HS Football rankings: More coverage coming as high school football nears

The countdown to kickoff is nearly over, as high school football returns next week. The Gold Mountain California News Media coverage area has long been home to strong programs steeped in tradition, competition and community pride. From century-old schools like Folsom, Placer and Roseville to fast-growing newcomers such as Twelve Bridges and West Park, every team brings something unique to the Friday night lights. The season is packed with storylines worth following and with that, there will be exciting additions to our high school football coverage as well. With so many standout teams across the region, from perennial powerhouses to small-school contenders, it's not always easy to tell who's on top. That's why we're debuting a weekly Top 10 rankings feature for schools in our coverage area. Rankings will be updated each week based on strength of schedule, quality wins, head-to-head results and overall performance. In addition, we'll roll out a new postseason honor: the All-Gold Mountain Team. This all-region team will recognize the top players at every position across divisions. Selections will be made by our reporters based on performance, consistency, stats and coach input as we aim to highlight the athletes who shaped the season. Here is the preseason top 10: 1. Folsom: The Bulldogs are loaded with talent once again, with 18 players holding at least one Division I offer. Folsom is led by five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, Ole Miss commit Jameson Powell and USC-bound Vlad Dyakonov. The Bulldogs open the season against Grant on ESPN. 2. Oak Ridge: The Trojans will break in a new quarterback this season, but that shouldn't stop them from being among the region's elite programs. Oak Ridge has been to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game three years in a row. Receivers Jasen Womack and Isaac Pierce pose a problem for opposing defenses. 3. Rocklin: The Thunder lost some star power last season but have a trio of D-I commits in Reeve Slone (Nevada), Josiah Andrews (Northern Arizona) and Dominic Coelho (San Diego State). Connor Bow and Greyson Smith are formidable outside weapons. A showdown with Turlock looms on opening night. 4. Twelve Bridges: The reigning CIF NorCal Division 2A champion has not lost a regular-season game since October 2022. While the Raging Rhinos graduated a load of seniors, they bring back plenty of talent. Senior quarterback Connor Frontiera could be the best signal caller the Rhinos have had and head coach Chris Bean will test this group with a tough nonleague slate. 5. Granite Bay: The Grizzlies have one of the most dynamic players in the section in Sacramento State commit Isaiah Ene, who ran for 21 touchdowns last season. The four-year varsity starter is primed for another monster season as he hopes to lead Granite Bay on a deep playoff run. Darnell Turner Jr. is going to be a force in the passing game offensively and defensively. 6. Placer: The Hillmen might be even better than last season and have plenty of depth. Coach Joey Montoya has another three-headed monster in the backfield, led by Shaun Jones, who is nearing 2,000 career rushing yards. With big, bad Gage Esty paving the way in the trenches, Jones might break that mark on opening night at Casa Roble. 7. Roseville: This could be one of the most talented groups to come through the 100-year-old school. Led by gunslinger Mason Susnara, the Tigers are one of three teams in the mix in a tight Foothill Valley League race. Roseville and Placer in the final week of the season should have major playoff implications. 8. West Park: Quarterback Jaden Jackson leads the way in his third varsity season as the Panthers look to get over the hump and reach a section championship game for the first time. Head coach Jason Tenner is building a powerhouse at the new school, having won 10 games in each of the previous two seasons. A tough SFL test against Whitney starts the season. 9. Woodcreek: Head coach Kyle Stowers has a strong Timberwolves team as he takes over the program once again. Quarterback Josiah Melendez passed for more than 500 yards and ran for more than 500 last season, and has looked strong over the summer. The Timberwolves host Jesuit in a tough opener. 10. Del Oro: The Golden Eagles won't be down for long with a talented junior class joining forces with the seniors. Del Oro has put in the work this offseason, revamped the coaching staff and is eager to prove it's among the elite schools in the section. Can the Golden Eagles make it back to the postseason? Bubble teams: Whitney, Vista del Lago, Lincoln.