The Abridged version:
- Joe Davidson of Abridged by PBS KVIE makes predictions for this week’s Sacramento-area high school football showdowns.
- Mira Loma‘s undefeated 8-man squad takes on one-loss Adventure Christian, and No. 6 Del Oro travels to play No. 1 Folsom.
- No. 2 Oak Ridge visits No. 10 Jesuit, No. 7 Rocklin faces No. 11 Monterey Trail and No. 13 Edison travels to play No. 17 St. Mary’s.
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Last week was a whopper of a menu of showdown games that went to the wire across the greater Sacramento landscape of high school football.
The league races are tight with just a few weeks to go before the end of the regular season and the start of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Our Pick the Preps panel of talking heads includes yours truly and Matthew Bessette and Scott Tedmon of the streaming NFHS Network. We merge minds to preview and project games. Tedmon is also a decades-long area basketball coach, a sport that does not include blocking and tackling, though he does understand football.
We don’t break down much game film, but we give it our best guess.
Mira Loma (7-0) vs. Adventure Christian (6-1)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m., at Del Campo
JoeD: Who doesn’t appreciate the joys of the 8-man game? We do because it’s still football, and there are championships to chase down. Mira Loma last fall went 12-0 in the first season of section 8-man fun, and here come the red-hot Matadors of the San Juan Unified School District, rolling along unbeaten under coach Jesse Collins, a proud alum of the school and a tremendous leader. The Warriors of Roseville are a new varsity program and have impressed under coach Deane Surface. Tradition wins here as Mira Loma prevails 52-21
MatthewB: Adventure Christian is having a remarkable first full year of football led by junior Ryan Fretland. The 8-man game is just getting started in the section but we may never see anything like Mira Loma’s dominance again. Matadors take it, 49-40.
CoachT: Colorado’s 1994 Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam and one-time Nebraska lineman great Dean Steinkuhler are two all-timers from the 8-man ranks across the country, and now Mira Loma’s sensational senior QB Deangelo Keys stands as this area’s greatest 8-man player. Adventure Christian is a terrific story, but Mira Loma is a different animal. The Warriors will bring everything they have but the Matadors will continue to dominate and will roll, 70-7.
No. 6 Del Oro (6-1) at No. 1 Folsom (8-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
On air: NFHS
JoeD: Here comes another bruiser program ready to halt Folsom’s 26-game Sierra Foothill League winning streak. QBs Luke Taber and Grayson Haugen have a combined 18 touchdown passes for Del Oro, and they support each other as true teammates even after Taber became the starter. Brennen Gibbs has 16 touchdowns, Chase Carmazzi makes plays all over the field and Landen Parry is a force as a blocking tight end who can catch touchdowns, a bullish fullback and linebacker for Del Oro. But Folsom has dudes, too, and the Bulldogs have years of SFL momentum. Folsom wins, 24-21.
MatthewB: Folsom’s defense pitched a second-half shutout last week against Oak Ridge. Del Oro has scored 77 points in its last two games. Something has to give. Folsom wins 35-28.
CoachT: The Bulldogs are back on their beloved blue turf. UCLA-bound receiver Rob Larson shined in Folsom’s win over Oak Ridge, and the only thing that sparkled more than Larson was his shoes. This will be another SFL banger, and the boys from Loomis will bring their fire, ferocity and fierceness reflective of Coach Josh Parry. Bulldogs QB Brody Rudnucki will blast up the middle for a score late in the 4th quarter to pull out a 28-24 win.
No. 2 Oak Ridge (4-3) at No. 10 Jesuit (5-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
On air: NFHS
JoeD: The visiting Trojans cannot afford a setback if they want to have a shot at the SFL title, and Jesuit has burned Oak Ridge before. OR has defensive leaders in Brayden Molloy, Justen Womack, Blake Meggers, Nick Hunt, Jack Granrud and others, and they’ll have to keep tabs on Jesuit playmakers such as Colton Dewar, Kwanna Smith, John Giovannettone and Jeremiah Brannon. Oak Ridge wins, 20-17.
MatthewB: Jesuit took down Oak Ridge 24-14 in last season’s matchup. And like last year, Oak Ridge comes into this game after a showdown loss to Folsom. The Trojans bounce back, 28-24.
CoachT: Can the Trojans refuel their tank after emptying everything last week against Folsom? The gauntlet that is the SFL is unrelenting and Oak Ridge faces another huge challenge. Jesuit is explosive with a cadre of speedsters who can light up the scoreboard for their longtime coach Marlon Blanton. OR is as talented as anyone on both lines of scrimmage, and the big uglies will push the Trojans across the finish line behind QB Nick Johnson as Oak Ridge wins, 17-14.
No. 7 Rocklin (5-2) at No. 11 Monterey Trail (6-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
On air: NFHS
JoeD: This is a nonleague game of longtime regional powers, Rocklin representing the SFL and Placer County and the host Mustangs standing as the class of the Delta League and the Elk Grove Unified School District. MT is fast with its run-heavy veer offense, and the Mustangs have fierce defenders. So does Rocklin, which has a balanced attack and lost in double-overtime to Folsom. Rocklin wins, 23-21.
MatthewB: I can’t wait to be on the NFHS call for this one in just the third meeting between these programs. Rocklin is coming off a win in the Quarry Bowl in a game the Thunder won late. Monterey Trail has won six straight since dropping the opener to Pittsburg. Rocklin pulls it out, 21-20.
CoachT: This might be the most competitive game on this week’s delicious menu. Trail is so tough and at home. Rocklin brings a talented and tough crew who play with that SFL swagger. Rocklin coach Jason Adams preaches defense and the Thunder will have their hands full trying to stop the Mustangs vaunted veer. QB Parker Lively and a stout defense led by senior LB Damien Panteloglow (33 solo tackles) will lead a 28-27 Rocklin win.
No. 13 Edison (6-1) at No. 17 St. Mary’s (3-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
On air: NFHS
JoeD: This is the battle for Stockton, in the 209, and it pits storied St. Mary’s and coaching great Tony Franks, whose program has won 11 consecutive league championships. St. Mary’s is a defending CIF state champion with a misleading record that includes setbacks to powerhouse programs in Central Catholic of Modesto, Serra of San Mateo, De La Salle of Concord and Marin Catholic of the North Bay. Edison is fast and fun with big wins over JoeD Top 25 teams Franklin of Elk Grove, Tracy and Lincoln of Stockton. St. Mary’s wins, 35-31.
MatthewB: St. Mary’s has the longest league winning streak in the section at 59. Edison is finding ways to win with a 4-1 record in games decided by a touchdown or less. Edison takes it, 38-35.
CoachT: Don’t be fooled by the Rams’ record. The defending state champs still own the 209 until someone beats them. That someone could be an Edison squad that averages 38 points per game. Vikings senior Kailan Beaver averages a gaudy 124.7 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. St. Mary’s hangs on for a 31-28 win.
No. 18 Yuba City (6-1) at No. 24 Placer (6-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
On air: NFHS
JoeD: This Foothill Valley League clash includes title contenders. Yuba City’s only loss was 10-9 to Destiny Christian, which is 7-0 after beating Grant last week, and Placer is coming off of a shootout setback to Twelve Bridges. The Hillmen defend their home turf here, 34-31.
MatthewB: Placer needs a victory to stay in the FVL title race. Yuba City can secure at least a share of the FVL title with a win here and next week against Twelve Bridges. Yuba City wins, 31-27.
CoachT: Honk if you love the Honkers! Yuba City is one of the bright-light stories this season and look to make a statement win at Placer. The Hillmen have one of the coolest venues in all of Northern California and a rich history of success. YC has been putting up huge numbers with their balanced offense and stout defense. Yuba City wins, 38-28.
Lincoln (6-1) at Center (7-0)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: The Pioneer Valley League race includes these programs who sport 3-0 league records, so yes, this is a big one. The coaches are longtime sideline leaders in Digol Jbeily of Center and Allen Berg of the Zebras of Placer County. Lincoln’s balanced attack has rolled of late. Lincoln wins, 24-21.
MatthewB: Mason Volzer’s incredible season continues for the Zebras with 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Center is one of seven remaining undefeated teams in the section. Lincoln wins, 35-30.
CoachT: Center is surging and face a Lincoln squad that has reeled off five consecutive wins in impressive fashion. Center duel-threat QB Sincere Howard is leading the way for an offense that has eclipsed the 30-point mark four times. Turnovers will decide this one with the Cougars taking care of the ball and winning, 31-30.
Linden (5-2) at River Islands (7-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
JoeD: This is classic old school vs. new school stuff, and it will decide the Mother Lode League champion in this clash of San Joaquin County programs. Linden opened in 1921 and has rich tradition, including Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees slugger who once terrorized opponents on the football field. River Islands of Lathrop fields just its third varsity team as a newer school, and the Riptide have gone from winning two and three games to this sudden season of promise. Linden wins behind RB star Isaac Ruvalcaba, 28-21.
MatthewB: Linden was last year’s section Division VII runner up and they look poised to make it back to Hughes Stadium for the title game on Thanksgiving weekend. River Islands’ only loss came to Calaveras, who beat Linden in the championship last year. Linden hangs on, 24-20.
CoachT: Linden has been around forever while River Islands is so new the paint in their locker room is still drying, and RI has one of the best nicknames around in “Riptide.” This is the biggest home game in RI’s short history. For Linden, Aaron Judge is not walking through that door. River Islands QB Carpenter Daryl has 27 TD passes and East Darien does it all with 15 scores. The Riptide put a tsunami on the Lions to capture the MLL crown with a convincing victory, 41-24.
Season records
(last week and season)
JoeD: 4-3, 33-14
MatthewB: 5-2, 33-14
CoachT: 4-3, 30-17
