No. 1 Franklin ran all over Lincoln in a playoff victory last week to remain undefeated.
Photo by Anthony Brunsman
1. Franklin (Elk Grove) (1) 12-0Rolled preseason Sac-Joaquin Section No. 1 Lincoln (Stockton) 42-6 behind speed backs
Christian Fonbuena and
Kyran Harris, defense, special teams and sheer effort. The Wildcats exacted sweet revenge from a chippy playoff loss at Lincoln. Now Franklin is in the title game for the first time and will take on defending champion Granite Bay in a semifinal battle royale.
2. Folsom (2) 12-0The Bulldogs stormed to their second Sac-Joaquin Section Division II rout, scoring on their first five possessions to down defending champion Vacaville 49-13. No picks and one sack allowed for ace sophomore QB
Jake Browning, who passed for 380 yards and five touchdowns; he has 55 scoring strikes this season. Have we mentioned that he's just a sophomore? He has 4,527 yards. Some teams don't amass that in five years. Face run-dominant and destructive Buhach Colony in semifinals.
3. Elk Grove (3) 11-1A week after rolling Ponderosa 41-0 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener, the Thundering Herd took apart Del Campo 35-14, allowing one offensive touchdown and running amok with backs
Wadus Parker (three total scores) and
Robert Frazier (224 yards rushing, two scores). Next is a tailback supreme showdown with Del Oro in a semifinal.
Ernest Jenkins, Burbank
Photo by Anthony Brunsman
The Titans have a rarity in three 1,000-yard rushers in
Ernest Jenkins,
Calvin Green and
Isiah Williams, and all three were in high gear to beat Pleasant Grove 32-27 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterfinal. Next is the same team that last beat the Titans: Oak Ridge on Saturday. Defensive tackle
Ngalu Tapa has a state-best 23 sacks.
5. Buhach Colony (Atwater) (6) 10-2Took down Antelope 31-24 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II action behind a bevy of backs who run with power and speed, including
Stefon Gold and
Leon Miles. Next is spread-offense machine that is Folsom in a semifinal. Last loss was 36-35 to NorCal power Serra (San Mateo), which won it with a late two-point run.
6. Granite Bay (7) 9-3The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions rolled Napa in an opener then tore apart Downey (Modesto 56-20 with more defense, fly sweep running and four more touchdown passes by
Grant Caraway. Next is a semifinal tilt against top-seeded Franklin. Losses are to Westlake, Oaks Christian and Pittsburg (Antioch). Play Downey (Modesto) next.
7. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (10) 11-1The Trojans beat another area-code 209 club in Sac-Joaquin Section D-I action, slipping past Pitman (Turlock) 17-16 behind a superb defensive effort and more offensive balance. Next is a playoff rematch at Burbank, the Titans' last loss. Other wins include Grant, Vacaville and Pleasant Grove. Lost to Folsom early in Delta River League action.
8. Del Oro (Loomis) (14) 7-5Beat St. Mary's (Stockton) 21-10 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II action, eliminating the frustrated Rams twice since 2009 in the playoffs. Two defensive stands inside the five set the tone, as did the hard running of
Brandon Monroe (297 yards, three touchdowns). Next is a superb semifinal showdown at Elk Grove, a team Del Oro scrimmaged before the first game. Beat Logan (Union City) in nonleague play.
9. Oakdale (11) 11-1The Mustangs beat Benicia 35-12 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division III action to inch closer to their third consecutive title appearance. Oakdale lost the previous two seasons to Del Oro, now back in D-II. Loss was to San Diego No. 1 Oceanside in an early season showcase. Face surging American Canyon (11-1) in a semifinal.
10. Escalon (NR) 10-2The Cougars have been a small-school power for years, including a CIF State small-school bowl win in 2011. Escalon stunned top-seeded Placer in a Sac-Joaquin Section D-IV quarterfinal in Auburn, denying the hosts any fourth-quarter life and winning it on a late field goal. Next is a rematch with an old friend in Los Banos.
11. Placer (Auburn) (8) 11-1Season ended in stunning fashion, at home to powerhouse Escalon 27-26 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV quarterfinal. Placer managed three offensive plays in the fourth quarter. The Hillmen return a lot of talent but bid farewell to an all-time program great in USC-commit defensive tackle
Eddie Vanderdoes. Wins earlier included Central Catholic and Yuba City.
Rey Vega, Central Catholic
Photo by Gerardo Coronado
After rolling Bear River 63-20, CC blasted 11-0 Ripon 40-21 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV play behind its Ray guns: backs
Rey Vega and
Ray Lomas. Next is a semifinal against Center. Other wins include St. Mary's (28-21) with losses to Placer (48-30) and Downey (45-42).
13. Los Banos (22) 11-1The Tigers have been on a roll since their lone loss, 35-14 at Central Catholic in a game that was close in the first half. Los Banos has beaten Summerville 41-18 and Capital Christian 42-14 in the D-IV playoffs and now take on Escalon, a team it beat 34-32 in a season opener.
14. Center (Antelope) (19) 10-2The Cougars rolled a 9-1 Dixon club 42-0 in D-IV play and then beat 11-0 Argonaut 19-14 behind more of the same: tailback
D'Juan Bellaire and defense. Losses were to Chico early and Placer 15-14 late. Play Central Catholic next.
15. Vista del Lago (Folsom) (15) 11-1Scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to buckle El Camino (Sacramento) in a D-III quarterfinal with
Matt Jimison scoring the game winner on a short run. The Eagles opened the playoffs with a 44-0 rout of Lincoln, a team that a few weeks earlier lost 10-7 at Placer. Play wing-T express Inderkum on Saturday night.
C.J. Spencer, Inderkum
Photo by David Steutel
Thin on backs because of injuries and other issues, the Tigers continue to march on, ushering in new runners such as
Terence White, who rushed for 190 yards and four touchdowns and had two interceptions in a 59-47 shootout win over 11-1 Sierra (Manteca) in D-III action. Next is a semifinal game against Vista del Lago on Saturday.
17. St. Mary's (Stockton) (5) 9-3The Rams fell to Del Oro 21-10 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II quarterfinal, and they've had just about enough of DO. That's twice since 2009 that DO came to Stockton to end the Rams season. A lot of talent returns for coach Tony Franks. Other losses were to Central Catholic (Modesto) 28-21 and state-ranked No. 1 De La Salle (Concord) 21-13.
18. American Canyon (NR) 11-1A newer school storming the scene in a hurry with D-III playoff wins over River Valley and Cosumnes Oaks — and now a date at top-seeded Oakdale in the semifinals.
19. Downey (Modesto) (13) 10-2After winning their first playoff game since 1987, Downey was blasted by defending D-I champion Granite Bay 56-20, drawing a curtain on the fine career of Aaron Zwahlem, who tossed 48 touchdowns this season.
20. Del Campo (Fair Oaks) (14) 9-3The Cougars fell at Elk Grove 35-14 despite a big rushing night by
Josh Blumgold; DC had no answer for the Herd's big-play ability. Last loss was 20-16 to Elk Grove in a nonleague game.
21. Antelope (19) 10-2The Titans had their finest season halted amid turnovers and a bruising run game by Buhach Colony, 35-28. The playoff win was a 31-24 thriller over Rocklin. A host of talent returns, but all-time program great
Tyler Winston bows out.
22. Vacaville (22) 8-4The defending Section D-II champions beat Rio Linda 35-21 in an opener and then fell at top-seeded Folsom. Other losses were to Granite Bay, Oak Ridge and Deer Valley (Antioch). Plenty of talent returns for another title run. Bulldogs won section titles in 2006 and 2011.
23. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) (20) 8-4The Eagles stunned 9-1 Stagg 22-21 on a late field goal by sophomore
Chad Phillips before falling at No. 2-seeded Burbank 32-27 in the D-I scramble. Versatile
Dre Terrell heads a host of returners as a play-making quarterback, cornerback and special teams performer. Other losses were to Lincoln, Oak Ridge, Folsom and Inderkum.
24. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (25) 9-3The Wolfpack beat Christian Brothers in a D-III opener then lost at American Canyon 28-20. A host of returning talent makes for a promising 2013, including national recruit receiver
Alex Van Dyke and lineman
Kameron Schroeder. Other losses were to No. 1 Franklin and to Vista del Lago.
(TIE) 25. Yuba City (25) 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.
(TIE) 25. Rocklin (17) 5-6Lost to Antelope 31-24 in D-II action. The Thunder will return quarterback
Logan Webb, who flourished this season. Other losses were to Del Oro (38-35), Pleasant Grove (35-21), Oak Ridge (16-7), Del Campo (21-20) and Granite Bay (41-34).
(TIE) 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.
Others: Sierra (Manteca) (10-2),
El Camino (Sacramento) (8-3),
Pitman (Turlock) (9-3),
Ripon (11-1),
Argonaut (Jackson) (11-1),
Capital Christian (Sacramento) (10-2),
Whitney (Rocklin) (8-3),
Rio Linda (8-3),
Nevada Union (Grass Valley) (5-6),
Grant (Sacramento) (5-6),
Ponderosa (Shingle Springs) (6-5),
Dixon (9-2),
Sacramento (8-3),
Calaveras (San Andreas) (8-3),
Benicia (7-4),
Bear River (Grass Valley) (8-3)
Click here for a look at the two section semifinal showdowns pitting the best of the Sierra Foothill League against the best of the Delta Valley ConferenceClick here for a closer look at The Bee's Top 25 football rankings with a second-round playoff scoreboard and semifinal schedules
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.
