The expansion of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II football playoffs to 16 teams came with mixed results.

More teams are in the postseason mix, and I am sure that in the long term you will see more noise from those lower seeds, but this year saw a first round filled with blowouts. Aside from the mild upset in No. 10 Atwater knocking off No. 7 Stagg, the smallest D-II margin from Friday night was 28 points.

Now that those games are in the books, it is time for the real fun to begin. This field is deep and talented and this Friday night should see some very competitive contests. I am not sure how Fairfield does with Grant, nor do I know much about Atwater as they come to Rocklin, but I would not be at all surprised to see Del Oro give St. Mary’s all it can handle and I am expecting a classic between Granite Bay and Folsom.

Thanksgiving Day will give you the Detroit Lions, but find a high school stadium the next night and catch some real football fireworks. There will be great games all over the region as Placer and Lincoln continue the fight in Division IV, while Rocklin, Del Oro and Granite Bay seek to advance in D-II.

Check out our online coverage throughout the week and after midnight Friday night at rosevillept.com and placersports.com.