Granite Bay, Del Oro headlines SFL kickoff Friday

It's fresh start time for the six teams that play football in the Sierra Foothill League. No one can accuse this group of shrinking away from top-level non-league competition, but it is all done with this Friday night in mind."I didn't set up a non-league schedule of patsies," said Oakmont coach Dale Mortensen. "I set up tough teams that are going to help us get ready for league."That is a familiar refrain in conversation with all of the coaches who dare to compete in the rugged SFL. Year in and year out this is one of the most competitive leagues in Northern California, and this year is no different."There are no power rankings in football", Granite Bay coach Ernie Cooper said. "All of us play those five non-league games with the goal in mind that it will prepare us for the league season, when playoff spots are on the line."Cooper's Grizzlies have dispatched of a strong slate of opponents in their five encounters, outscoring them by a combined 202-40 count on the way to a 5-0 record.The aggressive schedule prepares Granite Bay well for its league opener against rival Del Oro, a team the Grizzlies defeated twice last season, with the second win coming in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title game.Looking at this season's records for the two squads, the contest would appear to be somewhat of a mismatch on the surface, but Mortensen is not fooled by Del Oro's 2-3 record."These teams know each other very well," Cooper said. "They have played a very difficult schedule, and we respect the heck out of them"While the Golden Eagles look to keep the Granite Bay offense safely standing on the sidelines with a ball control game plan using junior running back Bryce Pratt, they also bring an outstanding quarterback in senior Mason Magleby. The Del Oro signal caller can spread the ball around to an impressive array of receivers.Junior wideout Spencer Butterfield is coming off a huge night last Friday in the Golden Eagles' upset win over previously unbeaten Elk Grove, and he seems to be fully back from the injury that shelved him for three games.Granite Bay matches Del Oro with a balanced offensive attack, running the ball well with fullback Clark Partridge hammering away at the inside while Justin Sutter and Brad Crisanty work the edges.The Grizzlies passing attack features Teddy Bryant, who throws a great deep ball, distributing the ball to a wide array of receivers. Tight end A.J. Herlitz and receiver Austin Nash are the primary outside targets, and Bryant is also able to get the ball to his backs for big plays.Granite Bay's greatest strength may be its outstanding defense, which has stood up to every test so far. Led by Thomas Haney up front, backed by a strong group of linebackers including Ryan Loder, Ryan Bertrand and Mike Wade, the Grizzlies also have an experienced secondary led by Corey Vanderbeek.This matchup has been the deciding game for SFL supremacy for a number of years, and this year may be no different. With the contest coming so early in this SFL season, it will certainly give both teams an early indication on how well their non-league schedule has prepared them for the league battles that await.Two 2-3 teams get together when Rocklin travels to Woodcreek Friday night for the SFL opener for those two teams. The Timberwolves look to get back on track after tough losses the past two weeks."Everything is back to 0-0 now," said Woodcreek coach John Hildebrand. "We need to rebound and respond after two difficult losses."Quarterback Tommy Murphy and running James Nunley will lead the charge for the Timberwolves against Rocklin, who should have running back Jackson Cummings back in the lineup. After two strong games to open the season, Cummings has been nursing an injury that has kept him off the field much of the last three weeks.After a 2-3 start against a slate laden with strong teams, Mortensen will get a chance to see how his scheduling strategy works in preparing his team when the Vikings open up on Friday night at Roseville. Oakmont will rely on a defense that had a bit of a letdown last week against unbeaten Folsom, after some strong early performances, in the battle with a hot Roseville team. Scott Schwieger, Keith Hudson and Mung Hyunh provide strength up front for Oakmont as the Vikings look to control the Tigers' power running game.Roseville (3-2), which has won its last three games, should benefit from the expected return of running back Aaron Wagoner to team with Zack Davis, Anthony Clark, and quarterback Mike Moreno in an offense that provides a number of different looks.