The Bee’s Top 25 high school football rankings following Folsom, Grant, Granite Bay losses
None of the heavyweight tilts disappointed in terms of intensity with big-boy competition going down to the wire over the weekend.
Bee No. 1-ranked Folsom lost 21-14 at Northern California No. 1 Serra of San Mateo, but the Bulldogs showed a lot grit in rallying from 21-0 down after the first quarter. Folsom holds onto The Bee’s top spot as we do not drop teams who play out-of-area powerhouses.
Folsom’s only regular-season loss in 2022 was a 17-12 setback to Serra, which advanced to the CIF State Open Division final and returned 15 starters. Retired 49ers quarterback Steve Young spoke to the Folsom team the night before the game, stressing effort and unity.
Oak Ridge held off Grant 21-18 in a physical affair in El Dorado Hills, defending right to the final play, and the Trojans flip-flopped with the Pacers in this week’s rankings. Oak Ridge now plays San Diego-ranked No. 3 Madison of San Diego in the Southern California Honor Bowl.
Granite Bay lost 15-0 at three-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section champion Manteca, a powerhouse since just about forever, and now the Grizzlies prepare for another marquee matchup with Pittsburg of the North Coast Section.
A closer look at The Bee’s Top 25:
1. Folsom (1-1)
The Bulldogs were burned for a first-play trick-play touchdown bomb but held tough behind QB Ryder Lyons (240 yards passing, two scores), and defensive linemen leaders Theo Greule, Elijah Gulewich and Lucas Hardeman. Next: at Edison-Stockton.
2. Oak Ridge (2-0)
The Trojans coaching staff got exactly what they wanted out of the Grant game: a frenzied playoff-like atmosphere, some adversity and then success. Jasen Womack doesn’t play like a sophomore as he runs hard, plays D and can burn you with an option pass. Cornerback Kevin Arnal had a superb game by breaking up three passes, two of them late. Team anchor LB/TE Gavin Molloy will have an MRI this week on his knee. Next: at Madison-San Diego.
3. Grant (1-1)
The Pacers led 12-0 at the half, surrendered 21 in the third quarter and still had a shot to win it late. Grant missed all of its conversion attempts, but that’s correctable, and the effort was there, including rampaging RB Wayshawn Parker, who had 179 yards. Next: vs. Reno.
4. Granite Bay (1-1)
The Grizzlies were jolted when leader and Washington State-bound LB Frank Cusano rolled his ankle on the third play, though the defense played well in a 15-0 loss to mighty Manteca, including 15 tackles by Broc Daily. Next: vs. Pittsburg.
5. Rocklin (2-0)
The Thunder have allowed only three points in two games and rolled McQueen of Reno 42-0 behind more stout defense and more steady QB play from Reeve Sloan, who had TD tosses to Mikey Cunningham and Brody Desario. Next: vs. Buchanan-Clovis.
6. Del Oro (2-0)
Yes, there is the marvelously talented Caden Pinnick at QB, but there is also a sound run game and those stout lines that keyed a 55-9 rout of Reed of Reno. Next: at Placer.
7. Vacaville (2-0)
The Bulldogs led Sheldon 21-0 after the first quarter and 34-0 at the half as Cristian Disado rushed for 161 yards and two scores. Massimo Menicou and Noa Siaosi combined for nine tackles for loss. Next: at Cardinal Newman.
8. Jesuit (1-0)
The Marauders had so much fun under the lights that they’re doing it again this week. Big Red produced five sacks, one by Drew Vassar, who had eight tackles, in a 30-14 win over Bishop Manogue of Reno. Next: vs. St. Ignatius.
9. Elk Grove (1-1)
The Thundering Herd thundered through Antelope 55-32 as QB David Hale produced his finest game with 113 yards passing and 155 yards rushing for six total scores. Sione Paongo had seven tackles. Next: vs. Menlo-Atherton.
10. Casa Roble (2-0)
The Rams have nice wins over Placer (21-7) and West Park (35-14), thanks to more strong line play, including rushing for 264 yards on 49 carries. That’ll win games. Next: vs. Lincoln.
11. Monterey Trail (0-1)
The Mustangs had a bye, all the more time to shore up some things after opening with a 35-0 loss to Folsom. Next: vs. Saint Francis-Mountain View.
12. Vista del Lago (1-1)
The Eagles have a 42-35 loss to Manteca, which just blanked Granite Bay, and a 42-0 rout over Ponderosa as Xavier Brown rushed for three touchdowns. Next: vs. Vanden.
13. Inderkum (1-1)
The Tigers are complete again with coach Reggie Harris back in the mix, and it showed in a 60-0 rout of Capital Christian as the D held CC to minus-27 yards on 19 rushing attempts in allowing just three first downs, two of them by penalty. Baron Taylor had two interceptions. Next: at Sacramento.
14. Pleasant Grove (2-0)
It pays to have a kicker, and the Eagles have one in 6-foot-5 soccer star Carter Tseu, who is still exchanging high-fives with all comers after his 47-yard field goal beat Christian Brothers 36-35. QB Cole Davis and RB Caden Bemis paced the offense. Next: at West Park.
15. Christian Brothers (1-1)
The Falcons are an angry lot after letting a double-digit lead slip away in a 36-35 loss to Pleasant Grove despite a monstrous effort by Ezekiel Castex (370 all-purpose yards, four scores). The good teams respond big. Next: vs. Rodriguez-Fairfield.
16. Woodcreek (2-0)
The Timberwolves wanted to play better than they did a year ago in a 21-10 loss to Whitney and did so, prevailing 25-0. Game balls to the offensive line of Dylan Gregg, Jasper Liggins, Jackson Phipps, Doug Smith and Brady Spencer, a unit that paved the way for Hakeem Anderson and Brody Krupp. Next: vs. Cosumnes Oaks.
17. Sutter (1-1)
The Huskies lost 26-24 to a Chico team that has 1,740 students (Sutter has 800), and there’s no shame in that. Jagger Beck hit Jordan Lee for two touchdown passes. Next: at McQueen-Reno.
18. Yuba City (2-0)
The Honkers have playmakers, including James Garceau, who does it all on offense and defense, and DJ Atwal, who had the late-game winning TD toss to beat Galena-Reno 28-23. Xavier Butler had 10 tackles. Next: at Pleasant Valley-Chico.
19. Roseville (2-0)
Coach Adam Reinking has the Tigers playing inspired, including a 34-27 win over Placer as the QB play of Clark Nielsen and Mason Susnara passed for 244 yards. The defense had big plays later with sacks by Luke Donahoe and Anthony Zerelli. Next: vs. Laguna Creek.
20. West Park (1-1)
The Panthers got a wake-up call against the strong defense of Casa Roble, managing minus-6 yards rushing, though sophomore Jaden Jackson passed for 192 yards and two TDs to Mason Johnson. Next: vs. Pleasant Grove.
21. Twelve Bridges (2-0)
The Ragin’ Rhinos will run with Nathan Crawford until someone slows him down. He had 134 yards and two scores, and Brayden Wooster caught two touchdown passes in a 43-6 win over Pioneer. Next: vs. El Dorado.
22. Laguna Creek (1-1)
The Cardinals bounced back big from an opening loss to West Park to beat Franklin 35-0 as Michael Labrado passed for 145 yards and two scores and Wayne Cavanaugh rushed for two touchdowns. Next: at Roseville.
23. Placer (0-2)
The Hillmem are winless, but they haven’t played cupcakes with a 21-7 loss to Casa Roble and a 34-27 setback to Roseville. Next: vs. Del Oro.
24. Whitney (1-1)
The Wildcats opened with a 38-14 win over a solid Antelope team and then were stalled out in a 25-0 setback to Woodcreek. The guys can either buckle up or buckle. Next: vs. Clovis.
25. Rio Americano (2-0)
It’s been so long since the Raiders have been ranked, more than 15 years at least, but here we go. The rise is a credit to head coach Reid Sanders and defensive coordinator Jordan Botha, and both celebrated a 28-27 win over Liberty Ranch. Next: at Woodland.
Bubble: Bradshaw Christian (1-1), Colfax (1-1), Cosumnes Oaks (1-1), Delta (2-0), Marysville (2-0), River City (2-0), Rosemont (2-0), Sheldon (1-1), Union Mine (2-0), Wood (2-0), Woodland Christian (2-0).
