Two league openers tonight

EL DORADO QUARTERBACK Bradley Schmidt looks for a downfield receiver in Friday night's game against the South Tahoe Vikings in a recent non-league game at El Dorado High School. Democrat file photo by Pat Dollins

Four of the five El Dorado County high school football teams are in action tonight. Two of the four, Union Mine and El Dorado, host Sierra Valley Conference openers; the D’backs welcome River City while the Cougars entertain Vista del Lago.

In other games, Oak Ridge and Ponderosa continue their nonleague schedule. The Trojans travel to Vacaville and the Bruins make a short trek to Sacramento to face Natomas. Golden Sierra enjoys a bye week before starting Sierra Delta League play next week.

Vista del Lago (3-1) at El Dorado (2-2) 

After beating intra-country rival Golden Sierra, 27-6 last Friday, the Cougars look to build momentum going into its conference opener against the Eagles and head coach Chris Jones, Oak Ridge’s former head coach before starting Vista’s program.

“We are playing one of the premier teams in the league,” El Dorado head coach Joe Volek said. “It is a great test for us. Coach Jones and his staff will have his team ready to play. We look forward to the challenge.”

Cougar quarterbacks Bradley Schmidt and Nick Bonniksen have posted good numbers in three games. Bonniksen has completed 55-of-87 passes for 527 yards and three touchdowns. Schmidt is 29-of-57 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Nick Thomas and defensive back Jeremiah Romero have 26 tackles each.

If El Dorado plays tough with Vista all four quarters, this should be a good game.

River City (0-4) at Union Mine (0-4) 

The Diamondbacks face a Raiders squad that is adjusting to new football coach Steve DaPrato’s offensive and defensive schemes.

“They have been playing tough and scoring points,” Union Mine coach Dave Johnson said.

Expect the D’backs to be fired up for their conference opener. One team will emerge with its first victory.

Oak Ridge (4-0) at Vacaville (2-1)

Call this a homecoming of sorts for Trojan coach Eric Cavaliere. In the late 1980s, Cavaliere was a two-way starter at tight end and outside linebacker his senior year.

“I am really looking forward to the Vacaville game,” Cavaliere said. “I have a lot of great memories from there.”

Oak Ridge faces a Vacaville team that saw its 14-game winning streak come to an end last Friday at Granite Bay, 47-21. Vacaville runs the Wing-T offense very well and against the Grizzlies, the Bulldogs ran for 330 yards.

Troy’s 42-14 win over Grant builds Oak Ridge’s confidence going into its final nonleague game. Cavaliere feels that ”we can play with anyone when we play as a team.”

Expect the Trojans to rev up the run-defense and come out on top.

Ponderosa (3-0) at Natomas (0-3)

Bruins head coach Jason Tenner, his assistant coaches and players won’t look past a Nighthawk team that’s scored only 14 points and given up 166.

“The message I have given our team this week is the same one I gave them in January when we first came together: To prepare each week to play our best football and execute our scheme on both sides of the ball,” Tenner said. “Right now we are playing better than we played last year, but we still feel that we can play better.”

Bruins quarterback Jake Bist has completed 47-of-67 passes for 621 yards and seven touchdowns. Brother Josh Bist, along with Matt Mc Bride and Christian Canepa, have more than 100 yards receiving each. Inside linebacker Jeff Camilli has 26 tackles.

If Ponderosa continues to follow the “one game at a time” Tenner preaches, the Bruins should ground the Nighthawks.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter. 

Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been working at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Mike is the Sports Writer and Features Writer.

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