Folsom’s impressive 42-7 win over previous No. 1 Del Oro forces one of those very rare instances in which one team with a loss to another is ranked higher. In this case, it’s the Bulldogs back in front of Sacramento. They don’t go back to being No. 1 in the section, however, in favor of Stockton St. Mary’s.
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The head-to-head result takes precedence in just about all facets of the Cal-Hi Sports ranking system, but there have been a few cases over the years in which it’s been overcome.
In sports in which teams play many more games, like basketball and baseball, the head-to-head is overcome all the time. In football, we’re doing it with this week’s rankings in the example of Folsom vs. Sacramento in CIF Sac-Joaquin Section.
First, the game itself that the Dragons won 32-27 was bizarre to say the least. It’s not like they won convincingly by a couple of touchdowns. If that was the case, then of course Sac would stay in front. In that game, two Dragon TDs came on defensive returns and one defensive return by Folsom was inexplicably blown dead in which the Bulldog player was running toward the other end zone.
Since then, two of Folsom’s wins have been 42-0 over perennial power Granite Bay and then last Friday’s 42-7 win over Del Oro, which was No. 1 in the section entering the contest. The Bulldogs, of course, also are the four-time defending Division I champions and have much tougher games coming up than Sacramento, including those against Oak Ridge and Granite Bay. The Dragons, who won 69-10 on Saturday against Laguna Creek, really only have a trip to 3-3 Burbank to worry about.
Folsom, the preseason No. 1 team in the section and preseason No. 8 in the state, however, does not go back to being No. 1 in the section. That slot instead is now occupied by St. Mary’s of Stockton. The Rams’ only loss is lopsided, 55-16, but that was to a St. John Bosco (Bellflower) squad that is top 10 in the nation. Plus, St. Mary’s 63-35 win earlier over Serra of San Mateo looks stronger after Serra won on Saturday in overtime over previous state No. 12 and unbeaten St. Francis of Mountain View.
If Folsom and Sacramento were to win SJS titles, the head-to-head result would then become the likely reason for the Dragons to get a higher seed in the CIF state and NorCal bowl games. Until then, however, for our rankings and since Sacramento also has a 35-7 loss on its resume to JSerra of San Juan Capistrano, it’ll be Folsom that will be higher.
Bulldog players, including QB Joe Curry (No. 1), listen to head coach Kris Richardson talk to them after Friday’s game against Del Oro. Photo: Mark Tennis.
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 8)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (2) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 5-1
2. (4) Folsom 6-1
3. (3) Sacramento 5-1
4. (1) Del Oro (Loomis) 6-1
5. (8) Elk Grove 5-1
6. (12) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 5-1
7. (6) Central Catholic (Modesto) 4-2
8. (7) Rocklin 4-2
9. (9) Grant (Sacramento) 6-1
10. (11) Manteca 6-0
11. (10) Whitney (Rocklin) 5-1
12. (13) Pitman (Turlock) 6-0
13. (5) Jesuit (Carmichael) 4-2
14. (14) Vacaville 4-2
15. (15) American Canyon 6-0
16. (16) Sonora 7-0
17. (17) Turlock 5-2
18. (18) Antelope 6-0
19. (19) Oakdale 5-1
20. (23) Napa 3-3
21. (22) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 5-1
22. (24) Lincoln (Stockton) 3-3
23. (NR) Davis 2-4
24. (21) Sheldon (Sacramento) 4-2
25. (25) Sierra (Manteca) 4-2
Dropped Out:
Previous No. 20 Roseville.
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