Estrada: When RC plays Ripon, both teams feel at home

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Two years ago, when it was Ripon Christian's turn to host neighbor and rival Ripon for the first time in the Trans-Valley League, the schools could not decide how to split the home-team rights since RC plays its "home" games at Ripon High's Wes Stouffer Field. The conflict resulted in the all-Ripon battle being moved out of San Joaquin County to Salida, where the teams played at Modesto Christian.

It was a silly dispute and left plenty of bad feelings throughout town.

The schools have since made peace, and RC will "host" Ripon at Stouffer Field this Friday. RC graciously chose the visitors' side, despite that choice meaning they will be looking into the sun during the junior varsity game.

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That's OK, though, because RC was able to get a concession from Ripon — RC will handle the concessions, a potential financial boon given the rivals should attract a large crowd. RC offered to install a goal-post pad from each school, but Ripon told the Knights to go ahead and put their blue-and-gold pads on both posts.

So all is quiet, for now.

For peace to be maintained, it would not be advisable for Ripon Christian to paint a blue "RC" logo at midfield. The best news to come out of the improved communications is the schools will continue this rivalry despite the fact they're being moved to different leagues next season.

THE RUNNING MEN — Modesto used its size and speed for a stunning, 35-0 rout of Modesto Metro Conference favorite Davis. The Panthers stayed on the ground, riding James Ingram and Arquel Rogers (43 carries, 286 yards and two TDs), and quarterback Klayton Miller (3 TD runs).

It was the second consecutive week the Panthers played near-flawless football, following last week's 48-13 rout of Johansen. It also kept the No. 7 large-school Panthers (4-3, 2-0) tied for first with resurgent Enochs (2-5, 2-0) — and the teams meet at Downey the final night of the regular season.

STRETCH RUN — Oakdale (7-0, 4-0), The Bee's top-ranked large school and one of only three unbeaten teams in the Stanislaus District, is alone atop the Valley Oak League, thanks to No. 5 Sonora's stunning 17-7 upset of No. 2 Sierra. Sonora (3-1, 6-1), Sierra (3-1, 6-1) and Manteca (5-2, 3-1) are tied for second, a game back of the Mustangs — and Oakdale plays each of them the next three weeks.

It's no surprise Oakdale is 4-0 in league, since it opened with the second-tier teams. Life will get more difficult, though, as the Mustangs host Manteca and Sierra the next two weeks, then visits rival Sonora in Week 10.

While Sierra stumbled in the foothills, Manteca has hit its stride after a 23-15 Week 5 loss to Sierra. The Buffs pounded Sonora 37-13 and Ceres 41-0 and Reggie Bell has become a playmaker, returning two punts for TDs against Ceres.

TVL HOLDS SERVE — Ripon lost the game, but the Indians have answered a very important question — are they a title contender, or just the best of the "other four" Trans-Valley League teams behind Escalon and Modesto Christian. Ripon threw a scare into MC before falling 21-13, and it became the first team this season to contain quarterback Isaiah Burse.

MC (7-0, 2-0) turned to its defense to secure the win, and Evan Schwartz (10 solo tackles, four assists) made sure it didn't get away. It was an unlikely scenario, MC's defense compensating for a slow night by the offense. But it might need a similar effort in Week 9 at Escalon.

The No. 2 small-school Cougars (7-0, 2-0) have yet to allow a point in five home games, beating Cosumnes Oaks (35-0), Buhach Colony (37-0), Bret Harte (43-0), Ripon Christian (63-0) and then Hughson (37-0) on Friday. What's remarkable is that none of those games were close and the Cougars used plenty of reserves, but the shutouts stayed intact.