Friday Night Forecast: Rivals Rocklin, Del Oro meet for top seed in D2

It seems like just yesterday we were battling triple-digit temperatures in August, eagerly awaiting the return of prep football. Now, just like that, we've reached the final week of the regular season. While most league championships in the area have been decided, there's still plenty at stake, from playoff seeding and potential home games to bragging rights and momentum heading into the postseason. With one week left, teams are looking to finish strong before the playoff lights come on. Our sports team of Jordan Georgeson, Matt Long and Bill Poindexter make their weekly picks, highlighting 10 games from across the area and giving their two cents on who has the edge. This is our Friday Night Forecast: Folsom (9-0, 5-0 SFL) at Jesuit (5-4, 1-4 SFL) Jordan: Folsom has been tested in league play so far this year and while Jesuit has held its own against some solid teams, I think the Bulldogs handle business here and pull away in the second half. Folsom 42, Jesuit 24. Matt: Especially coming off a bye week, I don't see how the Bulldogs could lose this one. Folsom 44, Jesuit 20. Bill: Stop the presses! The three-time defending champ has moved alongside Jordan for the overall lead, a boost to this semi-retired ego since the other two NFL pick 'em leagues I'm in ain't faring so well. I've also found that thinking fast and writing faster with new Monday deadlines is better than researching common foes. That doesn't matter when picking Folsom anyway. Folsom 49, Jesuit 14. Whitney (6-3, 2-3 SFL) at Oak Ridge (6-3, 4-1 SFL) Jordan: Whitney has taken some lumps as of late, including last week against Del Oro. I'm still a believer in the Wildcats and think they have the pieces to make noise in Division II, but Oak Ridge will be too tough of a test here. Oak Ridge 31, Whitney 21. Matt: Oak Ridge should win this game by 20 points. 35-15. Bill: The idea now for Whitney is to stay sharp while staying healthy for the playoffs. Oak Ridge 35, Whitney 20. Ponderosa (5-4, 2-3 CVC) at Vista del Lago (4-5, 2-3 CVC) Jordan: The stakes of this rivalry are simple this year: Win and you are likely in the playoffs. Both teams have been inconsistent at times, but at their best they are playoff teams. When it's close, go with the home team. Eagles send the Bruins bowling. Vista 35, Pondo 28. Matt: Vista seems to have turned the corner and is playing much better football than they were early in the season. This game would be a very nice win for them. Vista 30, Ponderosa 20. Bill: OK, so I peeked and learned Vista gave Inderkum a scare. Vista del Lago 28, Ponderosa 26. Rocklin (6-3, 3-2 SFL) at Del Oro (7-2, 3-2 SFL) Jordan: The Battle for the Shield always promises to be a memorable clash and this year is no different. Rocklin got the last laugh last season after knocking off Del Oro in Loomis in the quarterfinals. The Golden Eagles have been sitting on that and I think they get this one back in what could be a championship preview. Del Oro 28, Rocklin 27. Matt: Del Oro, especially because they're playing at home, should win this game. They're the better team. Del Oro 33, Rocklin 21. Bill: The playoffs can wait. There's as much riding on this game as any playoff game. Del Oro 35, Rocklin 31. Futures (0-7, 0-5 SMAL) at Valley Christian (2-6, 1-4 SMAL) Jordan: Kudos to the kids from both of these schools for keeping football alive at the 8-man level. Even though it hasn't been the best season for either squad, making it to the finish line when things aren't going your way is an accomplishment. VCA 21, Futures 17. Matt: Valley Christian will pick up a win to finish the regular season. Valley Christian 28-0. Bill: Futures has scored 14 points this season, all against Encina. Valley Christian 45, Futures 0. Roseville (4-5, 2-2 FVL) at Placer (7-2, 2-2 FVL) Jordan: Placer needs a win to get a home game in Division IV and with how this bracket looks to be shaping up, that's huge because you avoid a two-hour bus ride. The Hillmen get this one done at home against a stellar Roseville defense. Placer 21, Roseville 13. Matt: Roseville will need a Herculean effort to upend Placer. It's unlikely to happen, but you know the Tigers will give it everything they have. Placer 42, Roseville 16. Bill: Considering back-to-back convincing losses after a 6-0 start, the Hillmen are slobbering for a big performance heading into the playoffs. Placer 42, Roseville 20. Marysville (1-8, 0-5 PVL) at Oakmont (5-4, 3-2 PVL) Jordan: Although they lost last week, I was impressed with Oakmont's passing connection between quarterback Elijah Stevens and receivers Malachi Alexander and Ocean Munoz. They connect for some big yards in this one. Oakmont 38, Marysville 20. Matt: If there is a team that has lost the most when I've picked them to win, it's Oakmont. I hope they don't let me down again. Oakmont 31, Marysville 21. Bill: Oakmont has an opportunity to fine-tune its offense and let the bench get some snaps in the fourth quarter. Oakmont 45, Marysville 13. West Park (5-4, 3-1 Metro) at Destiny Christian (9-0, 4-0 Metro) Jordan: I will be the first to admit I didn't have DCA winning the Metro this season; I don't think there are many that did. But the Lions continue to impress me each and every week and they cap a perfect regular season at home here. DCA 35, West Park 28. Matt: Destiny Christian is undefeated. That tells me all I need to know in this game. Destiny Christian 32, West Park 20. Bill: For Destiny, don't let up now, but don't get hurt either. For West Park, just don't get hurt. Destiny 35, West Park 14. Bella Vista (6-3, 3-2 CVC) at Woodcreek (9-0, 5-0 CVC) Jordan: Unlike DCA, this is where I thought the Timberwolves would be this season and barring a slip-up, Woodcreek will give the section officials something to ponder when choosing between it and Destiny for the top seed in D-III. Woodcreek 38, Bella Vista 28. Matt: Woodcreek better not lose this game after thinking they won the CVC championship last week with their win over Inderkum. That would be embarrassing. Woodcreek 38, Bella Vista 21. Bill: Woodcreek takes control early and leads big through three quarters, when it can then pull its big guns off the field. Woodcreek 38, Bella Vista 19. Colfax (5-4, 3-2 PVL) at Lincoln (8-1, 5-0 PVL) Jordan: Lincoln locked up a share of the PVL title last week and a win here could give the Fighting Zebras a top-two seed in Division VI. Colfax is better than its record shows and Lincoln can't get caught sleeping. I think this one goes down to the wire. Lincoln 34, Colfax 29. Matt: Most of my losses this season have come between Oakmont and these two teams. I admittedly don't know much about these two teams and that's probably why I always guess wrong. However, I'm fairly certain, Lincoln has this one in the bag. Lincoln 44, Colfax 21. Bill: The Fighting Zebras aren't about to look ahead to the playoffs, either. Lincoln 35, Colfax 14. Last week: Bill 10-0, Jordan 9-1, Matt 8-2. Season to date: Jordan and Bill, 74-26, Matt 72-28.