The Bee’s Top 25 football rankings: Rio Americano seeking ‘revenge’ vs. Capital Christian

The Honor Bowl was a rousing success in El Dorado Hills on Saturday with the game efforts secondary to what this event is all about — to honor and appreciate those who have served and sacrificed.

Oak Ridge coach Casey Taylor helped create the Honor Bowl theme in 2011 while coaching at Del Oro, merging minds with Mark Soto to recognize military and first responders on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, among other sites. Soto elevated it to a state-wide event with teams from across the West Coast.

Saturday, the festivities included recognizing Barbara Saco, the wife of late/great CIF Sac-Joaquin Section commissioner Pete Saco, who helped encourage the idea of this game.

League play kicks off this week, but two of the most interesting games are nonleague affairs: No. 5 Del Oro at No. 6 Casa Roble and No. 9 Granite Bay at No. 8 Vacaville.

And there’s a grudge-match game brewing in the Capital Athletic League as upstart Rio Americano (4-0) prepares for hard-luck and winless Capital Christian, with the Rio coach vowing revenge for last season’s blowout (see below).

Here’s a look at The Bee’s Top 25 and this week’s matchups.

1. Folsom (3-1)

The Bulldogs haven’t had a home game and won’t until after this week’s bye, and it’s a whopper. Ryder Lyons had four touchdown passes, two to sophomore Jameson Powell, in a 49-7 rout of Turlock. The loss was at Northern California No. 1 Serra of San Mateo, 21-14. Next: vs. De La Salle, Sept. 22.

2. Oak Ridge (4-0)

In beating Bay Area power Clayton Valley Charter 28-0, the Trojans welcomed back defensive lineman and difference-maker Markus Hoffman, and backs Jase Womack and Erick Orme each rushed for more than 100 yards. Womack also had a pick-6 to help the Trojans set up a showdown at the Northern Section’s top-ranked team. Next: at Pleasant Valley-Chico.

3. Grant (3-1)

The Pacers were able to schedule a game in a pinch on Monday, and then days later defeated the second-best team in the Central Coast Section in Los Gatos on the road, 22-21. Leon Martin came off the bench to rush 37 times for 214 yards and a score. Next: vs. Burbank.

4. Rocklin (4-0)

The Thunder beat Manteca 35-14 at the Honor Bowl, avenging the loss that eliminated them in the 2022 playoffs. Reeve Slone passed for 299 yards and four touchdowns, two to Mavrik Collins, who also had a pick-6 as he and lineman star Henry Hatada earned Honor Bowl honors. Next: at Tracy, Sept. 22.

5. Del Oro (4-0)

The Golden Eagles have playmakers all over and not just QB star Caden Pinnick. Landon Vander Koii blocked a punt for a score and Breyden Rush had a pick-6 to spark a 39-7 victory over Lincoln of Stockton. Next: at Casa Roble.

6. Casa Roble (3-0)

The Rams had a bye so their coaches checked out Del Oro live as the teams will meet in a showdown in Orangevale. Casa Roble is a Division V program with some serious D-I talent in the trenches along with pass catchers and defense. Next: vs. Del Oro.

7. Inderkum (3-1)

The Tigers were pushed by Cosumnes Oaks of Elk Grove but won 35-28 behind playmakers Ricky Cole (three TD passes, TD run) and do-all leader Christian Harris. Inderkum’s only loss was to Del Oro in a season opener. Next: at Yuba City.

8. Granite Bay (2-2)

The Grizzlies are 2-0 locally with losses to out-of-area bruisers Manteca and Pittsburgh. In rolling Antelope 51-14, the Grizzlies rushed 43 times for 273 yards — an ideal game for coach Joe Cattolico — with Carter Jackson going for 130 yards and three scores. Isaiah Ene returned two interceptions for scores and ran for one. Next: at Vacaville

9. Vacaville (2-1)

The Bulldogs had a bye after falling at North Coast Section heavy Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa. Homecoming is this week, and that means fireworks, fun and fabulous football. Next: vs. Granite Bay.

10. Jesuit (2-1)

The Marauders played like Big Red in rolling Christian Brothers 41-8 in the 52nd Holy Bowl as CJ Lee did more CJ Lee things at QB, passing for 173 yards and rushing for 109 more. Drew Vassar had two rushing scores and Caleb Dixon caught a 66-yard scoring strike and nearly ran out of the stadium on his 99-yard kickoff return. Next: at Sheldon.

11. Vista del Lago (3-1)

Matt Long does it all: Receiving touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, pick-6 touchdowns, leadership. The Eagles, whose only setback was a 42-35 loss to Manteca, fully expect to win the Capital Athletic League. Next: vs. Sacramento.

12. Woodcreek (3-0)

The Timberwolves had a bye and can’t take anyone for granted, including the next opponent, which is winless. Capital Valley Conference action kicks off at home against Inderkum on Sept. 22. Next: at Lincoln.

13. Monterey Trail (0-3)

The Mustangs have played one of the most daunting schedules in Northern California, per their norm, with setbacks to Folsom (35-0) and Bay Area heavies Saint Francis of Mountain View (28-21) and Pittsburg (10-7). The Metro League opener will be telling. Next: vs. Laguna Creek.

14. West Park (3-1)

The Panthers have wins over Laguna Creek (35-20) and Pleasant Grove (35-24) and they just handed Tokay of Lodi its first loss, 34-30. Their only loss came against Casa Roble. Jaden Jackson ran in the game winner late to topple Tokay. Next: vs. Chico.

15. Laguna Creek (3-1)

QB Mitchell Labrado overcame a slow start to stand strong, rallying his team late to beat Pleasant Grove 27-24. The defense pitched a second-half shutout. The team vibe is healthy. The Cardinals have only lost to West Park. Next: at Monterey Trail.

16. Elk Grove (1-3)

The Thundering Herd opened with a 27-13 loss to Granite Bay, rolled Antelope 55-32 and lost to Bay Area powers Menlo-Atherton (20-14) and San Ramon Valley (45-7). The defending Delta League champions know they have to right the ship now. Next: vs. Cosumnes Oaks.

17. Sutter (3-1)

The Huskies beat Bradshaw Christian 14-7 in a small-school power tilt as Jagger Beck and Eric St. Onge each ran for touchdowns. Auckland Asiata and St. Onge each had two sacks. The loss was 26-24 to Chico, which is 3-0. Next: at Marysville.

18. Pleasant Grove (2-2)

The Eagles were giddy with their 2-0 start and are seething at their sudden two-game skid, including getting shut out in the second half of a 27-24 loss to Laguna Creek. It’s still a far cry from the 1-9 season of 2022. Next: at Jesuit, Sept. 23.

19. Christian Brothers (2-2)

The Falcons have a last-second loss to Pleasant Grove and the Holy Bowl setback to Jesuit. CB hopes to have the services of key RB Ezekiel Castex as the Falcons seeks to repeat as Capital Athletic League champions. Next: at Del Campo.

20. Roseville (3-1)

In taking apart Lincoln 51-7, Mason Susnara passed for three touchdowns and Aaron Salas rushed for 127 yards and four scores. The loss was 39-30 to Laguna Creek. Next: vs. Antelope.

21. Twelve Bridges (4-0)

In racing past Northgate of Walnut Creek, Whit Kruse had a touchdown pass to Anthony Gallagher while Nathan Crawford averaged 12 yards per carry with a score. The defense had four sacks and two picks. Next: vs. Wheatland.

22. Rosemont (4-0)

Welcome aboard The Bee rankings train to the Wolverines of the Sacramento City Unified School District, the only such school on this list. RB Michael Cherry is a star, having rushed for 12 scores and 158.5 yards per game. Next: at Rodriguez-Fairfield.

23. Rio Americano (4-0)

The last time the Raiders were 4-0 was 1994, and kudos to second-year coach Reid Sanders, who “keeps receipts” as Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders might say. Reid Sanders posted on his social media over the weekend a shot at Capital Christian, which rolled his team 56-8 last season: “I didn’t forget. I remember when (Capital Christian) was up 40+ points and dudes were spinning the ball when they scored. Throwing fade balls with 10 seconds left. Revenge is best served as a cold dish. Coming for blood.” Next: at Capital Christian.

24. Woodland Christian (4-0)

The Cardinals are worthy of this spot, opening with a 15-14 win over Bradshaw Christian, which just lost 14-7 at No. 17 Sutter. Too small at D-VI to be here? We applaud teams that excel at any division. Next: at Pioneer, Sept. 22.

25. Bradshaw Christian (2-2)

Wait. How does a team coming off a loss suddenly appear in these rankings? There is reason and logic here. The Pride’s first loss was 15-14 at Woodland Christian, and in a 14-7 loss at Sutter, BC limited the host Huskies to 62 yards rushing on 21 carries. Next: vs. Dixon.

Bubble: Bear River (3-0), Center (3-1), Colfax (3-1), Del Campo (2-2), East Nicolaus (2-1), Marysville (3-1), Mesa Verde (3-0), Nevada Union (3-1), Pioneer (3-1), Placer (0-4), River City (3-1), Union Mine (3-1), Wheatland (3-1), Winters (2-1), Whitney (2-2), Yuba City (2-2).

The Bee’s CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Top 10

1. Folsom (3-1)

2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0)

3. Oak Ridge (4-0)

4. Grant (3-1)

5. Rocklin (4-0)

6. Central Catholic-Modesto (2-2)

7. Downey-Modesto (4-0)

8. Del Oro (4-0)

9. Casa Roble (3-0)

10. Escalon (3-1)