First and goal: Asking grid questions

By Mike Bush
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Three days. That’s how many days are left before four of the five El Dorado County high school football teams kick off Week 0 of the 2012 season.

On Friday, Aug. 24, those four schools will play non-league games, and two of the four will play their season openers at home. Union Mine entertains El Camino of Sacramento and El Dorado will host South Tahoe.

Oak Ridge makes the short trek to Folsom to take on former Trojans head coach Chris Jones and his Vista del Lago Eagles. Golden Sierra makes the long trip from Garden Valley to east Sacramento to play at Capital Christian. Ponderosa will open its season at Simon-Bruin Stadium on Friday, Aug. 31 when Valley of Sacramento pays a visit.

Now that we’re less than 72 hours away from kick-off, here are some questions that will be answered in upcoming weeks through early November.

•Can Oak Ridge finish Delta River League play with a winning record?

My answer is yes.

The Trojans have posted a 2-3 record in league play the last two seasons. And two league wins is one of the criteria needed to qualify for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth. Oak Ridge will win three-plus league games this season.

•Can Ponderosa snap its 10-game Delta River League losing streak?

My answer is yes.

A victory in 10 days would build momentum toward Ponderosa’s non-league games against Cordova, Union Mine, Natomas and Rio Linda. The Bruins could go 3-2 before hitting the tough Delta River League schedule in which Oak Ridge, Folsom and Pleasant Grove are expected to contend for the top three spots.

The Elk Grove Citizen has predicted Ponderosa and Sheldon will most likely play for their first league win of the season in the regular season finale on Nov. 2 in Sacramento. Time will tell.

•How will Union Mine and running back Sean Tow do this season?

My answer is very good.

If the Diamondbacks take the “one game at a time” approach, they should produce another winning season and a playoff berth. Tow, now a senior, has rushed for more than 2,000 yards each of the last two seasons. This young man has been a joy to cover in football, plus wrestling and baseball. This three-sport athlete should have another exciting season.

•Will positive enthusiasm be one of the keys for new El Dorado football coach Joe Volek and his Cougars this season?

My answer is yes.

The last time El Dorado had a 5-5 or better record was when Union Mine head coach Dave Johnson was the Cougars’ head coach in the 1990s before leaving for Union Mine. Volek displays plenty of enthusiasm that has carried over onto his 50-player roster. By the time Sierra Valley Conference action begins, the Cougars will have been tested by South Tahoe, Tokay of Lodi, Brookside Christian of Stockton and county rival Golden Sierra.

•Speaking of Golden Sierra, can the Grizzlies finish with a winning record that would launch them back into the section’s D-V playoffs after missing the playoffs last fall?

My answer is with 24 players, why not?

The Grizzlies must also take the one game at a time approach toward each game this season. Entering his second year as head coach, John Hilton and his assistant coaches will have their players each week. Golden Sierra could have a 3-1 record before the start of Sierra Delta League action.

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