Prep football picks: Placer hosts Del Oro; Folsom visits Mission Viejo

This week's slate is loaded with rivalry games, road tests and heavyweight showdowns that could shape the rest of the season. From Auburn to Roseville to Southern California, the schedule serves up a little bit of everything. Here's how we see the biggest matchups playing out this week: Bear River (1-1) at Union Mine (0-2) Jordan: The Bruins faced a tough test last week in Truckee, and now they get thrown right back into the fire against a Union Mine squad that's sneakier than its record. I think Bear River will be a force this season when league play rolls around because of its schedule. Bear River 23, Union Mine 17. Matt: Bear River better be ready, as Union Mine will be fired up for their first home game. I think Bear River wins this one 28-21. Bill: 1-1 vs. 0-2? That means Bear River 27, Union Mine 20. Twelve Bridges (2-0) at Whitney (1-1) Jordan: I picked against Twelve Bridges last week and in my defense, I should have known better than to pick a team called the Raiders from Nevada. This game was a shootout last year and I expect more of the same. The quarterback battle between Connor Frontiera and Carson Floyd will be a fun one. I'm not going to get fooled by the Rhinos again. Twelve Bridges 38, Whitney 27. Matt: Twelve Bridges is riding high, perhaps too high. I say Whitney pulls the upset on their home turf. Whitney 24, Twelve Bridges 23. Bill: Whoa! Matt going out on a limb. That's why this is so much fun. Twelve Bridges 34, Whitney 20. Del Oro (1-0) at Placer (1-1) Jordan: Another fantastic FVL vs. SFL showdown in Auburn. This rivalry is back from the dead, and it came back with a grudge. Both have the weapons to expose the other's soft spots, so don't be surprised if the scoreboard operator gets as much of a workout as some of the skill position players. Del Oro 31, Placer 30. Matt: I want to pick Del Oro in this one, but something's keeping me from doing it. Placer will score more points. Placer 39, Del Oro, 31. Bill: Del Oro can find find soft spots in the Placer defense. Del Oro 37, Placer 34. Argonaut (0-2) at Colfax (1-1) Jordan: Colfax took a step back last week against East Nicolaus, but I think it bounces back here. The Mustangs of Argonaut have stumbled a bit since their state championship a few years ago, and the Falcons have won the last two battles. I think they soar to a third straight here. Colfax 27, Argonaut 20. Matt: Colfax will win this one, because I said so. Colfax, 34, Argonaut 22. Bill: Matt flexing his muscles while out on that limb. Colfax 27, Argonaut 18. Folsom (2-0) at Mission Viejo (2-0) Jordan: Folsom exercised its demons against Serra on Saturday thanks to a seven-touchdown day from Ryder Lyons. Nationally ranked Mission Viejo is a different beast though, and I think the Diablos will burn the Bulldogs in this one. Mission Viejo 28, Folsom 24. Matt: I mean, if I'm ever not going to pick the Bulldogs, it's here, but I really have no idea whether the score will be close or not. As good as Folsom is up front, I'm going to say they're going to get manhandled in this one. If I'm wrong on this, I'm overestimating Mission Viejo, not underestimating the Bulldogs. Mission Viejo 59, Folsom 24. Bill: Well, with all that talent knocking on the door to get noticed, loading up the schedule against the very best is the only way to do it. Precious few scholarships await. I'll be the odd man out with this one. Folsom 67, Mission Viejo 64. Rocklin (2-0) at Stockton-Lincoln (1-1) Jordan: Rocklin has two impressive wins to open the season thanks to the play of Nevada commit Reeve Slone and his six touchdown passes. Lincoln is another formidable opponent, but I don't think they can silence the Thunder. Rocklin 27, Lincoln 24. Matt: Rocklin should win this game, even if they're traveling to Stockton. Rocklin 31, Lincoln 21. Bill: Rocklin is in for an optical treat. Lincoln's stadium, while not Texas "Friday Night Lights" big, is one of the coolest high school stadiums in these parts at least. Rocklin 38, Lincoln 20. Granite Bay (1-1) at Vista del Lago (1-1) Jordan: Granite Bay really impressed me with its close loss to Pittsburg last week. I think the Grizzlies have the best player on the field in this game in running back Isaiah Ene, so I will roll with them in this one. Granite Bay 34, Vista del Lago 24. Matt: Based on last week's results, I have to go with Granite Bay in this one. The Grizzlies suffered a narrow loss on the road to Pittsburg, while the Eagles suffered a 14-point loss to Bradshaw Christian. Granite Bay 42, Vista 21. Bill: Vista hasn't seen anyone like Granite Bay's Isaiah Ene before. Watch him - on both sides of the ball. Maybe the most punishing runner you'll see this season, and fundamentally the best tackler in the entire area. Granite Bay 34, Vista del Lago 20. West Park (1-1) at Roseville (2-0) Jordan: A rivalry between the oldest school in Roseville and the newest; is it appropriate to call this the Rose Bowl? We will find out who the king of the jungle is in this one and with the Tigers being bitten by the injury bug, I am going to pick the Panthers here. West Park 24, Roseville 16. Matt: Talk about a tough game to pick. It's the toughest one on the list, in my opinion. I saw Roseville in person last week and Hunter Felkins threw it better than I thought, but it's not the same offense without Mason Susnara. Beyond that, J.J. Yong didn't play last week and I'm unsure of his status for this week. I see this being a low-scoring game. West Park 21, Roseville 20. Bill: I'm sticking with West Park here, and what a fun game for the entire city of Roseville to enjoy. West Park 31, Roseville 24. Last week's results: Jordan 8-2, Bill 7-3, Matt 6-4. Year to date: Jordan 14-6, Bill 12-8, Matt 11-9.