Games to watch: Top Stanislaus District high school football matchups, playoffs Week 1
It’s win or go home time. The playoffs are finally here.
There are eight Stanislaus District teams that play first-round games, and five have home games.
Escalon and Central Catholic look to repeat as section champions. The Cougars remain in Division V while the Raiders moved up to Division I.
Modesto Christian had a bounce-back year. After winning two games in their last two seasons combined, the Crusaders exploded for six wins this year and a playoff berth. They are one of five Trans-Valley League teams to make the postseason.
There are no Division VII games this week. The eight-team pool starts next week. Here is a look at the home games coming up Friday night.
No. 12 Pacheco (6-4) at No 5 Escalon (7-3), 7 p.m.
Ryker Peters looked like he was back at full force last week in Escalon’s regular season finale. The senior running back who has been playing sparingly on offense due to a nagging ankle injury rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second straight 100-plus-yard rushing game after failing to surpass 60 in the four previous games. In his absence, Escalon has relied on running back by committee and shored up the passing attack with Donovan Rozevink and Owen Nash. The two have connected for seven of Nash’s nine receiving touchdowns and three games of more than 100 yards. It could very well be a ground-and-pound game Friday night when Pacheco visits. Junior Abel Bravo has over 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games, and his running mate Brandon de Reza adds nearly 650 yards and seven scores. The Cougars are in the postseason for the fifth straight season, while the Panthers return for the first time since 2018.
No. 12 Stagg (7-3) at No. 5 Central Catholic (6-4), 7 p.m.
The Raiders enter the postseason for the 21st straight season, but it’s their first time in Division I. After winning the Division II section title last season and advancing to the state final, they were moved up due to the section’s continued success rule. The Delta Kings finished third in the San Joaquin Athletic Association and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2016. Central Catholic’s preseason schedule prepared it for postseason matchups with powerhouses like Folsom and Rocklin, but to get there, they have had to come ready to play every game. The Raiders’ secondary has battled injuries at points in the season and will be tested Friday. Senior quarterback Jerry Rigumidin has passed for more than 2,100 yards and 29 touchdowns, mostly to his main target, Adam Taylor, who is responsible for 690 yards and 13 touchdowns.
No. 10 Edison (7-3) at No. 7 Turlock (6-4), 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs the past eight seasons and are looking for their first postseason win since 2019. Similarly, the Vikings are participating in their fifth straight postseason but haven’t won a playoff game since 2019. The Vikings enter the game on a high. After losing its first three games, Edison swept the SJAA and enters the matchup riding a seven-game win streak. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a game since their heartbreaking defeat to Downey. They are averaging 50 points a game in the three wins. They’ll need to come prepared offensively as the Vikings allow an average of just 12.5 points a game.
No. 10 Roseville (6-4) at No. 7 Oakdale (6-4), 7 p.m.
You know what you’re going to get from Oakdale: running. The Mustangs always have a rushing attack that proves to be one of the best in the area. Oakdale extends its streak of playoff appearances, making it second to Central Catholic among Stanislaus District teams. The Mustangs haven’t lost in the first round since 2008. The two teams met in the second round of last year’s Division III postseason. Oakdale won 40-0 en route to a section finals appearance. Running back Brandon Graydon will be a Tiger to watch. According to MaxPreps, he has rushed for 638 yards in nine games. While that may not stand out in comparison to other backs in the section, his 17 touchdowns are among the best. An Oakdale win sets up a matchup with Patterson. The two sides have met in the Division III semifinals twice in the past five seasons — in 2017 and last season. Oakdale has won both.
No. 9 Rosemont (7-3) at No. 8 Ripon (4-6), 7 p.m.
Ripon can continue the streak of consecutive years with a playoff win Friday against Rosemont. It is searching for its fifth straight season with at least one postseason victory, but a game between the eight and nine seeds can go either way. Two of Rosemont’s wins come via forfeit, which could have something to do with it earning a nine seed with seven wins. Ripon is hosting an opening-round playoff game for the fourth straight year. It enters the game on a three-game losing streak, with two of the three coming at home.
No. 10 Modesto Christian (6-4) at No. 7 Twelve Bridges (6-4), 7 p.m.
All season, the Crusaders have hung their hat on being different from other teams in the Trans Valley League. With threats like Jeremiah Bernard, Zeke Davis and Elmo Wartson on the outside, their spread offense isn’t what’s expected from a typical TVL team. Twelve Bridges is a new school with over 1,000 students in just three grades. In coach Jerry Grimshaw’s second season, Modesto Christian advances to the postseason for the first time since 2018. The Raging Rhinos are in the postseason for the first time in school history. While they weren’t always the most physical team in the TVL, Grimshaw is hoping being in that league has toughened his players going into the postseason.
