Pick the Preps: Folsom vs. De La Salle, Inderkum vs. Woodcreek, Rocklin vs. Tracy and more
The guys in green, white and silver are coming, the most storied high school football program in state history.
They are the De La Salle Spartans of Contra Costa County, a program that needs no real introduction, but some simply call them De La Stomp.
At Folsom, the top-ranked team by The Bee, the Bulldogs prepare for a whopper of a nonleague finale in DLS, ranked third in Northern California by Cal-Hi Sports behind Serra of San Mateo and Folsom. Taking on DLS also means it’s time to buckle the chin straps, fortify them with bolts, and apply extra eye black. That’s not just for the moms and alums and those manning the gates and snack bar. That goes for the players, too.
DLS leads the series with Folsom 6-2 since the teams first met in 2012. Folsom is the only Sacramento-area team (not including St. Mary’s of Stockton) to defeat De La Salle, doing so twice: the 2021 CIF Northern California Division I-AA playoffs (28-27) and last fall (24-20) before DLS earned payback with a 17-14 victory in a NorCal playoff game.
In fact, Folsom last season became the first NorCal team to beat DLS on its home turf two times in succession since Salesian of Richmond in the late 1970s. What does that matter now? Nothing. It’s just great data.
Speaking of winning, yours truly went 6-2 in Pick the Preps last week while our other prep enthusiasts (Matthew Bessette of ABC Jam Productions and the NFHS Network, longtime area scribe Nick Pecoraro and retired prep basketball coach and longtime football follower Scott Tedmon) each went 5-3.
More film work, more games:
De La Salle (2-2) at No. 1 Folsom (3-1)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: DLS has two tough early losses to Orange Lutheran (35-14) and Serra (28-0) but impressed defensively with a 24-10 win over St. Mary’s last week. DLS often starts “slow” to open a season before heating up. Folsom has its first home game, at last, and its loss was 21-14 to Serra in an opener. Folsom wins a great one, 21-20.
MatthewB: Both squads are young and talented. Folsom’s sophomore QB/WR duo of Ryder Lyons and Jameson Powell will be a force for years. Take the Bullldogs, 27-17.
NickP: De La Salle made me regret my pick against them last week against St. Mary’s. The Bulldogs will be game, but Sparty will steal one on the road, 21-16.
CoachT: DLS has more winning stats over the years than Heinz has got beans, but Folsom gets it done, 24-21.
No. 4 Rocklin (4-0) at Tracy (4-0)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: While the rest of the Sierra Foothill League bruisers and cruisers have a bye week, the Thunder head to the 209 to face a formidable Bulldogs team that just rolled unbeaten Downey of Modesto, 43-13, by rushing 47 times for 443 yards and four scores. The Thunder is a different beast and wins 28-14.
MatthewB: We can’t wait to broadcast this game on the NFHS Network. Aidan Van Os can throw it and run it for Tracy. Rocklin has dominated the trenches on defense with Koen Bell and Spencer Patton. The Thunder roll, 27-13.
NickP: Tracy’s win over Downey last week was impressive. The rest of the schedule? Not so much. Rocklin wins, 35-21.
CoachT: Rocklin and Tracy are 4-0. That’s where the similarities end. Thunder wins in dominating fashion 35-17.
No. 7 Inderkum (4-1) at No. 11 Woodcreek (4-0)
When: 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: This should decide the Capital Valley Conference as red-hot, motivated teams meet in Roseville. Inderkum QB Ricky Cole has had an MVP-like season for Inderkum, and the defense has pitched three shutouts. Indy wins 28-21.
MatthewB: This is one of our games on ABC Jam and NFHS Network and it will be a playoff-like atmosphere. Woodcreek’s Austin Katapodis is incredibly efficient when passing and he will need to be with Baron Taylor, leading the section with five interceptions, lurking in the Tiger secondary. Inderkum wins a close one, 31-30.
NickP: I’ll be covering this one for The Bee. Woodcreek’s defense only allows about a touchdown per game, but Inderkum is as deep and fun to watch as any team I’ve seen this season. Tigers stay hot, 28-21.
CoachT: Woodcreek has raced to one of its best starts in school history and the home cooking will be tasty. T’wolves take down Inderkum, 27-20.
Mesa Verde (3-1) at Lindhurst (4-1)
JoeD: I can’t recall the last time we previewed a Mesa Verde or Lindhurst game, but these teams have earned it with inspiring fast starts under coaches Leonard Casillas of MV and Troy Spangler of Lindhurst, leaders who have turned long-suffering programs into winners. Fred Robinson epitomizes the grit of MV, a 5-foot-5, 140-pound grinder at RB, and the same goes for Henri Reed of Lindhurst, who plays all over at RB and LB. MV wins 35-30.
MatthewB: Lindhurst was able to bounce back from its first loss with a 27-0 win over Golden Sierra. Now, Mesa Verde is trying to do the same after losing to Amador. MV wins it, 33-27.
NickP: Earlier this year, Mesa Verde’s Alyssa Lauriano became the second girl in state history to score two TDs in a varsity football game. You go, girl! I’ll take MV, 33-27.
CoachT: It’s great to see these programs get off the deck and turn it around. It will be a battle and MV wins it, 38-35.
Franklin (1-4) at Sheldon (1-4)
When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.
JoeD: Why pick this Delta League game? Why not? It’s must-win time, and either Sheldon gets back on track with a revamped roster from a playoff team a year ago or Franklin wins its second consecutive game. This figures to be fast and fun. Sheldon wins 30-28.
MatthewB: Franklin has a real chance to start off Delta League play 2-0. Sheldon has taken its lumps with a brutal schedule. The Huskies win, 20-17.
NickP: It won’t get any easier for either team in the remaining Delta League run. I’ll go with the Huskies at home, 27-14.
CoachT: Both teams are struggling to find some offense. Sheldon is scoring 12.0 points per game while Franklin is putting up 9.0. First team to 21 wins. I’m taking the Huskies, 21-14.
Season totals and Joe D’s remarks
JoeD: 22-12 — Competition fuels us all.
MatthewB: 25-9 — A 5-3 week? He’s human.
NickP: 21-13 — Closing in fast on the front runners.
CoachT: 18-16 — Above .500 and above water.
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