Prep football picks: Small schools battle, powerhouses hit the road

It was a wild opening weekend in the Sac-Joaquin Section with major upsets and massive showdowns across the region. This week plays a critical role in setting the tone for the season, as 1-1 feels much better than 0-2. Each week, Gold Mountain California News Media will predict the outcome of 10 area high school games, as reporters Jordan Georgeson, Matt Long and Bill Poindexter give their 2 cents on what they expect. Here are this week's games: Granite Bay (1-0) at Pittsburg (0-0) Jordan: The bad news? I went 6-4 last week. The good news? I'm still sitting alone at the top; sorry Bill and Matt. Granite Bay had an easy win last week, but Pittsburg is a whole different animal. The Pirates, fresh off a state championship appearance, are too tough to tame. Granite Bay might hang around, but the Pirates sail through. Pittsburg 35, Granite Bay 21. Matt: Granite Bay is coming off an easy win over Rio Americano. This week's opponent will be considerably tougher and the Grizzlies know it. If Granite Bay can win this game, it will turn some heads. I say heads will be turning. Granite Bay 31, Pittsburg 21. Bill: My "2 cents" took a tumble on the market Monday, down 50 percent based on a .500 record. So here's a penny for my thoughts: Pittsburg 31, Granite Bay 14. Bear River (1-0) at Truckee (1-0) Jordan: The Bruins hung on in a nail-biter against Lindhurst, but the Wolverines pose a tougher challenge. Fun fact, Truckee nearly left Nevada for the CIF this summer, so this will be a matchup of what could have been a yearly showdown. I'm picking the "Nevada" powerhouse to hang on. Truckee 28, Bear River 20. Matt: I know very little about either team and I'm not afraid to admit it. I see Truckee was 12-1 last season. That tells me enough right there. Truckee 28, Bear River 13. Bill: If Truckee can stay focused and win IN Hawaii - they did, beating Konawaena - they should surf past the Bruins. I remember our band trips to overnight destinatinos back in the day - it was the '70s - and how we marched in step in parades still amazes me. Truckee 35, Bear River 18. East Nicolaus (0-0) at Colfax (1-0) Jordan: This game will be played at Del Oro since Colfax's turf has yet to be finished. As long as Colfax has big Josiah Rubidoux on the outside, it will have a chance against anyone. These two faced off in a thriller last year and this year looks to be no different. I give the nod to the Falcons here. Colfax 24, East Nicolaus 21. Matt: Colfax lost to East Nicolaus last year, and I just have a gut feeling that's not going to happen again. Colfax 26, East Nicolaus 24. Bill: East Nicolaus juniors went 7-3 last year. East Nicolaus 27, Colfax 21. Woodcreek (1-0) at Whitney (1-0) Jordan: Both teams pulled upsets last week, but if you ask both programs, they weren't surprised with the results. Whitney played lockdown defense while Woodcreek crushed Jesuit. The Timberwolves tackled the bigger challenge, so they get the nod here. Woodcreek 28, Whitney 24. Matt: Woodcreek impressed a lot of people with their win over Jesuit, including myself. This week, I'm picking the Timberwolves. Woodcreek 26, Whitney 23. Bill: I said last week if Woodcreek beat Jesuit, I won't pick against them again this season. Woodcreek 28, Whitney 20. Reed (0-0) at Twelve Bridges (1-0) Jordan: Twelve Bridges has rattled off 21 straight regular-season wins, but last year the Rhinos barely sneaked out of Reno with a victory. Now the Raiders are coming to town, and something tells me they're ready to play spoiler, or at least make the streak a little more stressful. In my best Chris Berman voice, Tha Rrrrrraiders 28, Rhinos 27. Matt: Twelve Bridges hasn't lost in quite a while; Jordan says 21 straight regular-season games. They won't lose this one either. Twelve Bridges 31, Reed 13. Bill: Credit to 12B for loading up its schedule. Twelve Bridges 27, Reed 24. Rocklin (1-0) at Bishop Manogue (1-1) Jordan: Nevada vs. California again, and this one promises sparks. Rocklin QB Reeve Slone will suit up for the Wolf Pack in college, so UNR fans might be seeing him in action early. Consider it a teaser trailer for the main show. Rocklin 38, Bishop Manogue 24. Matt: The Thunder won last week and I didn't pick them. This week, I'm picking them. Rocklin 29, Bishop Manogue 6. Bill: Manogue allowed 51 in a loss to St. Mary's. Rocklin 42, Bishop Manogue 21. Laguna Creek (0-1) at Placer (0-1) Jordan: Placer's nonleague schedule is stacked, but the Hillmen have a habit of improving every week. They'll be eager to win their first home game. I always tell my wife to never doubt the Hillmen when they are playing in Auburn, and she always responds with, "It's 2 a.m., you woke me up to tell me that?" Placer 37, Laguna Creek 24. Matt: Laguna Creek didn't beat Vista del Lago last week but showed me they have some pretty good weapons on offense. Enough to beat the highly-touted Hillmen? Nope. Placer 37, Laguna Creek 28. Bill: I live a mile away from Laguna Creek, but that won't help the Cardinals in Auburn. Placer 38, Laguna Creek 28. Vista del Lago (1-0) at Bradshaw Christian (1-0) Jordan: It typically is a high-scoring game when these two meet and the Pride got their first win in the series last year in a 50-48 thriller. I know Vista will be eager to get that one back, but I think Bradshaw Christian takes it in another high-scoring affair. Bradshaw 38, Vista 34. Matt: Last year, Vista lost to Bradshaw Christian. I just can't see that happening two years in row. Vista's run defense better be ready or I'm going to be wrong. Vista 28, Bradshaw Christian 26. Bill: Bradshaw slipped by Calaveras last week by one. Vista del Lago 34, Bradshaw 27. Vacaville (0-1) at West Park (0-1) Jordan: West Park lost a defensive grind, Vacaville lost an offensive marathon 65-64 in OT so basically, pick your poison. My money's on another scoring bonanza, with the Panthers pouncing on the Bulldogs. West Park 68, Vacaville 67 (5 OT). Matt: West Park's offense didn't look good in their scrimmage against Vista del Lago and they didn't look good in their opening game against Whitney. Vacaville scored how many points last week???? 64???? No way can West Park score 65. Vacaville 30, West Park 28. Bill: Credit to West Park for loading up its schedule, too. But ... Vacaville 37, West Park 20. Folsom (1-0) at Serra (0-0) Jordan: Is this the year Folsom finally solves the Serra equation? On paper it should be, and the Bulldogs made a statement on national TV last week with a drubbing of Grant. My gut tells me Serra, but I can't pick against Ryder Lyons after what I saw on Saturday night. Folsom 27, Serra 21. Matt: Folsom has played Serra three times and lost three times. They've all been close games. If the Bulldogs are to ever beat them, this is the year to do it. Folsom 28, Serra 24. Bill: Serra is on another level in this era. Folsom is close. Serra 27, Folsom 25. Records: Jordan 6-4, Matt 5-5, Bill 5-5