Prep football picks: Lincoln, Wheatland meet with league title implications

League play is heating up across the region, and this week's slate features rivalry games, title implications, and a few early must-wins. Here is how our reporters think this week will shake out: Lincoln (3-1) at Wheatland (4-1, 1-0 PVL) Jordan: The Fighting Zebras and Pirates renew their rivalry, which reignited with a fierce battle last year. I think the winner of this one goes on to a Pioneer Valley League title. The question is, does Wheatland have enough in the tank to win without bruising four-year starter Konley Cova? I think this goes down to the wire, but the home-field advantage allows the Pirates to set sail. Wheatland 23, Lincoln 21. Matt: Wheatland's won three straight games, make that four. Wheatland 33, Lincoln 20. Bill: Now's your chance, Zebras. But it's hard to pick against the reigning league champ. Wheatland 27, Lincoln 20. Rocklin (3-1, 0-1 SFL) at Jesuit (3-2, 0-1 SFL) Jordan: Rocklin led Folsom at halftime and hung around for three quarters, while Jesuit fell behind early against Granite Bay. An 0-2 hole in the SFL is not easy to climb out of, but the good news for the Thunder is I don't think that defensive front of Asher Runion, Dominic Coelho and company will allow that. Thunder grind it out on the road. Rocklin 27, Jesuit 13. Matt: Rocklin should win this game, but in the SFL, you never really know. I'm picking Rocklin. 29, Jesuit 13. Bill: Through my eyes only, probably, losing to Folsom by ONLY 13 shows how good Rocklin is. Rocklin 35, Jesuit 24. Christian Brothers (0-5, 0-1 CVC) at Vista del Lago (1-4, 0-1 CVC) Jordan: Both of these teams are better than their records show, but a loss here could be too much to overcome if they want to reach the postseason. Remember, four wins is the magic number that allows a team to qualify, so these teams need to turn things around and fast. Unfortunately for the Falcons, I think their avian brethren in Folsom get the job done. Vista 34, Christian Brothers 27. Matt: Two teams win one win between them. Hard to believe, Harry. As much as I'd like to pick Vista, I don't think I can pick them until they win again. Plus, I need to gain some ground on my fellow competitors and this is a good chance to do that. Christian Brothers 24, Vista 20. Bill: I don't believe anyone in August saw these teams with one win between them through five games. Christian Brothers has played the tougher schedule, but the Falcons haven't been competitive at all. Vista del Lago 28, Christian Brothers 14. Granite Bay (4-1, 1-0 SFL) at Oak Ridge (3-1, 1-0 SFL) Jordan: Granite Bay is good, but this week will be a test of just how good. The battle to watch will be the intimidating defensive front of the Trojans against the Grizzlies' dominant ground game. Oak Ridge won a slugfest last week, and I think it does so again here. Oak Ridge 14, Granite Bay 12. Matt: Game of the week in my opinion. I was shocked at how tough Del Oro played the Trojans last week, after the Trojans put a hurting on St. Mary's. So which is it Oak Ridge? Will you come out like you did against St. Mary's or Del Oro? Granite Bay's lost three in a row to the Trojans. I say that streak stops here. Granite Bay 28, Oak Ridge 17. Bill: Oak Ridge stopped a hot Del Oro offense. The Trojans won't stop Isaiah Ene, but Granite Bay better have other ways to win here. Oak Ridge 28, Granite Bay 14. Whitney (2-2) at Del Oro (3-1, 0-1 SFL) Jordan: Del Oro suffered its first loss last week, but I think if you told the Golden Eagles a month ago they'd be 3-1 with a four-point loss to Oak Ridge right now they would take it. Whitney blanked Davis last week, but this DO offense is a whole different story. DO takes this one. Del Oro 35, Whitney 17. Matt: As I implied in the previous game, Del Oro is obviously much better than I thought. They can't lose this game, can they? Del Oro 30, Whitney 20. Bill: No contest, Del Oro 35, Whitney 14. Rio Americano (3-2, 1-0 CVC) at Woodcreek (4-0, 1-0 CVC) Jordan: Woodcreek just keeps on rolling, this time beating a strong Ponderosa team on the road. The last time the Timberwolves were 5-0 was in 2018 during Kyle Stowers' first stint as head coach. The next time they're 5-0 will be around 10:30 Friday night. Woodcreek 28, Rio Americano 21. Matt: I know Rio Americano is feeling great after beating Vista, and that the Timberwolves didn't play very well offensively in their game against Ponderosa. That might catch up with them at some point, but not this week. Woodcreek 35, Rio Americano 14. Bill: Rio Americano has the goods to give Woodcreek a run for its money, but the Timberwolves are a high-horsepower unit with enthusiasm, guts, drive and Trace Murchison. Woodcreek 34, Rio Americano 21. Bear River (3-2, 0-1 PVL) at Oakmont (2-2, 1-0 PVL) Jordan: This game could determine who finishes third in the PVL and that might be the difference between hosting a playoff game or hitting the road. Oakmont is finding a rhythm, but I like what the Bruins have cooking this season. Bear River 21, Oakmont 17. Matt: I don't know what it is with Bear River, but I never seem to pick their games correctly. I'm going with Oakmont. Oakmont, 28, Bear River 19. Bill: There's nothing wrong with losing to Wheatland. The key for Bear River now is to bounce back. This is also a big game for Oakmont. This is one of those we-should-win games for each. Bear River 28, Oakmont 21. Destiny Christian (2-3) at West Park (2-3, 1-0 Metro) Jordan: Both teams need a win badly as Metro play ramps up. Destiny Christian nearly completed a comeback last week against Twelve Bridges, while West Park's dormant offense finally found its legs against Cordova. I think the Panthers build on that here. West Park 35, Destiny Christian 24. Matt: This is another good game on the schedule and the one which I will be attending. West Park has had a tough go of it, but I think they're better than their record indicates. They will find a way to win this game. West Park 26, Destiny Christian 21. Bill: Find and fulfill ... oh wait, I already used that joke. Destiny played Inderkum and Twelve Bridges tough, but losing to Linden in opening week? Still ... Destiny Christian 27, West Park 24. Foresthill (4-0) at Valley (2-2) Jordan: Foresthill is off to its best start in school history. Vincent Navarro is one of the most underrated backs in the section, averaging more than 170 yards per game. I think these Wildfires keep burning with no containment. Foresthill 47, Valley 21. Matt: Foresthill is undefeated. I say they stay that way. Foresthill 44, Valley 9. Bill: Years ago, Valley was a Sac-Joaquin Section power that sent Keith Lewis, Robert Awalt, Charles Mann and others to the NFL. Foresthill 48, Valley 12. Valley Christian (3-1) at Turlock Christian (0-4) Jordan: Valley Christian is looking like the team to beat in 8-man football right now after knocking off Delta last week. I don't see why they would slow down here. VCA 45, Turlock Christian 13. Matt: Valley Christian came up with a big win over Delta last week after losing to them in the opening game of the season. They're rolling and I have inside information that tells me they will win this game. Valley Christian 50, Turlock Christian 6. Bill: I agree with Jordan, plus I'm hungry and I need gas before it gets too busy at Costco. VCA 49, Turlock Christian 14. Last week: Jordan 7-3, Matt 7-3, Bill 7-3 Season: Jordan 36-12, Bill 33-15, Matt 30-18