Games to watch: Top Stanislaus District high school football matchups for Week 10
Week 10 means one thing: playoffs are right around the corner.
While some teams looking to secure league titles and automatic playoff entry, others fight for at-large bid as the postseason picture begins to take shape.
Matchups between teams with undefeated league records in the Central California Athletic League and Trans-Valley League mean championships in two of the most competitive leagues in the area can be won or lost this week.
Here are some of the top games this week.
Gregori (5-3, 3-0) at Downey (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m.
Friday’s matchup will determine first place in the CCAL and both teams are on a roll. Downey has won seven straight after losing to Manteca in Week 1 and Gregori is on a three-game league win streak.
The Knights feel like they could have hit another level last week against Enochs thanks to a breakout performance from quarterback Conner Stoddard.
The junior finished with game highs in completions (20), yards (395) and touchdowns (six), leading his team to 45 points and a win.
This game could be a shootout. When talking about how they can defend Gregori, Cruz Marines was the first person the Knights mentioned. The Jaguars dual-threat quarterback has put up big numbers all season. Sophomore receiver Reggieon Foster is Marines’ main target, leading the team with 411 yards and seven touchdowns.
Central Catholic (7-1, 4-0) at East Union (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m.
The Raiders finished off their stretch of three straight tough Valley Oak League games last week with a 56-33 win over Manteca, making them one of the top three teams in the section, according to Maxpreps. Central Catholic coaches are glad to get through the past few weeks undefeated but know that the job is not done.
Some teams have the tendency to relax after playing three tough games but East Union isn’t a team to be taken lightly, and Central Catholic knows it. The Lancers, who fell after taking previously unbeaten Manteca to overtime on Oct. 1, will go into the game having had two full weeks to prepare for the Raiders after a bye last week.
The Raiders’ defense that forced four turnovers against the Buffaloes last week will have its hands full with quarterback Luke Weaver. The 6-foot-3 senior has passed for 2,161 yards, 11th best in the state, and 19 touchdowns.
Patterson (7-2, 5-0) at Buhach Colony (2-5, 2-1), 7 p.m.
Patterson lost its first two games to Hilmar and Manteca but have won seven straight and with a win Friday, will secure its fourth undefeated Central California Conference record in the past seven seasons.
The Tigers are normally a passing offense led by Jacob Guevarra but last week’s 59-43 win over Golden Valley, the rushing game came alive with 292 yards led by Jaydrian Lawson’s 80 yards and two touchdowns and Lolo Mataele’s 91 yards and one score.
Kicker Johan Mendoza had a perfect day, going 8 of 8 on PAT’s and 1 of 1 on field goals, earning NorCal special teams player of the week honors.
Buhach Colony has struggled this season, but both of its wins have come against CCC teams. Though they are among the league’s top teams, they have scored 79 points in three games, the least out of the top three teams.
Ripon (6-2, 4-0) at Escalon (7-1, 4-0), 7 p.m.
It’s a 20-year long rivalry but this time, with a twist. The winner of this year’s matchup will claim the Trans-Valley League title, making it one of the best matchups in the past few weeks. The Cougars know their two biggest games are right in front of them as they chase not only a league title, but their first undefeated league record in a decade.
On paper, it looks like a battle of youth playing experience. Escalon starts four sophomores and one freshman and its seniors played just three games as juniors in spring.
Ripon, which has 19 seniors in its starting lineup, sits at first place in the TVL and has already beat Hilmar and Livingston, which are tied for third. The Indians will enter the game having had two weeks to prepare for the school 12 miles away after having a bye last week.
Ripon Christian (5-3, 2-2) at Gustine (3-4, 3-2), 7:15 p.m.
The Knights stepped up to win a nail-biter against Mariposa County last week and they are hoping for the same result against a similar team in Gustine.
In addition to being tied for second place in the Southern Athletic League, the Ripon Christian coaching staff knows the Reds offer a very similar playing style on offense and defense. Gustine beat Le Grand in two overtimes on Friday night, 31-28, which could spell trouble for Ripon Christian as the Bulldogs beat the Knights 48-28 in Week 8.
Mariposa County (4-4, 3-2) at Waterford (8-0, 4-0), 7:15 p.m.
A win in this battle between the top two Southern Athletic League teams could essentially guarantee the Waterford its second ever league championship.
While Waterford’s offensive production leaves spectators amazed, averaging 42 points in league games, in its five league wins, the Wildcats made their mark on defense. They are the only team in the SL to hold league opponents to fewer than 100 points, 19 points per game.
Mariposa County will need outstanding performances from senior offensive leaders quarterback Wyatt Green (1,017 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Ayden Lopes (720 yards, seven touchdowns) if it wants to break through and keep its hopes for a league title alive.
Ceres (5-3, 3-2) at Mountain House (3-5, 3-2), 7 p.m.
With a matchup against unbeaten Davis looming in Week 11, Ceres isn’t looking past its game against Mountain House. With all three of their wins coming during league, the Mustangs are peaking at the right time.
Ceres could be playing for a playoff spot in their last two games. The Bulldogs are a projected No. 12 seed, but they are going into each game worrying about the team in front of them, not necessarily focusing too much on the playoff picture.
This game is big, nonetheless, as the winner of this game will claim at least fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference, and after falling last week to Los Banos, 55-42, the Bulldogs need a win this week.
This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
