SJS Semifinals 11/18/22 D1/D2/D3/D4/D5/D6/D7

[M.C. fan]

The wheel continues to roll to the finals in the Sac-Joaquin section. Teams are believing they can, and teams are thinking they can't lose. Cooler climate and home field advantages might be the difference in some Major battles about to rumble. Favorites will fall and underdogs will prevail as we have another week of the Sections Best. Goodluck to all Teams and may they be injury free.



D1
Central Catholic Raiders 38-33 Folsom Bulldogs at Folsom
Turlock Bulldogs 33-30 Oak Ridge Trojans at Oak Ridge

D2
Manteca Buffalos 44-24 Rocklin Thunder at Manteca
Del Oro Golden Eagles 22-20 Granite Bay Grizzlies at Del Oro


D3
Woodcreek Timberwolves 23-20 Christian Brothers Falcons at Christian Brothers
Patterson Tigers 40-35 Grant Pacers at Patterson


D4
Kimball Jaguars 40-30 Vanden Vikings at Vanden
Capital Christian Cougars 46-44 West Park Panthers at West Park


D5
Escalon Cougars 28-14 Sutter Huskies at Sutter
Sonora Wildcats 36-22 Dixon Rams at Sonora


D6
Orestimba Warriors 31-28 Hughson Huskies at Orestimba
Summerville Bear 44-41 Bradshaw Christian Pride at Summerville


D7
Ripon Christian Knights 41-31 Stone Ridge Christian Knights at Ripon Christian
LeGrand Bulldogs 20-18 Woodland Christian Cardinals at LeGrand

 

[larry legend33]

I will throw my guess out for d1 and d2 because I’ve seen most of the teams in person. I’m staying true to the SFL. Why not.

D1
Folsom sneaks past CC 42-38. I think this will be the most dynamic offense the bulldogs will have seen this year but I don’t think CC will be able to keep Folsom out of zone either. This will be the game of the night .

OR at home and is playing great. I like them 35-24 over Turlock. OR dominate the line of scrimmage and get enough stops to win.

D2
Rocklin defense and physicality wins out. Thunder are playing as good as anybody. Manteca’s high octane offense gets stopped.
28-24

Granite Bay over DO 30-24. Another team that is playing really well and quite frankly I thought was better then DO. Grizzly win rematch and advance,

All SFL D1 and D2 Final!

 

[M.C. fan]

Manteca will handle Rocklin. How do you bring this guy down? Soon to be a Major D1 College Running back, similar although bigger than Mcaffrey. Nichelson will be a NFL player, no doubt.

 

[pastyfastquick3]

Folsom will beat CC by 2-3 scores.

I hope Oak Ridge somehow wins the next game. Another match up against Folsom may destroy them for a few years.

 

[larry legend33]

Manteca will handle Rocklin. How do you bring this guy down? Soon to be a Major D1 College Running back, similar although bigger than Mcaffrey. Nichelson will be a NFL player, no doubt.

View embedded media

You don’t have too. Ask central catholic.
He will get his. He’s the best player in norcal and I think will be a beast in college also. (But likely on D). Rocklin is very good. Manteca won’t have played anybody like them.

 

[mistark]

Not predicting winners because I know too many of the staffs still going.

D1
Folsom vs CC lower scoring and tighter than most will predict. Final score 31-24. There will be big plays but mostly tough yards to come by

Turlock @ OR close low scoring game 21-20. Slobber knocker.

D2
Rocklin @ Manteca low scoring and close. Winner 23-17. This game will come down to a big play

GB v DO. Tight game 28-27

D3

WC vs CB 38-37 shoot out

Patterson v Grant
Shoot out in the high 40's, winner is the last one with ball.

D4
Kimball v Vanden shoot out 48-45

Capital @ West Park 49-47 shoot out.

D5
Escalon @ sutter 1st to 30 wins. This will might be the best game this week.

Sonora v Dixon high scoring game. Don't know either staffs, Sonora might roll?


D6 and D7...don't know much but the better seeds will roll the lower seeds. RC vs WC next week imo.

My .02

I hate predicting winners and losers for hs.

 

[M.C. fan]

You don’t have too. Ask central catholic.
He will get his. He’s the best player in norcal and I think will be a beast in college also. (But likely on D). Rocklin is very good. Manteca won’t have played anybody like them.

They Played Central, Lost 56-49 ...really? Arsenio said things that make me go hmmmm......

 

[M.C. fan]

Not predicting winners because I know too many of the staffs still going.

D1
Folsom vs CC lower scoring and tighter than most will predict. Final score 31-24. There will be big plays but mostly tough yards to come by

Turlock @ OR close low scoring game 21-20. Slobber knocker.

D2
Rocklin @ Manteca low scoring and close. Winner 23-17. This game will come down to a big play

GB v DO. Tight game 28-27

D3

WC vs CB 38-37 shoot out

Patterson v Grant
Shoot out in the high 40's, winner is the last one with ball.

D4
Kimball v Vanden shoot out 48-45

Capital @ West Park 49-47 shoot out.

D5
Escalon @ sutter 1st to 30 wins. This will might be the best game this week.

Sonora v Dixon high scoring game. Don't know either staffs, Sonora might roll?


D6 and D7...don't know much but the better seeds will roll the lower seeds. RC vs WC next week imo.

My .02

I hate predicting winners and losers for hs.

Try to not get too specific. lol

 

[M.C. fan]

Folsom will beat CC by 2-3 scores.

I hope Oak Ridge somehow wins the next game. Another match up against Folsom may destroy them for a few years.

Folsom season is 6 days left until next season.

 

[SearsPoints]

Interesting how you pick all South school in all of the North/South matchups, just sayin'

 

[mistark]

Try to not get too specific. lol

Right. Pretty soft by me.

 

[MTsince2004]

The Central Catholic vs Folsom match-up will be interesting. It will come down to line play, as football usually does.

Central Catholic completely outplayed MT along both lines on Friday. However, how they did it on defense might not translate to the Folsom game. CC played a five-man front with #58 and #68 lining up on the MT tackles. These are BIG, stout kids who were able to take on the Veer double-team and impact the mesh point of the QB's first read. Does that have anything to do with putting on a pass rush against Folsom? Nope. They will make it hard for Folsom to run inside, though. And if CC can mount a rush from other positions, then that can help. If Folsom has time to throw, their receivers will probably outmatch the CC secondary. When MT was able to get to the second and third read, there was some success running out at the edge in space. CC is not really fast out there, but Folsom is VERY fast out there.

On offense, CC's line-play was gashing. Their primary running back (#2 Jacklich) is a big kid and he was at the second level untouched all night. He was able to get into MT's smaller DB's and they struggled bringing him down. Folsom has bigger players at that level of the defense, but they probably haven't seen a running game like this so far this season. MT was able to gash Folsom for 200+ yards early in the season. Granite Bay and De La Salle also ran for nearly 200 yards vs Folsom. CC has a better running game than all three of those teams at this point in the season. They are okay at the play-action pass and QB bootleg, though I don't think that will be as effective against Folsom unless the Bulldogs have to over-commit to stopping the run game.

On Special Teams, MT had the advantage and I think Folsom will have more of an advantage. Monterey Trail was able to get several good kickoff returns, partially because they had so many opportunities . Most teams have two or maybe three players on KO return who could take the ball all the way. Folsom is similar to MT in that they can have six or even eight players on the kickoff return who can score. It makes it tough for teams to "kick away" from the main threat.

Styles make fights, as they say. If this turns into a wild barn burner, then Folsom always has the advantage. However, if CC can play keep away with sustained drives and make a few defensive stops along the way, Folsom could be challenged to keep up. If you take a look at the last time Folsom lost in the SJS playoffs vs MT in 2019, you can see how it could happen. However, I don't think CC would have to dominate the time of possession to that extent. And I think either team would feel really comfortable having the ball last to go for the win. If it comes down to that last possession, either team is capable of going for the jugular in short time.

 

[larry legend33]

The Central Catholic vs Folsom match-up will be interesting. It will come down to line play, as football usually does.

Central Catholic completely outplayed MT along both lines on Friday. However, how they did it on defense might not translate to the Folsom game. CC played a five-man front with #58 and #68 lining up on the MT tackles. These are BIG, stout kids who were able to take on the Veer double-team and impact the mesh point of the QB's first read. Does that have anything to do with putting on a pass rush against Folsom? Nope. They will make it hard for Folsom to run inside, though. And if CC can mount a rush from other positions, then that can help. If Folsom has time to throw, their receivers will probably outmatch the CC secondary. When MT was able to get to the second and third read, there was some success running out at the edge in space. CC is not really fast out there, but Folsom is VERY fast out there.

On offense, CC's line-play was gashing. Their primary running back (#2 Jacklich) is a big kid and he was at the second level untouched all night. He was able to get into MT's smaller DB's and they struggled bringing him down. Folsom has bigger players at that level of the defense, but they probably haven't seen a running game like this so far this season. MT was able to gash Folsom for 200+ yards early in the season. Granite Bay and De La Salle also ran for nearly 200 yards vs Folsom. CC has a better running game than all three of those teams at this point in the season. They are okay at the play-action pass and QB bootleg, though I don't think that will be as effective against Folsom unless the Bulldogs have to over-commit to stopping the run game.

On Special Teams, MT had the advantage and I think Folsom will have more of an advantage. Monterey Trail was able to get several good kickoff returns, partially because they had so many opportunities . Most teams have two or maybe three players on KO return who could take the ball all the way. Folsom is similar to MT in that they can have six or even eight players on the kickoff return who can score. It makes it tough for teams to "kick away" from the main threat.

Styles make fights, as they say. If this turns into a wild barn burner, then Folsom always has the advantage. However, if CC can play keep away with sustained drives and make a few defensive stops along the way, Folsom could be challenged to keep up. If you take a look at the last time Folsom lost in the SJS playoffs vs MT in 2019, you can see how it could happen. However, I don't think CC would have to dominate the time of possession to that extent. And I think either team would feel really comfortable having the ball last to go for the win. If it comes down to that last possession, either team is capable of going for the jugular in short time.

Agree with you. Their back jacklich is an absolute beast at 6”2 210 with speed. CC has played a grueling schedule against equal if not better talent so I doubt they will be unprepared for the what Folsom has. I would be surprised if this isn’t close until the end. CC is too good not be kept out of the end zone frequently.

 

[pastyfastquick3]

Folsom season is 6 days left until next season.

Folsom simply is NOT losing to ANY teams in the SJS. It isn't happening.

CC will get rolled in Folsom.

 

[The Heat Miser]

Really excited for this Manteca Rocklin game. A team that is known for there punishing run game and a team that is known for stopping the run. Should be a unbelievably PHYSICAL matchup on the grass field. Manteca scored a ton of points on CC and was able to beat Turlock convincingly. Hell of a matchup. Can Rocklin slow down that RB?

 

[ThunderRam]

My gut tells me:

Central Catholic over Folsom

Turlock over Oak Ridge

Manteca over Rocklin

Del Oro over Granite Bay

Grant Union over Patterson

 

[larry legend33]

Some great matchups. Some of These could be section champ games.

Folsom in a tight one over CC although I can see why your gut says that,
Cinderella ends in EDH. Oak Ridge advances over Turlock.
Rocklin upsets Manteca
GB wins rematch over DO. It’s hard to beat a good team 2x in same season especially a league rival.
Grant over Patterson.

My only debate… where do I go!

 

[ThunderRam]

Some great matchups. Some of These could be section champ games.

Folsom in a tight one over CC although I can see why your gut says that,
Cinderella ends in EDH. Oak Ridge advances over Turlock.
Rocklin upsets Manteca
GB wins rematch over DO. It’s hard to beat a good team 2x in same season especially a league rival.
Grant over Patterson.

My only debate… where do I go!

I hope I’m wrong on at least 2 of them.

As for where you should go? C’Mon, we already know you’ll be staying right in your own backyard for OR v. Turlock.

 

[Larno51]

Really excited for this Manteca Rocklin game. A team that is known for there punishing run game and a team that is known for stopping the run. Should be a unbelievably PHYSICAL matchup on the grass field. Manteca scored a ton of points on CC and was able to beat Turlock convincingly. Hell of a matchup. Can Rocklin slow down that RB?

Having seen both teams play against Turlock I would give the advantage to Manteca. However, that's based on games that happened early in the season, particularly week 0 for Rocklin. Teams can change, hopefully for the better, over the course of the year and comparative performances are not always indicative of current results. If Rocklin prides themselves on physical play well Manteca's lines on both sides of the ball are big and physical and instrumental in opening holes for their big and fast running backs. The Turlock-Rocklin game could have gone either way but there was little doubt in the Turlock-Manteca game, although if it was played now I think Turlock would score more than 21 points. And, as is true in all levels of football, some teams just match up better with certain teams, sometimes defying logic. All speculation goes out the window when the games are played.

 

[Santa Ball]

Really excited for this Manteca Rocklin game. A team that is known for there punishing run game and a team that is known for stopping the run. Should be a unbelievably PHYSICAL matchup on the grass field. Manteca scored a ton of points on CC and was able to beat Turlock convincingly. Hell of a matchup. Can Rocklin slow down that RB?

I think Rocklin can slow down Point Break, but he will get his. Bryson is really good as well. Their o-line is big and physical but they are 1 dimensional. I personally think they will struggle with the looks Rocklin presents defensively. Trap and pull game is weathered by edge and wrap game, something Rocklin does well. Will Rocklin win? Can they exploit zero coverage in pass lies the answer. It's going to be a War, Drago v. Balboa. Here's a great quote I lifted from front row;

Manteca hosts fourth-seeded Rocklin next Friday, Nov. 18.

"We know their reputation. We know their tradition -- great football team, great athletes," Varnum said. "Happy to be home, but they’re going bring it.”

 

[larry legend33]

I hope I’m wrong on at least 2 of them.

As for where you should go? C’Mon, we already know you’ll be staying right in your own backyard for OR v. Turlock.

TR, I hear your but a strong side to me wants to watch CC play. I think you might be right with this one. 👍

 

[M.C. fan]

My gut tells me:

Central Catholic over Folsom

Turlock over Oak Ridge

Manteca over Rocklin

Del Oro over Granite Bay

Grant Union over Patterson

I like your gut!!

 

[ThunderRam]

TR, I hear your but a strong side to me wants to watch CC play. I think you might be right with this one. 👍

Multitask like I do

Attend one game and check in on the other game(s) via NFHS stream in between plays and during breaks.

 

[Santa Ball]

Regional Bias but I think SFL Runs it, my toss up is Manteca and Rocklin but staying with the storm, in choppy seas.

Folsom
Oak Ridge
Granite Bay
Rocklin
Grant

 

[RidgeRider]

Regional Bias but I think SFL Runs it, my toss up is Manteca and Rocklin but staying with the storm, in choppy seas.

Folsom
Oak Ridge
Granite Bay
Rocklin
Grant

I agree, but think DO will pull it out. GB will be better prepared for the rematch but so will DO. DO is getting healthier as they have been very banged up and some kids were out sick and could have easily put three more TDs on Antelope. I think it's a 28-21 or 28-24 type of game (basically one score)...but a GB win would not surprise me either.

 

[Santa Ball]

I agree, but think DO will pull it out. GB will be better prepared for the rematch but so will DO. DO is getting healthier as they have been very banged up and some kids were out sick and could have easily put three more TDs on Antelope. I think it's a 28-21 or 28-24 type of game (basically one score)...but a GB win would not surprise me either.

Yeah, I hesitated to pick GB and initially thought it might be decided in the final minutes. GB is one of the few teams its tough to find a weakness. If GB has one glaring hole, I would say they almost exclusively target 1 guy in the passing game. A 2nd rematch and a seasons worth of film says take the guy away, and let the dice roll.

On the other hand DO, is hitting on all cylinders offensively. Run and Pass. I could see them winning as well. I am amazed at their QB and his continued greatest show on turf. I scratch my head that an OC can design a pass play where slide protect and qb roll to throw 40 yards across his body/field doesn't end in a disaster.

Oh, Acia isn't too shabby either. Folsom is the only SFL team to shut them down.

 

[Santa Ball]

Christmas eve Ralphie, tomorrow we unwrap present or find a lump of coal.

Manteca squares off with SFL stalwart in D-II semis

Manteca is two wins away from garnering its ninth Sac-Joaquin Section championship, but it will be no easy task.

www.mantecabulletin.com

 

[mistark]

I think its time to see a change to the current format. D1 and D2 are loaded. All the great recent teams from D3 and D4 seem to be up in D1 or D2 this year and will continue to be the norm. What happens when Grant and Oakdale are up in D2 in 1-2 years? Is this the best for our section? Maybe I'm in the minority and everyone wants all the best programs in D1 and D2.

 

[pastyfastquick3]

Cool to note:

The Folsom/CC game will be broadcast locally for free on Access Sacramento, Channel 17 on Xfinity.

 

[MTsince2004]

I think its time to see a change to the current format. D1 and D2 are loaded. All the great recent teams from D3 and D4 seem to be up in D1 or D2 this year and will continue to be the norm. What happens when Grant and Oakdale are up in D2 in 1-2 years? Is this the best for our section? Maybe I'm in the minority and everyone wants all the best programs in D1 and D2.

It really depends on the goals of the Section. Do they want to determine who the best team is at particular enrollments or at instead at the highest competitive level? Do they want the most competitive teams spread out to win bowl games? Do they want high involvement and lots of trophies? Do they want competitive equity that crowns the single best team amongst all the concentrated top teams, and then trickles down in each division? The playoff system can be set up to achieve whatever goal they want to set.

It's tough right now. We have all seen that enrollment size is not a consistent predictor of program strength, but it can't be discounted. After all, an affluent public school with 2500+ students might have a weak football program, but that's not a reason to let them feast on 1400 student Title I schools struggling to just field a team.

One hybrid idea would be to create an 8-team Open Division that takes the top 8 calpreps.com rated teams at the end of the season, regardless of size. The rest of the divisions could be enrollment based (or whatever). As each round is played in the Open, the losers would drop back down into their predetermined division. Four teams would drop into quarter-finals and two teams would drop into the semi-finals. The winner of the Open would be THE section champ and get a bye before the regional bowl, and the loser of the Open would drop into the Finals in their pre-assigned division.

Just one idea. Not even fully baked.

 

[mistark]

The best programs have not changed in the last 10-15 years. Their enrollments have maybe a little in some cases. The only changes have been the best have been moved to D1 and D2. The section has a tough decision to make, no easy answers. My guess is they stay status quo with very minor tweaks that we will all complain about lol.

Imo enrollment is not a good predictor. How many athletes or students that compete in athletics is a better predictor of athletic team status. Placer is small but has as many if not more than most in terms of how many actual students compete in athletics. Del Oro used to have a certain # of freshman enrollment slots for athletes out of district or boudry. Not all 1500 enrollment schools are a like, that's really tough for the CIF to have a one size fits all answer for all athletics.

 

[John Mellencamp]

I think its time to see a change to the current format. D1 and D2 are loaded. All the great recent teams from D3 and D4 seem to be up in D1 or D2 this year and will continue to be the norm. What happens when Grant and Oakdale are up in D2 in 1-2 years? Is this the best for our section? Maybe I'm in the minority and everyone wants all the best programs in D1 and D2.

Oakdale hasn't won a section title since 2016 and they lost before the semi's this year. They aren't moving up for at least 4 years.

 

[The Heat Miser]

Folsom over CC 42-35
OR over Turlock 35-17
Rocklin over Manteca 24-14
GB over DO 17-14

 

[Streak One]

The best programs have not changed in the last 10-15 years. Their enrollments have maybe a little in some cases. The only changes have been the best have been moved to D1 and D2. The section has a tough decision to make, no easy answers. My guess is they stay status quo with very minor tweaks that we will all complain about lol.

Imo enrollment is not a good predictor. How many athletes or students that compete in athletics is a better predictor of athletic team status. Placer is small but has as many if not more than most in terms of how many actual students compete in athletics. Del Oro used to have a certain # of freshman enrollment slots for athletes out of district or boudry. Not all 1500 enrollment schools are a like, that's really tough for the CIF to have a one size fits all answer for all athletics.

This is a good question to think about. What is the goal/best plan for a section. True competitive equity where the top one or two brackets are loaded, but the depth quickly goes away in lower divisions. OR do you try to keep three or four "top teams" in each bracket based on enrollment or other factors.

Like you said @mistark, no easy answers

 

[larry legend33]

Folsom over CC 42-35
OR over Turlock 35-17
Rocklin over Manteca 24-14
GB over DO 17-14

I like your picks. I’m really torn on the Folsom game. Not as many of us know about CC (at least us SFL peeps) so they bring an element of unknown. Nobody in there wildest dreams could have picked a potential CC vs OR final. I guess we will find out soon! I will be reporting somewhere!
@Streak One , what do u think?

 

[pastyfastquick3]

I like your picks. I’m really torn on the Folsom game. Not as many of us know about CC (at least us SFL peeps) so they bring an element of unknown. Nobody in there wildest dreams could have picked a potential CC vs OR final. I guess we will find out soon! I will be reporting somewhere!
@Streak One , what do u think?

You are only dreaming of a CC victory, thinking somehow OR will have a shot at an SJS title.

Keep dreaming. I hope you even make it to the final.....annnnnnnnnnnnnnd get Folsom again.

 

[Streak One]

D1:

Folsom over Central Catholic: I think Folsom has too much depth for Central Catholic, but this is a competitive game into the fourth quarter.

Oak Ridge over Turlock: Really like Gilbert and the overall moxie of Turlock, but Oak Ridge seems to be hitting their stride.

D2:

Manteca over Rocklin: Rocklin will keep this close and more low scoring than a typical Manteca game, but Nichelson takes over in this one

Granite Bay over Del Oro: Don't have a great feel on this one, but going with the theory its hard to beat a comparible team twice in one year.

D3:

Patterson over Grant: Again, not a strong feeling but going with the home team here.

Christian Brothers over Woodcreek: Can Woodcreek get back up after knocking off the one seed a week ago?

D4:

Vanden over Kimball: Vanden has been slighlty disappointing based on what I thought of them this year, but they are the class of D4

Capital Christian over West Park: High scoring game that I think CC pulls out late. Should be a fun one with playmakers on both sides

D5:

Escalon over Sutter: One of my favorite matchups of the week. Going with Escalon, who seems to be playing better in the second half of the year.

Sonora over Dixon: Sonora will control the action with their ground game

 

[larry legend33]

D1:

Folsom over Central Catholic: I think Folsom has too much depth for Central Catholic, but this is a competitive game into the fourth quarter.

Oak Ridge over Turlock: Really like Gilbert and the overall moxie of Turlock, but Oak Ridge seems to be hitting their stride.

D2:

Manteca over Rocklin: Rocklin will keep this close and more low scoring than a typical Manteca game, but Nichelson takes over in this one

Granite Bay over Del Oro: Don't have a great feel on this one, but going with the theory its hard to beat a comparible team twice in one year.

D3:

Patterson over Grant: Again, not a strong feeling but going with the home team here.

Christian Brothers over Woodcreek: Can Woodcreek get back up after knocking off the one seed a week ago?

D4:

Vanden over Kimball: Vanden has been slighlty disappointing based on what I thought of them this year, but they are the class of D4

Capital Christian over West Park: High scoring game that I think CC pulls out late. Should be a fun one with playmakers on both sides

D5:

Escalon over Sutter: One of my favorite matchups of the week. Going with Escalon, who seems to be playing better in the second half of the year.

Sonora over Dixon: Sonora will control the action with their ground game

Streak, thx
I also think Rocklin is hitting stride but Nicholson has NFL level talent. He’s that good so I can see your POV.
I like GB as well. DO is great and was banged up but GB will grind it out .