Oakdale, Central Catholic battle for supremacy; plus expanded small-school rankings

Large School

Comprised of teams from the Central California Conference, Modesto Metro Conference, Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference.

1. (1) Oakdale (8-1, 6-0): The Mustangs can clinch their 13th VOL championship in 16 seasons with a victory over rival Central Catholic. Oakdale won last year's meeting, 34-21, and return many of its starters. Friday: at Central Catholic.

2. (2) Central Catholic (8-0, 6-0): Led by linemen Brandon Williamson and Chris Mendoza, the Raiders are unbeaten going into the final week of the regular season for the second time in three seasons. The Raiders seek their third straight VOL title. Friday: vs. Oakdale.

3. (3) Manteca (7-2, 4-2): The city title and third place in the VOL is up for grabs on Friday when Manteca hosts East Union. Both teams are playoff bound. The Buffaloes thrashed Sierra, 63-0. Friday: vs. East Union.

4. (4) Gregori (9-0, 5-0): The Jaguars clinched at least a share of the school's first football title, defeating Modesto 20-14. Quarterback Bobby Avina continued his mastery of MMC defenses, throwing for 255 yards. Friday: vs. Downey.

5. (5) Turlock (7-2, 5-0): Dustin Grein picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown as the Bulldogs repeated as CCC champions with a 23-7 victory over Merced. Turlock's defense was smothering, piling up five sacks in the win. Friday: vs. Pitman.

6. (6) Patterson (8-1, 4-0): James Perez topped 100 receiving yards for the second straight week, reeling in three passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns in a 62-19 victory over Central Valley. Perez leads Stanislaus District receivers with 14 TDs. Friday: vs. Livingston.

7. (7) Modesto (6-3, 4-1): Despite a loss, the Panthers hold at No. 7 because of their victory over Downey. In a strange twist, Modesto will root for the Knights Friday. If Downey defeats Gregori, Modesto will earn a share of the MMC title ... if they take care of business in their finale. Friday: vs. Beyer (at Johansen).

8. (8) Downey (8-1, 4-1): Gregori's victory over Modesto put destiny back in Downey's hands. The Knights can earn a share of their sixth straight MMC title, tying a mark set by Davis in the 1990s, with a victory over Gregori. Friday: vs. Gregori.

9. (9) East Union (7-2, 4-2): The Lancers have enjoyed their best season under coach Willie Herrera and will return to the postseason for a second straight year, but they will be underdogs at crosstown rival Manteca. Friday: at Manteca.

10. (10) Buhach Colony (6-3, 4-1): The Thunder have won five straight and will be overwhelming favorites against crosstown rival Atwater in their regular-season finale. Buhach was idle last week. Friday: at Atwater.

Small Schools

Comprised of teams from the Central California Athletic Alliance, Mother Lode League, Southern League and Trans-Valley League.

1. (1) Orestimba (9-0, 6-0): By land and by air, the Warriors throttled Delhi to set up a winner-take-all showdown on the West Side. Jacob Bettencourt threw three TD passes and Tymon Bolden rushed for two more for Orestimba, a program gunning for its third straight SL title. Friday: at Gustine.

2. (2) Sonora (7-2, 5-0): Filling the void left by two-way talent Kane Rodgers (ACL tear), Rico Sanchez elevated his play in a 48-7 victory over Argonaut. Sanchez rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats secured a share of their fourth consecutive MLL crown. Friday: vs. Bret Harte.

3. (3) Calaveras (8-1, 4-1): Kyle Byrd followed four-year lineman John Kelley into the end zone, competing a fourth-and goal from the 1 that gave Calaveras a 20-17 victory over Summerville. Friday: vs. Linden.

4. (5) Ripon (6-3, 3-1): The Indians have won two straight following Friday's 53-7 victory over Hughson to remain at the front of the TVL title chase. Ripon is tied with Escalon and Modesto Christian, and would own the tiebreaker in the event of a three-way split. Friday: at Hilmar.

5. (nr) Escalon (5-4, 3-1): Elliot Mello tied his season-high with four touchdowns, including three in the first quarter, as the Cougars kept the TVL race interesting with a 37-14 win over Modesto Christian. The win likely secured a playoff berth for Escalon in coach Mark Loureiro's final season. Friday: vs. Hughson.

6. (nr) Gustine (8-1, 6-0): Gustine has won six straight games, including a 25-6 decision over Waterford last week. Oliver Perez (19 carries 126 yards, touchdown) and Bryan Villalobos (14 carries, 121 yards, touchdown) shouldered the scoring load for Gustine, which plays for a SL title for the second time in three years. Friday: vs. Orestimba.

7. (nr) Summerville (7-2, 3-2): The Bears came up short against Calaveras, 20-17, but Luke Fulkerson (seven catches, 109 yards, two TDs) and Co. will be a tough out in the Sac-Joaquin Section postseason. Fulkerson might be the most well-rounded football player in the gold country. Friday: vs. Amador.

8. (4) Modesto Christian (4-5, 3-1): On the cusp of clinching at least a share of the TVL title and punching their ticket for the postseason, the Crusaders flopped. Big time. Modesto Christian's high-powered offense never got going in a 37-14 loss to Escalon. Friday: vs. Mountain House.

9. (nr) Hilmar (5-4, 2-2): The Yellowjackets aren't mathematically eliminated from the TVL title chase. Hilmar can steal a share of its third straight crown with a win over Ripon and losses by Modesto Christian and Escalon. In the TVL, anything goes. Friday: vs. Ripon.

10. (nr) Big Valley Christian (9-0, 5-0): The Lions improved to 9-0 for the first time since 2009 with a 58-37 win over Riverbank, a team that gave BVC fits on the summer circuit. Sophomore Javyn Drobnick rushed for 370 yards, the second-best total in program history. Friday: at Stone Ridge Christian.

This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Oakdale, Central Catholic battle for supremacy; plus expanded small-school rankings."