With the Sac-Joaquin Section preparing for realignment, and Patterson High headed to a larger league, the Tigers might request that they join the Modesto Metro Conference.
The small-school Tigers rolled over Modesto for a 15-0 non-league victory -- the second week in a row Patterson dominated a Division I MMC school.
"Maybe this year we could do it, but I don't know about every year," said Patterson coach Rob Cozart, whose Tigers beat Downey 31-7 a week ago.
Patterson (4-1), No. 5 in The Bee's small-school rankings, limited Modesto (0-5) to 113 yards. They harassed the Panthers' quarterbacks, allowing just five receptions for 47 yards -- despite Modesto's 22 pass attempts.
"Quite a preseason, beating three Division I schools and losing only to Escalon, a small-school power," said Cozart, whose club hosts Orestimba in next week's Western Athletic Conference opener. "I think going back-to-back against D-I schools solidifies us.
"You beat one and people might say 'let's see you do it again.' Beat two of them in a row and you've proved it."
Imani Brown, a defensive tackle who plays fullback when the Tigers run their goal-line offense, scored the game's only TDs on 1-yard runs. The 6-foot-1-inch, 213-pounder also lowered his head and drove through the Panthers' line for a first down to seal the win with two minutes remaining.
"I like this kind of game. Lots of hitting and defense, but it was so cold," said Brown, who also had two sacks and helped limit Modesto to 68 yards on 27 carries -- or 2.5 yards per rush.
Patterson used its tandem of Emmanuel Brooks (eight carries, 76 yards) and Larry Taylor (eight carries, 63 yards) to control the clock.
Bee staff writer Richard T. Estrada can be reached at restrada@modbee.com or 578-2300.
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