Prep Football Notes: Defense has Modesto near top

The first two weeks of the football season were potentially disastrous for Modesto High, losing a controversial opener before being routed by Sonora.

It wasn't much better after four weeks: Modesto was 1-3 and preparing for a Patterson High team that had scored 72 points just a week earlier. That was an ominous figure for a Modesto defense allowing 36 points a game.

The defense that got off the bus in Patterson, though, was not the same group that had been ravaged in four previous games.

Modesto wrapped up Patterson's offense and the offense rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to celebrate a 27-18 win — and the Panthers haven't slowed down since.

The Panthers (4-3, 2-0), The Bee's No. 6 large school, put their three-game win streak on the line tonight when they face Beyer at Downey High. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

A victory would put Modesto alone in first place — for a day, at least, as Enochs (2-0 in the MMC) plays Friday — and move it closer to a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff spot.

The Panthers' first-team defense hasn't given up a point the last two weeks — blanking Johansen for three quarters in a 48-13 win and shutting out Davis 35-0 last week.

The Davis performance was historic: It was the first time in 42 years Modesto shut out Davis. The Panthers won 34-0 in 1967, and coach Rod Long believes that is the only other time they've won by shutout.

"Our defense as a whole has played better the last three weeks," Long said. "Our kids are swarming to the ball and playing great team defense.

"Beyer does a lot of different things on offense and I am sure they will have some new wrinkles. We just need to continue to get better. Each game is a playoff game for us."

• MUST-WIN GAME — The list of Central California Conference contenders shrinks by one tonight, as Los Banos (4-3, 2-1) faces Pitman (4-3, 2-1) at Turlock High. Both trail Merced (3-4, 3-0) and are tied for second with Atwater (5-2, 2-1) — and a two-loss team isn't going to win the CCC crown.

LB and Pitman have struggled with injuries and illnesses, though the Tigers were relieved when quarterback Erik Martin returned two weeks ago after missing time with a concussion. He was 9 of 14 for 126 yards and two TDs, and ran six times for 56 yards, in a 49-12 win over Golden Valley.

Darron Brown hasn't had a carry in four weeks — out with a back injury — but the impact has been softened by the emergence of Greg Williams (149 yards, two TDs vs. Golden Valley). Coach Dennis Stubbs expects Brown to suit up this week, but whether he plays will be a game-time decision.

• WAC OUTLOOK — The winner of Friday night's game between Patterson and Livingston can expect one of the Western Athletic Conference's three playoff berths. Central Catholic and Hilmar are pretty secure for two of the spots, and the WAC is guaranteed a third team regardless of its record.

Patterson is Division 3 — it has a larger enrollment than Oakdale and Sierra — while Livingston is D4A. Central and Hilmar are both heading to the D4B playoff bracket.

• TC'S EMPHASIS — Turlock Christian would love to upset Le Grand this week, putting the Eagles back in the Southern League race. But its TC's final two games that are must-wins. Even if TC is third in the SL, behind Mariposa and Le Grand, is can expect a playoff berth if it posts seven wins.

Even if TC (5-2, 1-1) falls on Friday, it can get seven wins by beating Waterford and Denair in its final two games.