have come of age since falling hard to Folsom, winning with offensive line, Isaiah Rutherford and defense despite rash of injuries.
Sheldon (8-2) – Huskies have the grind-away run game and defense needed to stall prolific spread teams, and coach Joe Cattolico has championship pedigree.
Gregori (10-0) – Modesto team is seething at seventh seed but region has done zip in D-I playoffs, and Franklin is poised for first-round upset.
KEY PLAYER
Marco Baldacchino, Oak Ridge – Senior quarterback exited Folsom game with knee in a brace but it isn’t serious, though his leadership surely is.
Division II
FAVORITE
Sacramento (6-4) – Dragons have the most speed in the field, especially on defensive edge, and gave Folsom its closest game of the year, 28-19, in their only on-field loss. Sacramento’s record includes three forfeited losses due to a seldom-used ineligible player.
CONTENDERS
Granite Bay (8-2) – Fifteen returning starters, headed by Cal-bound bruisers Will Craig and Evan Tattersall, lead an SFL-battle-tested team.
Inderkum (10-0) – Tigers are experienced and hungry, having reached the finals last season, and they have best game breaker in receiver Isaah Crocker.
Del Campo (10-0) – Cougars have leaders in Tyler Dimino, Marshaun Hunter and Greg Cabral, and defense is strong enough to stymie Sacramento and speedy teams.
Central Catholic (8-1) – Coach Roger Canepa has won CIF State titles in lower divisions and makes larger schools nervous; beat St. Mary’s 20-7 this fall.
Rocklin (6-4) – Blayden Brown and Cade Wyant rested during Week 10 close loss to Granite Bay and are ready to roll now.
KEY PLAYER
Jamie Cousey, Sacramento – Senior running back and speed-rush linebacker is heart and soul of a team seeking first title.
Division III
FAVORITE
Oakdale (9-1) – Mustangs and super-coach Trent Merzon lost only in a thriller to Folsom, 45-29, and are a defending CIF champion.
CONTENDERS
Christian Brothers (8-2) – Falcons have hard-to-stop offensive trio of Gunnor Faulk, Tyler Green and Spencer Webb and have won eight in a row.
Manteca (8-2) – Quarterback Gino Campiotti is a playmaker, including a last-second drive to beat Christian Brothers early this season.
Vista del Lago (6-4) – The Eagles have the section’s leading rusher Dominick Norris and steady QB Grant Patterson but they are 0-4 against ranked teams.
Cordova (7-3) – Lancers will attack with 1-2 offensive punch of Johnele Sanders and Alvin Banks in effort to wake ghosts of storied past.
KEY PLAYER
Spencer Webb, Christian Brothers – He is exactly what major college programs look for: skill, size, tenacity, desire.
Division IV
FAVORITE
Placer (9-1) – Hillmen average 303.7 yards rushing with wing-T; Mike Stuck has 14 TD passes; and home games in dirt and mud could be in order.
CONTENDERS
Center (5-5) – Cougars have the fastest team in the field and learned from close losses in tough Pioneer Valley League.
Casa Roble (5-5) – Rams have surged again after lean times and have made Friday night games a happening.
El Dorado (7-3) – Cougars have offensive balance with Danny Bell and Steven Fox as the team averages 444 yards a game.
KEY PLAYER
Mario Perez, Placer – Senior is versatile and vital, including 11 rushing touchdowns.
Division V
FAVORITE
Capital Christian (7-3) – Cougars have the most game breakers in the bracket, the best line play, the most ferocity – and a proven coaching staff.
CONTENDERS
Sonora (8-2) – Wildcats grind teams on the ground with three backs with 700-plus yards, and they’re riding eight-game streak.
Calaveras (9-1) – Lost only 59-50 to Sonora and rolled a Modesto Christian team 42-7 that Capital Christian beat 36-33.
Colfax (7-3) – Offensive balance and a guru coach in Tony Martello, who has won three section titles and reached seven championship games.
KEY PLAYER
D’Marcus Ross, Capital Christian – Junior cruiser capable of rushing for four scores and piling up double-digit tackles.
Division VI
FAVORITE
Bradshaw Christian (7-3) – Five-time champions are ground-and-pound juggernaut under veteran coach Drew Rickert.
CONTENDERS
Escalon (6-4) – Coach Mark Loureiro is retiring after 28 seasons, 14 section-title appearances and eight banners, so motivation is high.
Summerville (8-2) – Losses were to D-V No. 1 seed Sonora (37-27) and D-V No. 2 seed Calaveras (20-17).
KEY PLAYER
Mateo Bromstead, Bradshaw Christian – Diminutive and prolific, the senior has rushed for 2,646 career yards and 46 scores.
Division VII
FAVORITE
Rio Vista (7-3) – Rams have been a football factor since the 1950s and tower over six-team field here that includes No. 2 seed Ripon Christian (6-4).
Joe Davidson: 916-321-1280, @SacBee_JoeD
Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs
All openers kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday, unless noted:
Division I
No. 16 River City at No. 1 Folsom
No. 9 Turlock at No. 8 Tracy
No. 12 Monterey Trail at No. 5 Vacaville
No. 13 Modesto at No. 4 Jesuit, Saturday, 1 p.m.
No. 14 Edison at No. 3 St. Mary’s
No. 11 Cosumnes Oaks at No. 6 Sheldon
No. 10 Franklin-Elk Grove at No. 7 Gregori
No. 15 Lincoln-Stockton at No. 2 Oak Ridge
Division II
No. 16 Burbank at No. 1 Granite Bay
No. 9 Elk Grove at No. 8 Antelope
No. 12 Wood vs. No. 5 Sacramento at Dixon High School
No. 13 Buhach Colony at No. 4 Del Campo
No 14 Stagg at No. 3 Central Catholic
No. 11 Downey at No. 6 Rocklin
No. 10 Lincoln at No. 7 Del Oro
No. 15 Vintage a No. 2 Inderkum
Division III
No. 16 McNair at No. 1 Oakdale
No. 9 Vanden at No. 8 Yuba City
No. 12 Cordova at No. 5 Vista del Lago
No. 13 East Union at No. 4 Patterson
No. 14 Benicia at No. 3 Christian Brothers, Friday
No. 11 Rio Linda at No. 6 Los Banos, Friday
No. 10 River Valley at No. 7 American Canyon
No. 15 Rio Americano at No. 2 Manteca
Division IV
No. 8 Natomas at No. 1 Placer, Friday
No. 5 Woodland at No. 4 El Dorado
No. 6 Dixon at No. 3 Center
No. 7 Union Mine vs. No. 2 Casa Roble at Bella Vista
Division V
No. 8 Highlands at No. 1 Sonora
No. 5 Colfax at No. 4 Orestimba
No. 6 Bear River at No. 3 Capital Christian
No. 7 Ripon at No. 2 Calaveras, Friday
Division VI
No. 8 Western Sierra at No. 1 Bradshaw Christian
No. 5 Gustine at No. 4 Modesto Christian
No. 6 Hilmar at No. 3 Summerville, Friday
No. 7 Mariposa at No. 2 Escalon
Division VII
No. 5 Big Valley Christian at No. 4 Woodland Christian
No. 6 Brookside Christian at No. 3 Stone Ridge Christian
Byes: No. 1 Rio Vista, No. 2 Ripon Christian
This story was originally published November 7, 2017 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Favorites, contenders, players to watch in Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs."