Football: The Bee's Splendid Sevens

LARGE SCHOOLS

 1.  (1) Oakdale (7-0): Time for the heavy lifting to begin: Mustangs must beat The Bee's Nos. 2-4 teams to earn a third consecutive outright VOL title.

 2.  (4) Manteca (5-2): Tip of the day: Don't punt the ball to Reggie Bell, who has returned three for TDs the last three weeks provide boost to the offense.

 3.  (5) Sonora (6-1): Sonora beat Sierra by 10, Sierra beat Manteca by 8, Manteca beat Sonora by 25; So 'Cats get the spot, but they have Oakdale in Week 10.

 4.  (2) Sierra (6-1): Loss to Sonora was an upset, but the stunner was the T-wolves managed just seven points after Manteca scored 38 against Sonora.

 5.  (7) Modesto (4-3): Panthers have won three in a row and have hitched their wagon to the offensive line and RBs; Don't forget WR Andre Barry, either.

 6.  (nr) Merced (3-4): Eric DeAnda has brought life to Bears, and just in time after they opened season 0-4; Merced's only playoff hope is to finish in top 2.

 7.  (nr) Atwater (5-2): Impressive rout of Pitman sets up huge game Friday at CCC-leading Merced.

SMALL SCHOOLS

 1.  (1) Central Catholic (6-1): Now that CC avenged loss to Hilmar, attention shifts to Week 9 game at Patterson. If CC wins out, has shot at top seed in 4B.

 2.  (2) Escalon (7-0): Cougars could be smallest school in 4A playoffs, or largest in 4B; They go for their sixth home shutout at Riverbank on Friday.

 3.  (3) Modesto Chr. (7-0): Ripon threw a scare into MC before losing 21-13; Escalon and others will be watching that film to see how Indians kept it close.

 4.  (4) Hilmar (6-1): 'Jackets set sights on regular-season finale at Patterson, which will impact both playoff bids; could be a must-win for Patterson.

 5.  (7) Summerville (6-1): Bears needed a big win to prove their worth, and got it with a 35-21 upset of then-No. 5 Argonaut; Calaveras visiting this week.

 6.  (6) Ripon (5-2): Yes, Ripon lost to Argonaut early in season, but Indians nearly knocked off MC and Mustangs have lost three of their last four games.

 7.  (5) Argonaut (4-3): Can't knock Mustangs out, not with its close loses to MC, Hilmar and Summerville.