The first round of the playoffs provided some shake-ups in the Top 25, but Franklin stays strong at the top.
Folsom holds onto the No. 2 position in the rankings after its first-round win over Atwater.
Photo by Derek Carroll
Shook off a sluggish first half against Nevada Union in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opener against Nevada Union for a 35-14 victory. The Wildcats had six first-half turnovers but settled down, unleashed its runners in
Kyran Harris and
Christian Fonbuena and pitched a second-half shutout. Next is a grudge rematch against Lincoln (Stockton), which eliminated Franklin last season in the postseason.
2. Folsom (2) 11-0The Bulldogs stormed in their Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener, belting Atwater 59-12 as
Jake Browning passed for more than 400 yards and seven touchdowns, giving him 50 on the season. He has passed for 4,147 yards - and yes, he's just a sophomore. He has a terrific offensive line and a steady defense, too. Face Vacaville in Round II in a rematch of last season's D-II section title bout, won by Vacaville.
3. Elk Grove (3) 10-1Rolled Ponderosa 41-0 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II play to make up for an otherwise sluggish finish to the regular season. Touchdowns were scored by backs
Robert Frazier and
Wadus Parker and on defense by lineman
Bwon Canada. Next is a regular-season rematch game with Del Campo, which fell to Elk Grove 20-16 in September.
4. Burbank (Sacramento) (4) 11-0Beat rival Grant 26-19 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division I action as
Isiah Williams,
Calvin Green and
Ernest Jenkins each rushed for 100 yards and scored. The defense was paced by
Ngalu Tapa, who had two fourth-quarter sacks. Next play Pleasant Grove on Saturday.
5. St. Mary's (Stockton) (5) 9-2Beat Tracy 34-6 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener to set up a titanic meeting with Del Oro in a meeting of traditional power. The Rams are dangerous out of the spread and playing good defense. Losses are to Central Catholic (Modesto) 28-21 and state-ranked No. 1 De La Salle (Concord) 21-13.
6. Buhach Colony (Atwater) (6) 9-2Rolled McNair 59-22 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opening action behind 513 rushing yards, including 194 by
Leon Miles and 164 by
Stefon Gold. The backs combined for six touchdowns. The last loss was 36-35 to NorCal power Serra (San Mateo), which won it with a late two-point run. Now play Antelope.
7. Granite Bay (7) 8-3The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions are rolling now, winners of seven straight, including 52-0 shelling over a very solid Napa team in an opener. Grant Caraway completed 12 of 14 passes for 159 yards and hit four different receivers for touchdowns, and the team rushed for 267 yards to hand the Indians their worst playoff beating. Losses are to Westlake, Oaks Christian and Pittsburg (Antioch). Play Downey (Modesto) next.
8. Placer (Auburn) (8) 11-0Rolled defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Hilmar 59-3 with
Isaac Brahce rushing for 104 yards,
Cameron Scott 99 and
Todd Valliere 86 and three scores and the defense recovering five fumbles. Next is a great showdown against Escalon, a state bowl winner with as good a section resume as you can find. The teams have not played in the postseason before.
9. Central Catholic (Modesto) (9) 9-2Rolled Bear River 63-20 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV play as
Rey Vega rushed fro 121 yards and
Ray Lomas went for 136 as the backs combined to score seven touchdowns. The defense came up with six sacks and held the Bruins to 20 yards rushing on 28 carries, including sacks. Wins include St. Mary's (28-21) with losses to Placer (48-30) and Downey (45-42). Next face 11-0 Ripon, a 40-0 winner over Argonaut.
10. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (10) 10-1The Trojans led 21-14 after the first quarter then stormed from there, beating Enochs (Modesto) 49-21 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opener. There was again offensive balance and a defensive stand, including a second-half shutout. Wins include Grant, Vacaville and Pleasant Grove. Next face another 209 club in Pitman (Turlock).
11. Oakdale (11) 10-1The Mustangs rolled Pacheco 63-7 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division III opening action behind the same ingredients: a punishing run game and a dominant defense. Loss was to San Diego No. 1 Oceanside in early season showcase. This is your heavy D-III section favorite until further notice.
12. Downey (Modesto) (13) 10-1Beat Bethel (Vallejo) 41-6 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opener as
Aaron Zwahlen passed for 413 yards and two touchdowns. He had 46 touchdowns and 3,488 yards passing this season. The loss was to Merced in a shootout. Next take in the defensive tyrants of Granite Bay.
13. Del Campo (Fair Oaks) (14) 9-2The Cougars beat Whitney (Rocklin) 34-27 in an entertaining Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener, with each team managing just one second-half score each. The run game includes
Austin Brown and
Josh Blumgold. Next is a rematch against Elk Grove, the Cougars' last loss seven weeks ago (20-16).
14. Del Oro (Loomis) (16) 6-5Rolled Yuba City 45-21 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II action behind dominant line play on both sides, headed by
Tanner Woods, who had two sacks and also pushed folks around on offense.
Brandon Monroe was terrific again at tailback, rushing for 225 yards and four scores in the first half. Next is a fun showdown at St. Mary's.
15. Antelope (21) 10-1The Titans beat Rocklin 31-24 in a thriller of a Sac-Joaquin Section D-II game with
Tyler Winston icing it with a late interception. Line play and special teams also had big moments for the fast-rising program. At Buhach Colony next.
16. Lincoln (Stockton) (22) 8-3The Trojans are humming now, rolling Merced 52-9 to open D-I play.
Justin Davis rushed fro 303 yards and five touchdowns in looking anything but a No. 8 seed. Lincoln led 35-0 at the half as Davis went for 213 yards. Losses are to Elk Grove, St. Mary's and Granite Bay. Play Franklin next in a rematch of last season's playoff game, won by the Trojans.
17. Vacaville (23) 8-3The defending Section D-II champions beat Rio Linda 35-21 in an opener behind a run game that includes
Curtis Goins. Losses were to Granite Bay, Oak Ridge and Deer Valley (Antioch). Next is a rematch showdown with Folsom, whom these Bulldogs beat in the D-II finals last December.
18. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) (NR) 7-4The Eagles stunned host Stagg 22-21 on a late field goal by sophomore
Chad Phillips, having come in battle tested and eager.
Dre Terrell was again dynamic and versatile for Pleasant Grove, making plays at quarterback, cornerback and on punt returns. Next is a showdown at Burbank, a rematch of a spirited and physical scrimmage on the eve of the season. Losses are to Lincoln, Oak Ridge, Folsom and Inderkum.
19. Center (Antelope) (19) 9-2The Cougars rolled a 9-1 Dixon club 42-0 in D-IV play behind more of the same: tailback
D'Juan Bellaire and defense. Losses were to Chico early and Placer, 15-14, late. Play 11-0 Argonaut next.
20. Vista del Lago (Folsom) (25) 10-1The Eagles opened D-III play with a 44-0 rout of Lincoln, a team that a few weeks earlier lost 10-7 at Placer.
Matt Jimison accounted for three scores and Vista scored on a pick six and a blocked punt by
Bear Grunsky. Face dangerous El Camino next.
21. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (25) 9-2The Wolfpack won their first home playoff game in the school's brief history, downing Christian Brothers 19-14 in D-III action.
Alex Van Dyke looked the part of national recruit and defensive lineman
Josh Davis played inspired in honor of his father, who died that day. Play at American Canyon next. Losses to No. 1 Franklin and to Vista del Lago.
22. Los Banos (25) 10-1The Tigers rolled Summerville 41-18 in D-IV action, setting up a nice showdown against rising-fast Capital Christian (10-1). The loss was 35-14 to Central Catholic after it was tied 14-14 at the half.
22. Yuba City (17) 9-2Lost to Del Oro in D-II opening-round play to end best season since 1987, when the Honkers last won a league title. Other loss was to Placer in a shootout. Win against Inderkum earlier snapped the Tigers' 5-year hold in Tri-County League play.
23. Inderkum (Sacramento) (NR) 9-2The Tigers beat Manteca 30-21 despite being short on backs due to injury or other issues, but the wing-T rolled here.
Dedric Allen again paced the defense. Losses were to Yuba City and Rocklin. Play Sierra (10-1) next.
24. Rocklin (17) 5-6Lost to Antelope 31-24 in D-II action. The Thunder will return quarterback
Logan Webb, who flourished this season. Losses were to Del Oro (38-35), Pleasant Grove (35-21), Oak Ridge (16-7), Del Campo (21-20) and Granite Bay (41-34).
25. Stagg (Stockton) (19) 9-2The Delta Kings enjoyed their finest season since the late 1970s, falling to Pleasant Grove 22-21 in a D-I opener. The other loss was to St. Mary's 43-34.
On the bubble: American Canyon (10-1), Sierra (10-1), El Camino (8-3), Pitman (9-2), Escalon (8-2), Ripon (11-0), Argonaut (11-0), Capital Christian (10-1), Whitney (8-3), Rio Linda (8-3), Nevada Union (5-6), Grant (5-6), Ponderosa (6-5), Dixon (9-2), Sacramento (8-3), Calaveras (8-3), Benicia (7-4), Bear River (8-3).
Read more on the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs from The Sacramento Bee
Take a closer look at The Sacramento Bee's Top 25 regional rankings and a full first-round playoff scoreboard and Round II scheduleJoe Davidson has covered high schools with The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD; on Facebook: sacbeepreps; and online: sacbee.com/preps; and radio podcasts: ESPN1320.net.
