Indexes
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
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- The haves should help the have-nots (30)
- Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
- Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
- Nightmares about America's future (22)
- Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)
Calling the openers a tough task
After picking 70 out of 92 games correctly for a .760 winning percentage in 2007, a new year of prep pigskin prognostication kicks off tonight.
As always, picking the winners of any prep football opener is tough without being able to watch them play beforehand.
So the first week is a bit unpredictable and upsets may abound.
The picks:
• Hiram Johnson at Tokay — Luke McCurdy hopes to have a better season in 2008 than he did a year ago. But he will have to do it without his brother, Casey, who graduated.
Johnson, 27-14
• Lodi at Sheldon — The Flames' seasoned offensive line should give RBs Conner Peterson and Jordan Perkins room to run with veteran Patrick Armstrong at QB.
Lodi, 28-20
• Elliot at River Delta — Elliot has just 15 players available to Delta's 23 and the Eagles' best runner, Brandon Ivy, is questionable. Elliot's best receiver, Jon Wall, is sitting this one out due to an injury.
Delta, 32-14
• McNair at Galt — Toss-up game between two teams that have combined for 37 losses the past two seasons.
Galt, 21-20
• Jesuit at St. Mary's — Lodi native Cody Vaz's strong arm and passing game will lead the Rams, ranked second in the Sac-Joaquin Division I section.
St. Mary's, 41-21
• Stagg at Modesto — Quarterback Don Salter and his 2,500 yards passing with 25 TDs in 2007 will lead the Delta Kings.
Stagg, 34-14
• Tracy at Los Banos — Head coach Mark Stroup and his rebuilding Bulldogs face an uphill battle.
Los Banos, 31-10
• West at San Ramon Valley — It's a rebuilding year for West head coach Steve Lopez.
San Ramon, 21-14
• Edison at Antioch — Sixteen starters return for Edison head coach Elliot Burke, who feels his team is due for a breakout year.
Edison, 24-21
• Franklin at Del Campo — With the debacle of its sanction-filled 2007 season over and the loss of key players who transferred out of the program, Franklin faces a tough season ahead.
Del Campo, 17-7
• Chavez at Elk Grove — With 15 returning starters and one of the best players in Demareya Nelson, Chavez will take its first-game lumps against a perennial section title contender.
Elk Grove, 32-28
• Bear Creek at Argonaut — Last year, Division I Bear Creek was upset by Division V Argonaut. This season, it won't be an upset.
Argonaut, 27-14
• Vintage at Lincoln — The Trojans have K/QB Robb Post, a Division I prospect and 13 returning starters. It won't be enough to win its season opener at home, however.
Vintage, 33-20

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