Players from McClymonds of Oakland gather around CIF regional championship plaque on Friday after win over East Nicolaus. Photo: Mark Tennis.
Highest state-ranked teams playing Friday were No. 6 Folsom and No. 7 Central of Fresno against each other in D1-AA NorCal final. Folsom won 54-35, but the Grizzlies still mounted an impressive comeback that fell short. The Bulldogs will now play D1-AA SoCal champ Helix of La Mesa for state title after the Highlanders beat higher-ranked Oaks Christian. Other Friday winners were Serra of San Mateo, Cajon of San Bernardino, Placer of Auburn, McClymonds of Oakland, Golden West of Visalia, Strathmore and Orange.
FOR WRITEUPS & BREAKDOWNS OF ALL OF THE REGIONAL FINALS PLAYED ON SATURDAY, CLICK HERE.
Note: Look for a brand new State Top 50 set of football rankings that won’t simply be a list on Monday evening next week. We’ll have insights and breakdowns based on more than 40 years of going to Friday night games with an overview of the state’s top teams and what’s coming up that just can’t be matched. Each new set of rankings will be for Gold Club members only. The late Friday/Weekend Scoreboards will be free posts and will provide snippets of info, comments and more for the Top 25 teams within the Top 50.
We hope you enjoy this free post on CalHiSports.com. To join our Gold Club to get all new state rankings, state record updates and all-state team announcements, CLICK HERE.
Note: The only division in which there are no regional finals this weekend is the Open Division. Both De La Salle of Concord (11-1) and Mater Dei of Santa Ana (14-0) go directly into that state final, which will be at Hornet Stadium, Sacramento State – Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8:00 p.m.
DIVISION 1–AA
North: Folsom 54, Central (Fresno) 35
After building a 34-7 lead, the Grizzlies came back on the Bulldogs and got it down to within 40-35. Folsom’s offense wasn’t stopped on the ensuing possession and then a few minutes later C.J. Hatton scooped up a fumble and ran it back for a 62-yard TD. Folsom will now try to win its third CIF state title and go 16-0 for the second time.
Head coach Kris Richardson’s squad (ranked No. 6 in the state coming into the game) was powered yet again by junior QB Kaiden Bennett (312 yards passing, four TDs) and junior WR Joe Ngata (3 TD catches). Bennett also had a short TD run while Daniyel Ngata, the sophomore RB and younger brother of Joe, rushed for 126 yards and two TDs.
Central (ranked at No. 7 in the state since its only loss coming into the night was 45-30 to No. 3 De La Salle) was hard to stop at time as well. Junior QB Trent Tompkins threw three TD passes to Jacob Torrez, but two fourth down stops prevented the Grizzlies from keeping up with Folsom’s offense. Central finished 12-2.
South: Helix (La Mesa) 28, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 13
Cheered on by alum and former NFL star Reggie Bush, the Highlanders advanced to their second CIF state final and will try to go for their second title next week with a road win over the Lions.
Helix (13-1 and ranked No. 13 in the state) beat a team that was ranked higher — Oaks Christian (12-3) was No. 8 — on the strength of its offensive line plus sophomore running back Elelyon Noa. That offensive line gave up no sacks to a Lions’ defense that had 11 in its previous game. Noa rushed for 160 yards and one TD.
Helix’s lower ranking is because it has a head-to-head loss to Paraclete of Lancaster, which also is a team that Oaks Christian defeated early in the season. Now that the Highlanders have a win over Oaks Christian, they can go higher than Paraclete in next week’s rankings.
Rashad Scott had the biggest play on defense for Helix by scoring on a interception returh.
Oaks Christian had a hard time moving the ball, which was partly due to the Helix defense but also was because the Lions lost their No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks (Josh Calvert and Marco Siderman) to injuries. Trae Johnson was the team’s quarterback for much of the second half.
DIVISION 1–A
North: Pittsburg (8-2) at Granite Bay (12-2) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Paraclete (13-1) at Narbonne (10-3) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 2–AA
North: Serra (San Mateo) 76, Tulare Union 43
Before this game, we wondered how Tulare might fare after not really having to face any opponent all year quite like the Padres. The bottom line was that the Tribe’s offense fared well, but the defense couldn’t come close to stopping the Padres all night long.
Serra set a school record for points that previously was 69 from a game in 2005. The Padres, who had moved up to No. 25 in the state this week and improved to 12-2, ran and passed with equal explosiveness. QB Luke Bottari threw three TD passes, two to Patrick Nunn, while David Coker rushed for TDs of 30, 49 and 24 yards. Edmond Lahlouh also scored on a 62-yard fumble return.
Kazmeir Allen scored twice for Tulare, including once on a 91-yard run. That enabled him to set a national single season record with 72 TDs. That also is the total he’ll be listed with as his final total in the Cal-Hi Sports state record book. The Tribe (13-1) were up to No. 32 in the state rankings this week, but it’s possible the nature of the loss to Serra could drop them all the way out of the State Top 50 in the next rankings.
Jayden Daniels didn’t have 500 yards of offense and eight touchdowns on Friday, but his teammates made more than enough big plays in win against Rancho Verde. Photo: #D1Nation/@SportsRecruits.
South: Cajon (San Bernardino) 70, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 23
Turnovers sealed Rancho Verde’s fate in the first half of this game. The Mustangs had five of them (four on fumbles) and by halftime the Cowboys had the outcome in hand.
Despite the huge point total, it wasn’t that great of a stat night for Cajon QB Jayden Daniels. Big plays were the difference such as a 30-yard interception return TD by Jonathon Perkins, a 90-yard kickoff return TD by Daniel Fortune and an 85-yard score by Jerome Weber after he took a lateral from Jeremiah Martin. Cajon improved to 14-1 and will now attempt to win its first CIF state football crown. Head coach Nick Rogers’ team was No. 27 in the state this week.
As for Rancho Verde, it was a tough ending to a CIFSS D3 championship season. The team ended 12-3 and will likely drop out from its No. 43 listing in the State Top 50.
DIVISION 2–A
North: St. Francis, Mountain View (9-4) at Manteca (12-2) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Aquinas (14-0) vs. Grace Brethren (12-2) at Moorpark College – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 3–AA
North: Marin Catholic (12-0) at Shasta (11-1) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Quartz Hill (13-1) vs. Bishop Diego (13-1) at California Lutheran – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 3–A
North: Sutter (12-1) at Half Moon Bay (13-0) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Steele Canyon (10-4) at El Modena (12-2) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 4–AA
North: Placer (Auburn) 43, Salinas 42 (OT)
After falling behind 21-0 in the first half, the Hillmen (13-1) got their Wing T offense cranked up and won with a thrilling finish on the road against a team that just won the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division 1 title. Placer got the ball first in overtime after the two teams tied 36-36 in regulation and scored. Salinas answered but the extra point kick was missed, handing the win to the boys from the Sierra Foothills. The Cowboys wrapped up their season at 11-3.
South: Crenshaw (10-3) at El Camino (8-5) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 4–A
North: Milpitas (12-1) at Campolindo (10-4) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: San Joaquin Memorial (11-2) at Southwest EC (13-0) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Corey Taylor was East Nicolaus’ top running back throughout the season. Photo: Mark Tennis.
DIVISION 5–AA
North: McClymonds (Oakland) 35, East Nicolaus 12
It was double dose of good news for the Warriors after they overpowered the Spartans for the second straight year in a regional final. In addition to winning, they learned that Golden West of Visalia had won in the D5-AA game for the SoCal bracket so there would be no trip to much further and much more difficult Big Bear.
“That’s great. We won’t have to be on the bus so long,” said McClymonds head coach Michael Peters, who took his team to La Jolla Country Day to win last year’s D5-AA crown. “We’ll be able to prepare easier and then just go down to the Fresno area and take care of business.”
The Warriors, who have now won 24 games in a row and improved to 13-0, were led by senior QB Emoreea Fountain, who passed for four TDs and ran for another score. Three of his TDs went to fellow senior Charles Alberty. The other TD was to Day’Marr Johnson.
East Nicolaus, which ended 13-1, had a difficult time with McClymonds’ speed but hung tough in the first half with two fourth down stops plus an interception. Mo Bautista’s 6-yard run late in the opening quarter also cut the Warriors’ early lead to 14-6. Spartan coaches expressed their general disappointment with the CIF’s placement of their traditional small school, small town program opposite McClymonds, but credited the Warriors for the way they played.
South: Golden West (Visalia) 41, Big Bear (Big Bear Lake) 21
Gonzalo Rodriguez already has the all-time career rushing record for any player from a Visalia school and added to his numbers with 30 carries for 252 yards and three TDs on Friday night. It was a back-and-forth contest in the first half, but Golden West (12-2) went on a 27-0 run in the second half. The Trailblazers will be in their first CIF state final next week against McClymonds. Big Bear (12-2) committed three turnovers and will have to be satisfied with winning the CIFSS D12 championship.
DIVISION 5–A
North: Bear River (10-3) at Fortuna (12-2) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Monte Vista (8-5) vs. Katella (13-1) at Western HS – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
DIVISION 6–AA
North: Strathmore 49, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 35
Revenge from losing in last year’s D6-A state final to St. Patrick-St. Vincent was earned by the Spartans on a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter. In improving to 15-0, Strathmore broke a 35-35 tie in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard TD pass from Nick Salas to Andres Lara. On the ensuing series for St. Pat, Lara came up with big play on defense to cause a 12-yard loss. Strathmore got the ball back and then put the score out of reach with Joseph Garcia’s fourth rushing touchdown of the night. Akil Edwards led the Bruins (12-2) with second half TD runs of 84 and 73 yards.
South: Orange 46, Caruthers 43 (OT)
The Blue Raiders had a 43-35 lead with less than five minutes left, but the Panthers came through with 4:09 remaining on a 33-yard TD pass from Jason Wilkinson to Jordan Schmitt. Wilkinson then tried to run for a two-point conversion and he made it to tie the score at 43-43. Caruthers couldn’t score at the end so the two teams went to overtime and after being stopped on its first series that put Orange in a position to win. Nick Guzman did that by drilling an 18-yard field goal. Caruthers lost its first game and ended at 12-1. Orange improved to 13-2. It was a great game and great win, but Orange is a school that is about three times larger than Caruthers.
DIVISION 6–A
North: Galileo-San Francisco (9-2) at Rio Vista (9-3) – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
South: Huntington Park (11-3) vs. Vincent Memorial (11-2) at Calexico HS – Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle:
29 Comments
Now that Folsom has beaten St. Marys (50-21, who lost to MD 54-15 or something, and Frampton I guess only carried 7 times vs MD and then was out of the game after a qtr) and now 54-35 Central (who lost 45-30 vs DLS and is coming in with 8 game impressive win streak) isnt safe to say, Folsom deserved at least an equal chance as DLS to get to the Open – even more true if GB beats Pitt. I think Folsom has similar speed to MD offense s but MD probably has even more so, especially with JT Daniels and would give more fits to Folsom defense than vice versa…..I think Kaiden Bennette could be next years JT Daniels though…his passing and running ability combined…something like 4000 yards and 53 TDs passing and 1000 yards rushing and 13 TDs or close is amazing
MD has had any amazing year and would probably beat any team it was to face this year, not just in CA, but my point is I think Folsom deserved as much of shot as DLS, especially after the last two weeks and I hope the CIF committee realizes that DLS isnt always a gimme, as it was 2008 with Grant and could have been 2014 with Folsom and this year with Folsom and maybe Folsom next year
Agreed Folsom deserves at least a shot at Open and will be more apparent when they smoke Helix next week. They deserve to be on same level as SS D1 not SSD2 or San Diego Open. Great win for Folsom.
I doubt that.
Going into it, win over Washington DC team and all the history clearly gave DLS the nod. My point is mostly about next year. Folsom does have to overcome all that history and can do it with a win over a nationally known opponent, not Sacramento, not Oakdale and not Couer d’Alene, Idaho.
Like always Mark, you nailed it on the head. For Folsom to be considered for that upper echelon elite status, they need to switched up their schedule to include the high profile programs from down south or some of the ones from around the country that have that elite status. I do not see why Folsom cannot schedule an IMG Academy, American Heritage, Allen, Katy, Bishop Gorman or Bingham. all these would be great games. And of course everyone would love to see a Folsom/Centennial match-up. The Folsom fans want to see it. Not sure about the Folsom leadership though. I can understand how disheartening it was in 2012 and 2o13 getting blown out by DLS. I thought both of those teams had a good chance against DLS, but you cannot get better if you do not challenge yourself. I think a game against one or two of these teams next year can be arranged and the Folsom kids would love the challenge.
Jae,
I agree that Folsom deserved a lot of consideration for the “Open” division this year. I know this is a conversation that group on here has often when it comes to DLS and Folsom. I think it is a toss-up between the two. DLS has not been as strong the past two years, but has been given the nod for the “open” division game. SJB smoked them last year and I think it will be even worse this year when MD is done with them, but that is the case with everyone MD plays this year. . Do I think Folsom would give MD a better game than DLS? I do, however I do remember what Mark said last month when this discussion really started picking up steam. He said Folsom would not be able to slow down the DLS run game. I have noticed in the stats I have seen this year Folsom has given up a lot of rushing yards. Of course none of the teams have been able to stop Folsom’s offense either, so it would be an interesting game.
DLS clearly deserved the spot this yr, but I think next yr is interesting with all of their skill players returning. I believe the Oakdale agreement was only for one yr so maybe they’ll schedule a team that can put them in the conversation for next yr.
Mark, where would the winners of EC vs Crenshaw and Monte Vista vs Katella play ? Has that been determined or is it based on the better overall record ?
Those lower divisions are all in the south because the top five divisions are all in the north at Sac State.
Bring back the open regional… it was dumb to remove it and forces assumptions that DSL and the ssD1 champ can’t be beaten by anybody but themselves… this year the ssd1 champ can’t be beat but this year and in 2014 Folsom could give DSL a run for their money
True, but they want to market De La Salle vs whether Mater Dei, Bosco or the other Pac-5 teams (formally called). They want advertisers to get on board and make a little money.
The open game got removed so Jake Browning and that great Folsom team could have an opportunity at and win a state championship. And after seeing MD and Folsom up close, and this is said with no disrespect to DLS, but Folsom has the best shot at MD from the north period. If all things being equal, in my opinion, DLS, Folsom & St Mary’s all should be able to compete for the open championship. I know Folsom has a great team this season and return a good number of players, but so does St Mary’s, 8 returners on offense. And this time we should be able to get through the playoffs without a 3rd string qb .
Or if they don’t want to do Open Regional Final then have SSD1 do the same Open rules as CCS and NCS where runner up could move on. Folsom vs. St. John Bosco matchup would be really great at D1-AA and I think would drive the ad revenue they desire along with DLS vs. MD.
Yeah, thats a great idea as well. It’s a shame really that the top two teams from SJS don’t advance, but lesser teams and runners up from CCS get to advance. That logic escapes me. The SJS sections is either doing it right or need to get on board.
You’re clearly missing the point of having the runners up advance. These are not “lesser” teams, as they are better than the ones that would have advanced otherwise. Some sections have elected to do this and some haven’t. There’s nothing illogical about it.
Here’s one thing that every section commissioner should take notice… every runner-up this year won their regional bowl game.
It’s not a shock that Milpitas won or St. Francis won. The CCS almost went 5-0 and has a definite edge with its system going into CIF bowls. I don’t have a problem necessarily with those five CCS teams getting to go, but when there’s almost a written policy of not having any teams from the same sections play each other you get Milpitas way down there in D4-A. Some of those CCS teams just need to play each other every season.
We’ve said the same thing a bunch of times, which made it a shame for Folsom 2014 because they didn’t get to really prove how great they were. It just doesn’t make sense have it anymore in the south.
You are right about these last few years regarding the South but you don’t know what the future holds… The entire state is operating under a transfer friendly atmosphere now and kids are beginning to create super teams together outside of the trinity league now… within a few years one of those super teams may be able to challenge the SSD1 super team…. with all that said, it’s all kind of gross.
Good points and we also could have someone open an IMG style academy out here in California, which is fine with me as long as they aren’t playing standard, traditional high schools.
Mark and Guys,
I’m afraid the score of the De La Salle-Fresno Central game on Sept. 23 was 49-30, not 45-30. (I was there at Owen Owens). Same spread as against Folsom and on the road, too. However, Dela was without the services that night of their best RB, Kairee Robinson (who was out from a concussion protocol), and their arguably best defensive guy, D-lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa(who had his knee knocked out by Bish. Gorman the previous weekend).
No ones cares how much Folsom or Dela beat a common opponent by, I think it was simply watching the two games and making comparisons. Do I think Folsom is better than DLS this year? Maybe. Maybe not. We simply won’t know. Do I think Folsom should’ve been given consideration for the OPEN bid over DLS? No way. Folsom has a great program, but there does seem a sense of ducking great competition, I hope that changes soon, if they ever want to be considered the Best in Nor Cal.
Folsom leadership doesn’t care to be in the discussion for #1 in the north or in the elite of CA.
They pushed for the Folsom rule (along with the SJS commissioner), have yet to schedule DLS in the regular season and they don’t play a non league schedule indicative of a program that wants to be considered in the elite tier. They could have done all of these things as far back as 2014 ( their supposed world beating team) and chose not to.
It is obvious they are doing what they want: compete in CA’s second tier. Which is fine as it is their program. Only the naive and hyper partisans continue to push the Folsom elite narrative, the leadership sure isn’t.
Obviously, there is some level of anomsity you have toward Folsom and discussion of elite status…which can still be the case evwn without a super team on the schedule…we are not the coaches and should not think we kmow it all…and in 2014, it was the CIF that removed the Nor Cal Open, so Folsom would have played DLS…which by the way, some national sports writers who saw Folsom, DLS and BG play, said Folsoms defense was best, on top of their 2nd in national history offense….and i actually reached out to Joe Davidson of Sac Bee about Folsom scheduling and he said the coaching staff at Folsom has tried ambitious scheduling with DLS and other elite programs for quite few years now but has not been able to make it work…so you could only do so much…and i wouldnt be surprised if Folsom tries DLS next year but DLS says no because they might actually lose to Folsom next year…that could be a poor assumption but I do not understand why I have never seen DLS play Folsom or Grant in the regular season
Why would I have animosity towards Folsom?
The actions by the leadership at Folsom is what you should be focused on- that tells what they are thinking. If they thought they could have defeated DLS in 2014 they would not have pushed for the Folsom rule in the Regional playoffs and/or they would have scheduled DLS.
Folsom has tried to schedule elite teams? (giving you an enormous benefit of the doubt)- fact is, they have not been successful. In fact they have not been ANYWHERE near successful in that effort which is further proof they really dont want to play in the elite tier.
DLS is afraid to play Folsom? Would that be because of the two enormous beat downs they put on Folsom? Meanwhile, DLS annually schedules national (not CA, but national) top 25 programs year in and year out … tell me more about DLS fear.
I state anamosity because of how you structured your first comment and your response proves my point…I am guessing you are a huge DLS fan or dislike Folsom or both, based upon your response
As far as Folsom trying to schedule DLS, as I said above, that info came from Joe Davidson, sports writer for Sac bee, max preps and others…so he has the scoop on folsom and their scheduling, he personally emailed me that so I am not just throwing it out there.
As far as my opinion of DLS being scared…the only teams DLS has ever scheduled local sac teams the last few years have been teams that they have a almost guaranteed win against, Jesuit a few years ago, Del Oro. They have never scheduled Folsom or Grant on any years where those teams have expected to be competitive, or even in general. DLS could have played Grant following 2008, could have played Folsom in 2014, 2017…and what would be DLS’s excuse be (unless they are already booked next year) for not scheduling Folsom in 2018? Even Cal Hi is saying Folsom should be at the elite level of SJB and MD next year and better than DLS, but since DLS has a near guarantee of being in the Open until a Nor Cal team beats them, they could be inferior to Folsom next year and still make it as long as they dont have to play an expected Elite folsom team in 2018 that might be them. While DLS schedules national programs (thereby upping their image) I have yet to see them schedule a really high level Nor Cal team unless that team is almost certainly still below their level. Most years DLS is clearly the best, but in their “down years” or years where the playing field might be level enough, they dont schedule any nor cal teams with a legit shot at beating them. I would like to see DLS schedule a Folsom, Grant, or SM coming off a year where one of those teams had a dynamite team and is expected to be even stronger. If DLS has an opening for Folsom next year and Folsom wants to play but DLS denies them, then I will say it is because they fear they may lose. DLS wants to always have the Open no matter what, and it isnt fair to other teams who may have a team that actually deserves to be there but will not get it. The best solution is to have a Nor Cal Open where the loser goes to D1AA State or have separate Bowl where Nor Cal Open runner up and SS runner up face off. This year it would be either DLS vs MD and Folsom vs SJB or vice versa
Actually, the best solution would be for the Folsom people to stop whining so much and have the Bulldogs actually schedule someone. It’s got nothing to do with animosity towards the program… and if there is, it’s due to their fans constantly complaining. It’s bizarre that everyone sees this except for you guys.
DLS hasn’t scheduled a high-level NorCal team? This comment just demonstrates what kind of bubble in which the Folsom faithful live. Among the teams DLS has played in recent years: St. Mary’s, Del Oro, Serra, St. Francis, Clayton Valley, San Ramon Valley, and Bellarmine (not even including their playoff game this year against Pittsburg). Among these teams listed are multiple section winners.
Also, the notion that Folsom has tried to schedule someone just doesn’t hold water. I find it amazing how Pittsburg got Centennial, St. Mary’s got both St. John Bosco and Mater Dei; I don’t even know how many games Del Oro has been able to get. Even Sacramento got JSerra from the SS. Yet, Folsom couldn’t get anyone? Sorry, but the SS D-I teams don’t duck anyone, so to suggest the Bulldogs couldn’t get any one of them is laughable.
Finally, everyone needs to stop complaining about the lack of a D-Open regional game. It’s simply not going to happen, so they’re going to have to figure out something within the current system. Until Folsom steps up, they’re almost never going to get serious consideration for the top game.
Animosity by a DLS fan towards Folsom makes zero sense. Maybe it is jealousy of their blue turf?
Interesting you stopped attempting to refute my initial point which is: Folsom actions indicate they are not interested in being in the elite of CA.
Your Joey D story only confirms my statement above. They attempted to play DLS once? That didnt work out so they scheduled Cathedral Catholic and Clovis North instead? Followed by teams from ID.
Now we are to believe DLS is not only afraid of Folsom but they are afraid to play the rest of the SJS. Despite never losing to a SJS team. Ever. Sounds logical.
The Folsom leadership hasnt really hid that they are comfortable to be a second tier CA program. Their scheduling and move to stop the Open Regional games proved that. There is no shame in that either, not sure why you wont accept it as the Folsom leaders have.
Just a follow up to both above and last thing i will day…key points:
I have stated i agree that folsom needs to increase scheduling and hope they do…we are not the coaches so who are we to say they have or have not tried…sports fans (me included) always think we have the answers but we do not walk in their shoes…so im saying that it very well could be not folsoms fault…but i think they can try harder and make it work somehow
As far as high level team…if you look at who dls has playedx can anyone logically think that dls would lose to any of those teams, save Serra and Bellmarine on occassion…im sorry but DO, pitt, SRV are not high level…Folsom crushes DO every year and has done the same to SRV…
And my statement about Joe Davidson, he says they have tried multiple times with dls, and other teams…why it is not working i do not know…as far as dls being afraid, as i said, dls has not scheduled the top tier sjs teams, outside of SM and it has been some time…coaches know when their teams have a lot of returning talent and not, and during dls lesser years they have not played grant, folsom, even gb..why has dls never played grant over all these years…why has dls not played folsom outside nor cal opens since 2010? DO doesnt count
But overall folsom needs to step up scheduling and dls needs to be willing to play an elite norcal team when that team expects to be strong…so both teams need to be willing to play in 2018
As far as folsom fans, we are not living in a bubble, we want the team to beat elite teams and would welcome playing dls…and we recognize that most years folsom is #2…that comes from lack of pool of athletes vs a private school and the 30 years of dominance and experience dls has…that being said, there are some years where folsom (or grant in the past) has been at least as dominant as DLS…i would take Grant over DLS in 2008, Folsom and DLS close in 2010…though had Grant not lost to Folsom in rematch I would have taken Grant as i think they beat Bellevue out of WA and Texas or some other elite team that year…Folsom in 2014, close in 2017 and possibly Folsom in 2018…so our arguments and it is fair…is that not ever year should dls be guaranteed if a team like the 2014 folsom team or maybe 2018 folsom is simply dominant…each year should be its own to a degree…yes if folsom is 14-0 but has not been dominant and dls is 11–1 with a loss to a national team or a great so cal team then dls for sure..but if like this year..folsom beats a SM at nearly the same score as MD, clearly #1 team, has two more playoff games and dls has not been clearly number 1 in the north this year, then maybe folsom needs to be considered…
I think the best solution is still to have folsom up their schedule but i just dont think dls should always have a guarantee….if we could all band together and contact folsom coaches maybe they will listen!
Hey, those 2 games against Bye High School in NCS open division didn’t just schedule themselves… LOL
St. Mary’s – 3-1 in top SJS division playoffs – go home not good enough
Pittsburg- 1-1 in top NCS division playoffs – congrats you deserve to play in regional state bowl in lower division.
Until DLS actually plays in non laughable playoff format I think there should be a discussion on Open Bowl. CIF please level the formats as Centennial/SJB home watching Pittsburg get to move on at lower division as well as St. Mary’s watching Serra/St. Francis go on in lower divisions….