Turlock's homegrown football rivalry is truly intense

When Turlock opened its second high school, the folks had no idea what kind of football rivalry would be created.

Starting with the inaugural Harvest Bowl in 2004, the series pitting the city's two public high schools has provided thrills. Upstart Pitman won the first game, 21-18, and won four in a row before Turlock scored a 7-0 victory last fall.

Though the Bulldogs were winless the first four years, it wasn't for lack of effort — three of the games were decided by a combined five points.

The teams will meet in Harvest Bowl VI Friday at Joe Debely Stadium. Turlock (0-5, 0-2 Central California Conference) is searching for its first win, while the Pride (4-2, 1-0) is fighting for the CCC crown.

Last year's battle drew nearly 8,500 before the gates were closed, with hundreds more watching from the outside.

The Pride boasts one of the Stanislaus District's top running games, with three backs averaging at least 11 yards a carry — Markus Sanders (886 yards, 15.8-yard average), Dominick Walker (397, 14.2) and Nathan Romo (398, 11.7).

Turlock has a top athlete in Kevin Kramer, he's their top passer (412 yards) and rusher (290 yards), but the Bulldogs surrender 44 points a game.

• BOWL RANKINGS — Central Catholic's 50-28 loss to St. Mary's cost the Raiders their No. 2 ranking in the CalHiSports.com Division III poll.

While St. Mary's (5-0) held the top spot in Northern California, Palma of Salinas (4-1) jumped Central despite mustering only a tie with then-unranked Seaside. Central is now No. 3, with Escalon (5-0) sixth and Hilmar (5-0) seventh.

Oakdale (5-0) remains No. 4 in the Division II poll — CalHiSports uses its rankings to project potential matchups in the state bowl games — and Sierra (5-0) remains No. 8.

• RIVALRY WATCH — There was a time Davis vs. Downey meant two teams playing for a championship, but that was before their recent struggles. Folks on both campuses believe tonight's game marks a return to those days. Though 1-4, Downey's prolific offense makes it a threat every Friday. Davis, at 3-2, remains the Modesto Metro Conference favorite going into the opener.

Davis leads the series 29-17, and won three in a row before Downey's 17-6 win last year. Davis has dominated the last two decades, winning 16 of 20.

• BACK ON TRACK — Buhach Colony might have saved its season with Friday's come-from behind victory over crosstown rival Atwater. The Thunder's 36-28 upset evened the Bloss Bowl series at 2-2.

Buhach had been outscored 72-6 in its previous two games and trailed Atwater 14-0 after a quarter, before Corey Chapman punched in two TD runs. Chapman, after missing most of the two previous games, had 240 yards and five TDs.

Not only did it help keep Buhach (4-2, 1-1 CCC) in the race for a title, it set up this week's showdown with Merced — a team Buhach has yet to beat.