MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section Top 25 high school football rankings

Final Regular Season MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section Top 25 Football Rankings

1. Franklin (Elk Grove) (1) 10-0
In capping the program's first perfect regular season with a 28-6 victory over Monterey Trail to lock up the Delta Valley Conference, the target is now much larger: a first ever Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship. This is your large-school section favorite with superb coaching, offensive balance, good lines and a fast, attacking defense. Open against Nevada Union in a playoff rematch from last season, won by Franklin 41-16.

View the complete CIF Sac-Joaquin Section football playoff brackets

2. Folsom (2) 10-0
The Bulldogs secured their first 10-0 regular season since 1990 under then-coach Tom Doherty, still a friend of the program who supports co-coaches Kris Richardson and Troy Taylor. The current coaches have expertly molded a juggernaut in recent years. Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning has 43 touchdowns, a fine offensive line, some runners, and the benefit of a strong defense headed by coordinator Lou Baiz, a longtime coach at Sacramento State. State champions in Division II in 2010, the Bulldogs expect another section title and bowl run as the top seeds in D-II. Open against Atwater.

3. Elk Grove (3) 9-1
From 5-5 two years ago to 12-1 last season to this, the Herd remains the word in the region, and now it's on to the section Division II playoffs. Elk Grove has terrific line play and the 1-2 halfback combo of Robert Frazier and Wadus Parker, a quick defense and a crafty coach in Chris Nixon. Elk Grove lost to Folsom in the D-II semifinals last season - and still remembers. Loss this season was 17-7 to No. 1 Franklin. Open playoffs against dangerous and physical Ponderosa.

4. Burbank (Sacramento) (4) 10-0
The first 10-0 showing since the 1960s, the Titans now seek the program's first Sac-Joaquin Section championship and will make a real run at it with a superb triple-option run game headed by Keith Marcus and Isiah Williams and steady quarterback Ernest Jenkins. The defense is headed by a national recruit in the making in defensive tackle Ngalu Tapa, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive tackle and honors student. He leads the state with 20.5 sacks. Wins over Grant and Del Oro this season, and look who is coming to Florin Road in South Sacramento for a Saturday D-I playoff opener: Grant. It's a meeting of programs that respect each other as competitors and friends.

5. St. Mary's (Stockton) (5) 8-2
Another Tri-City Athletic League championship for the Rams and coach Tony Franks, who last lost a league game in 2006. St. Mary's is a major threat in the Sac-Joaquin Section D-II race with offensive balance and play makers, and Franks is one of the top coaches around. Losses are to Central Catholic (Modesto) 28-21 and De La Salle (Concord) 21-13. Open against Tracy.

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6. Buhach Colony (Atwater) (6) 8-2
Locked up another Central California Conference title and now target the Sac-Joaquin Section D-II prize after making a run in the previous two seasons. Bruising lines and fast backs make a title pursuit within reason, particularly since the Thunder's impressive showing in a 36-35 loss to NorCal power Serra (San Mateo), which won it with a late two-point run. Open against McNair.

7. Granite Bay (7) 7-3
Beware the defending Division I Sac-Joaquin Section champions who are suddenly playing the part again. The unbeaten Sierra Foothill League champions beat Rocklin, Del Oro and Nevada Union down the stretch and bound into the postseason brimming with confidence with their fly back attack and an improving defense headed by standout leader Beau Hershberger. Tony Ellison, Grant Caraway and John Cooley are among the offensive leaders. Losses are to Westlake, Oaks Christian and Pittsburg (Antioch). Open against Napa.

8. Placer (Auburn) (8) 10-0
First time Pioneer Valley League champions and 10-0 for the first time since 1980, the Hillmen are just getting warmed up. Next is a Sac-Joaquin Section D-IV title chase as the topper. The program seeks its first title since the glory days of the early 1980s when Bill Miller was the coach. He is the grandfather of current Hillmen coach Joey Montoya, who celebrated his 34th birthday by beating gritty Center 15-14 on Friday. The Hillmen also target a CIF State Bowl and could get a rematch with Center or Central Catholic in the finals.

9. Central Catholic (Modesto) (9) 8-2
The Raiders are every bit about small-school tradition and excellence, having won a Sac-Joaquin Section-leading 15 championship banners. Room for No. 16 in the trophy case? Better plan on a real run for it as the No. 2 seed in D-IV opposite Placer. The run game of Rey Vega and Ray Lomas has been prolific. Wins include St. Mary's (28-21) with losses to Placer (48-30) and Downey (45-42). Open playoffs against Bear River, which lost 3 weeks ago at Placer 14-7.

10. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (10) 9-1
The Trojans reached a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title game in 1986, won four in Division II in the late 1990s and 2000s and now seek their first in D-I. The offense is balanced with quarterback Jason Samuels and backs Blake Martin and Tanner Hughes, and the defense is formidable with rush-end specialist Zack Claiborne. Lone loss was to Folsom early in the Delta River League schedule and wins include Grant, Vacaville and Pleasant Grove. Open against Enochs.

11. Oakdale (11) 9-1
The Mustangs polished off the Valley Oak League field yet again and now target that elusive Sac-Joaquin Section Division III crown, having fallen to Del Oro in the title round in each of the past two seasons. That won't happen this time as Del Oro is back in the D-II field. Oakdale has a power running game and a good defense and a coach in Trent Merzon who bleeds Mustangs colors as he played for the program years ago. Open against Pacheco.

12. Merced (13) 7-3
The Bears are back in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoff fold for the first time since 2008. Seems almost absurd to even write that since Merced was a section super power in the 1980s and '90s and a bit last decade, too. Wins include Downey and losses were to Buhach Colony and playoff-bound Fresno teams Edison and Clovis North. This is a dark-horse section threat. Open against Lincoln (Stockton).

13. Downey (Modesto) (13) 9-1
As good a passer as you will find anywhere resides here in Aaron Zwahlen, who has a Sac-Joaquin Section-leading 44 touchdown passes and 3,075 yards. How far can the Knights go? As far as AZ can throw them, to be sure. Loss was to Merced in a shootout. Open against Bethel in D-I scramble.

14. Del Campo (Fair Oaks) (14) 8-2
The Cougars won the program's sixth league championship under coach Mike Dimino in 10 seasons with a thrilling 34-28 over Rio Linda to lock up the Capital Valley Conference. Now the real challenge: the D-II playoffs. DC won two D-III titles in the last 10 years in D-III. The run game and defensive line are superb. Open against Whitney.

15. Yuba City (17) 9-1
In locking up the program's first league title since the famed 1987 team led by all-time regional receiving great Brian Brown, the Honkers are a sudden threat in the D-II field, thanks to leaders Taylor Elkins and Nate Van Dusen. The loss was 42-33 to Placer. Yuba City reached the D-I section finals in 1987, a loss. And guess who the Honkers invite to dinner for a playoff opening reward: Del Oro, the two-time defending section D-III champion.

16. Del Oro (Loomis) (20) 5-5
Never mind the overall record. Beware the Golden Eagles, now on a roll, thanks in large part to a brutal nonleague schedule and close setbacks that molded this group. In beating rival Rocklin 38-35 on a last-second Skyler Rand field goal, Del Oro locked up second place in the Sierra Foothill League behind Granite Bay, and now it's D-II playoff time. The Golden Eagles won the last two D-III section titles but move back into the D-II mix as a real threat with tailback supreme Brandon Monroe. Losses include Westlake (16-13 in overtime), Burbank (28-23) and Grant (31-30) before beating then NorCal No. 3 Logan (Union City) 20-13 in overtime. Open at Yuba City as two-time defending D-III section champions with six earlier titles in D-II as one of the section's storied programs.

17. Rocklin (15) 5-5
Despite the 38-35 last-play loss to Del Oro, the Thunder rightfully made the playoffs and loom as a real threat in D-II with junior quarterback ace Logan Webb and do-all talent Daniel Kniffin. Rocklin suffered close early losses to Pleasant Grove (35-21), Oak Ridge (16-7) and Del Campo (21-20) and to Granite Bay (41-34). Open at Antelope.

18. Stagg (Stockton) (19) 9-1
The Delta Kings were a power in the late 1970s under coach Bob Mattos, who went on to coaching success at Sacramento State, and it hasn't been since the late 1980s that alums have been this excited. Stagg is quick and athletic and hungry behind quarterback Wayne Brooks - and a real threat in the D-I playoff race. The loss was to St. Mary's 43-34. Team has four shutouts and draws dangerous Pleasant Grove, which has a D-I title and a runner-up finish last season.

19. Lincoln (Stockton) (22) 7-3
The Trojans are picking up steam at the right time as they bound into the D-I playoff mix with two of the top skill players in the section in quarterback Zack Greenlee and tailback Justin Davis. Lincoln reached the D-I semifinals last year before a crushing last-second loss to Granite Bay, the eventual champion. Losses this season are to Elk Grove, St. Mary's and Granite Bay. Open against Merced.

20. Vacaville (23) 7-3
The defending Section D-II champions crave a repeat and the Bulldogs will make a run behind its running game headed by Curtis Goins after locking up yet another Monticello Empire League championship. Losses were to Granite Bay, Oak Ridge and Deer Valley (Antioch). Open against Rio Linda, a run-heavy team much like the Bulldogs.

21. Antelope (NR) 9-1
The newer-school Titans of the Sacramento region are basking in the program's second Capital Athletic League championship in three years, beating Whitney both times, including rallying from 20-0 down to prevail Friday 35-27. The playmaker for Antelope is national recruit receiver/defensive back Tyler Winston, who can run, catch, block and defend as a complete player. Next is the real race: the D-II field. Open against Rocklin.

22. Whitney (Rocklin) (19) 8-2
The Wildcats are reeling and fuming from a blown 20-0 lead at home against Antelope, a game that went to Antelope 35-27. The only other loss was 6-0 to Rocklin. This is every bit a force in the D-II playoffs behind backs such as Sutter Choisser. Open at Del Campo.

23. Grant (Sacramento) (NR) 5-5
Welcome back, Pacers of Del Paso Heights. Grant endured a brutal nonleague schedule with losses to Burbank, Nevada Union and Oak Ridge and a last-play blocked field goal that resulted in a loss to No. 1 Franklin. One win was late over Del Oro, and then three straight down the stretch to clinch the program's section-record 22nd consecutive playoff berth. In the D-I mix, say hello to your monstrous dark horse. Open at Burbank.

24. Center (Antelope) (22) 8-2
The Cougars had the ball late, deep in Placer territory, then slipped and stalled in the mud, allowing the host Hillmen to hold on for a 15-14 victory to decide the Pioneer Valley League. This is one fast team in the D-IV playoff mix behind running back D'Juan Bellaire. Open at Dixon.

(TIE) 25. Vista del Lago (Folsom) (25) 9-1
The Eagles aim to make some noise in the D-III playoffs with a prolific passing attack headed by sophomore Matt Jimison. Coach Chris Jones won three D-II titles at Oak Ridge last decade. Loss was to Oak Ridge in a season opener. Open Thursday night against Lincoln.

(TIE) 25. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (25) 8-2
The Wolfpack returns to the postseason D-III race, winning its first playoff game last season and hungry for more. There are skill players galore, including receiver Alex Van Dyke and tailback Kaelin Willhite. Losses to No. 1 Franklin and to Vista del Lago. Open on Saturday night against Christian Brothers.

(TIE) 25. Los Banos (25) 9-1
Back in the playoff fold and poised for D-IV title run. The loss was 35-14 to Central Catholic after the game was tied 14-14 at the half. Open against Summerville.

On the bubble: Inderkum (Sacramento) (8-2), Rio Linda (8-2), Nevada Union (Grass Valley) (5-5), Ponderosa (Shingle Springs) (6-4), Ripon (10-0), Argonaut (Jackson) (10-0), Amador (Sutter Creek) (7-3), Sierra (Manteca) (9-1), Capital Christian (Sacramento) (9-1), Dixon (9-1), Sacramento (8-2), Napa (7-3), American Canyon (9-1), El Camino (Sacramento) (7-3), Calaveras (San Andreas) (8-2), Benicia (7-3), Pitman (Turlock) (8-2), Escalon (8-2), Bear River (Grass Valley) (8-2).

For a closer look at the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs from The Bee, click here...

Joe 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.