Escalon-MC is battle of unbeatens

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 Small ESCALON (8-0, 3-0) at No. 3 Small MODESTO CHR. (8-0, 3-0) — Cougars have yet to give up a point in five home games this season, but they're on the road here. Is the magic in the defense or the field? We'll find out as it tries to slow QB Isaiah Burse and RB David Sjelin, part of a marvelous collection of skill players gather at MC. Escalon has size up front — you don't want DT Travis Cardoza bringing you with down by force — and the Cougars will try to win this one with their powerful wing-T.

ELSEWHERE

• No. 5 Large SIERRA (7-1, 4-1) at No. 1 Large OAKDALE (8-0, 5-0) — Sierra has yet to win a VOL title, but a win here virtually assures them at least part of the title. It's been three years since Oakdale lost a VOL game, though Sierra gave them a fight last season. Sierra QB Jonathan Davis fired four TDs last week and he'll test the secondary this week. Can Sierra contain Oakdale's three-headed running game? The key will be the T-wolves' linebackers.

• PATTERSON (5-3, 3-0) at No. 1 Small CENTRAL CATHOLIC (7-1, 3-0) — Nice matchup featuring the WAC's top passing QB (CC's Dylan Swartz) against it's best dual-purpose QB (Cody Weinzheimer). Patterson has been scoring in bunches — 72, 55 and 62 in three of the five games — and Central's first order of business will be to slow down the Tigers' triggerman. Patterson LBs will get their biggest challenge of the season trying to stop TB Craig Jones and FB Darien Edwards running behind a powerful line.

• No. 6 Large MODESTO (5-3, 3-0) at DOWNEY (2-6, 1-2) — Modesto has the DBs to slow Jason Lee and his aerial circus, but it's still going to have to score plenty to stay perfect in the MMC going into Nov. 13 finale vs. Enochs. Could be a huge night for Panther RBs James Ingram and Arquel Rogers against a defense that gives up 38 points per game. Matchup to watch: Modesto DB Andre Barry keeping tabs on WRs Javon Kelly and WR Corey Keller.

• No. 3 Large ATWATER (6-2, 3-1) at No. 7 Large LOS BANOS (5-3, 3-1) — Who expected this one could decide the MMC title? Merced is the third team at 3-1 and is favored to win its final two, so this winner will have a shot at sharing the title should Merced win out. LB needs to win one of final two to assure a playoff berth, but that will be the difficult the way QB Nathan Sanchez has had his Falcons playing the last few weeks.

• ENOCHS (3-5, 3-0) vs. DAVIS (5-3, 2-1) at Modesto JC — Forget the overall record, all that matters to the Eagles is that they're perfect in the MMC behind suddenly potent RB Donnavan Johnson. Davis can make up for its earlier missteps by winning the final two games and possibly earning a home opener in the playoffs.