By admin 
League openers kick off the weekend of Sept. 25-26, and how fitting that there is first a full menu of nonleague action to ponder and digest on the greater Sacramento high school football calendar.
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Upsets happen in this sport at this level, and what a grand opportunity for upstart programs to stick it to ranked heavies.
Can Inderkum put a scare into top-ranked Folsom after taking on state-ranked No. 1 Santa Margarita? Can the 3-0 Ponderosa Bruins of Shingle Springs make it 4-0 with a spirited effort over storied Granite Bay? Will Christian Brothers hand rival Jesuit its first loss this season in the annual Holy Bowl clash at Hughes Stadium?
Our Pick the Preps crew is ready to roll. It consists of yours truly, Matthew Bessette of ABC JAM Productions and the livestreaming NFHS Network and NFHS color voice and decades-long regional basketball coach Scott Tedmon as we collectively aim to keep up any momentum after producing much better win/loss guess efforts.
No. 1 Folsom (3-0) at No. 11 Inderkum (1-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
On air: NFHS
JoeD: Folsom has looked the part of top dog with victories over state-ranked programs Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa and Mission Viejo of Orange County to its credit. Coach Paul Doherty said the Bulldogs are still improving by the week. Inderkum is beyond battle-tested under coach Justin Reber, who scheduled up to test his guys. This includes a 41-0 loss at defending CIF State Open Division champion Santa Margarita, which led only 14-0 at the half. Folsom wins 35-17.
MatthewB: This is just the fourth-ever meeting between these two programs and the first in the regular season. Folsom has won the previous three, and the Bulldogs win here, 34-24.
CoachT: Upsets might happen but not this week against the mighty Bulldogs. Folsom rolls on, 38-21.
No. 3 Grant (2-1) at Downey-Modesto (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
On air: NFHS
JoeD: The Pacers are balanced on offense, fierce on defense and ready to pounce on a Downey team that lost 42-20 to Del Oro in an opener, 45-33 to Monterey Trail and topped Merced in a wild one last week, 60-44. Grant will win this scoring fest, 40-21.
MatthewB: Grant has hit its stride after a tough opener against Central East of Fresno. Downey is a perennial playoff team that’s always tough to beat. Pacers win it, 41-35.
CoachT: With Grant coming to town, Downey better be up this week. Expect a close first half before the Pacers hit full throttle and win going away, 48-28.
No. 14 Vanden (3-0) at No. 4 Del Oro (3-0)
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
When: 7 p.m. Friday
JoeD: Del Oro is rolling with a balanced offense and playmakers such as Chase Carmazzi. Vanden shut out its first two opponents and will face the most physical team on its schedule. Del Oro wins, 21-17.
MatthewB: This is a D-III vs. D-II heavyweight bout, and it might be the game of the week in the entire section. Give me Del Oro in a close one, 28-27.
CoachT: This is a banger of a matchup that will go deep into the fourth quarter before it’s decided. Home field is the difference with the Golden Eagles grabbing the victory, 28-24.
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No. 5 Granite Bay (3-0) at No. 18 Ponderosa (3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
On air: NFHS
JoeD: Granite Bay is a proven product over the years, superbly coached by Joe Cattolico and staff with a balanced offense. Ponderosa may have its best team in years. This is a storied program, dating back to the 1970s, and one that is eager to surge under longtime coach Davy Johnson. Granite Bay wins, 24-23.
MatthewB: Granite Bay is coming off a bye after two convincing wins despite losing some big names from last year. Ponderosa has outscored opponents 147-31 in its fast start. Grizzlies win, 24-21.
CoachT: Pondo absolutely shellacked Casa Roble last week and has dominated in every game. The Grizzlies are a big step up in competition for the Bruins. Granite Bay is in for a game and wins a thriller, 38-35.
No. 7 Jesuit (3-0) vs. Christian Brothers (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Hughes Stadium
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: The Holy Bowl endures for all the right reasons: tradition and joy. This is the 55th showdown between the rivals in a series that started in 1969. Jesuit leads the series, 37-16-2. The Marauders expect to prevail with their array of skill players and stout lines., but Big Red is weary of the great Gunnar Marsh of CB. The star receiver has 21 receptions for 475 yards and 10 touchdowns catches from Omar Johnson, including a school-record six TD grabs last week to beat Nevada Union (an 87-yard punt return was called back). Jesuit wins, 35-20.
MatthewB: I’m excited to be at Hughes calling the Holy Bowl for the fifth consecutive year. The Falcons had an offensive explosion last week and need to keep the momentum going. Big Red has been a machine to start the season. Jesuit wins, 38-31.
CoachT: The Holy Bowl is a staple game in our community with CB looking to reverse its recent losing trend against Jesuit. Big Red is just too good as the Marauders best the Falcons, 31-17.
McClymonds-Oakland (2-1) at No. 10 Monterey Trail (1-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: This one figures to be fast and fun. Storied McClymonds won CIF State crowns in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021, and here come Warriors again. Monterey Trail lost an opener to Bay Area power Pittsburg and beat Downey of Modesto 45-33 with typical speed and line play. MT wins, 21-20.
MatthewB: I’ll be at the Trail and on the call for this one. The Mustangs never back down from a challenge. Give me coach TJ Ewing and Monterey Trail coming off a bye, 28-27.
CoachT: Coach Ewing’s Mustangs always play one of the most difficult non-league schedules by design, and here comes another powerhouse. In a battle of Oaktown versus Sactown, the Warriors eke out a win, 24-20.
No. 13 Twelve Bridges (2-1) vs. No. 14 Franklin (1-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Cosumnes Oaks
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: Now Twelve Bridges can compete without a 32-game, non-playoff regular-season winning streak hovering above their hats. Coach Chris Bean has challenged his troops to respond after falling to Whitney in a thriller last week. Franklin is fast and dynamic, but 12B responds with a 31-30 win.
MatthewB: This is such an intriguing matchup between a D-IV favorite and a D-I program on the rise. I’m taking Franklin to hand the Rhinos their second straight loss, 42-38.
CoachT: Franklin presents a big challenge for the Rhinos, who are raging after their loss to their down-the-street neighbor, Whitney. Coach Bean and Company respond as Twelve Bridges prevails, 34-28.
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Last week’s results
(Season totals in parentheses)
JoeD: 5-1 (11-7)
MatthewB: 4-2 (11-7)
CoachT: 5-1 (10-8)