High school football rankings: TVL results shake up top 10, CCAL to start Friday

As the Trans-Valley League heats up, so does The Bee’s Stanislaus District Top 10.

Last week alone, at least four TVL teams moved to 1-1 in league play, and the matchup results made it tough to determine who moves up, who moves down and who stands pat. But we did our best.

Hilmar beat Ripon Christian earlier this season, and Ripon Christian beat Hughson on Friday night. Escalon beat Hilmar in convincing fashion Friday. Hughson and Hilmar’s results against their common opponent, Ripon Christian, play a role in their ranking among Stanislaus District teams. Also, strength of schedule matters. MaxPreps has the Yellowjackets’ schedule strength ranked slightly higher than the Huskies’ after six weeks. Hughson falls from sixth to eighth, below Hilmar, which stays at No. 7 despite the loss.

Escalon is the highest riser this week, jumping from No. 8 to No. 6 after beating Hilmar. The Cougars host Hughson this week with the chance to cement its spot as the area’s top-ranked small school. Ripon Christian jumps Ripon with its narrow win over Hughson.

Johansen is the latest bubble team to enter the rankings after starting Western Athletic Conference play 2-0.

Three of the area’s top five teams enjoyed last week off. They all return from byes, with Oakdale resuming Valley Oak League play and Turlock and Downey starting their Central California Athletic League schedules.

Turlock is the back-to-back defending league champion and kicks off its league schedule against Enochs. Downey starts with a home game against Gregori as the Knights search for their first home win of the season.

Modesto Bee top 10 Rankings

1. Central Catholic (2-3, 1-1 VOL)

Last Rank: 1

Last Week: 49-7 loss vs. Manteca

This Week: BYE

2. Oakdale (4-1, 1-0 VOL)

Last Rank: 2

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 10/3 vs. East Union

3. Turlock (1-4, 0-0 CCAL)

Last Rank: 3

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 10/3 vs. Enochs

4. Downey (2-3, 0-0 CCAL)

Last Rank: 4

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 10/3 vs. Gregori

5. Patterson (1-5, 0-2 VOL)

Last Rank: 5

Last Week: 27-21 loss vs. East Union

This Week: 10/3 at Mountain House

6. Escalon (3-3, 1-1 TVL)

Last Rank: 8

Last Week: 27-9 win vs. Hilmar

This Week: 10/3 vs. No. 8 Hughson

7. Hilmar (4-2, 1-1 TVL)

Last Rank: 7

Last Week: 27-9 loss at No. 8 Escalon

This Week: 10/3 vs. Sonora

8. Hughson (5-1, 1-1 TVL)

Last Rank: 6

Last Week: 21-14 loss vs. Ripon Christian

This Week: 10/3 at No. 6 Escalon

9. Ripon Christian (5-1, 1-1 TVL)

Last Rank: 10

Last Week: 21-14 win at No. 6 Hughson

This Week: BYE

10. Ripon (4-1, 0-1 TVL)

Last Rank: 9

Last Week: 42-14 win at Modesto

This Week: 10/3 vs. Orestimba

Bubble Teams: Pitman (3-2), Davis (2-3), Orestimba (2-3) Modesto (2-3), Johansen (3-2)

This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM.

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.