Predictions: What you need to know about the Stanislaus District's 10 playoff games.
Ten games to pick, but the only prediction that may matter is the meteorologist's.
Hopefully, the rain relents, providing the Stanislaus District's best with favorable footing on Friday evening as they chase Sac-Joaquin Section titles.
Here's a closer look at the 10 playoffs games involving district teams, by division:
Division I
Gregori (11-0) at Oak Ridge (10-1): The Trojans are ranked 21st in the state, according to MaxPreps, and are favored to clinch a semifinal berth. Oak Ridge's only loss is to top-ranked Folsom, 42-28, and it dismantled Lincoln of Stockton in the first round, 63-12. The Trojans represent all that is great about big-time Division I football: speed, size and power. Marco Baldacchino pulls the strings, offensively. He is a dual-threat quarterback with 2,708 total yards of offense and 27 total touchdowns (15 passing, 12 rushing). There is a healthy respect for Oak Ridge in the Jaguar camp. "It's a step up," Gregori tight end Gabe Sanchez said. "Oak Ridge has been a solid opponent for decades now. If we bring it on Friday and come out with the win, it will put our program at that level. Oak Ridge is right up there with Folsom and Granite Bay and all those powerhouses. Gregori can make its mark." The Jaguars look to continue a magical season with another milestone victory. Gregori, ranked 87th in the state, advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 45-20 triumph over Franklin of Elk Grove. The playoff win was the first in program history. Sanchez believes Gregori can shake up the Division I bracket, but it will take long, productive drives and its cleanest football. "If we come out and play our game, it should be a show on Friday night," Sanchez said. Running back Mason Medrano is a key cog in that game plan. Medrano has scored a team-high 13 touchdowns this season. While his ability to finish drives is important, Gregori will need him to chase the first-down marker. "Mason is a quiet kid," Sanchez said, "but when it comes to game time and Friday nights, he's a whole other animal." Upset special: Gregori.
Division II
Rocklin (7-4) at Central Catholic (9-1): The Raiders still have questions under center, but coach Roger Canepa finds comfort in having two capable quarterbacks. With sophomore Kyle Jackson (knee) out indefinitely, the Raiders will lean on senior Theo Azevedo and sophomore call-up Jordan Barton. Both QBs enjoyed a measure of success in last week's runaway victory over Stagg, the San Joaquin Athletic Association champion, but Friday is a much tougher test. Rocklin will show a shorthanded opponent no mercy, as it proved last week against Downey. The Knights played without season-long starter Bryce Peterson under center. Peterson injured his shoulder in a loss to Gregori, forcing Knights coach Jeremy Plaa to rotate sophomore quarterbacks. Downey hung with the Thunder for a half before wilting, 37-7. While Canepa believes in his team's ability to pass, no matter the QB, Friday's wet conditions may dictate heavy doses of running backs Dauson Booker (1,452 yards, 20 touchdowns), Coleby Garrett (392/12), Dawaiian McNeely (278/5) and D'Angelo Bellamy (254/3). Pick: Central Catholic.
Division III
Vanden (6-4) at Oakdale (10-1): Senior Cameron Cherry could go over the 2,000-yard mark with another big night. Cherry has topped 100 yards in 10 of the team's 11 games, including three consecutive. He had 197 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win over McNair, pushing his season totals to 1,779 yards and 23 TDs. Pick: Oakdale.
Vista del Lago (7-4) at Patterson (10-1): The Tigers have won nine consecutive games by taking the opponent's will early. Patterson has outscored its last three opponents 138-35 in the first half. Kendrick Bond highlighted last week's 42-point outburst in the first half versus East Union with three touchdowns, all in the second quarter. Vista del Lago has won five of its last six games, but it hasn't faced an offense as potent as this in that stretch. Pick: Patterson.
American Canyon (7-3) at Manteca (9-2): Senior quarterback Gino Campiotti has left nothing to chance over the last four weeks, throwing 16 touchdowns against just one interception. In that time, the Buffaloes have gone 4-0, including victories over Rio Americano in the first round of the playoffs and rival East Union, which also qualified for the D-III playoffs. Since starting the season with three straight losses, American Canyon has won seven in a row. Pick: Manteca.
Division V
Colfax (8-3) at Sonora (9-2): The Wildcats have won nine straight with a three-pronged rushing attack. Quarterback Jake Gookin and running backs C.J. Castleman and Jack Camara are closing in on 1,000-yard seasons, according to statistics posted on MaxPreps. Sonora hosts Colfax, which finished the longest trip of any Sac-Joaquin Section playoff team last week with an upset win over Orestimba of Newman. CalPreps.com believes Colfax, led by legendary coach Tony Martello, can duplicate that feat this week. Pick: Sonora.
Ripon (8-3) at Bear River (8-3): The Indians are comfortable on the road. Ripon has won all four of its road games this season, including a thorough 28-13 decision over second-seeded Calaveras last week. Ryan Daggett continued a breakout junior season with a 55-yard touchdown run and a 17-yard scoring strike to Roland Davis. The defense, however, carried the night. Justin Hansen picked off two passes, both of which turned into points. Pick: Ripon.
Division VI
Hilmar (6-5) at Escalon (7-4): This one feels like a throwback in the rivalry -- two proud TVL teams competing for a seat in the Division VI final. Escalon won the first meeting on Oct. 6, 28-14, announcing itself as a contender in the always-thorny TVL. That night, the Cougars won despite running back Hugo Alcala (502 rushing yards, three TDs) sitting out a half because of disciplinary reasons. On paper, Escalon is the favorite, boasting one of the TVL's top ground attacks and one of the Stanislaus District's top kickers. But Hilmar turned heads with last week's rout at Summerville. Can the Yellowjackets replicate that performance? If so, small-school football fans could be in for a real treat at Engel Field. Pick: Escalon.
Modesto Christian (6-5) at Bradshaw Christian (8-3): The top-seeded Pride's only losses are to division III and IV playoff teams (Yuba City and Center, respectively), and a Northern Section power (East Nicolaus). Modesto Christian advanced to the semifinal with a 56-21 victory over Gustine. The Crusaders have won their last two games by a combined score of 84-21. Pick: Bradshaw Christian.
Division VII
Stone Ridge Christian (10-1) at Ripon Christian (6-4): The Knights have won six of the last seven meetings, including a 35-6 victory on Sept. 1. In this division, the Knights, the third-place finisher in the Southern League, are the bigger, stronger football team, and should clinch their second finals berth in five seasons. Pick: Ripon Christian.
PLAYOFFS: WEEK 2
Last Week: Burns: 14-4 (253-66). Cortez: 13-5 (256-64)
Division I
No. 7 Gregori at No. 2 Oak Ridge Burns: Gregori Cortez: Oak Ridge
Division II
No. 6 Rocklin at No. 3 Central Catholic Burns: Central Catholic Cortez: Central Catholic
Division III
No. 9 Vanden at No. 1 Oakdale Burns: Oakdale Cortez: Oakdale
No. 15 Rio Americano at No. 2 Manteca Burns: Manteca Cortez: Manteca
No. 5 Vista del Lago at No. 4 Patterson Burns: Patterson Cortez: Patterson
Division V
No. 5 Colfax at No. 1 Sonora Burns: Sonora Cortez: Sonora
No. 7 Ripon at No. 6 Bear River Burns: Ripon Cortez: Bear River
Division VI
No. 4 Modesto Christian at No. 1 Bradshaw Christian Burns: Bradshaw Christian Cortez: Modesto Christian
No. 6 Hilmar at No. 2 Escalon Burns: Escalon Cortez: Escalon
Division VII
No. 3 Stone Ridge Christian at No. 2 Ripon Christian Burns: Ripon Christian Cortez: Ripon Christian
This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Predictions: What you need to know about the Stanislaus District's 10 playoff games.."