As the summer break drifts away and fall season practices begin, Prep2Prep takes a look at 10 of the top games to watch in each section of our coverage area. These games only include non-league games, and only intra-sectional games. The top inter-sectional games will be included in a separate feature. Right now, we take a look at top games on the docket across the Sac-Joaquin Section.
We’d also like to remind everyone to check out our Games of the Week columns for each section throughout the season. We tried to spread the games out over the course of the first five weeks in this column and recognize multiple teams, so there are plenty of great games not listed here which will be featured in those weekly columns.
Friday, Aug. 23 – Monterey Trail at Sheldon
Monterey Trail did graduate standout quarterback Zach Larrier from last year’s team which won its first 12 games, but keep an eye on rising junior Prophet Brown, who has already drawn rave reviews from head coach TJ Ewing. The Mustangs raced past Sheldon in last year’s opener, but head coach Joe Cattolico guided the Huskies to 10 straight wins and a Delta League title after that. Rising junior Ladon Johnson is a name to watch out for in the Sheldon backfield.
Friday, Aug. 23 – Oakdale at Sonora
This has largely been a one-sided rivalry, but emotions always run high for this season opener, and the Wildcats proved they can pull the upset three years ago. The Sonora crowd is always a fervent one, and the program which has dominated the Mother Lode has a couple of returners in the backfield with Nick Crockett and Elijah MacDonald. Oakdale, meanwhile, once again has designs on competing for a Valley Oak title.
Friday, Aug. 23 – Vanden at Edison
Expectations are high for these teams heading into 2019. Vanden returns standout running back Jayden Blakely, who ran for nearly 1,000 yards as a junior, and the Vikings have their sights ultimately set on Vacaville and the MEL title. First, Vanden must deal with Booker Guyton’s Edison team and its high-octane offense, which returns senior quarterback Treyvon Brekenridge and sophomore running back Raleek Brown. Brown accounted for over 2,400 yards and 27 touchdowns last year as a freshman.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Inderkum at Del Oro
This one has fans throughout the Sacramento region chomping at the bit, with a pair of regional powerhouses clashing early in the year. Inderkum won its first 11 games last year before falling by one point to Central Catholic and has both quarterback Jamijah Ray and running back Aaron Espero back to terrorize opposing defenses, plus the defensive presence of Josiah Tyes. Meanwhile, Del Oro is fresh off a CIF NorCal title and returns both key contributors in the running game, Sheldon Conde and Aiden Foster.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Jesuit vs Folsom at Sacramento State
The question for high school football fans in the Sacramento area will not be whether to attend a game on the last Friday of August, but rather which game to attend. This one features one of the top running back recruits in Folsom’s Daniyel Ngata and another big weapon in the passing game for the Bulldogs with Elijhah Badger. Jesuit must reload at several key positions, but the Marauders have won nine games or more in four of the last six seasons under coach Marlon Blanton, so don’t expect Jesuit to back down from this challenge.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Oak Ridge at Vacaville
Last year’s MEL champions, Vacaville, struggled outside league play last season, including a rout at the hands of Oak Ridge. The Bulldogs have reason for optimism, however, especially with the return of running back Chris Island and 6-foot-4 senior Michael Brown, who could be a force off the edge. But Vacaville will also have to deal with a familiar face in this one, with former Bulldog running back Dylan Warfield now suiting up for the Trojans, where he should comprise an explosive backfield along with quarterback Matt Jenner and junior running back Mitchell Anderson. Favorite target Avant Jacobs is also back as the top receiver for Oak Ridge.
Thursday, Sep. 5 – Tracy at Turlock
The returning talent at Tracy has the Bulldogs creating a lot of buzz heading into the season. Leading the way is quarterback Logan Fife, but the backfield is fully loaded with the return of seniors Elias Williams and Trevor Pope II, who combined to rush for nearly 1,900 yards last season. The Oregon State-committed Pope also had over 800 yards and 13 scores as a receiver. Meanwhile, Turlock is fresh off a CCAL title and looking to improve upon its Division I quarterfinal appearance last season.
Friday, Sep. 6 – Downey at Merced
Downey is always fun to watch offensively, and should be even better in 2019 with the return of quarterback Bryce Gouker, who threw for 25 touchdowns last year after taking over for now-departed Beau Green. Senior running back Robert Rivera also returns, while Ethan Difuntorum could emerge in the passing game. Meanwhile, Merced is looking to build momentum off its unbeaten regular season in 2018, and returns senior back Desmond Thompson, who topped the 1,000-yard mark last year. The Bears also have some key pieces back defensively, especially senior Xavier Ortiz-Wilson and junior Cody Chapman.
Friday, Sep. 13 – Manteca at Tracy
Two veteran teams with high expectations square off in one of the final top non-league games across the section. We mentioned the explosive returners for the host Bulldogs earlier, but Manteca is every bit as experienced and the Buffaloes will be looking to use this game as a springboard into their rugged VOL schedule. The Manteca backfield is stocked with talented returners, including quarterback Ryan Ward to go with running backs Trabron Russell and Jacob Dejesus. Russell has run for over 2,100 yards in the last two seasons, while Dejesus is a big threat in the passing game as well. Seniors Evans Nicolas, Marc Buenrostro and Garren Genilla are all key returners for the Buffaloes’ defense.
Friday, Sep. 13 – Del Oro vs Sacramento at Sac City
Both teams will be battle-tested by the time they reach this fourth game of the season. Del Oro has early tests with Pleasant Valley-Chico and Inderkum, and will be fresh off a trip to Spanish Springs-Sparks, which reached the Northern Nevada semifinals last year. Sacramento, meanwhile, opens with Rancho Cotate, Chico and Inderkum. The Dragons could rely on their defense early in the season, which includes returners Deeunj Stevenson, Deyvon Drayton, Corey Jordan and Jordan Drayton. Senior Amir Roberson is a top target in the passing game for Sacramento, while Deyvon Drayton and junior Keysean Gooding will look for room to run.
