High school football rankings: Stanislaus District Top 10 teams battle for top league spots

We’re coming down to the end.

League play is in full swing now, and with just four games left in the football season, Stanislaus District teams joust for league positioning and playoff berths. Schools in the Sac-Joaquin Section can’t begin to think about an extra game until they compile four wins. That is how schools in this section become eligible.

If the 2024 postseason started today, Turlock, (3-3), Central Catholic (3-3), Escalon (2-4), Hilmar (3-3) and Ripon Christian (3-3) would all be left out. But they each have plenty of opportunities to pick up the one or two necessary wins to hopefully extend their seasons.

After Hughson beat Escalon 24-21 in what could be this area’s game of the year Friday, the Huskies moved up a spot in this week’s Top 10, from sixth to No. 5. Hughson and six other teams in The Bee’s top 10 earned wins last week, including No. 9 Orestimba and No. 10 Ripon Christian. The Warriors earned a narrow victory against Ripon, sealed by an interception. Ripon Christian blew out Modesto Christian, putting up 50 points in the first half.

1. Downey (6-0)

Last Week: 56-3 win vs. Pitman

This Week: 10/11 at Modesto at Johansen High

2. Turlock (3-3)

Last Week: 35-0 win vs. Gregori

This Week: 10/11 at Pitman at Turlock High

3. Central Catholic (3-3)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 10/11 vs. East Union

4. Patterson (4-3)

Last Week: 37-19 win vs. Mountain House

This Week: 10/11 at No. 6 Oakdale

5. Hughson (6-0)

Last Week: 24-21 win vs. No. 7 Escalon

This Week: 10/11 vs. Sonora

6. Oakdale (5-1)

Last Week: 45-24 win at East Union

This Week: 10/11 vs. No. 4 Patterson

7. Escalon (2-4)

Last Week: 24-21 loss at No. 6 Hughson

This Week: 10/10 vs. Woodland Christian

8. Hilmar (3-3)

Last Week: 45-28 loss at Sonora

This Week: 10/11 vs. No. 9 Orestimba

9. Orestimba (5-1)

Last Week: 10-7 win vs. Ripon

This Week: 10/11 at No. 8 Hilmar

10. Ripon Christian (3-3)

Last Week: 50-0 win at Modesto Christian

This Week: 10/11 vs. Ripon

Bubble Teams: Big Valley Christian (4-2), Ceres (3-3), Davis (3-3), Johansen (3-3), Waterford (3-3)

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.