Central-Merced tilt would be a blast

By Richard T. Estrada
restrada@modbee.com

last updated: October 12, 2008 08:01:50 AM

Bring on Merced High?!

That's the request of some fanatical fans at Central Catholic, after their Raiders posted a fourth consecutive win.

Since collapsing in the second half of a season-opening, 38-20 loss at Cardinal Newman, Central has rebounded.

It beat a small-school power (Sutter, 30-28), a physical large school (Johansen, 35-0) and Friday beat a contender for the medium-school state title game (St. Mary's, 27-25).

Roger Canepa, the Raiders' first-year whose hard-nosed style clashed with some players and parents in the private-school program, now has everyone's complete attention.

The chatter of the first few weeks, when Central supporters complained the team was tiring in the second half, has disappeared: Central has given up just 13 points in the second half the last three weeks.

Central opens Western Athletic Conference play Friday and will benefit from a friendly schedule. The Raiders' face Hilmar in Week 7 and Patterson in Week 9, giving them an opportunity to physically recover between the two games.

The Raiders (4-1) are clearly the top small-school team in the Stanislaus District. It would be fun to see how they would fare with the weekly pounding they would take in the Valley Oak League or Central California Conference.

The Raiders are a long-shot to return to the state small-school title game. Cardinal Newman is 5-0, while Palma of Salinas (4-1) lost to CN 34-33 in a game much closer than Central's, and both will likely have to lose in the playoffs for the Raiders to secure a berth.

HARVEST BOWL -- City pride and a playoff berth will be on the line this Friday when No. 3 large-school Pitman (4-1, 1-0) faces rival Turlock (4-1, 1-1) in a CCC showdown.

Turlock bounced back from its 28-0 loss to Los Banos by routing Golden Valley 54-20. Pitman, though, might be the district's second-best team behind Merced (4-1). No. 2 Sonora is 5-0, but has given up nine TDs to sub-.500 foes in two weeks.

Pitman, plagued by injuries the last few years, will benefit from its Week 5 bye. A week off in the middle of the season is just the sort of thing that could keep the Pride healthy.

PASSING THOUGHT -- The folks in the foothills were wiping their brow after Sonora's 35-24 victory over Central Valley, keeping the Wildcats (5-0) perfect at the midway point.

Why the worry? Sonora is vulnerable to the pass and CV is the last pass-happy team on its schedule. The secondary gave up more than 300 yards passing each of the last two weeks. CV's Trevor Mew was 17 of 30 for 304 yards, but the 'Cats picked off three passes.

Of course, VOL contenders Manteca, Sierra and Oakdale are running teams that will challenge the "D" line. Sonora must play all three: It hosts Manteca Friday, but must later visit Sierra and Oakdale.

THE LEAD DOG -- They're probably still celebrating at Sierra, following the Timberwolves' 7-6 upset of Manteca. Sierra's win was surprising, but holding the Buffs to six points was simply stunning.

Sierra was winless against the VOL's best the last three years -- 0-9 vs. Sonora, Manteca and Oakdale -- and must be wary of a letdown Friday when visiting Central Valley.

TWICE IS NICE -- Modesto fans get two nights of football the rest of the season, with a Modesto Metro Conference game each Thursday: Davis will visit Downey this week.

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

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