High school football teams to watch in your area
Aug 15, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Shaun Holkko, sports editor
Rosemont junior quarterback Joseph Ortiz drops back to pass during a 31-20 loss to Argonaut in the D6 CIF SJS championship game on Nov. 21, 2021, at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium. Photo courtesy of Allene Salerno/Lenie's Pictures "¢ (leniespictures.smugmug.com)
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – It’s that time of year again – football season!
At the Messenger Publishing Group, we have eight weekly newspapers: Carmichael Times, Grapevine Independent (Rancho Cordova), Citrus Heights Messenger, The News (Rio Linda), West Sacramento News Ledger, Dixon Independent Voice, Territorial Dispatch (Marysville) and The Gridley Herald. MPG has one biweekly newspaper, the American River Messenger, which covers Fair Oaks and Orangevale.
With football season upon us, it’s time to examine who the top football teams are in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Senior sportswriter Joe Davidson, who has been covering prep sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988, recently released his Top 25 football rankings.
In the Sacramento region, Davidson’s rankings for The Bee have been highly touted and respected for years. With all that said, it’s time to review which teams to watch for in your respective area.
6. Jesuit: The Marauders went 10-2 in 2021 and lost 22-21 in the semifinals of the Division I CIF Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) playoffs to eventual section champion, No. 1 Folsom.
Bubble team-
Del Campo: The Cougars finished 4-7 last season and were defeated 51-7 by East Union (Manteca) in the first round of the D4 CIF SJS playoffs.
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9. Capital Christian: In 2021, the Cougars were 7-3 overall and 6-0 in the Capital Athletic League but did not participate in the postseason due to a playoff ban given by the SJS, which has since been lifted.
23. Rosemont: The Wolverines, who will be led by first year head coach John Straw, went 11-3 last season and lost 31-20 in the D6 CIF SJS championship game to Argonaut (Jackson).
22. Dixon: The Rams finished 7-4 in 2021 and lost 61-0 in the quarterfinals of the D4 CIF SJS playoffs to eventual section champion, Vanden (Fairfield).
Bubble teams-
Woodland: In 2021, the Wolves were 9-3 and lost 39-12 in the quarterfinals of the D5 CIF SJS playoffs to eventual section champion, Escalon.
Woodland Christian: The Cardinals went 11-1 overall and 5-0 in league play last season with their only defeat coming in the D7 CIF SJS championship game to Le Grand by a score of 35-12.
19. Yuba City: The Honkers finished 7-4 overall and 5-1 in Capital Valley Conference play in 2021, losing 52-48 to Patterson in the quarterfinals of the D3 CIF SJS playoffs.
Bubble teams-
Marysville: In 2021, the Indians were 5-5 overall and 1-4 in Pioneer Valley League matchups.
Sutter: The Huskies went 10-2 overall and 5-0 in Butte View League play in 2021. Sutter won the D3 Northern Section championship and then lost to San Marin in the regional finals of the CIF state playoffs.
21. Casa Roble: The Rams finished 7-5 in 2021 and lost 41-8 to Hilmar in the semifinals of the D5 CIF SJS playoffs.
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Davidson’s Complete Preseason Top 25 (With last year’s records)
1. Folsom (11-4), 2. Rocklin (12-1), 3. Monterey Trail (8-3), 4. Elk Grove (8-4), 5. Granite Bay (8-3), 6. Jesuit (10-2), 7. Sheldon (8-4), 8. Vacaville (8-3), 9. Capital Christian (7-3), 10. Del Oro (7-5), 11. Antelope (10-1), 12. Placer (5-6), 13. Whitney (6-6), 14. Sacramento (9-3), 15. Christian Brothers (7-5), 16. Vista del Lago (8-4) 17. Oak Ridge (3-7), 18. Inderkum (5-5), 19. Yuba City (7-4), 20. Woodcreek (7-4), 21. Casa Roble (7-5), 22. Dixon (7-4), 23. Rosemont (11-3), 24. Lincoln (8-3), 25. Pioneer (8-2).
Follow Joe Davidson and the Sac Bee on Twitter at the following handles: @SacBee_JoeD, @SacBeeSports and @sacbee_news.
