High school football rankings: A second offensive onslaught puts new team at No. 1
Oakdale started the season a top three team in the Stanislaus District and never dropped out. It’s only been up for the Mustangs, who are defending Division III runners-up, and after seven weeks, are the No. 1 team in The Bee’s rankings.
The jump over former top team Central Catholic comes after another offensive onslaught, scoring at least 70 points for the second time this season to overcome a previously unbeaten East Union. While they did give up 55 points and five touchdowns to UC Davis commit Jackson Fay, you’re not losing many football games where you put up 70 points.
Air Force-bound Wes Burford had a career day, posting 423 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The Mustangs host the Raiders in two weeks in a key Oct. 17 Valley Oak League matchup.
The Trans-Valley League remains a league where every game is truly up for grabs. Hughson bounced back from a home loss to Ripon Christian with a dominant road effort against Escalon, winning 29-6 Friday. The win for Hughson marks the first time they have beaten Escalon in back-to-back years since the late 1990s.
In other TVL action, Hilmar nearly beat Sonora, a top 10 team in the Sac-Joaquin Section according to MaxPreps. The Yellowjackets were ahead 21-16 late in the fourth quarter, but a Sonora game-winning drive gave them a 22-21 win.
In the rankings, Hughson jumps Escalon but the Cougars stay above Hilmar. The Huskies climb because of the head-to-head win. Even though the Yellowjackets had a better showing against Sonora, a common opponent between Hilmar and Escalon, Escalon dominated the head-to-head matchup.
Modesto Bee Top 10 Rankings
1. Oakdale (5-1, 2-0 VOL)
Last Rank: 2
Last Week: 71-55 win vs East Union
This Week: 10/10 at Patterson
2. Central Catholic (2-4, 1-1 VOL)
Last Rank: 1
Last Week: BYE
This Week: 10/10 at East Union
3. Downey (3-3, 1-0 CCAL)
Last Rank: 4
Last Week: 45-8 win vs Gregori
This Week: 10/10 at Pitman
4. Turlock (2-4, 1-0 CCAL)
Last Rank: 3
Last Week: 43-6 win vs Enochs
This Week: 10/10 at Gregori
5. Patterson (2-5, 1-2 VOL)
Last Rank: 5
Last Week: 49-13 win at Mountain House
This Week: 10/10 vs No. 1 Oakdale
6. Hughson (6-1, 2-1 TVL)
Last Rank: 7
Last Week: 29-6 win vs Escalon
This Week: 10/10 at Sonora
7. Escalon (3-4, 1-2 TVL)
Last Rank: 6
Last Week: 29-6 loss vs Hughson
This Week: BYE
8. Hilmar (4-3, 1-2 TVL)
Last Rank: 8
Last Week: 22-21 loss vs Sonora
This Week: 10/10 at Orestimba
9. Ripon Christian (5-1, 1-1 TVL)
Last Rank: 9
Last Week: BYE
This Week: 10/10 at No. 10 Ripon
10. Ripon (5-1, 1-1 TVL)
Last Rank: 10
Last Week: 49-0 win vs Orestimba
This Week: 10/10 vs No. 9 Ripon Christian
Bubble Teams: Pitman (4-2), Johansen (4-2), Davis (3-3), Orestimba (2-4) Modesto (2-4)
