High school football rankings: See which school rises as league play continues

Turlock’s strength of schedule, according to MaxPreps, was the toughest of any Stanislaus District team through the first five weeks of the season. The team’s 34.4 strength puts it above Central Catholic (26.2). The Raiders did, however, have a higher rating, coming in at 30.70, just above the Bulldogs’ 27.90. MaxPreps rewarded the Turlock in its rankings and the Bulldogs moved up in The Bee’s rankings, too.

After its first five games, Turlock is in the top four, helped largely by a big 19-15 win over Clovis East last Friday night. The Bulldogs also beat Tracy and nearly got the best of Central of Fresno. Their other two losses were against section powers Folsom and Rocklin. Turlock, No. 2 Downey and a number of other CCAL schools have byes this week before league play begins Oct. 4.

Turlock’s jump sparks other movement in the middle of the top 10. Oakdale stays at No. 5 after a blowout win in its VOL opener, while Hughson, despite a win over Ripon, fell to No. 6 by no fault of its own.

Last week, Central Catholic won a top-three matchup against No. 3 Patterson, and No. 8 Hilmar beat No. 10 Ripon Christian.

TVL schools do not have any breaks this week as the Yellowjackets face No. 7 Escalon, which lost to a physical Sonora team, and No. 6 travels to No. 10 when Hughson and Ripon Christian battle.

1. Central Catholic (3-2)

Last Week: 25-14 win at No. 3 Patterson

This Week: 9/27 at Manteca

2. Downey (5-0)

Last Week: 35-20 win vs Edison-Stockton

This Week: BYE

3. Patterson (2-3)

Last Week: 25-14 loss vs No. 1 Central Catholic

This Week: 9/27 at East Union

4. Turlock (2-3)

Last Week: 19-15 win at Clovis West

This Week: BYE

5. Oakdale (4-1)

Last Week: 54-6 win vs Mountain House

This Week: BYE

6. Hughson (4-0)

Last Week: 28-7 win at Ripon

This Week: 9/27 at No. 10 Ripon Christian

7. Escalon (1-3)

Last Week: 35-14 loss vs Sonora

This Week: 9/27 at No. 8 Hilmar

8. Hilmar (3-1)

Last Week: 31-21 win at No. 10 Ripon Christian

This Week: 9/27 vs No. 7 Escalon

8. Orestimba (4-0)

Last Week: 50-0 win at Modesto Christian

This Week: 9/27 at Sonora

10. Ripon Christian (2-2)

Last Week: 31-21 loss vs No. 8 Hilmar

This Week: 9/27 vs No. 6 Hughson

Bubble Teams: Big Valley Christian (3-1), Davis (2-2), Enochs (2-2), Johansen (2-2), Waterford (2-2)

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.