VOL, MLL rivalries could have encore in section final

Two Valley Oak League teams and two Mother Lode League teams grabbed the top two playoff seeds in their respective divisions, meaning a league rematch for a Sac-Joaquin Section title could be on the horizon.

In Division III, defending section and state champion Oakdale, which clinched its 13^th VOL title in the last 16 years Friday night, was awarded the No. 1 seed by the section’s bracketologists, while league rival Manteca, which finished in third place behind Oakdale and Central Catholic, was given the second seed.

The Mustangs open against McNair, while Manteca hosts Rio Americano and if all goes accordingly, the rivals would meet Dec. 1 at Stockton’s Lincoln High School at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, in D-V, MLL champion Sonora was awarded the top spot while runner-up Calaveras was slotted at No. 2. The teams could meet for a title Nov.25 at a site to be determined. The Wildcats host Highlands and Calaveras draws Ripon for its first-round date.

In all, 24 teams from The Bee’s Stanislaus District qualified for postseason play.

In Division I, No. 7 Gregori hosts No. 10 Franklin of Elk Grove, No. 9 Turlock travels to face No. 8 Tracy, and No. 13 Modesto tangles with No. 4 Jesuit.

No. 11 Downey (at No. 6 Rocklin) and No. 13 Buhach Colony (at undefeated No. 4 Del Campo) join No. 3 Central Catholic (vs. No. 14 Stagg) in the D-II bracket.

Tagging along with Oakdale and Manteca in Division III is No. 4 Patterson, which hosts No. 13 East Union, and No. 6 Los Banos, which entertains No. 11 Rio Linda.

In Division V, along with the top two MLL teams, Orestimba draws the No. 4 seed and will host No. 5 Colfax.

Of the eight slots in the Division VI bracket, six of them went to Stanislaus District schools: No. 4 Modesto Christian hosts No. 5 Gustine; No. 3 Summerville entertains No. 6 Hilmar; and No. 2 Escalon welcomes No. 7 Mariposa.

No. 5 Big Valley Christian (at No. 4 Woodland Christian) and No. 3 Stone Ridge Christian (vs. No. 6 Brookside Christian) draw first-round games in the D-VI playoffs. No. 2 Ripon Christian gets a bye and will await the winner of the SRC-BC game.

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 5:56 PM with the headline "VOL, MLL rivalries could have encore in section final."