Football: The Bee's Splendid Sevens

LARGE SCHOOLS

 1.  (1) Oakdale (5-0): LB Charlie Gilstrap leads the smashmouth defense, which has set the tone for the Mustangs' start. Toughest games are the final three.

 2.  (2) Sierra (5-0): Took 23-point lead over Manteca before settling for 23-15 win; T-wolves won battle on the line, so they've got strength to go with their skills.

 3.  (3) Sonora (5-0): Life gets difficult these next two weeks, with Manteca and Sierra on tap. 'Cats better not get caught looking ahead to Oakdale in Week 10.

 4.  (5) Pitman (3-2): Last week's bye was a nice opportunity to mend wounds. The teams Pitman lost to early in the season are now a combined 9-2.

 5.  (4) Manteca (3-2): No time to ponder what went wrong vs. Sierra, not with Sonora in town this week; defenses have been silencing playmaker Reggie Bell.

 6.  (nr) Buhach Colony (4-2): Two weeks of disaster didn't derail Thunder, who bounced back by stunning Atwater 36-28 to move back into the CCC title race.

 7.  (nr) Davis (3-2): Real Spartans should stand up tonight vs. crosstown rival Downey in MMC opener.

SMALL SCHOOLS

 1.  (1) Central Catholic (4-1): It's been a while since anyone took it to the Raiders the way St. Mary's did, leading 43-10 in the third and finishing up 50-28.

 2.  (2) Escalon (5-0): Defense dominated with seven turnovers, minus-28 yards rushing to beat Bret Harte 43-0. Next three foes have combined 5-10 record.

 3.  (3) Modesto Chr. (5-0): District's most exciting offense has scored at least 40 every week, and has developed a strong cast of runners and receivers.

 4.  (5) Hilmar (5-0): Knocked off then-No. 4 Argonaut 20-14 last week, with QB Quinton McCown running in two scores; at surprising Livingston this Friday.

 5.  (4) Argonaut (3-2): Tough two weeks, with losses to powerful Hilmar and MC, but Mustangs' 24-0 win over Ripon in Week 3 keeps looking better and better.

 6.  (nr) Ripon (4-1): Impressive win over Calaveras gets Indians back in the rankings. If they can knock off Hughson this week, playoff berth awaits them.

 7.  (nr) Livingston (4-1): Earned spot with solid start, but has to beat Hilmar this week to keep the ranking.