Poly at #1 Folsom 7:00 PM Game of the Week
The season kicks off with a marquee matchup featuring two state ranked teams and the top overall team in NorCal. Folsom has one of its most talented teams led by quarterback Ryder Lyons, a deep group of running backs, wide receiver Jameson Powell and standout defensive lineman Josiah Sharma. Poly has more questions entering the 2024 season, but are blessed with very good team speed especially at wide receiver with Kamarie Smith. Poly starts the season at No. 25 in the state according to CalHiSports.
#19 Central Catholic at Pleasant Valley 7:00 PM
Central Catholic doesn’t return as talented of a team as past years, but that doesn’t mean they are without talent. The Raiders have a good group of running backs with Joey Alcutt, Carter Meeks and Wyatt Dragoo. The quarterback is expected to be junior Kayden McHenry, but how will the lines stack up? The Vikings rode a young squad to a 10 win season in 2023 and will return their quarterback, three of top four running backs and top two receivers led by TE/DE Gavin Garreston and and running back Lucas Benson. Last year, Central Catholic hosted this matchup and won 49-7.
Casa Roble at Placer 7:00 PM
Placer has made a habit of scheduling tough with some losses in the non-league and parlay that into league success. This season, they boast a strong group of returning skill players led by running backs Baylor Kelley and Shaun Jones, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Casa Roble is back after winning the 2023 SJS Division V title. They return wide receiver Elijah Huddle (Sacramento State), quarterback Connor Campbell, running back Braylen Blevins, offensive lineman Sunia Vuki and defensive lineman Darren Dalton. Last year, Casa Roble beat Placer 21-7 in the opener.
West Park at Whitney 7:00 PM
West Park will have one of the best passing combinations in the Sacramento area with quarterback Jaden Jackson and wide receiver Mason Johnson. They also bring back a Division I lineman in Jax Moore. Whitney is looking to break out of the bottom of the SFL and brings some experience back at quarterback. After opening at home, they will play four straight road games before getting into the teeth of its league schedule.
Oakdale at Sonora 7:00 PM
Oakdale running back Wes Buford is coming off an excellent season where he ran for more than 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns despite battling injuries. When the Mustangs have an explosive runner, look out! Last year, Oakdale beat Sonora 27-20 and the Wildcats won nine straight games afterwards before falling in the playoffs. Junior RB/DB Cash Byington is a player to watch after winning the Mother Lode League Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Colusa at Colfax 7:15 PM
Colusa is back after going 14-0 season that included the 6-A State title. The RedHawks will be led by Adan Travis, who rushed for 671 yards and 18 touchdowns, and good talent on the lines. This marks a rare scheduled game out of the section for Colusa. Colfax projects to return a good receiving core led by Austin Linden, who also had a team high three interceptions. The Falcons are the team to beat in the Pioneer Valley League as Twelve Bridges and Sutter have moved in the latest realignment.
Manteca at Elk Grove 7:15 PM
Manteca will have to replace top running back Bryson Davis, but have a good option to go with sophomore Nikko Juarez in addition to an experienced defense led by defensive lineman Isaiah White. Elk Grove will counter with quarterback David Hale, who has nearly 1,000 total yards as a junior. Dylan Archuleta is a runner and receiver to watch and Washington State bound OL/DL Lucan Amituanai is one of the section’s top prospects. In the revamped Delta League, Elk Grove looks to be the top challenger to Monterey Trail.
Monterey Trail at #18 Inderkum 7:15 PM
Inderkum won 11 straight games at one point last season and bring back the bulk of their offense led by quarterback Ricky Cole. Other offensive players to note are Kyle Gurganious and Lono Chouteau. Monterey Trail has made a habit of being greater than the sum of its parts even though there has been real talent coming through the Mustangs’ program. D’Adrien Sanders looks to be the top back this season and they are slotted to bring back two of their top three tacklers including Gabe Coronado.
Escalon at Vacaville 7:30 PM
Escalon will need to replace some key players, including quarterback Donovan Rozevink, but bring back wide receiver Sam Jimenez after he finished with more than 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Cougars have won double digit games in four straight seasons (excluding the 2021 spring season). Vacaville is promoting an undefeated JV team to go with the return of running back Tanner Boyd and a strong secondary led by Elijah Cline. The Bulldogs struggled to score in their five losses averaging nine points per game.
Frontier-Bakersfield at #14 Oak Ridge 7:30 PM
In the lone Saturday game on the pick’em slate this week, Oak Ridge starts off at home before traveling to Southern California and Tennessee. The Trojans have an elite player in Kaleb Edwards in addition to returning quarterback Joaquin Graves-Mercado and RB/WR Jasen Womack. Frontier, which is ranked No. 42 in the CalHiSports preseason rankings, The Titans return three of their top four receivers, led by Kobie Watson and Malcolm Watkins. They went 10-1 last season.
The season kicks off with a marquee matchup featuring two state ranked teams and the top overall team in NorCal. Folsom has one of its most talented teams led by quarterback Ryder Lyons, a deep group of running backs, wide receiver Jameson Powell and standout defensive lineman Josiah Sharma. Poly has more questions entering the 2024 season, but are blessed with very good team speed especially at wide receiver with Kamarie Smith. Poly starts the season at No. 25 in the state according to CalHiSports.
#19 Central Catholic at Pleasant Valley 7:00 PM
Central Catholic doesn’t return as talented of a team as past years, but that doesn’t mean they are without talent. The Raiders have a good group of running backs with Joey Alcutt, Carter Meeks and Wyatt Dragoo. The quarterback is expected to be junior Kayden McHenry, but how will the lines stack up? The Vikings rode a young squad to a 10 win season in 2023 and will return their quarterback, three of top four running backs and top two receivers led by TE/DE Gavin Garreston and and running back Lucas Benson. Last year, Central Catholic hosted this matchup and won 49-7.
Casa Roble at Placer 7:00 PM
Placer has made a habit of scheduling tough with some losses in the non-league and parlay that into league success. This season, they boast a strong group of returning skill players led by running backs Baylor Kelley and Shaun Jones, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Casa Roble is back after winning the 2023 SJS Division V title. They return wide receiver Elijah Huddle (Sacramento State), quarterback Connor Campbell, running back Braylen Blevins, offensive lineman Sunia Vuki and defensive lineman Darren Dalton. Last year, Casa Roble beat Placer 21-7 in the opener.
West Park at Whitney 7:00 PM
West Park will have one of the best passing combinations in the Sacramento area with quarterback Jaden Jackson and wide receiver Mason Johnson. They also bring back a Division I lineman in Jax Moore. Whitney is looking to break out of the bottom of the SFL and brings some experience back at quarterback. After opening at home, they will play four straight road games before getting into the teeth of its league schedule.
Oakdale at Sonora 7:00 PM
Oakdale running back Wes Buford is coming off an excellent season where he ran for more than 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns despite battling injuries. When the Mustangs have an explosive runner, look out! Last year, Oakdale beat Sonora 27-20 and the Wildcats won nine straight games afterwards before falling in the playoffs. Junior RB/DB Cash Byington is a player to watch after winning the Mother Lode League Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Colusa at Colfax 7:15 PM
Colusa is back after going 14-0 season that included the 6-A State title. The RedHawks will be led by Adan Travis, who rushed for 671 yards and 18 touchdowns, and good talent on the lines. This marks a rare scheduled game out of the section for Colusa. Colfax projects to return a good receiving core led by Austin Linden, who also had a team high three interceptions. The Falcons are the team to beat in the Pioneer Valley League as Twelve Bridges and Sutter have moved in the latest realignment.
Manteca at Elk Grove 7:15 PM
Manteca will have to replace top running back Bryson Davis, but have a good option to go with sophomore Nikko Juarez in addition to an experienced defense led by defensive lineman Isaiah White. Elk Grove will counter with quarterback David Hale, who has nearly 1,000 total yards as a junior. Dylan Archuleta is a runner and receiver to watch and Washington State bound OL/DL Lucan Amituanai is one of the section’s top prospects. In the revamped Delta League, Elk Grove looks to be the top challenger to Monterey Trail.
Monterey Trail at #18 Inderkum 7:15 PM
Inderkum won 11 straight games at one point last season and bring back the bulk of their offense led by quarterback Ricky Cole. Other offensive players to note are Kyle Gurganious and Lono Chouteau. Monterey Trail has made a habit of being greater than the sum of its parts even though there has been real talent coming through the Mustangs’ program. D’Adrien Sanders looks to be the top back this season and they are slotted to bring back two of their top three tacklers including Gabe Coronado.
Escalon at Vacaville 7:30 PM
Escalon will need to replace some key players, including quarterback Donovan Rozevink, but bring back wide receiver Sam Jimenez after he finished with more than 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Cougars have won double digit games in four straight seasons (excluding the 2021 spring season). Vacaville is promoting an undefeated JV team to go with the return of running back Tanner Boyd and a strong secondary led by Elijah Cline. The Bulldogs struggled to score in their five losses averaging nine points per game.
Frontier-Bakersfield at #14 Oak Ridge 7:30 PM
In the lone Saturday game on the pick’em slate this week, Oak Ridge starts off at home before traveling to Southern California and Tennessee. The Trojans have an elite player in Kaleb Edwards in addition to returning quarterback Joaquin Graves-Mercado and RB/WR Jasen Womack. Frontier, which is ranked No. 42 in the CalHiSports preseason rankings, The Titans return three of their top four receivers, led by Kobie Watson and Malcolm Watkins. They went 10-1 last season.
