Manteca-Oakdale could be special game

If you're a high school football fanatic, or merely a fan, here are six games that will provide plenty of bang for your buck:

GAME OF THE WEEK

• No. 2 Large MANTECA (5-2, 3-1) at No. 1 Large OAKDALE (7-0, 4-0) — A rare 1 vs. 2 showdown in a league game. Oakdale has been the Stanislaus District's most consistent team, and don't forget it beat state-ranked Novato and Whitney early on. RB Devin Brooks (950 yards, 11.6-yard average, 9 TDs) and FB Tim House (605 yards, 14 TDs) are a lightning-and-thunder combo. Manteca's special teams could be key: Reggie Bell has three punt returns for TDs in the last three weeks. A Manteca win leaves four teams tied for first place in VOL with one loss.

ELSEWHERE

• No. 7 Large ATWATER (5-2, 2-1) at No. 6 Large MERCED (3-4, 3-0) — Remember the Santa Fe Bowl? It typically featured two of the district's top teams and many of its top players. Well, it's back! Atwater QB Nathan Sanchez and Merced RB Eric DeAnda are near the top of everyone's list of kids you've gotta see. The key is whether Sanchez can produce his signature big plays vs. a talented Merced defense. If Atwater wins, CCC is in three-way tie.

• ENOCHS (2-5, 2-0) vs. DOWNEY (2-5, 1-1) at Johansen — Enochs is hot since turning the offense over to RB Donnavan Johnson (153 yards rushing and 3 TDs two weeks ago, 120 yards receiving and 2 TDs last week), but Downey has the nation's top passer in Jason Lee (400 yards per game, 26 TDs in seven games) and who will guard Corey Kelley and Javon Kelly (combined 133 catches, 2,126 yards and 21 TDs)?

• LIVINGSTON (5-2, 1-1) at PATTERSON (4-3, 2-0) — Wolves have had a wonderful season and coach Chris Lacey is laying the groundwork for future success, but this is a tough one for the up-and-coming program. Patterson has been tearing folks up with its spread offense, and QB Cody Weinzheimer (325 yards rushing, 8 TDs; 892 yards passing, 10 TDs) is getting better each week. The difference here is WR Wyatt Young (29 catches, 504 yards, 7 TDs) going downfield.

• CALAVERAS (4-3, 2-0) at No. 5 Small SUMMERVILLE (6-1, 2-0) — Summerville might still be celebrating its win over Argonaut, but it better not look past Redskins and RB Monti Wilson (1,143 yards, 12 TDs — No. 2 in the district in rushing yards and No. 1 with 167 carries). Can Calaveras stop QB Zach Roberson (1,716 yards, 23 TD passes)?

• No. 1 Small CENTRAL CATHOLIC (6-1, 2-0) at ORESTIMBA (4-3, 0-2) — The Raiders' last trip to the West Side this fall and a great opportunity to see QB Dylan Swartz (1,337 yards, 15 TDs, no INTs) before he heads to college. Orestimba has put some points on the board behind QB Ravonne Pious (1,049 yards, 10TDs, 12 INTs), but the Raiders' ball-hawking secondary is going to make life difficult for the Warriors' up-and-coming junior.