High school football rankings: Another win, another rise for Escalon. Gregori in Top 10

Escalon keeps winning and, as a result, keeps rising in our rankings.

The Cougars in the past two weeks beat two of the best teams from the SJS’s bordering sections, winning against Buchanan (Central Section) and Windsor (North Coast Section), respectively. The defending Division V section champions and Division 4-AA state champions are 3-0 and proving that despite losing key contributors, there’s always someone ready to step up.

Downey has played three 2022 playoff teams to start the season. The Knights are 3-0 and no game has been close. The offense is prolific and the defense is stingy. The Knights play their first home game of the season in a key matchup this week against small-school Hughson, a reigning section and state champion. We’ll see if the Knights’ great performances travel in this Top 5 matchup.

Patterson and Ripon Christian picked up shutout wins, while Turlock and Hilmar took losses.

Gregori enters this week’s rankings at No. 9. After scoring first against Merced, the Jaguars struggled in the second and third quarters, resulting in their only loss. In their two wins, they’re averaging 40.5 points. The Jaguars can put up points, which is what got them there. They will stay there if they can keep opponents out of the end zone and, as a result, win games.

1. Central Catholic (2-1)

Last Week: 16-7 win at Bishop Manogue

This Week: 9/8 vs Serra

2. Escalon (3-0)

Last Week: 42-39 win at Windsor

This Week: 9/8 at California-San Ramon

3. Downey (3-0)

Last Week: 42-6 win vs Merced

This Week: 9/8 at No. 5 Hughson

4. Patterson (3-0)

Last Week: 42-0 win at Sequoia

This Week: 9/9 at Menlo-Atherton

5. Hughson (3-0)

Last Week: 50-20 win at Pitman

This Week: 9/8 vs No. 3 Downey

6. Turlock (0-3)

Last Week: 21-18 loss at Central-Fresno

This Week: 9/8 vs Folsom

7. Oakdale (2-0)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/8 vs Sheldon

8. Hilmar (1-2)

Last Week: 32-9 loss vs Sonora

This Week: 9/8 vs Atwater

9. Gregori (2-1)

Last Week: 41-23 win at Atwater

This Week: 9/8 vs Livermore

10. Ripon Christian (2-1)

Last Week: 42-0 win at Calaveras

This Week: BYE

Quinton Hamilton

The Modesto Bee

Quinton Hamilton covers high school sports for The Modesto Bee. He is a Southern California native and received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College and a master’s in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Quinton has worked at the Record-Journal in Meriden and helped on projects at Hearst Connecticut.