By Will James
Home Town Sports

Though they compete in different leagues many miles apart, the Oak Ridge Trojans of El Dorado Hills and the Burbank Titans of South Sacramento have engaged in a fierce rivalry during recent years, most notably in playoff competition.

Oak Ridge quarterback Ian Book. [Courtesy: Sacramento Bee]

Oak Ridge quarterback Ian Book. [Courtesy: Sacramento Bee]

The two perennial powerhouses will not have to wait until the post-season to square off against each other this year, as they’re headed for a non-league confrontation Friday evening in the Access Sacramento Home Town Sports Game-of-the-Week.

Watch Friday at 7 p.m. on Access Sacramento, Comcast and Consolidated Communications cable channel 17, AT&T U-Verse Channel 14 and live-streamed to computers and mobile devices at AccessSacramento.org.

Constantly placed in Dimino’s Dozen Top-20 high school football rankings, the two squads bring contrasting styles sure to produce plenty of spice to this intriguing match-up.

Eric Cavaliere‘s 8th-ranked Trojans feature three-year starter and Notre Dame-bound quarterback Ian Book as their centerpiece.  His elite passing proficiency leads a potent offense that has totaled 100 points in wins over Whitney and Vacaville to open the season.

John Heffernan, Burbank High School Head Football Coach. Courtesy: The Titan Ledger

John Heffernan, Burbank High School Head Football Coach. Courtesy: The Titan Ledger

On the flip side, John Heffernan‘s 0-1 Titans showcase speedy backs in their vaunted triple option offense.  Burbank’s loss came in a Week-Zero clash with #2 Grant in Del Paso Heights.  But the 20th-ranked Titans are coming off a bye week and Friday night they’re playing on their home field where returning thousand-yard rushers Eric Brown and Michael Roots are ready to ramble.

The Titans also have a score to settle; actually three scores to settle with the Trojans.  Burbank is 0-3 vs. Oak Ridge, with two of the setbacks coming in recent SJS playoff battles.

This game figures to be played before a capacity crowd, so if you intend to be on hand for this one, be sure to arrive early.  Otherwise, Access Sacramento’s live telecast will serve you well.  In either case, relax, fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.

The full Game of the Week schedule of games can be found HERE.