Rough match-ups await area football teams Friday

It's week six of the high school football schedule with four tough games on tap. Oak Ridge faces the unknown in Fairfield and El Dorado will have its hands full with Placer in nonleague games. Union Mine hosts Liberty Ranch and Golden Sierra takes on Bradshaw Christian. Ponderosa has a bye.

Liberty Ranch (2-3) at Union Mine (2-2)

Union Mine's defense may rule the day in this one. Liberty Ranch has scored 261 points and given up 180 — and has just two wins. The Hawks feature an explosive offense led by two-time player of the week, John Wiernicki, and his brother, Stan. John has rushed for 940 yards and 13 touchdowns, and has one touchdown reception in five games.

"We're expecting a very tough game against Liberty Ranch," Union Mine coach Dave Johnson said. "They have a terrific ground game with two excellent running backs, a sound passing attack and a very good quarterback (Jacob Tibbetts) to run their multiple wing-T offense."

In comparison, Union Mine has given up just 66 points in four games but has only scored 60, despite Sean Tow's 904 yards rushing.

Quarterback Greg Bennett and his receivers have struggled, leaving defenses keying on Tow. Injuries to three linemen who go both ways — Oscar Rodriguez, Tyler Evans and Chuck Crosby — leaves them questionable for Friday.

The Hawks led Vista 33-26 with two minutes left in last week's game and ended up with a loss. If Union Mine's defense continues to play tough, the linemen are cleared to play, and the offense starts running on all cylinders, the D'backs can win this one.

"The league is very tough and balanced this year," Johnson said. "Anyone can win or lose on any Friday. We'll need to play our best football to succeed."

Bradshaw Christian (4-1) at Golden Sierra (3-2)

The Pride lost just two games last year — their first and last to Brookside Christian. The final loss denied them the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship. The team is off to another big season with 210 points total in five games.

"Bradshaw Christian is definitely our toughest league challenge at this point," Golden Sierra coach John Hilton said. "They are well coached and very disciplined with three running backs that can break it wide open at any place on the field."

The Grizzlies are coming off a big win over previously undefeated Vacaville Christian and with the injured players slowly healing, they will be almost up to full speed. Last year the Pride handed Golden Sierra one of its worst losses, something the varsity veterans would like to atone for.

"We definitely need to be more consistent offensively, take care of the ball, and avoid penalties —Bradshaw Christian will take advantage of miscues," Hilton added. "Defensively we have to swarm and gang tackle — they won't go down on first contact. We're excited about the challenge."

The Grizzlies have to force the action, play mistake-free and take their game to the Pride for a shot in this one.

Oak Ridge (3-1) at Fairfield (1-3)

So far the Falcons' offense went unrewarded until last week's 42-0 blowout of Vallejo but Fairfield is not a team to be taken for granted.

"This is the first time we have traveled to Fairfield so it will be a new experience," Trojan coach Eric Cavaliere said. "Fairfield is very athletic at skill positions and very big up front — they have a great combination of size and speed.

"They are 1-3, but two of those losses were by a combined eight points and the other was to No. 1- ranked Pleasant Grove."

The Trojans are coming off a bye week rested and somewhat healed, although Cavaliere admits a bye week is much better after a win than a loss, referring to the Del Oro disappointment two Fridays ago.

Oak Ridge is without a few of its players, including two-way player Kareem Ballal. Xavier Lopez has just begun practicing and Dan Portela is still on the injured list.

"The challenges this week are to contain their speed and win the physical matchup against their big guys."

The Trojans won this game 52-21 last year. Ballal will be missed but if Oak Ridge can fill his slot, Troy has an excellent chance for a fourth win heading into Delta River League action and a big homecoming game next Friday with Sheldon.

 El Dorado (1-3) at Placer (3-1)

The Cougars will have their hands full with the high-scoring Hillmen, who have not scored less than 60 points in any of their three wins. Their only loss was against Division II Casa Roble, 58-61.

Adding in home-field advantage for Placer, this game looks to be a long night for El Dorado.

The Cougars have to do a better job tackling. Last week at River City the Raider ball carriers shrugged off the Cougars' initial hits and kept moving forward.

Turnovers have hurt El Dorado, including five last week at River City. Offensively, Gabe Derilo was a one-man highlight reel against the Raiders and Travis Allec has run for good numbers this season. Others need to step up and join them.