Prep football picks: League play begins across region

The real gauntlet begins this week, especially in the Sierra Foothill League, where heavyweights Folsom, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Jesuit, Oak Ridge and Del Oro are set to square off. Elsewhere, pivotal matchups in the PVL, CVC and CAL will go a long way toward shaping playoff races. Our panel is back with predictions on the biggest games across the region. Folsom (3-1) at Rocklin (3-0) Jordan: The winner gets to call themselves the top dog in Sacramento. If there is anyone that can overthrow Folsom in the SFL this year, it is Rocklin and while the Thunder have overcome plenty of adversity this season, Folsom is just too loaded. I say Rocklin hangs around, but Folsom pulls away in the second half. Folsom 45, Rocklin 27. Matt: If Brody Rudnicki is indeed the starter and not Ryder Lyons because of a sore ankle, after last week's performance, I have full faith in him. Folsom 48, Rocklin 28. Bill: What have I said before - several times? Oh yeah, yawn! Folsom 52, Rocklin 14. Jesuit (3-1) at Granite Bay (3-1) Jordan: The SFL is coming out swinging with its first week of league play because this is another tremendous matchup. Jesuit is riding high after winning the Holy Bowl last week, but I'm not sure if the Marauders have what it takes to go on the road and win in Grizzly Country. Give me Granite Bay. GB 27, Jesuit 24. Matt: This should be a good game! I've been high on the Grizzlies since I visited them on the first day of practice. This team "should" do well in the Sierra Foothill League, but it won't be easy. Granite Bay 33, Jesuit 24. Bill: Good matchup on paper, but the scale tips in the Grizzlies' favor with senior Isaiah Ene. Granite Bay 34, Jesuit 27. Oak Ridge (2-1) at Del Oro (3-0) Jordan: Casey Taylor makes a return trip to Loomis, and you know the Golden Eagles will be eager to send him back up Highway 50 with a loss. This will be the game that we find out just how good this Del Oro team is, but I think Taylor and the Trojans take this clash. Oak Ridge 34, Del Oro 21. Matt: Oak Ridge looked outstanding last week against St. Mary's. That's enough for me to pick them here. Oak Ridge 38, Del Oro 17. Bill: I would have considered DO if not for Oak Ridge's blitzing of St. Mary's. Oak Ridge 31, Del Oro 27. Wheatland (3-1) at Bear River (3-1) Jordan: This game could very well decide the PVL title and while the Pirates were the preseason favorites, I think the Bruins have been more impressive. The Bruins have been sound defensively, but trying to stop Wheatland's Konley Cova in the running game will be a challenge. The Bruins have lived up to every challenge so far so I say they do so again here. Bear River 21, Wheatland 19. Matt: Based on both teams wins against Union Mine, I have to go with Bear River. Bear River 28, Wheatland 13. Bill: It's 11:09 p.m. Let's see how much of this the half-asleep me re .... mem ........ bers ..... too-mahHHHZZZZZZZZZZZ Bear River 27, Wheatland 24. Vista del Lago (1-3) at Rio Americano (2-2) Jordan: Rio lost to Granite Bay 45-17 while Vista lost 45-7. The transitive property of high school football says the Raiders should win by 10, but Vista is 11-0 all-time in this series so I give the nod to the Eagles. Vista 45, Rio Americano 38. Matt: Vista del Lago has not defended the run well at all against teams that predominately run the football: Bradshaw Christian, Granite Bay and Oakdale. Thankfully, Rio Americano doesn't predominately run the football. Vista 28, Rio Americano 21. Bill: Yeah, me, too. Vista del Lago 28, Rio Americano 14. Foothill (1-3) at Lincoln (2-1) Jordan: The Fighting Zebras suffered their first setback of the season last week at Pierce, but they'll get things right this week being back home against a former league foe. Lincoln 42, Foothill 13. Matt: Looks like I'm going with Lincoln in this one. Lincoln 21, Foothill 14. Bill: No contest! Lincoln 41, Foothill 13. Twelve Bridges (4-0) at Destiny Christian (2-2) Jordan: Somehow, Twelve Bridges just keeps finding ways to win and is now at 24 straight regular-season victories. The Rhinos have had a flair for the dramatic in the last few weeks, but I think that they roll. Twelve Bridges 42, Destiny 21. Matt: I'm not even going to take the time to look up Destiny Christian to see who they've played. Twelve Bridges 41, Destiny Christian 24. Bill: Find and fulfill your Destiny ... Christian. Twelve Bridges 38, Destiny Christian 14. Oakmont (1-2) at Colfax (1-2) Jordan: Both teams need this one if they want to stay in control of their playoff hopes. The PVL is going to be a tough league and wins will be at a premium. Colfax is breaking in a new turf field named after longtime coach Tony Martello, so I say it gets the win for the old ball coach here. Colfax 23, Oakmont 14. Matt: Oakmont is coming off a fine performance and first win of the season against River Valley. I think they can keep this game close, but Colfax opening up a new turf field gives them the emotional edge. Colfax 30, Oakmont, 20. Bill: I'm so sleepy I just thought I was reading Jordan's pick on this game - it was actually Fox40 reading some canned statement. Colfax 20, Oakmont 16. Woodcreek (3-0) at Ponderosa (3-1) Jordan: Ponderosa's feel-good start came to a halt last week against Granite Bay, but these Bruins are still very much the real deal. I think the home-field advantage up in Shingle Springs makes this interesting, but Woodcreek gets the job done on the road. Woodcreek 34, Ponderosa 24. Matt: Woodcreek should win this Capital Valley Conference opener easily. Woodcreek 41, Ponderosa 13. Bill: I saw Woodcreek win last week. This is a good team. Woodcreek 34, Ponderosa 21. Burbank (1-3) at Placer (2-2) Jordan: The Hillmen are breaking in a new quarterback as freshman Chase Rodarte is starting to get some reps at the varsity level. This kid can play and I think he shows it in front of the home crowd. Placer 49, Burbank 13. Matt: The Hillmen have this one. Placer 40, Burbank 10. Bill: And I have get some sleep. Placer 50, Burbank 14. Last week's records: Jordan 9-1, Bill 9-1, Matt 8-2 Season records: Jordan 29-9, Bill 26-12, Matt 23-15