High School Playbook: Previewing Lodi’s Season Opener Against Pleasant Grove And More

Friday night marks the return of high school football, and KCRA 3 Sports Director Del Rodgers selected three games in the Sac-Joaquin section to keep an eye on for week zer0: Lodi vs. Pleasant Grove, Rio Linda vs. Center and Oak Ridge vs. Consumnes Oaks.

KCRA published our weekly viewer poll, and Lodi vs. Pleasant Grove was voted as the High School Playbook Game of the Week. Here is what you need to know about that matchup and the others included in the poll.

Lodi vs. Pleasant Grove

The Lodi Flames are looking to follow up an 8-4 playoff-clinching season in 2021 with more success this year. Their first test will come on the road against the Pleasant Grove Eagles, who finished with a 3-7 record last year but have an opportunity to improve with their new head coach, Josh Crabtree.

Lodi head coach George Duenas said that the biggest challenge Pleasant Grove presents for them is their size.

“On film, they looked big, a lot of tall bodies running around out there,” Duenas said. “With Coach Crabtree coming in, we know that he will have his team ready to play physical football.”

On the other side, Crabtree said Lodi’s experience compared to Pleasant Grove’s could be a factor in the game.

“We are a young team this year, and we have to be prepared to be in a street fight for 4 quarters,” Crabtree said. “Sometimes, in week one, that can be a real challenge. Especially for a team that is as young as ours.”

In line with Crabtree’s concerns about the experience gap, Duenas said that Lodi is returning its backfield from last season and that they hope to establish the run game and pose a threat with their triple option.

Crabtree also wants Pleasant Grove to focus on establishing the run and being the more physical team.

Whoever can dominate the line of scrimmage will likely be in the driver’s seat in Friday night’s game.

Underrated X-Factor players

Duenas said there is an Eagles player who plays both tight end and linebacker that needs to be blocked by his offensive line and taken out of the passing game by his defense.

He could be referring to Pleasant Grove senior Milan Reilly, who is listed at both positions on MaxPreps.

Crabtree has more than one Lodi X-factor on his radar: senior Matthew Shin and junior tackle/linebacker Nathan Bishop.

“Matthew is a super skilled athlete, and Nathan is an anchor in the box for Lodi on both sides of the football, we need to have a plan to deal with both of these young men,” Crabtree said.

Other games being played this week

The No. 15 ranked team by MaxPreps, Oak Ridge, will be taking on 20th ranked Consumnes Oaks this week.

Oak Ridge head coach Casey Taylor is dialed in on two of Consumnes’ senior players in particular.

“They have a veteran quarterback Ranvir Malhi and Jared Quenga is very explosive and a big-time player,” Taylor said.

Center and Rio Linda will also be facing off on Friday night, with both looking to start the season on the right track against their long-time rival.

“The biggest advantage is that we are playing at home in front of our crowd,” Center head coach Digol JBeily said. “We should have plenty of support. We want to be aggressive on both sides of the ball and force the pressure.”

Watch KCRA’s full High School Playbook coverage of week zero games Friday night on the KCRA 3 News at 11 p.m. You can also vote for next week’s Game of the Week here. This story was originally published by KCRA. 

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