Title at stake in Enochs-Modesto game, plus 5 other big games

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If you're a high school football fanatic, or merely a fan, here are six games that will provide plenty of bang for your buck:

GAME OF THE WEEK

• No. 6 Large MODESTO (6-3, 4-0) vs. ENOCHS (4-5, 4-0) at Downey — It's time to decide the Modesto Metro Conference title, and the winner here gets it. Both are in the playoffs. Modesto needs a win to get a home playoff game — and perhaps win the school's first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section playoff game. Enochs has made quite a comeback since opening the season with five losses. Slick turf is an advantage for Modesto.

Football Scoopy

ELSEWHERE

• No. 2 Large OAKDALE (8-1, 5-1) at No. 5 Large SONORA (8-1, 5-1) — The district's best rivalry, pitting the flatlanders against the hill folks each year on Veterans Day weekend. Sonora has a strong inside game with RB Dan Link (1,247 yards, 12 TDs), but QB Ryan Emerald is the key to the 'Cats upset hopes. The other question is how Sonora expects to contain Oakdale's three potent RBs: Oakdale averages 44 points a game.

• No. 3 Small ESCALON (8-1, 3-1) at No. 5 small RIPON (7-2, 3-1) — This one could impact playoff spots for both teams, but it would be an emotional game anyway since these towns are just a few miles apart and have long been rivals. Escalon needs a bounce-back game last week's loss to Modesto Christian, but the Indians' defense has been shutting folks down.

• No. 3 Large LOS BANOS (6-3, 4-1) at No. 7 Large BUHACH COLONY (6-3, 3-2) — It's been one interesting season for LB, and the Tigers can cap it with a victory and no worse than a share of the Central California Conference title. The defense has back-to-back shutouts and the offense is hitting stride as the playoffs near. BC has an opportunity to secure a playoff berth, as well as make a case that it should the district's top-ranked large school when next season arrives. Thunder RBs Corey Chapman (1,426 yards, 19 TDs), Dallon Muse (1,013 yards, 11 TDs) and Jarrell Davis (731 yards, 8 TDs) all are juniors.

• No. 4 Small HILMAR (8-1, 3-1) at PATTERSON (5-4, 3-1) — It's the debut of sophomore QB Andrew Olson, who will be taking spans in place of Quinton McCown (broken collarbone). Look for the Diaz brothers — Carlos the runner and Isaac the receiver — to make the transition easier for Olson. Patterson is looking for a win against a potent foe, something that has evaded the Tigers. The teams are in different leagues next season, so this is the last meeting between the West Side rivals for some time.

• DENAIR (2-2, 4-5) vs. TURLOCK CHR. (6-3, 2-2) at Livingston — What's not to love about this one: The winner goes to the playoffs. Denair faces a must-win, while TC has a slight chance to slip in if it loses. TC has won by keeping the ball in the hands of QB Robbie Smallwood and WR Cody Alldrin, but the Coyotes' ground game features Dylan Souza (1,096 yards, 14 TDs) and that could allow Denair to control the clock.

— Richard T. Estrada