Final high school football rankings: Top 10 teams ready for 2024 playoff home games
The first 10 games of the high school football season are done. Now the real fun starts.
It’s win-or-go-home time for Stanislaus District teams in the 2024 Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Every team in The Bee’s top 10 made the postseason and will host its first playoff game. First-round games start this week, and of the teams in the top 10, Turlock and Downey open at home in Division I. In D-IV, Escalon hosts; in D-V, Hilmar has a first-round home game; and in D-VI, Ripon Christian and Orestimba host.
The other four top 10 teams have first-round byes, meaning they were one of the four best teams in their respective divisions. Central Catholic (D-I), Oakdale (D-III), Patterson (D-IV) and Hughson (D-V) all have a week without games and will await their first-round opponents. Their first playoff game will be Friday, Nov. 15.
The goal for the first 10 games was a league title. A blue banner is the next milestone.
Central Catholic, Turlock and Downey remain the top three teams in the rankings after the regular season. Hughson drops from No. 4 to No. 5.
Oakdale jumps into the Top 4 after putting up a fight against Manteca in Week 11. The Mustangs ultimately finished third in the VOL behind the Buffaloes and Central Catholic. Wes Burford, the section’s leading rusher and the No. 5 rusher in California, had a rushing and a receiving touchdown in the 36-24 loss.
1. Central Catholic (7-3)
Last Week: 47-14 win vs Sierra
This Week: First-round playoff bye
Playoff Division: I
Note: The Raiders are looking to get to the D-I semifinals for the third straight season. After their first-round bye, the Valley Oak League runner-up hosts the winner of No. 11 Laguna Creek at No. 6 Turlock.
2. Turlock (7-3)
Last Week: 51-7 win vs Enochs
This Week: 11/8 vs Laguna Creek
Playoff Division: I
Note: The Bulldogs are back-to-back CCAL champions and host yet another first-round playoff game as the No. 6 seed in the Division I bracket. Turlock enters the postseason on a six-game winning streak.
3. Downey (9-1)
Last Week: 61-35 win at Gregori
This Week: 11/8 vs Edison-Stockton
Playoff Division: I
Note: The Knights are the No. 8 team in the Division I bracket and for the third season in a row will host a playoff game. Friday night, the Knights welcome Edison-Stockton to Modesto. The two sides faced off Sept. 20, a game Downey won 35-20. But they’re not taking their opponent lightly. As the saying goes, it’s hard to beat a good team multiple times in the same season.
4. Oakdale (7-2)
Last Week: 36-24 loss at Manteca
This Week: First-round playoff bye
Playoff Division: III
Note: Despite a loss in the regular season finale to Manteca, the Mustangs’ participation in the VOL helped them earn the No. 1 seed in the D-III playoffs, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the semifinals. Oakdale awaits the winner of Armijo at Woodcreek.
5. Hughson (10-0)
Last Week: BYE
This Week: First-round playoff bye
Playoff Division: V
Note: The Huskies will have 21 days between their last regular season game (Oct. 25 at Hilmar) and their playoff opener after a first-round bye (Nov. 15). The No. 1 seed in Division V won all nine of the games it played and beat Modesto Christian via forfeit in Week 11. Robert McDaniel, Max Mankins, Malakai Sumter, Bryce McDaniel and Eli Wilbanks hope to lead the Huskies to their third straight section title.
6. Patterson (5-5)
Last Week: BYE
This Week: First-round playoff bye
Playoff Division: IV
Note: Similar to Hughson, the Tigers have back-to-back byes. They had a Week 11 bye penciled into their league schedule, and as the No. 2 team in Division IV, they get a first-round bye. Patterson plays the winner of East Union at Nevada Union as it looks to get to back-to-back section title games.
7. Escalon (5-5)
Last Week: 41-14 win vs Orestimba
This Week: 11/8 vs Fairfield
Playoff Division: IV
Note: Despite battling injuries all season, Escalon won its last three games to qualify for the playoffs and earn a first-round home game. The Cougars have not lost a postseason game since 2018 in a run that includes four straight section titles and two state championships.
8. Hilmar (4-6)
Last Week: 27-26 loss vs Ripon
This Week: 11/8 vs Livingston
Playoff Division: V
Note: The Yellowjackets are back in the postseason and have a home game as the No. 6 team in Division V. A team that has battled through injuries all season, Hilmar will look to rebound from a three-game losing streak in its playoff opener against former TVL foe Livingston.
9. Orestimba (6-3)
Last Week: 41-14 loss at Escalon
This Week: 11/8 vs Delhi
Playoff Division: VI
Note: Orestimba is back in the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in D-VI and is battle tested after its first season in the TVL. The Warriors take on No. 12 Delhi. While 12-vs-5 matchups are always tricky, the Warriors have played against some of the section’s best small schools. They beat Ripon and lost to Hilmar by just eight points.
10. Ripon Christian (4-6)
Last Week: 42-21 loss vs Sonora
This Week: 11/8 vs Bear River
Playoff Division: VI
Note: The Knights, like Orestimba, came over to the TVL from the Southern League and have been battle tested. The defending back-to-back defending D-VII champions could make some noise as an upset-minded No. 8 team in Division VI. If they want their shot at a deep playoff run, their first step is getting past No. 9 Bear River at home Friday night.
Bubble Teams: Big Valley Christian (5-5), Ceres (7-3), Davis (5-5), Johansen (5-5), Ripon (4-6), Waterford (5-5)
