Preseason football rankings: Folsom is top dog in the region

The high school football season is here, and with it comes our first look at the best teams in the Gold Mountain California News Media coverage area. From established powers to rising programs, here are the 10 teams we believe are best positioned to make a run this season: 1. Folsom The Bulldogs remain the standard until somebody proves otherwise. Folsom has the depth, speed and championship pedigree to make another run at the top of the section. Quarterback Brody Rudnicki and wide receiver Rob Larson might just be the best duo in NorCal, and there's little reason to believe the Bulldogs are slowing down anytime soon. 2. Oak Ridge The Trojans have the talent to make a serious push for the top spot, but Folsom still stands in their way. Oak Ridge has reached the last four Division I section championship games and has all the tools to get back there this season. Quarterback Nick Johnson has a Nevada offer, and plenty of playmakers such as Isaac Pierce and Blake Meggers. With plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball, Oak Ridge should be a nightmare matchup for just about anyone on its schedule. 3. Del Oro The Golden Eagles have enough returning talent and big-game experience to remain firmly in the section's elite. Tight end Darius Dismukes is committed to Eastern Washington, and two-way bruiser Landen Parry is a legitimate college prospect as well. Quarterback Luke Taber has formidable weapons in Chase Carmazzi and Brennan Gibbs as well. They took some lumps last week, but don't mistake a scrimmage result for a team that won't be in the mix when the games start counting. 4. Woodcreek The Timberwolves have quietly built themselves into one of the more consistent programs in the region. After winning their first section championship in program history last season, the Timberwolves return 16 starters, including receivers Trace Murchison and Ethan Keim. Quarterback Dylan England is ready to take over and deliver this team back to the postseason. Woodcreek has the pieces to make noise against the section's heavyweights. 5. Rocklin The Thunder are never far removed from the section championship conversation, and this year should be no different. Rocklin has the athletes and program infrastructure to compete with anyone, making it a dangerous team once league play arrives. Junior quarterback Parker Lively already has a Sacramento State offer, and two-way star C.J. Taylor is ready to burst onto the scene. 6. Granite Bay Granite Bay graduated a truckload of talent, including some Division I-caliber players, so there are plenty of questions to answer. But as long as Joe Cattolico is running the show, it would be foolish to count the Grizzlies out. Quarterback Dominic Cattolico returns after leading the Grizzlies to the Division II section championship game before falling to eventual state champion St. Mary's. 7. Placer The Hillmen have plenty of reasons for optimism entering the season, particularly with sophomore quarterback Chase Rodarte and running back/linebacker Jesiah Aday. UCLA commit Gage Esty will be a problem in the trenches, as Placer should bring its usual physical brand of football. The Hillmen have the opportunity to make a serious push for the Foothill Valley League title. 8. Twelve Bridges The Raging Rhinos have won 30 consecutive regular-season games, and they haven't lost a regular-season game with a senior on campus. That streak isn't an accident, as Chris Bean has established Twelve Bridges as one of the region's most complete programs. This will be unfamiliar territory for the Rhinos, as they break in a junior quarterback in Brett Smiley for the first time since 2022. Playmakers Dylan Amos and Josh Chittom will help ease the transition for Smiley, and the defensive line of Devon King, Luis Hernandez and Cordae Johnson might just be the best in Division IV. 9. Roseville The Tigers have enough returning pieces to make themselves a problem in the Foothill Valley League once again. Roseville may not have the same preseason hype as some of its neighbors, but the reigning D-IV section champions return seven defensive starters and are confident in this group. Linebacker Mateo Martinez was the leading tackler for the Tigers last season and should be near the top once again. 10. Whitney The Wildcats round out the Top 10 with a roster that has the talent to compete with some of the section's better teams. Whitney is returning an experienced group that is looking to break through after three straight two-win seasons. Cash Stevens and Jason Taormino are strong on both sides of the ball, and a talented junior class is ready to make some noise. The Wildcats will have plenty to prove once the schedule gets tougher, but there's enough here to warrant a spot among the region's best. Bubble: West Park, Colfax, Lincoln Jordan's SJS Top 25 1. Folsom2. Grant3. Oak Ridge4. Manteca5. St. Mary's6. Central Catholic7. Inderkum8. Monterey Trail9. Del Oro10. Woodcreek11. Jesuit12. Rocklin13. Granite Bay14. Stockton-Edison15. Sutter16. Destiny Christian17. Patterson18. Liberty Ranch19. Vanden20. Vacaville21. Placer22. Hilmar23. Twelve Bridges24. Casa Roble25. Roseville