The Bee's Stanislaus District Final Football Rankings

LARGE SCHOOLS
(Divisions 1-3)

 1.  (2) Oakdale (13-1): Fell to Del Oro in section Division 3 final for second year in a row, but DO's in a State Bowl. How dominant was Oakdale? Running clock in 11 games.

 2.  (1) Buhach Colony (12-1): One of section's top O-lines took BC to D2 semifinals for second year -- and it lost to eventual champ again (Vacaville, after Folsom in 2010).

 3.  (3) Pitman (10-2): Pride earned No. 5 seed in D1, then section seeding committee dropped them to No. 7 without a specific explanation -- otherwise Pride is in a semifinal.

 4.  (4) Los Banos (10-2): RB James Sams is just a junior, so the Tigers are excited for 2012. Tackle Bryce Howard was so dominant that WAC coaches named him the MVP.

 5.  (7) Beyer (9-3): Senior-laden squad might be the best in school history, with QB McKay Marshall, and TE/LB duo of Cecil and Zach Jenkins. Beat Stagg in playoff opener.

 6.  (5) Turlock (7-4): Post-Kevin Kramer era opens with a successful season, as defense rises to help compensate for loss of 2010 playmakers. Fell to Grant in first round.

 7.  (6) Manteca (8-2): Buffs second-best to Oakdale in the VOL, but eliminated in first round of playoffs at home for third year in a row. Late QB injury played role in demise.

SMALL SCHOOLS
(Divisions 4-6)

 1.  (2) Hilmar (12-2): 'Jackets spring upset in section D4 final for second time in four years -- beat Central Catholic in 2008. Week 1 loss to Beyer kept it from D3 bowl race.

 2.  (1) Escalon (13-1): Defending state champ lost section title on Hilmar's last-minute drive. Midseason loss of all-district tackle Nate Caton contributed to offensive struggles.

 3.  (3) Central Catholic (10-3): Played in league with five large schools, and rough schedule helped it win two D4 playoff games before falling to Escalon in the semifinals.

 4.  (4) Le Grand (12-0): Dream season has one more stop -- Friday's D4 State Bowl. Best team in school history has lots of large-school talent in a small-school division.

 5.  (6) Sonora (8-4): Impressive D4 rout of Bear River in opener, then gave Escalon a battle. Never got its passing game going, or it might have gone further in the playoffs.

 6.  (7) Argonaut (10-2): Mother Lode champ had size and speed, carrying Mustangs to D4 quarterfinal. If section doesn't drop it to No. 4 seed, Argonaut is playing for title.

 7.  (nr) Livingston (6-6): Wolves had weird year -- won five of six, then lost four straight to end regular season. An upset of Ripon in D4 opener got Wolves back into ratings.