Sac-Joaquin Section football championship game previews: Will Oak Ridge break the streak?
You know it's a festive high school football season when your team practices on Thanksgiving and then plays a game that weekend.
In the Sac-Joaquin Section, six championship games will be held at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium with a Friday and Saturday triple-header while the Division 4 title game between Escalon and Patterson will be held at St. Mary's High in Stockton.
Previews include division seeding:
Division 1
No. 1 Folsom (10-2) vs. No. 3 Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (10-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Oak Ridge got the rematch it so badly wanted after falling 23-13 to Folsom in last year's title game and dropping a 42-21 decision in a Sierra Foothill League opener this season, a game that was tied 14-14 early in the fourth quarter. What adds to the angst of the Trojans and alums is that Folsom has a 20-game winning streak in the series, dating back to 2006. Folsom sophomore QB Ryder Lyons passed for 411 yards and four touchdowns and ran for one in the SFL game. Erick Orme rushed for three TDs for Oak Ridge in that game. Oak Ridge is coming off of a 31-14 victory at No. 2 Central Catholic-Modesto while Folsom held off Inderkum-Sacramento, 36-29. Oak Ridge is led on defense by senior stars Markus Hoffman, a defensive lineman, and linebacker Gavin Molloy. They'll have to get after Lyons, who has had a Player of the Year sort of season in passing for 2,954 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 630 and 17.
Division 2
No. 1 St. Mary's-Stockton (11-1) vs. No. 2 Rocklin (11-1)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Rocklin is in its second final in three seasons and seeks its first banner since 2009. St. Mary's is in its eighth final and seeks its fourth crown. Rocklin is a defensive juggernaut, especially in the trenches and with LB Derek Keeley, and the Rams are an offensive machine with QB Samson Hunkin (2,121 yards, 24 TDs) and RB Asante Carter (924, 24). Rocklin's loss was to Folsom in SFL play and St. Mary's dropped a nonleague game against De La Salle-Concord. Rocklin won a 51-48 shootout over St. Mary's in a 2021 semifinal, and several players from both sides are third-year starters.
Division 3
No. 1 Grant-Sacramento (10-2) vs. No. 2 Woodcreek-Roseville (11-1)
When: Friday, 3 p.m.
Outlook: Grant stormed back to prominence last season by winning the D3 section and CIF State Division 3-AA titles and now the storied Pacers have set aim on their ninth banner, all since 1992. Woodcreek opened in 1994 in Placer County and is fielding its best team, the first in program history to reach a section final. The Timberwolves are a run-heavy outfit and Grant is balanced behind QB Luke Alexander (2,631 yards, 39 TDs) and the 1-2 rush attack of Devin Green (440 yards, seven TDs) and Sacramento Bee Player of the Year candidate Wayshawn Parker (1,610, 19).
Division 4
No. 1 Escalon (11-1) vs. No. 3 Patterson (11-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Old rivals collide for the 93rd time, and the coaches this week spoke about how grandfathers of current players competed against one another. Escalon is an 11-time section champion, including last season when it went on to win a CIF state crown, the fifth such state trophy in program history. For Escalon, QB Donovan Rozevink has passed for 1,743 yards and 31 TDs and Joshua Graham has rushed for 1,388 yards and 15 TDs. For Patterson, Max Medina has passed for 2,434 yards and 33 TDs and Jeremiah Lugo has rushed for 1,400 and 20 scores.
Division 5
No. 1 Twelve Bridges-Lincoln vs. No. 2 Casa Roble-Orangevale (11-1)
When: Friday, 11 a.m.
Outlook: This was a showdown that seemed likely to happen by midseason, and it features programs coached by spirited guys named Chris who happen to be great friends. Chris Bean coaches the Raging Rhinos of Placer County who have impressed in going unbeaten with their first senior class while Chris Horner's similar passion and drive has led the Rams back to a final for the first time since 2018. Both teams are stout in the trenches and are balanced on offense. Casa Roble must slow down Bridges RB Nathan Crawford (1,839, 37) and 12B has to deal with the speedy receivers of Casa Roble, including UC Davis-commit Cole Owens.
Division 6
No. 3 Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento (10-2) vs. No. 4 Hughson (9-3)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Outlook: Both small-school powers have been here before, combining for 13 finals appearances and 10 section banners, including Hughson winning section, NorCal and CIF State crowns in 2022. Bradshaw Christian succeeds largely through the running game, which has produced 3,567 yards and 43 TDs, though steady QB Ethan Rickert is a dangerous passer. He is the son of coach Drew Rickert. Hughson is anchored in the trenches by college prospect Navi Arretche, and QB Robert McDaniel has passed for 2,506 yards and 28 TDs with just three interceptions.
Division 7
No. 1A Ripon Christian (12-1) vs. No. 1B Woodland Christian (12-0)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
Outlook: Ripon Christian won this championship showdown last season, 28-16, and hasn't missed a beat under coach Phil Grams, rushing for 3,357 yards and 61 touchdowns while QB Mason Tameling has passed for 1,308 yards and 19 TDs. Woodland Christian has just three senior starters and has come on strong in recent years, going 10-2 in 2021, 11-2 in 2022 and unbeaten to this point. The team is balanced with 2,437 yards passing and 32 touchdowns with just one interception and rushing for 1,814 and 26 scores.
