Games to Watch: No. 1 vs No. 2 highlights key Stanislaus District football games
For the second straight week, Stanislaus District high school football action kicks off with a Thursday night matchup.
On Oct. 16, Enochs and Gregori face off, each searching for a key Central California Athletic League win. For the Jaguars, it will be their first as they enter the matchup 0-2 after taking on the league’s perennial top dogs, Downey and Turlock, in their first league games. Enochs fell to Turlock in its league opener but bounced back last week with a win over Modesto. In a race for one of the league’s top three spots, this game could go a long way in helping the winner’s seed.
Friday, the biggest game of the week features the top two teams in The Bee’s Stanislaus District rankings. Central Catholic held the top spot for most of the first eight weeks, but the Mustangs are on a six-game win streak and took over the top spot recently after their second 70-point outing this season. A win for Central Catholic puts it in a tie for second place behind Manteca, while a win for Oakdale keeps it undefeated in league play and keeps its chances for at least a share for a two-way tie for the league title alive. If they win, the worst Oakdale can likely finish is second in the league standings.
The winner of this game not only sets itself up for prime positioning in the Valley Oak League standings, it will take over The Bee’s top spot for potentially the rest of the regular season.
In the CCAL, Turlock head coach James Peterson can move up the Turlock High all-time coaching wins list with a victory in the Harvest Bowl rivalry game against Pitman. The two teams have obvious history, but the rivalry has received a new shot of energy after Braden Plaa’s arrival that has completely turned around the Pitman football program. For the first time in years, the Pride enter the matchup with a better overall record than the Bulldogs.
Pitman (4-3, 1-1 CCAL) at No. 4 Turlock (3-4, 2-0 CCAL), 7 p.m.
Pitman head coach Plaa knows that in order for his Pride team to be one of the CCAL’s best, they have to beat the league’s top dogs. That journey started last week against Downey, a 28-0 loss, and continues this week in the Harvest Bowl, the annual rivalry between Pitman and crosstown team Turlock High. In the MaxPreps era, Pitman won eight of 10 matchups. Every game since 2014, however, has gone to the Bulldogs. Pitman’s last win, a 27-25 victory in 2013, featured one of the lowest total points in a win in the past 10 games. Pitman escaped last week’s game against the Knights relatively injury-free, but did lose a player in a key position. Quarterback Rj Wilharm left the game early in the fourth quarter with what looked like an ankle injury. Jayden Machado took most of the snaps as quarterback, mostly running the ball and throwing just one pass attempt.
It will be a big game for Turlock head coach James Peterson. Not only is it the allure of another Harvest Bowl, but he is looking to move up on the Turlock High all time coaching wins list. With a win, Peterson will pass Les Ratzlaff for second on the list behind the legendary Joe Debely. But he said he is more concerned about the everyday grind: practices, weight room sessions and earning wins in games. But he is appreciative of the history buffs that let him know of the records so he can appreciate the Turlock High greats. On the field, lineman Dallas Richardson will play his first snaps for the Bulldogs after being taken off academic probation. He started on last season’s team and will play offense and defense when he returns. Scout Silva is pushing through elbow, ankle and shoulder injuries but Peterson said he threw the ball well last week in a win over Enochs. He called his sophomore signal caller an “iron man.” Running back Alex Ventura is not expected to return from an early-season kidney laceration this week, but could be back for the Downey game next week.
At the end of the day, the Harvest Bowl is still as exciting as ever, partly because of the Pitman High resurgence. Peterson said there was once again a line of students to purchase tickets.
No. 8 Escalon (3-4, 1-2 TVL) at No. 9 Ripon Christian (6-1, 2-1 TVL), 7 p.m.
Escalon returns from its bye week hungry for a win. The Cougars battled injuries and the rigors of a tough nonleague and TVL schedule, picking up three wins in their first seven games of 2025. Though it has not been the typical season for Escalon football, it has maintained consistency at home, winning all three of its games at Engel Field. Its lone home loss came to Hughson in TVL play. Unfortunately, the Cougars’ return from a bye is on the road and they will search for their first victory on the road against a hungry Ripon Christian team filled with veterans.
The Knights are 2-1 in league play, with both wins coming after a loss to Hilmar. They beat Hughson and rival Ripon High in back-to-back weeks. In the win over Ripon last week, quarterback Mason Tameling had his hands all over all five offensive touchdowns, throwing for three and rushing for two. He completed TD passes to Amos Cady, Daniel Lambdin and Aaron Van Hofwegen. Everything looks to be coming together for the Knights in their second year under the TVL. They already have won more league and overall games than they did last season. Escalon looks to improve to .500 in league play and overall with a win, while the Knights are playing to keep their impressive, one loss, record intact and add another game to the win column.
No. 2 Central Catholic (3-4, 2-1 VOL) at No. 1 Oakdale (6-1, 3-0 VOL), 7 p.m.
Central Catholic benefited from two big transfers gaining eligibility last week in a dominant VOL win over East Union. The Raiders returned from their bye week with Max Medina at quarterback and Marquis Roberts on the line. Kayden McHenry was the starter, Raiders coach Roger Canepa confirmed with The Bee, but Medina will continue to get some snaps as the season progresses. Friday against the Lancers, Medina threw the game’s only passing touchdown and McHenry completed nine of 11 passes for 105 yards. During the bye, the Raiders stressed defensive adjustments and they showed last week as they held East Union’s dynamic passing offense to just 103 yards. This week they will get their real test, being tasked with shutting down Oakdale’s dynamic rushing attack that has put up some of the highest scoring games in California this season.
The Mustangs are in the same situation entering this week as they were last season. After a season-opening loss to Sonora, Oakdale has won six straight games entering a key league rivalry game against the Raiders. The Mustangs are aware of it, but know that’s just part of the grind of the VOL. Every game is a big game. They know the Raiders’ record is deceiving. Though they have just three wins, they played one of the toughest schedules in the section. Everyone knows about the high-scoring, explosive offense that has scored 70 points twice this season, but when asked what the most underrated part of his team’s offense is, he said how much the running backs are willing to block for each other. That can be seen most in senior Chase Lopez. He was the No. 2 back behind Air Force commit Wes Burford last season but this year, teams gameplan for him. While he’s not putting up the same rushing numbers, he is still willing to run 50 yards down the field to hit an opposing defender to free up a long Flores or Burford run. And when his time comes, he is still good for a 100-plus yard game.
Both teams run the ball a lot, so possessions could be at a premium. The team that executes the best will ultimately set itself up for a good place in the VOL standings with Manteca.
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 1:09 PM.
