Sac-Joaquin Section high school football win-or-go home games

The games that could potentially send a team home or onto the postseason in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

Last year Colfax beat Lincoln 56-14. The Zebras will look for revenge and a trip to the playoffs.

Photo by David Barpal

It is the last weekend of the regular season in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and for many it will be their last high football game of the season.

What's exciting is so many question marks remain. I have put together a list of games that either are win-or-go home games, or they are games that a team has to win to at least be eligible for consideration for the postseason by the section office.

Here is how a tiebreaker is determined when seeding the tournament:

• Head-to-head (if all tied teams played each other) will break the tie.
• Combined wins of all opponents.
• Combined wins of all defeated opponents.
• If all of the above do not eliminate all ties, MaxPreps/Calpreps rankings (as compiled at the time of the seeding process) will be used.

El Camino (Sacramento) (1,656) 6-3 at Rio Americano (Sacramento) (1,632) 4-5
Importance: El Camino has clinched an at-large bid in my opinion already with six wins. Beating Rio Americano would get them to seven wins and potentially jumping from a 12 seed to a 9 in Division III. Rio Americano has to win to even have a chance to be considered. Rio Americano's opponents wins are 44 prior to its game against El Camino.
Projection: El Camino 31-21
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Christian Brothers (Sacramento) (D-III in playoffs) 5-4 vs. Bella Vista (Fair Oaks) (2,055) 4-5
Importance: Christian Brothers will lock up a D-III playoff spot with a win over Bella Vista. A win will most likely get CB a 12 or 13 seed. If they lose their opponents wins stand at 42. If Bella Vista loses they are out. If they win their opponents wins are 39.
Projection: Christian Brothers 31-12
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Turlock (2,128) 4-5 at Pitman (Turlock) (2,165) 7-2
Importance: Turlock needs a big win to have a shot at the playoffs. They lose and they are out. Turlock's opponents wins stand at 42 prior to this game. Pitman wins and they improve to 8 wins and likely a 4 or 5 seed.
Projection: Pitman 31-21
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Jesuit (Carmichael) (2,120) 5-4 at Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (2,262) 8-1
Importance: Jesuit only has one league win so they have to win this game or they are out. If they do win they are in the D-I bracket. Oak Ridge will need the win for a higher seed and a potential tie for the league championship if Folsom loses to Pleasant Grove.
Projection: Oak Ridge 34-8
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Ponderosa (Shingle Springs) (1,901) 5-4 at Sheldon (Sacramento) (2,341) 3-6
Importance: Like Jesuit, Ponderosa is in a win and you're in, lose and you're done situation. They need a win to get to two league wins. Sheldon looks to play spoiler.
Projection: Ponderosa 35-21
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Mesa Verde (Citrus Heights) (1,061) 3-6 at Dixon (1,148) 8-1
Importance: If Mesa Verde pulls off the huge upset they would be tied with Dixon and potentially Marysville for a three-way tie at 3-2 for the No. 2 seed in the Golden Empire League. Marysville has 1-7 West Campus on Friday. Dixon is in no matter what but this win would boost its playoff seeding.
Projection: Dixon 42-13
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Rosemont (Sacramento) (1,609) 5-4 at Johnson (Sacramento) (1,843) 3-6
Importance: Rosemont would lock up most likely a D-III playoff spot with a win over Johnson. Rosemont's opponents have 29 total wins at this point. Johnson looks to play spoiler.
Projection: Rosemont 41-21
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Beyer (Modesto) (2,022) 5-4 at Downey (Modesto) (1,986) 8-1
Importance: A Beyer win and they are in. A loss would bring them to a tiebreaker. Their opponents win total is at 32 as of now. If they win they would at least hold a share of runner-up in the Modesto Metro League with Enochs, which they lost to this season. Downey will want to win to get a potential top 3 seed.
Projection: Downey 44-19 
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Enochs (Modesto) (2,472) 5-4 at Davis (Modesto) (1,456) 2-7
Importance: Enochs gets the win and they are in as runner-up in the Modesto Metro League. They would most likely get a 12 or 13 seed in D-I. Davis has been eliminated but could derail Enochs' shot at the postseason.
Projection: Enochs 49-17
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Wood (Vacaville) (1,507) 5-4 at Vacaville (1,925) 6-3
Importance: Wood clinches a spot with a win over Vacaville and a share of the Monticello Empire League title. Wood's opponents have 38 wins at this point. Vacaville is looking for an outright league title plus a higher seed. Napa would also share the league title if Wood wins.
Projection: Vacaviile 48-21
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Vintage (Napa) (2,112) 4-5 at Napa (2,256) 6-3
Importance: Vintage needs a win to even have a chance at a tiebreaker. Their opponents have 40 total wins combined. Napa wants to lock up the runner-up spot and to get to 7 wins for a higher seed.
Projection: Napa 31-10
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Colfax (785) 4-5 at Lincoln (1,507) 4-5
Importance: It's pretty simple in this one: win and you're most likely in, lose and you are out. Colfax opponents have 47 wins, Lincoln's 43.
Projection: Colfax 26-21
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Rocklin (1,843) 5-4 at Del Oro (Loomis) (1,699) 4-5
Importance: Whoever wins this game will earn at least the runner-up spot in the Sierra Foothill League and an automatic berth into the postseason. If Rocklin loses it would still have a chance as the Thunder's opponents have 50 total wins. If Del Oro loses, the Golden Eagles are out.
Projection: Rocklin 17-16
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Granite Bay (2,164) 6-3 at Nevada Union (Grass Valley) (2,255) 5-4
Importance: This is a big one for both teams. If Granite Bay wins they get the outright Sierra Foothill League title. If Nevada Union wins they are in the playoffs. If Nevada Union loses their opponents wins stand at 40 at this point.
Projection: Granite Bay 34-22
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River City (West Sacramento) (1,992) 4-5 at Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (1,691) 7-2
Importance: This one is easy: River City wins, they are in as runner-up in the Sierra Valley League. If they lose they are out.
Projection: Cosumnes Oaks 31-7
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Vallejo (2,225) 3-6 at Bethel (Vallejo) (2,081) 5-4
Importance: Vallejo wins and they are in, as Vallejo has the tiebreaker over Benicia for second place in the league. Vallejo beat Benicia earlier this season. Benicia plays No. 1 American Canyon. Vallejo would end up runner-up in the Solano County League. If Vallejo loses and Benicia loses there would be a three-way tie for second place. You can read the Bylaws here for how that would work out. If Bethel wins they are in. Their opponents have 46 wins as of now. 
Projection: Vallejo 22-21
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Orestimba (Newman) (771) 5-4 at Modesto Christian (212) 5-4
Importance: Orestimba has to win to get in. The team only has one league win at this point. Their opponents have 35 wins at this point. Modesto Christian wins and they are in. MC's opponents have 53 wins.
Projection: Modesto Christian 38-21
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Hughson (750) 5-4 at Hilmar (684) 6-3
Importance: If Hughson wins they are in. Hughson's opponents have 46 wins as of now. Hilmar looks to get a better seed with the win.
Projection: Hughson 21-20
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Pioneer (Woodland) (1,586) at Woodland (1,361)
Importance: Pioneer has to win to even be considered. The Patriots only have one league win as of now. Pioneer opponents have 33 wins right now. Woodland will look to spoil their rivals hopes' at a playoff chance.
Projection: Woodland 21-14
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Manteca (1,566) 5-4 at East Union (Manteca) (1,464) 1-8
Importance: Manteca wins they are in. Manteca's opponents have 46 wins.
Projection: Manteca 42-17
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Sonora (1,108) 4-5 at Oakdale (1,613) 8-1
Importance: Sonora must beat Oakdale on the road to have a chance to get in. Sonora's opponents have
39 total wins.
Projection: Oakdale 42-12
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Lathrop (1,138) 0-9 at Kimball (Tracy) (1,961) 4-5
Importance: Kimball needs to win to be considered. Kimball's opponents have 44 wins.
Projection: Kimball 41-7
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Sierra (Manteca) (1,383) 8-1 at Weston Ranch (Stockton) (1,209) 4-5
Importance: Weston Ranch has to upset Sierra to have a shot. Weston Ranch's opponents have 30 wins.
Projection: Sierra 44-12
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Los Banos (1,145) 8-1 at Pacheco (Los Banos) (1,539) 5-4
Importance: Pacheco wins and they are in. If the lose, it will come down to a tiebreaker. Pacheco's opponents have 45 wins total.
Projection: Los Banos 35-14
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Ceres (1,405) 2-7 at Central Valley (Ceres) (1,692) 4-5
Importance: Central Valley has to win to get to five wins and two league victories. Ceres could play spoiler. Central Valley's opponents have 37 wins.
Projection: Central Valley 35-19
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Elk Grove (1,801) 8-1 at Davis (3,181) 5-4
Importance: Davis has to beat Elk Grove if the Blue Devils want in. They could also tie them for runner-up in the Delta Valley League.
Projection: Elk Grove 42-14
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Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) (2,172) 5-4 at Grant (Sacramento, Calif.) (2,039) 4-5
Importance: This is a true win or go home game. If Grant wins they should hold the tiebreaker over several others. Grant's opponents have 59 wins as of now. Monterey Trail would pick up a sixth win and its second league win if it beats Grant.
Projection: Grant 41-6
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Note: Liberty Ranch (Galt) is 5-5 and its season is over. Their opponents have 42 wins.