Teams playing on fake stuff looking like they're for real

Putting down artificial turf on your football field won't guarantee a winning program, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Many of the Stanislaus District's most successful programs play on turf.

Oakdale High hit the apex last season when, in its second year on artificial turf, it won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title and was named State D-III Team of the Year by CalHiSports.com.

The six schools -- Calaveras, Downey, Lincoln of Stockton, Patterson, Oakdale and Sonora -- are a combined 117-46 since converting to the man-made turf.

Atwater and Buhach Colony are hoping the good fortune rubs off on them this season, because both of their programs have struggled mightily in recent years.

Atwater is 12-28 during the last four seasons, while the Thunder is 10-30. Atwater's last title came in 1999, when it captured the Central California Conference, while Buhach Colony has not won a title since opening in 2001.