By admin 
Nothing fires up the troops in football as much as a revenge game, especially if it is a showdown grudge match against the program that jolted your previous season.
Read more PG&E warns of possible weekend power shutoffs in Sacramento Valley, Sierra foothills
Last week, the Folsom Bulldogs got their measure of payback, beating Orange County powerhouse Mission Viejo, 35-21, a year after the Diablos rolled Folsom big for Folsom’s only lose of 2025.
This week, there’s a payback theme brewing in Roseville, where the Woodcreek Timberwolves are sharpening their fangs for a shot at the Sonora Wildcats of Tuolumne County, where the football motto is “Mountain Misery.”
After blasting past a talented and quick 12-1 Timberwolves squad 41-14 in the CIF Northern California Regional Division II-A title game last December, Sonora coach Kirk Clifton told media, “We knew that they hadn’t been hit really hard pretty much all year. It’s not flag football. It’s not 7-on-7. It’s real football out here.”
OK, then. Noted.
The teams meet Friday in Placer County where Woodcreek packs them in for big games, and this is a headliner on this week’s menu. Our Pick the Preps crew has proven to be more keyboard talk than substance with yours truly; Matthew Bessette of the live-streaming ABC JAM Productions and NFHS; and Scott Tedmon, the championship coach and NFHS color voice who is scrambling to explain his 1-4 projection effort last week.
Del Campo (2-0) vs. Rio Americano (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday at El Camino
JoeD: We applaud the good neighborhood games, and this is an intriguing one pitting San Juan Unified School District programs against one another. Del Campo is off to a promising start under alumni coach Jordan Botha, and the Raiders are always a tough assignment under coach Bob Ghazanfari and company. Rio wins a slugfest, 17-16.
MatthewB: Del Campo sophomore Wes Mitchell has five interceptions, returning two for scores. Rio moved the ball against Jesuit last week, which bodes well for them, but the Cougars take this one, 21-17.
CoachT: In the early going this year, “bounce back” has been the theme for several teams. Rio continues the trend, bouncing back from the Jesuit loss to win, 21-20.
Pleasant Valley-Chico (1-1) at No. 7 Rocklin (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: The Thunder take on the top-ranked team in the CIF Northern Section and will be one tough handle with the stout lines, the defense, the passing of Parker Lively, the running of Cameron Taylor and the hands of Rhys Mays, Ryder Halbert, Malachi Kendall and others. Rocklin wins, 30-17.
MatthewB: Rocklin is relying on many new names this season, and the Thunder are producing. They have outscored opponents 79-7 and win this one, 35-21.
CoachT: Rocklin is off to an impressive start. With the Thunder’s high-powered offense led by Lively, Rocklin continues to impress and wins it, 34-24.
Sonora (1-1) at No. 8 Woodcreek (1-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: The Timberwolves are eager for the rematch against a two-time defending CIF State champion that derailed their greatest season. Ethan Keim and Trace Murchison are two of the most versatile players in the section, and they lead Woodcreek to a 31-20 victory.
Read more U.S. Supreme Court again blocks Republican-backed Missouri congressional map
MatthewB: Woodcreek had two weeks to prepare for Sonora. The Timberwolves get their payback, 34-28.
CoachT: This is an intriguing battle where the winner makes a sizable statement to the rest of the section. This one will be decided in final minute with the Timberwolves winning an instant classic, 31-28.
Yuba City (2-0) at No. 9 Destiny Christian (2-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
On air: NFHS
JoeD: The upstart Lions of Rosemont showed what they can do in their opening rout of Inderkum and then shutting out Rodriguez of Fairfield, 49-0. They are big in the trenches and fast everywhere else including RB K’Aden Minor, WRs Josiah Webb, Antonio Johnson and Vernard Scott and the passing of Vincent Scott. DCA wins, 31-21.
MatthewB: It’s been a fantastic start for the Honkers of Yuba City. Destiny’s defense has been special through, allowing 12 points to Inderkum and 93 yards of offense to Rodriguez. Lions win, 27-21.
CoachT: The Lions blew Inderkum and Rodriguez off the field and have their sights set on a championship season. The Honkers will be game, but it’s Destiny’s game, 34-21.
No. 16 Whitney (2-0) at No. 15 Twelve Bridges (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
On air: ABC JAM/NFHS
JoeD: Is this when the 32-game regular-season, non-playoff winning streak comes to an end for the Raging Rhinos of Lincoln? It can’t last forever, but the do-all talents of Dylan Amos and the hard running of Josh Chittom allow the streak to live another week as 12B wins, 20-17.
MatthewB: Something has to give between Whitney’s stout defense and the high-powered offense of Twelve Bridges. The Rhinos take it, 24-20.
CoachT: After my abysmal 1-4 showing last week, how dare I pick against a team that hasn’t lost a regular season game since I had a full head of hair? 12B rages again, 28-24.
Woodland (1-1) at Pioneer (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
JoeD: The Woodland Wolves used to own this Yolo County town, and then along came Pioneer across town in 2003 and Woodland Christian 20 years ago. Woodland is paced by do-all star Cohen Dwyer and Pioneer by its record-setting passer Talon Gill, who has nine touchdown passes. Pioneer wins, 28-23.
MatthewB: Woodland is looking for its first win over Pioneer since 2019. Pioneer has the look of a team destined for a big year. The Patriots win, 31-24.
CoachT: Pioneer has dominated this rivalry recently, taking the last six games in convincing fashion. Make it seven straight as the Patriots prevail, 34-24.
Read more The scholarship opportunity waiting for millions of California students | Opinion
Season totals
JoeD: 3-2 last week, 6-6 overall
MatthewB: 4-1, 7-5
CoachT: 1-4, 5-7