Oak Ridge-Granite Bay game rekindles past rivalry

No. 13 Oak Ridge (7-4)
at No. 5 Granite Bay (9-2)

Oak Ridge and Granite Bay have met four times in the playoffs and each team has won twice. Two of those games were for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title and each won once. But tonight marks the first meeting between the squads since 2003 in a game that went Troy's way.

In each instance, the stakes were high and the season on the line. Tonight is no different.

Last Friday's two-point victory over Burbank is the Trojans' first playoff win since they won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship in 2004. To return to the section finals — this time in Division I —  Oak Ridge has to win tonight and next week's semifinal game.

Trojan coach Eric Cavaliere was the wide receiver/linebacker coach when Oak Ridge won its first banner in 1998, and he was the defensive coordinator two years later when Granite Bay defeated Oak Ridge for the D-II title in Chris Jones' first year as head coach. Cavaliere saw the two programs rise at essentially the same time.

"Interestingly, we always seemed to find each other (in the postseason)," Cavaliere said.

Cavaliere continued on as the defensive coordinator in the Chris Jones era as the men teamed for three consecutive championships, the first at the expense of the Grizzlies in 2002. Having seen those tough matchups first-hand, Cavaliere is well aware what Granite Bay represents as an adversary.

"Consistent and well-coached — two things that make for a great program," Cavaliere said. "Consistency with their offense and defense at all levels."

Cavaliere's first brush with the Grizzlies' fly offense was the very first time his job was to stop it in 2000. He's expecting to see a balanced offense led by quarterback Brendan Keeney (21 touchdowns), whom Cavaliere rates in the same class as Folsom's Tanner Trosin; running back Arik Bird ((1,312 yards, 14 touchdowns); and tight end Spencer Briare (seven touchdowns).

Granite Bay's offensive line is solid behind 320-pound tackle Gavin Andrews who Cavaliere thinks is Pac-12 ready.

"You can't say 'if you can stop the run or pass you'll be OK' — it doesn't work that way (against Granite Bay). You have to play a complete game on defense," Cavaliere said. "Granite Bay does so much on offense — it'll be a challenge and we'll have our work cut out for us."

Defense has been huge for Oak Ridge in recent weeks with nine interceptions in the last three games. Cavaliere's defensive coordinator, former Ponderosa head coach Darren Jonutz, implemented a game plan last week that contained an explosive Titan offense — the win sealed on Kyle Belcher's last-minute interception.

And ... Jonutz didn't have all the starters on the field. Linebacker Brandon Herd and safety Ben Sweet both missed last week's game due to illness and linebacker James BoisD'Enghien's play was limited. All three are expected back tonight.

"We're getting healthy — we've had two good days of practice after playing well our last two games and we're playing our best football right now. We're feeling good going into Friday's game," Cavaliere said.

Offensively, Oak Ridge comes in hoping running backs Shay Mueller and Preston Dean can dupilicate their efforts of last week's playoff win. Behind terrific play from the offensive line, Troy moved the chains all evening to take the pressure off young quarterback Jacob Sipes, who makes just his third varsity start tonight.

"We want to control the football and move the ball down the field," Cavaliere said.

Keys to success, according to Cavaliere, include playing a physical game, eliminate small mistakes and avoid giving up big plays.

Expect a hard-hitting, knock-down, drag-out fight in trenches between these teams tonight. Both teams will score so the outcome could some down to a key defensive play.

At this stage, it's hard to bet against Bobby Gatta and Co.