Twelve Prep Football Teams To Watch In 2012

The Stanislaus District’s top 12 football programs for 2012, though we will wait until August before trying to rank them 1 to 12:

• Beyer (9-3 in 2011): The Patriots won the Modesto Metro Conference and tied a school record for wins. While they’ll lose lots of talent — including QB McKay Marshall — they return the RB duo of Maury Moore and Aden Ruiz.

• Buhach Colony (12-1): Most of the linemen graduate, but the RB tandem of Stefon Gold and Leon Miles could be one of the district’s best if they’re determined in offseason. Tyler Dew, given an opportunity, is a Player of Year candidate.

• Central Catholic (10-3): Lots of departures, including Player of the Year nominee Craig Jones. Speed returns in Nate Loya and Ray Lomas, and expect John Mundt to be even more destructive on the line. JV team was a dominant 10-0.

• Enochs (3-7): MMC champ in 2010, the Eagles took a nosedive this fall as their offense struggled. The JV team was 10-0, though, and Enochs had an all-junior backfield led by QB Trey Cooper at the end.

• Hilmar (12-2): ’Jackets get some carryover from the section title, because it will motivate them to accomplish even more in the offseason. Most of the stars leave, but an 8-1 JV team will help fill those holes.

• Los Banos (10-2): As long as Dennis Stubbs is coaching the Tigers, they’ll continue to overachieve. RB James Sams and WR Daeton West could be the best in the district at their positions next year — and QB Chris Corpuz is back, as well.

• Manteca (9-2): Injury woes at QB doomed any hope for a playoff run, but youth on the line should only improve and junior QB Ryan Fox showed flashes of promise in a late-season relief role. Buffs need to be in weight room this offseason.

• Merced (4-6): Lots of close games this season, and Bears lost too many of them. Return of QB Eli Gutierrez provides experience. He was top rusher, too, but that was out of necessity — Bears are a playoff team in 2012 if they get a RB.

• Oakdale (13-1): Played for the section Division 3 title the last two years, losing both to Del Oro. It’s the last opportunity for five sophomores who made a splash in 2010, and it rides on QB Spencer Thomas and the need for a pass game.

• Pitman (10-2): The Pride or Oakdale will be No. 1 come August. It could rest on Pitman’s new QB, because A.J. Derr is a huge loss. Returning RBs Kody Brackett, Brent Nelle and Andres Mendez are a potent trio — each had at least 100 yards in a win at Atwater — and the JV went 10-0.

• Sierra (5-5): Anthony Cota was headed to a monster year before an arm injury in Week 4 sent him to the sideline. He returned in Week 11 and had 163 yards, and is a dangerous weapon in the spread offense. The JV team was 8-1 and VOL champion, but Sierra needs to develop a quality quarterback.

• Turlock (7-4): Sean Downs played like a soph at times (34 percent completion rate), but he also played like a veteran (124 yards rushing, 116 passing) despite being injured in a 27-24 win vs. Golden Valley. He led Turlock to an OT win over Merced, and folks believe he can develop into a potent double-threat in 2012.

— Richard T. Estrada