Five for Friday: Week 7

You might want to consider attending one these five Stanislaus District football games tonight:

Kickoff at 7:30, unless noted

• PITMAN at ATWATER: It's no surprise to see Pitman (5-1, 0-1 CCC) as a title contender, but the upstart Falcons (5-1, 1-0) have dominated lesser competition to pose a threat. It is a chance to see if Atwater has what it takes to battle crosstown rival Buhach Colony in a potential title game in Week 10. Pride has one of the area's top backfields, but defenses are beginning to edge closer to line of scrimmage, putting extra pressure on O-line.

• MODESTO vs. ENOCHS (at Downey): After starting the fall 1-3, sixth-ranked Enochs (4-3, 3-0 MMC) is a week from a title showdown with Downey. QB Shawn Munoz directs one of the region's most prolific running games, and Modesto (1-5, 0-2) already is thin due to injuries.

• LOS BANOS at PATTERSON: No. 2 small-school Los Banos (5-1, 1-1) features the section's No. 2 rusher in James Sams (1,200 yards), but Patterson did well to slow Central Valley's prolific Ja'Quan Gardner in a 21-20 win two weeks ago. QB Joey Lopes (shoulder) could be a game-time decision for No. 7 large-school Patterson (5-1, 2-0).

• HILMAR at RIPON: A victory virtually assured Ripon (7-0, 3-0) at least a co-title. The last crown was in 1992, when it tied Hilmar and Hughson at 4-1 to share the TVL. Ripon boasts the deepest offense in the league — two talented runners, two fleet receivers and QB Kyle Wengel — and the question is whether Hilmar (6-1, 2-1) can keep pace with that firepower.

• HUGHSON at ORESTIMBA: It's a game that could determine a playoff berth, or two, as well as a wonderful matchup of top RBs. Tanner Duron (916 yards, 14 TDs) vs. California's No. 2 rusher Steven Machado (1,623 yards, 21 TDs). Hughson (3-3, 0-2) and Orestimba (4-3, 1-2) each need two TVL wins to be considered for the playoffs, and then they'll need at least five overall wins — possibly six — to assure themselves a berth.