Sac-Joaquin Section Top 15 high school football rankings via SBLive/Sports Illustrated

Top-ranked Folsom braces for No. 3 Oak Ridge with a 19-game rivalry winning streak, Del Oro takes on Granite Bay, Rocklin is surging.

At long last, the Sierra Foothill League kicks off this week, and every game is a doozy. Yes, every league says this sort of thing. But in this league, heavy on Placer County teams and topped by Folsom and Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills, it rings true. 

Folsom has won six SFL titles since entering the league before the 2014 season with Rocklin taking it in 2021. It's no sure thing for Folsom this season, by any stretch. 

The Bulldogs have a 19-game winning streak on Oak Ridge, dating back to 2006, including playoff showdowns. Some games were dogs that went to the Bulldogs and a lot of them have been classics.

1. Folsom (3-2)

Last ranking: 1

Last game: Lost to De La Salle-Concord, 14-7

Next game: Friday vs. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

The Bulls have been battle tested and then some, suffering one-touchdown setbacks to the top two teams in Northern California in Serra-San Mateo and De La Salle. Now it's rivaly time as Folsom seeks to extend its remarkable 19-game winning streak against Oak Ridge, including some playoff matchups.

Folsom sophomore quarterback Ryder Lyons. Photo: Dennis Lee

2. St. Mary's-Stockton (4-1)

Last ranking: 2

Last game: Beat Bishop Amat-La Puente, 41-31

Next game: Friday vs. Lodi

The Rams hit the road to Southern California where they received two rushing touchdowns each from Asante Carter (80 yards on the night) and Christopher Maghoney, who carried 10 times for 123 yards. Omari Gayles had 13 tackles, nine solo, and two of his team's four interceptions. The loss was 24-10 to De La Salle.

3. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (5-0)

Last ranking: 3

Last game: Bye

Next game: Friday at Folsom

The Trojans have more than just a 19-game losing streak against rival Folsom to deal with. The team wants to crown coach Casey Taylor with his 200th career victory, 149 of those coming when he led Del Oro. For the first time all season, Oak Ridge will be at full strength.

4. Central Catholic-Modesto (3-2)

Last ranking: 4

Last game: Beat Pleasant Valley-Chico, 49-7

Next game: Friday at East Union

The Raiders rolled the top-ranked team in the Northern Section as Tyler Wentworth passed for 231 yards on 9 of 13 passing and four touchdowns, two to Brooklyn Cheek. Joey Alcutt rushed for 116 yards, averaging 12.9 yards a carry. The losses were to St. Mary's (42-33) and to Serra (38-7).

5. Grant-Sacramento (5-1)

Last ranking: 5

Last game: Beat McClatchy-Sacramento, 48-0

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. River City-West Sacramento

The Pacers rolled in their Metro League opener, on homecoming, though the game was halted with six minutes to go in the second quarter when a McClatchy player was injured. He was resting at home over the weekend and is OK. Luke Alexander had three touchdown passes, and Leo Martin had two rushing touchdowns. The loss was 21-18 at Oak Ridge in nonleague play.

6. Rocklin (5-0)

Last ranking: 6

Last week: Beat Tracy, 28-21

Next game: Friday vs. Whitney-Rocklin

The Thunder geared up for SFL action by handing Tracy its first loss. Reeve Slone, just a sophomore, had two touchdown strikes to Gavin Correia, and Derek Keeley rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown and had eight tackles. Alex Dunham had 10 tackles. The Whitney game is for annual Quarry Bowl rivalry bragging rights. The series started 13 years ago.

7. Del Oro-Loomis (5-0)

Last ranking: 7

Last game: Bye

Next game: Friday at Granite Bay

The Golden Eagles also seek an SFL crown and have a section Player of the Year candidate in senior quarterback Caden Pinnick, the 2022 SFL Player of the Year.

8. Jesuit-Carmichael (4-1)

Last ranking: 8

Last game: Beat Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove, 41-10

Next game: Friday at Clayton Valley Charter-Concord

CJ Lee passed for 108 yards and a touchdown and ran for 136 and three scores, and Cooper Babb had two of his team's 6.5 sacks. The loss was 28-27 to St. Ignatius-San Francisco.

Jesuit wide receiver Jonah Luhrsen in a win earlier this season over Christian Brothers. Photo: Dennis Lee

9. Manteca (3-2)

Last ranking: 9

Last game: Beat Lodi, 48-6

Next game: Friday vs. Kimball-Tracy

Garrison Reis passed for a touchdown and Nikko Juarrez rushed for 111 yards on nine carries - and he's just a freshman. Juarrez also threw an option-pass touchdown. Manteca is in the Valley Oak League race that includes Central Catholic. Early wins were over Vista del Lago-Folsom (42-35) and Granite Bay (15-0). The losses are to Rocklin and St. Mary's.

10. Granite Bay (3-2)

Last week: 11

Last game: Bye

Next game: Friday vs. Del Oro

The Grizzlies are yet another SFL title contender and have losses to Pittsburg and Manteca. The ground game with junior Cal commit Carter Jackson and sophomore bruiser Isaiah Ene is as good as it gets in this section.

The next five:

11. Tracy (4-1)

12. Inderkum-Sacramento (5-1)

13. Casa Roble-Orangevale (4-1)

14. Escalon (5-1)

15. Downey-Modesto (4-1)