Manteca Buffaloes

Coach: Eric Reis

Career record: 90-22-2

Record at school: 90-22-2

Last year: Manteca (9-2, 6-1) went 9-1 in the regular season for the second year in a row, yet again were upset in the opening week of the playoffs. It was the third straight year Manteca dropped its playoff opener, and came two weeks after Oakdale beat the Buffs 49-14 to spoil their bid for a perfect season.

Last league title: 2010

Last playoff berth: 2011

Coaching staff: Neil MacDannald, Rick James, Jack Miller, Dan Eavenson, Ken Manasco, Bobby Fryer, Jason Dukes, Jerry Waler, Corey Navarro, Jason Stock.

Top returners: RB/LB Eddie Smith (5-9, 185), QB Ryan Fox (5-9, 160), TE/LB Matt Kuhlenz (6-1, 200), OL/DL Issac McClain (6-1, 280, jr.), OL/DL Billy Sharmoug (6-0, 280, jr.), OL/DL Daniel Clemons (5-11, 230), WR Thomas Galdos (5-11, 155), DB Roger Rhodes (5-9, 155), RB/LB Sal Pena (5-9, 200), FB Paul Paulino (5-10, 180).

Top newcomers: RB/LB Peter Moa (5-10, 190, jr.), CB Brandon Dabney (5-11, 150, jr.), QB Joe Menzel (6-0, 175, jr.), LB/WR Jacob Ledon (6-0, 180, jr.).

Outlook: The Buffs love big offensive linemen and they’ve got two of the biggest and best in McClain and Sharmoug – who started as sophomores. Moving Clemons from guard to center will exploit his athleticism, and he’s one of 10 players who started last year. … Fox (21 of 40, 413 yards, 4 TDs, INT) saw some spot action as a junior, and EU transfer Menzel) has a strong arm to complement the faster Fox. … The Buffs believe their front seven on defense will re-establish the program’s reputation as a hard-hitting crew, with Smith and Kuhlenz both playing a role. Smith (99 yards, 5.4-yard avg., 4 TDs) had just 19 carries – the Buffs using a variety of backs with seven getting at least 24 carries last fall – but he’s a workout warrior and is expected to be the primary runner this season. … The secondary has one starter back, but the VOL is a run-first league so the Buffs believe their junior can fill those spots. The JV team was 8-1 last year, and coach Reis needs those kids to develop.

Key game: Week 9 (Oct. 26) vs. Oakdale. Bitter rivals for decades, Manteca is eager to reclaim the physical superiority on the line of scrimmage – Oakdale, and others, have pushed the Buffs around the last two years. The team that had the better offseason weight program is going to win this one, as well as the VOL.