SBLive’s Sac-Joaquin Section Fab 15 football rankings: No. 3 Monterey Trail braces for no. 5 Central Catholic
The Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs kicked off last week with opening-round games. In Divisions 1 through 6, the brackets started with 12 teams, with the top four seeds with a bye. In D-7, there are eight teams, no byes, and the first games kick off this week.
1. Folsome (9-1)
Last week rank: No. 1
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs. Sheldon Sacramento
The top seed in the Division 1 playoffs, the Bulldogs prepare for a Sheldon team that is explosive on offense and superbly coached. Folsom seeks its 10th section championship since 2010. The loss this season was to Northern California No. 1 Serra-San Mateo, 17-12.
2. St Mary’s Stockton (10-0)
Last week rank: No. 2
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs Turlock
The D1 No. 2-seeded Rams have won 15 consecutive league championships and seek another section banner, though Turlock is no easy quarterfinal opponent after those Bulldogs rolled past a good Edison-Stockton group, 35-0.
Michael Gonzales (62) help protect QB Samson Hunkin. Photo: Ralph Thompson
3. Monterey Trail-Elk Grove (8-2)
Last week rank: No. 2
Last week result: Bye
Next game: Friday vs. Central Catholic-Modesto
The Mustangs seek their fourth successive section-game appearance, and they draw the very program that bounced them in the D2 finals a year ago in a D1 quarterfinal. MT’s veer rushing attack figures to make the CC game a shootout. The MT losses were to Folsom and De La Salle.
4. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (8-2)
Last week rank: number 4
Last week result: bye
Next game: friday vs
Seeded third in D1, the Trojans prepare for run-heavy Elk Grove in a quarterfinal. The teams met early in the 2021 nonleague schedule, and Oak Ridge stopped the Thundering Herd’s game-winning 2-point attempt on the final play on the goalline. The losses were to Folsom and Rocklin in the Sierra Foothill League.
5. Central Catholic—Modesto (6-4)
Last week rank: No. 5
Last week result: Defeated Stagg-Stockton, 58-19
Next game: Friday at Monterey Trail
The Raiders with 21 SJS championships, mostly at the Division 4 or 5 levels, are in the D1 race for the first time, having moved up a division in the section’s “continued success” model after winning the D2 crown last season. The aim is to use 6-foot-3, 205-pound running back Tyler Jacklich full bore. The losses were to Bosco-Bellflower, St. Mary’s, Serra and Saint Francis-Mountain View.
6. Manteca (8-1)
Last week rank: No. 6
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs Vacaville
the no 1 seed in the D2 race, the Buffaloes will be a tough out with Florida State-bound Blake Nichelson, a bruising runner and linebacker. This program has won eight section crowns since 2001, including in 2016, ’17, ’19 and ’21 (the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season).
7. Del Oro Loomis (8-2)
Last week rank: No. 7
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs Antelope
Seeded second in D2, the Golden Eagles are battle tested from the rigors of the Sierra Foothill League. The losses were to Folsom and Oak Ridge. A key player on defense is cornerback Thomas Graham II.
8. Downey-Modesto (10-0)
Last week rank: No. 8th
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs Granite Bay
Seeded third in D2, the Knights face a talented yet young Granite Bay team in a quarterfinal. Record-setting QB Conner Stoddard aims to lead this program to its first championship.
9. Rocklin (7-3)
Last week rank: No. 9
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs. Jesuit Carmichael
Seeded fourth in D2, the Thunder are also battle tested from the Sierra Foothill League, including a win over Oak Ridge and losses to Del Oro and Folsom. In facing Jesuit in a quarterfinal, Rocklin will look to run with power.
Rocklin enjoys a rivalry win earlier this year over Whitney. Photo: Gary Jones
10 Elk Grove (8-3)
Last week rank: No. 10
Last week result: Defeated Johnson-Sacramento, 48-12
Next game: Friday at Oak Ridge
The Thundering Herd led 35-0 at the half against Johnson in their D1 opener, attempted just one pass and rushed for 337 yards on 32 carries with nine guys handling the ball. Jeremy Rosales had three carries for 109 yards and two scores, including an 84-yarder. It figures to get a lot tougher at Oak Ridge.
11. Placer-Auburn (10-0)
Last week rank: No. 11
Last week result: bye
Next game: Friday vs Woodcreek (Roseville)
The top seed in D3, the Hillmen brace for a skilled and fast Woodcreek team, not ready to have their season end after another 10-0 start. RB Baylor Kelley is one of the region’s best.
12. Jesuit Carmichael (9-2)
Last week rank: No. 12
Last week result: Beat Gregori-Modesto, 35-0
Next game: Saturday vs. Gregori-Modesto
Seeded fifth in D2, the Marauders rolled in their playoff opener as CJ Lee passed for 213 yards and a touchdown and ran for one, and Anthony Seibles rushed for two scores. Gregori managed just 2 yards a rush on 23 carres. It’ll be a lot tougher sledding against Rocklin.
13 Turlock (7-4)
Last week rank: No. 13
Last week result: Defeated Edison-Stockton, 35-0
Next game: Friday at St Mary’s
Seeded seventh in D1, the Bulldogs blasted a fast Edison team, leading 28-0 at the half. Cole Gilbert passed for 214 yards and a touchdown, and JT Foreman rushed for 99 yards and three scores. The challenge of the season looms at 10-0 St Mary’s.
14. Granite Bay (7-4)
Last week rank: No. 14
Last week result: Beat Inderkum-Sacramento, 24-14
Next game: Friday at Downey-Modesto
Seeded sixth in D2, the Grizzlies got past a talented Inderkum team with McCade Long passing for 152 yards and a touchdown, and Carter Jackson raced for 187 yards and two scores.
15.Vacaville (8-3)
Last week rank: No. 15
Last week result: defeated lodi,
Next game: Friday at Manteca
Seeded eighth in D2, the Bulldogs beat Lodi with Liam Flaherty rushing for wo scores and Cristian Diosdado going for 163 yards rushing and a score. Now it’s Manteca time.
Bubbles:
No. 15 Vanden Fairfield (9-1)
No. 16. Sheldon-Sacramento (8-3)
No. 17.Sutter (10-0)
No. 18. Liberty Ranch-Galt (10-0)
No. 19. Antelope (9-3)
No. 20 Grant-Sacramento (7-2)
Around the SJS
* Two “newer” programs in Placer County have proven that it doesn’t have to take years to be competitive. West Park-Roseville is in the playoffs for the second straight season – its first two in varsity competition. This is a credit to coach Jason Tenner, a Bay Area native who was the head coach at Ponderosa-Shingle Springs in the 2000s. West Park is the No. 3 seed in the D3 playoffs and hosts Nevada Union-Grass Valley on Friday in a quarterfinal.
* At nearby Twelve Bridges-Lincoln, the Fightin’ Rhinos reached the playoffs for the first time as a first-time varsity program – no seniors. The coach is Chris Bean, who led a championship program a few miles away at Lincoln High. Twelve Bridges is the No. 7 seed in D6 and won its playoff opener over Modesto Christian, 36-32, and visits No. Hughson on Friday.
* The biggest “surprise” in the SJS, at least seedings wise, was No. 10-seeded Roseville beating No. 7 Oakdale, 28-21, in D3. It was Oakdale’s first opening-round loss in 10 years. Roseville is led by dual-threat quarterback Brandon Graydon, who passed for two touchdowns and ran for two against Oakdale and now prepares for second-seeded Patterson in a quarterfinal.