Well there are so many things for instance, sos and already claiming victory, that alone is two pick 6 for DLS. Not claiming the “Folsom rule” is another pick 6. They also have a few turnovers inside the 10 yard line. As far as the board game it’s already a third running clock. Obviously I don’t feel this is how the real game will end up. Just thought for those who are interested that’s how the board scoring is going so far.
This is my game. You go get your own.
There is the Trinity league (toughest league in CA) with Mater Dei and Saint John Bosco and Lutheran which at least two of the three and maybe three are at another level than DLS or Folsom in talent and play (the others in the league aren't chopped liver as well). All three socal teams are expected to be elite with the two at the top of the nation. Then there is Oaks Christian, Mission Viejo, Upland (expected to be very good), and Centennial Corona (stacked as usual talent wise and a perennial deep southern CA power). Serra Gardena (lots of D1 talent) and Chaminade, whom Folsom plays, was stacked last year but loses lots of talent but still has lots of talent (probably 2 or 3rd tier southern section). Both should be pretty good. Serra like always will have lots of D1 talent. Should be a good game. San Diego section looks down again for the second year and no team close to the socal powers. Central section: has Central (Fresno) which is like an SFL, WCAL team. Bakersfield and the southwest yosemite top teams which are typically strong are down. Overall Central has been down for a while. I'm sure there are other teams not mentioned, but seems this year teams like DLS and Folsom are in the second tier in the state (behind Mater Dei and SJB) and maybe Lutheran and there are probably another 6 others that might be a challenge or are considered stronger than all teams other than DLS or Folsom. Pittsburg plays Centennial and Serra - San Mateo and St Francis play two of the teams (Serra-Gardena and Notre Dame - Sherman Oaks). Lots of good football this year. Socal seems to be exceptionally strong this year to start. The season will tell.
While I thank you for this insight, I was hoping to hear from our SoCal expert historians @ararar & @DelValleTrojan. They dont seem to like the SoCal forums and have found a home here. Let's give them a shot.
That was a year when 1 and 2 in the nation (mythical) faced each other and DLS the underdog defeated and was named national champs. DLS had Maurice Drew at RB on that team but not close to the overall depth of talent that Poly had. Several of the top high school players in the country. It was a stacked team and Poly was really elite in those days.
I am well aware of that game.
The question was asked and I have followed High School football in California since the late 1970's. The overall state since the mid 1980's and even wrote for this and many other internet publications. There are only a few on these boards that have been on here and others longer than me. I don't post as much on the national boards but still follow it due to time in my career. I also have probably won the pickem on this 3 years and been runner up several years and placed others. I follow NorCal football very closely and for many years. I am one of the so called pioneers on these forums.
DLS has defeated much more talented teams with less talent.
It is all about matchups. Sometimes even common opponents can be misleading. Common opponents is one measure and then you look at strengths and weaknesses and matchups. Some times teams just don't match up and it can be talent, speed, coaching, schemes. The only so called elite team Folsom has tested itself against is the Spartans. Granted I do think this is going to be a good game, but outside of common opponents matchups is king. Example, some teams just didn't match up against Centennial Corona's offense and if they don't they win by 20+ points or more. DLS has played pretty well against the spread in the past and like the article referenced, the DLS pass ruch or time the Folsom QB has could come into play, but then again the Folsom QB is mobile and that could negate the pass rush. I will take DLS on this aspect and also the coaching. Folsom was out coached the first couple times - yes Folsom had turnovers, but their coach basically gave the game to the Spartan's when they didn't kick and the DLS defense gave Folsom fits. Maybe this is some great Folsom team, but in my mind they still need to solve (and that means the coach) DLS's defense.
While this is a great breakdown of past DLS teams and past matchups, the fact remains that this is not a DLS team from 10 years ago. Not 5 years ago. You get my point. You, or nobody, REALLY know EXACTLY what they're going to get on the 17th. Let's be honest.
Good breakdown. But I still go back to cautioning against past results, with different teams, and different match ups to predict this game.
They may or may not. I said it should be a good game but
At this stage of the season you might as well throw a dart art scores and you will be closer than Calpreps. They are notoriously inaccurate until a large enough sample and they have DLS as not as strong as last season (maybe because they lose some line and a very good RB), but people close to the program believe they could be better than the last couple years. Even when they have a large enough sample, they are relatively accurate on win loss but there are mismatches throughout the playoffs so don't know if it is because of that or the system is great at picking wins or losses. They don't pick all the winners and have been off on DLS many times. Calpreps will take last years score and add to it or reduce depending on their criteria - returners, QB returning, top defender, D1 talent, etc. and some teams reload or they just don't guess right. For example, they have the WCAL averages for some of the top teams lower when some may be higher than last year. Meaning they handicap them when they should have them as better teams this year. I'm sure it happens with the SFL in some cases as well.
Of course it is opinion as it is yours. You don't know. And it is high school football. Anything can happen.
I don't take this personal....this is high school sports we're talking about. LOL
Wow. How convincing.
This is one thing I disagree with. Folsom had the opportunity to play Cent10 and SJB two teams that were trying everything they could to get at Folsom. SJB gave them 5 dates to choose from and Cent10 2 dates. That’s when they called DLS. Why? Well it’s simple. Look at Folsom’s body of work last year topped off with a poor showing against a mid level team. That combined with there national ranking make DLS the luckiest team in California. These SoCal teams and DLS have to work for there ranking. And basically Folsom’s is given to them. It’s not Folsom’s fault. The way they do these ranking Folsom is ranked right we’re they should be. However it unfairly puts a HUGE target on Folsom’s back. I know this is going to upset Folsom fans. But I was there 20 mins after the DLS coaches found out. You would have thought they won the lottery. As far a HSFB go they did. The high fives and hugs were hard slaps. This does not mean DLS is going to win. It just means they are playing with house money as someone said. Go ahead and tear this apart. They are the facts. Now in 11 days Folsom has the opportunity to shut them up. I say good luck to both and give us a show to remember.
I completely agree. I'm just a high school football fanatic. I see as many games as possible
Anyways no excuses! After that game i know serra or gardena was also ranked really high. Outside of that 14u2allnv, i would say any team they played in the state championship i believe would have been ranked fairly high.
Not ONE person said SoS was even. If you go back and read you will find that I and others personally said that the SoSs were NOT THAT DIFFERENT. Not one person said they were even. I even posted the actials SoS numbers for full comparison and transparency.
This might be the most outrageous statement on here. Even the DLS guys will tell you that Folsom went above and beyond to get this game. They even worked to get a game for Amador Valley against your school so that this game could happen.
I would have to agree that Serra-Gardena team was a legit team no doubt. Folsom is definitely a team that has to be taken seriously. Should be a hell of a game.
