As part of the first week of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, Prep2Prep will be previewing each playoff bracket, releasing our previews throughout the week.
This feature focuses on the Division III bracket.
OVERVIEW
Oakdale (8-2) claimed the top spot in the SJS Division III playoff bracket after finishing the season strong with a 34-21 win over Central Catholic (7-3), which threw the Valley Oak League into a three-way tie between the two schools and Manteca. Central Catholic beat Oakdale 21-7 last year in the Division III championship, but moved up a division this year.
Solano County Athletic Conference champion Vanden (6-4) beat No. 2 American Canyon (9-1) 24-21 in the regular season, but the Wolves grabbed the higher seed thanks to a better overall record.
Opening the season with two bad losses can be detrimental to a season, but No. 3 Christian Brothers (8-2) turned it around and finished the season on an eight-game winning streak while claiming the Capital Athletic League title. No. 8 Vista Del Lago (7-3) and No. 15 El Camino (6-4) both suffered losses to Christian Brothers during league play but the chances of a second meeting are slim.
Del Campo (5-5) looks like they defied the odds by grabbing the No. 4 spot with a .500 record, until you look at their tough league and quality losses. After placing fifth in the Capital Valley Conference, all four teams ahead of Del Campo were placed in a Division I or II bracket.
Looking for a rematch? Should Merced (7-3) beat No. 12 Beyer (7-3) and Del Campo get past the first round, Merced will get a chance to avenge their season opening 26-21 loss to Del Campo. Merced’s other two losses came to league opponents Turlock and Pitman; both teams placed in the Division I bracket.
Benicia (6-4) lost to American Canyon and beat Vanden during SCAC play, but their second round aspirations look slim against No. 11 Burbank (6-4). Burbank loaded their preseason schedule with heavyweights, including Clovis (7-3), Grant (7-3) and Oak Ridge (8-2). Although they lost all three games, they went into their league schedule with a vengeance, scoring 50 points in five of their last six games.
Click here for the full printable bracket.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oakdale - Will Semone RB/FB, Cameron Cherry RB/DB,
American Canyon - Andrew Rapacon RB/ILB, Ethan Hughes DE/SB
Christian Brothers - Tyler Vander Waal QB, Matt Marengo WR/DB
Del Campo - Tyler Dimino QB, Grant Semkew FS
Merced - Ulonzo Gilliam RB/CB, John Becerra DE/TE
Benicia - Devin Holden QB/FS, Shevvy Franklin RB
Yuba City - Brenndon Shalowitz RB/QB, Carson Ramos DE/TE
Vista Del Lago - Brent Schaeffer QB, Dominick Norris RB/MLB
Vanden - Stefan Koss QB, Jemaurri Bailey WR/SS
Lincoln - Ryan Graham RB, Charles Middleton MLB
Burbank - Taniela Fisilau FB/DL, Deonte Johnson DE/OLB
Beyer - Brandon Gray WR/DE, Dylan Weltmer C/DE
East Union - Isaiah Sholund FB/RB, Joseph Reynaga OL/FB
Cordova - Xavier Johnson QB, Deante McCullough RB/DB
El Camino - Dale Armstrong RB/SS, Roy Johnson FB/MLB
McNair - Austin Sith RB/WR, Gabriel Lopez QB
SLEEPER TEAM
Oakdale is likely going to run through its bracket to the championship, so Burbank is my sleeper team since they won’t have to face Oakdale until the last game. Getting past Christian Brothers will be tough, but Burbank has the offense and run game to move the ball on most teams.
PREDICTED TITLE OUTCOME
Oakdale over Christian Brothers
