SJS D-2 Predictions

[DelOroFB_Dad]

Man, great games throughout SJS div's this week. So many good ones to take in, but I'll be at Golden Eagle Stadium. D.O. had a traditional Thanksgiving morning practice early this morning on a frozen field. Anyway, #2 Antelope v. #3 Rocklin, see it Rocklin advancing 35-34. #5 D.O. v. #9 Granite Bay, see it Del Oro winning in OT 34-28. Pulling for Folsom SFL, Oak Ridge SFL, Placer and Inderkum, Bear River in D-5, and Hilmar in D-6. Happy Thanksgiving. Go D.O.!

 

[gametimeboys]

I think you've made these games closer than they really will be. I see DO up 2 scores on GB. With Smartt chucking the ball deep more often this will increase big plays and scores. Rocklin should up Antelope by 2-3 scores. Antelope will have a very tough task stopping the run. Only will be to outscore Rocklin. All four teams have talent, coaching, and good fans. Wish them all the best.

 

[smashmouthrick]

DO set the tone on GB's first play with DO's Davis' pic six and never looked back. While DO sort of backed into the playoffs they have improved each playoff game and are peaking. They made some fundamental changes in defense and were in the GB backfield often pressuring GB's QB and they were taking away most of the long passes although Fina burned DO underneath a number of times. DO's D played the hardest edges I've seen them play all year bringing DB's up and shutting down runs outside the tackles.

Rocklin is going to see a different team in the finals. Here come the Golden Eagles!

 

[gametimeboys]

Rocklin is cruising right now with confidence and a bit of swagger. Their offense is rolling, balanced, and will score at least 4 TD's on DO. That being said, I was not impressed with their defense. Antelope put up 35 and had another TD called back. Not very physical and a mobile QB can hurt them like Aaron did. Also, Holtz limped off the field in the 3rd and never came back. DO will need big plays, hold the ball, and hope for Rocklin to turn it over. I predict a 35-21 Rocklin win. Rocklin might be playing the best football out of the SFL teams. Then again, all remaining teams are playing well or they wouldn't be in the finals.

 

[RunningRon]

Anyone hear about Holtz -- bad leg? Heard multiple reports he limped off field against Antelope. If so, gonna hurt them on both sides, he's one heckuva LB and RB. DO's defense will need to stop Rocklin's inside run game and put pressure their QB - Floyd will pick them apart. DO has had trouble defending passing teams this year (Wood, Whitney, Folsom). If Holtz is not 100%, Rocklin will definitely pass a lot, especially to their tall tight end. DO's offense has steadily improved all season, is putting up good numbers, especially in the run game....and that Rocklin defense is no slouch, they have played everyone tough, so DO will have their hands full for sure getting on the board.....Rocklin held them to just 3 points the last time they met! This one should be a great battle on both sides!!

 

[WWHS44]

Holtz injury was in the Bee article. Word is he is fine. Seems lil poker between the teams as I heard Udoffia has a bad ankle and 50 was ejected from last weeks game. It's all really conjecture until they line up. Coach T will have his charges ready so Friday can hurry up already!

 

[smashmouthrick]

If DO is healthy this will be a closer game vs the league game. Rocklin dictates this game with Floyd, Holtz and Preece. DO's improved defense will keep the game closer. If DO can establish the run game this game could be a draw but they've not had a dominate run game most of the season though they have improved their run game in the playoffs. No doubt Rocklin has improved their defense as well.

This is a rivalry game. The two teams know each other very well. No surprises in what each team will see. Coaching on both teams is great. Both previous section games between Rocklin & DO were very close splitting wins. This section game will bring an increased level of intensity, focus, desire and precision in execution. Whom ever brings the most of these will win. Rivals don't want to lose in the big game.

I get DO is the underdog but I also don't underestimate what DO can bring. They have won some big games where they were underdogs.

Yes, Friday get here already...

 

[RunningRon]

Rocklin's offense is very balanced and has put up their best numbers over the past 4 games, over 400 yds per game, something they had only done once before. They are clicking! Del Oro will have its hands full -- and it's a BIG stretch to say DO has an improved defense. They gave up more points across 3 playoff games than they did in the 4 games prior! Their defense is actually declining, giving up bigger points (94) and total yards (Whitney 547 yards, Wood 691 yards) in the past three games. DO's offense will need to counter Rocklin's attack or it's gonna be a long night, but they also have a very balanced offense (run/pass ratio is 50-50). The DO rush yards is equal to Rocklin's over the season and their pass game has improved. A telling stat is the number of TDs - Rocklin and DO have nearly equal total offense yards, but Rocklin has 26 more TDs than DO and only 2 FGs to DO's 13. This is typical of field position. Rocklin's defense has likely provided a shorter field for their offense to go to work. Both squads are definitely well coached, and suspect game plans are gonna change this time around, we shall see! Good luck to both squads, will be watching inside a a sleeping bag, gonna be cold!

 

[smashmouthrick]

DO had their defensive starters healthy for the GB game and made some changes in their defensive scheme resulting in shutting down GB's run game between the tackles, getting to and pressuring both QB's and contained the sweeps outside the tackles. Their run D has definitely improved where their pass D had not changed much which is where they give up most yardage.

We will see if the D improvement as seen in the GB game is a trend or not. I expect the game to be much closer than the 25point margin Rocklin put up on the league game vs DO.

 

[RunningRon]

The defensive "scheme" you refer to is no mystery -- it's the same thing they have done to GB every year to stop the fly offense -- see the fly coming and bring edge pressure which funnels everything back inside, including the GB game plan!! Stop trap, blast, and dive and GB has no run game. The mystery is why GB didn't pass more since DO offers up more fun through the air than Southwest Airlines!! Rocklin's pass game will be the key to the game.

 

[RodneyPete45]

Can Rocklin or DO be moved up to D1 for the regional bowl game if they win?

God bless.

 

[Streak One]

No D1 for regional bowls this year. I could see the winner playing someone like the winner of CCS Open II (St. Farncis-Oak Grove) in one of the alphabet games.

Just a guess on their opponent. Haven't done all of the leg work

 

[DelOroFB_Dad]

It's not how you start, it's how you finish, after the blowout 41-3 loss to DLS, D.O. is undef. 10th SJS Section title. It will be interesting next week, who's next opponent, predictions? CVC, also where are the norcal regional games held, CSUS? Coach T for Sac area COY, hell he should run for Pres lol.

 

[k-rick]

It has been amazing for what Coach Taylor has done this year. He has has to switch a few players around so that the team could gel a bit better. At the beginning of the year, DO's quarterback had a few hiccups which caused him to have a lack of confidence. Even to a point where one thought that a change was needed. Coach T stuck with the kid and built him up to a point where he has become a leader and a pretty good quarterback. #4, DO's quarterback, has taken leaps and bounds from the beginning of the year and now is loaded with confidence. A huge contrast to the beginning of the season. From a team that had high hopes preseason, then to have those hopes washed away in the middle of the season, certainly has changed things around at the end of the season. Credit that to Coach T and staff and to some kids who love to play football. Whatever outcome happens next week, it has been fun watching this roller coaster of a season for DO.

 

[RodneyPete45]

Congrats Del Oro! You deserve it.

God bless.

 

[RunningRon]

Great point k-rick --- that's why those coaches coach, to take kids places they don't think are possible. They must have an incredible staff to take a team from basically down and out to being section champs (and ignore the naysayers!)......Congrats to DO.....now go get those dogs Elk Grove!

 

[Streak One]

Casey Taylor is on the short list of best coaches in NorCal. What he and his staff do really well is know what they are good at year to year and doesn't overreact to struggles. However, they also aren't stubborn if things aren't working. Little tweaks midseason have led to these late season runs

 

[DelOroFB_Dad]

If you weren't there at D.O. v. Rocklin CIF section champ game or couldn't stream it, here is a really solid video recap, props to Steven Wilson, a local Placer Co. journalist.