Los Banos looming large for Merced

It's Sangha vs. Bolden in anticipated top large school game this week

By Richard T. Estrada
restrada@modbee.com

last updated: October 05, 2008 03:25:17 AM

Rubal Sangha has passed every test this fall, putting up stats that ranked him among the top receivers in Northern California. But the Los Banos star might face his ultimate high school challenge Friday.

On the other side of the line he can expect to see Merced's Bernard Bolden, one of California's top defensive backs and a favorite on college recruiting lists across the land.

That's one of many individual battles that will highlight Friday's showdown between the upstart Tigers (3-2) and the rival Bears (3-1) -- The Bee's No. 1 large-school team.

Sangha has 33 receptions for 509 yards and has scored 14 touchdowns, but Los Banos has yet to face a team that exerts much of an effort while playing defense.

It's a challenge for Bolden and his Bears, too. Edison of Fresno routed Merced 43-14 a week ago, and the Bears were no match for Edison's speed.

That lopsided decision gave hope to the Bears' Central California Conferences foes, and Los Banos will be the first to test the theory that Merced is flawed.

LET THOSE HORSES RUN -- A year after using a passing-oriented attack to win a state Division III title last fall, the Mustangs from Oakdale are living up to their nickname.

For the second consecutive week, the backfield overpowered the opposition. Nicky Batteate and Isaiah Mendez-Borba combined for 328 yards and six TDs, after combining for 304 yards and eight TDs in a 54-0 rout of McClymonds. That's 632 yards and 14 TDs in two weeks by the two RBs.

It could continue: Oakdale plays Ceres, East Union and Weston Ranch -- a combined 1-10 and giving up 30 points a game -- the next three weeks.

HOMEFIELD EDGE? Davis was the host, but that was difficult to determine looking at the stands. Clovis East had as many fans making even more noise Friday at Chuck Hughes Stadium, despite having to make the two-hour trip. The chance to see Davis play such a prominent program -- the Wolves are Central Section contenders and opened their season in Texas -- should have drawn more than the 900 or so fans who bought tickets.

It's a shame so many Davis fans skipped it, because they missed the Spartans' passing game at its best. Jason Nesbitt picked apart the secondary, throwing to three receivers rather than locking in on top threat Lance Castaneda.

He threw for 222 yards and three TDs, going 19 of 32 without an interception. Nesbitt's arm also opened holes for tailback Xevion Vega (26 carries, 137 yards), who wasn't a factor until Clovis East was forced to focus on the pass.

WOLVES WANT THIS -- Sierra has never made the Sac-Joaquin Section football playoffs, but a victory this Friday against rival Manteca could put the Timberwolves on the path to the playoffs this year.

Manteca is the city's dominant program, winning three section titles since 2001. The Buffaloes (4-0, No. 3 in The Bee's large-school poll) are as good as ever, but Sierra (3-1) feels it has the offense to compete for not only a playoff berth, but a Valley Oak League title.

Sierra averages 30 points behind QB Ryan Flores and RB Jarrod Daniels, but Manteca's strategy is to keep them on the sideline by putting the ball in the hands of Marquis Miller. He had 27 carries Friday, averaging seven yards a carry, and scored four TDs.

Bee staff Richard T. Estrada can be reached at restrada@modbee.com or 578-2300.

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