ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - This past Friday, Aug. 23, kicked off the 2024 high school football season and as expected, it did not disappoint. As teams all over the Greater Sacramento area began their 2024 campaign, we had the opportunity to witness some amazing matchups and close games. Here in Elk Grove was no different, as members of the Elk Grove Unified School District began their seasons in epic fashion. With the modifications to the Delta League this year, EGUSD schools will have only a handful of non-league games to prepare themselves for what will seem like a gauntlet in a Delta League that now encompasses all of Elk Grove. 

Week 1: Vs. Vanden (Loss, 35-19)

The Wolfpack began their 2024 season with a home opener on Friday night against the Vanden Vikings. Cosumnes Oaks got some things going on the ground with Junior Marvin Simmons rushing for 111 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown to boot. However, the defending Monticello Empire League champions, Vanden, were able to counter and find success through the air. Senior quarterback Kalani Mcleod was 15-19 passing and threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns against the Wolfpack. Wolfpack receivers Kayleb Gerard and Tristan Jackson found the end zone, as well, and were able to provide scores in their first appearance of the season. 

Week 2: Cosumnes Oaks (0-1) @ Pitman (0-1) 7:15 p.m. 

The Wolfpack will look to rebound this Friday night as they take on a Pitman team that had a rough season opener this past weekend. Pitman lost to Central Valley 27-0 in Week 1 and will also be looking to right the ship as they host the Wolfpack. Cosumnes Oaks will look to continue the rushing attack that found success against Vanden and make some adjustments defensively to contain the Pitman passing game. 

Week 1: Vs. Manteca (Loss, 49-9)

It will be back to the drawing board for the Thundering Herd as they dropped their first game of the season against Manteca 49-9. The Manteca running attack was the emphasis for the Buffaloes Friday night, as they ran for a collective 340 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore, Nikko Juarez, was responsible for 235 yards and four touchdowns of the collection. Thundering Herd senior David Hale also found success on the ground, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown. 

In what many believe will be a one-off performance for the highly ranked Thundering Herd, they will need to regroup defensively to reign in the rushing attack for future opponents.

Week 2: Elk Grove (0-1) @ Downey (1-0) 7 p.m.

Elk Grove will be right back at it this week on the road against Downey. Downey will come into this Week 2 match-up after a 34-28 victory against Lincoln. There will be an opportunity for Elk Grove through the air as the Knights gave up 321 passing yards last week against Lincoln. This will be a great re-set opportunity for the Elk Grove defense as they look to re-establish themselves as one of the better defenses in the area.

Week 1: @Johnson (Win, 44-6)

The Wildcats got their season off to a hot start with a thumping of Johnson last Friday night. Franklin was able to put together a true definition of a team win with three quarterbacks seeing action and senior Abraham Truett finding the end zone twice. The Wildcats also saw two running backs hit the century mark as senior Allen Rogers II ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns and senior Kyle Fong ran for 115 yards and a score. With what seems like the entire roster getting in on the stat sheet, the Wildcats should feel good about where they’re at.

Week 2: McClatchy (0-1) @ Franklin (1-0) 7:15 p.m.

Franklin gets their home opener this Friday night against a McClatchy team that will be looking to bounce back after a loss this past weekend to River Valley. In their 48-31 loss, McClatchy gave up 415 rushing yards to River Valley. This should be a distinct advantage for a Franklin team that just saw their two senior running backs go over the century mark. Friday will provide the Wildcats a great opportunity to make a statement here in 2024.

Week 1: @Vista del Lago (Loss, 33-27)

The Cardinals fell on the wrong end of a close game against Vista del Lago this past weekend. In a game that saw Vista del Lago get off to a hot start by scoring 20 points in the first quarter, the Cardinals were playing catch-up most of the game. To their credit, Laguna Creek showed a lot of guts and came storming back to make it a ball game again after holding the Eagles to a scoreless third quarter. Senior Armon Thorntona had a great game with 139 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. The Cardinals fought tough in this season opener and will have another opportunity this Friday night to bounce back.

Week 2: Laguna Creek (0-1) @ Tokay (0-1) 7:15 p.m.

The Cardinals will head right down the road to take on Tokay this weekend and look to avenge last week’s defeat. Tokay had three turnovers in their 13-0 loss to Lodi last week proving to be the difference in the football game. Laguna Creek will need to come out of the gates ready to roll this weekend but there may be opportunities for this defense to redeem itself and snag some takeaways against Tokay. 

Week 1: @Inderkum (Loss, 27-21)

The Mustangs went on the road to play a tough Inderkum team in their season opener, and the game was a back-and-forth slug fest for all four quarters. Inderkum, who showed quick strike ability throughout the first half, was able to take a multiple possession lead. Senior quarterback Ricky Cole threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns Friday night for the Tigers. In the second half, the Mustangs were able to find their rhythm and get back into the game. Senior running back D’Adrien Sanders ran for 156 yards and a touchdown in the season opener. Junior receiver Jimmy Jackson also found the end zone for the Mustangs. With a late game interception by Jackson, as well, the Mustangs found themselves with an opportunity to win the game in the closing minutes but fell short. The Mustangs will look to avenge the loss this weekend at home.

Week 2: Pittsburg (0-0) @ Monterey Trail (0-1) 7:15 p.m.

Monterey Trail will host Pittsburg Friday night as the Pirates will make their season debut. With a game against a tough Inderkum team under their belt, the Mustangs will look to continue the success they found in the second half last week against a Pirates team that won the Bay Valley league last year out of the North Coast section last year. A home game may be just what the doctor ordered for Monterey Trail this week as they look to avenge last week’s loss.

Week 1: @River City (Win, 37-0)

The Eagles put together a decisive victory in their season opener against the River City Raiders in week 1, shutting out the Raiders. Senior quarterback Cole Davis put on a clinic throwing for 318 yards and four touchdowns in Pleasant Grove’s victory. Three receivers found the end zone, including senior Cody Nydegger who had 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Seniors Jacob Beals and Pharrell Williams also found the end zone as the passing attack by the Eagles proved to be too much for River City to handle. The Eagles scored 31 of their 37 points in the first quarter of their week 1 shutout. 

Week 2: Pleasant Grove (1-0) @ Lodi (1-0) 7:15 p.m.

Pleasant Grove will be right back at it Friday night on the road at Lodi. The Flames, coming off a 13-0 victory against Tokay, will be a good test for an Eagles team that flexed their muscle in their season opener. Pleasant Grove will see a defense that had three takeaways last week and will need to continue to be smart with the football in this match-up. The Eagles will see a lot of different rushers for the Flames this Friday night as Lodi will give a lot of different looks.

Week 1: @Destiny Christian Academy (Loss, 40-6)

The Huskies opened their 2024 season on the road at Destiny Christian which got the victory. Freshman quarterback Gavin Workman threw for 134 yards and a touchdown as he gained valuable experience for Sheldon. Senior receiver Zion Johnson was on the back end of that touchdown pass as he garnered 85 yards and a score. The Huskies, in a bit of a rebuilding year, will lean on this game as an opportunity to gauge where they are at early on in this season. Sheldon will go back to the drawing board this week and look for an answer defensively as they prepare for their home opener this weekend.

Week 2: River City (0-1) @ Sheldon (0-1) 7:15 p.m.

The Huskies will have a great opportunity to avenge their week 1 loss against a River City team that gave up 37 points in their opener against Pleasant Grove. The Huskies should see their slew of senior receivers find open space and be able to have success through the air. River City, who was shut out this past weekend, should provide the Huskies offense an opportunity to find their rhythm, and with a home opener on the schedule provide an atmosphere that the Huskies are eager for.