Stanislaus District football rankings (10/23/14)

LARGE SCHOOLS

(Modesto Metro Conference, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League, Western Athletic Conference)

1. (1) Sierra (7-0) – About the only thing standing in the way of a perfect regular season is city rival Manteca (Oct. 31).

2. (4) Merced (5-2) – Leapfrogged Oakdale and Central Catholic after knocking previous No. 5 Pitman from the ranks of the undefeated.

3. (2) Oakdale (6-1) – Fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after 31-20 loss to Sierra in Manteca.

4. (3) Central Catholic (5-2) – Will likely meet Oakdale for the Valley Oak’s No. 2 automatic playoff berth on Nov. 7 in The Corral.

5. (7) Downey (7-1) – Knights look like a lock for a third consecutive Modesto Metro title.

6. (6) Manteca (5-2) – With two Valley Oaks losses, there’s not a realistic scenario in which Buffs can grab an automatic playoff berth.

7. (8) Modesto (6-1) – If Panthers hope to defend their Modesto Metro co-title, they need to win out and get help from a Downey opponent.

8. (5) Pitman (5-1) – Pride still has fate in its own hands: Winning out secures an automatic CCC playoff berth.

9. (nr) Pacheco (6-2) – Closes the season with two huge games: Friday against Patterson and Nov. 7 against crosstown rival Los Banos.

10. (nr) Los Banos (5-2) – Booted Patterson from the Top 10 with a 47-41 victory; has toughies against Livingston, Central Valley and Pacheco on horizon.

Dropped out: Previous No. 9 Patterson, previous No. 10 Gregori. On the bubble: Patterson (5-2), Greogri (5-2), Davis (5-2), Livingston (5-3), Central Valley (4-3).

SMALL SCHOOLS

(Trans-Valley League, Mother Lode League, Southern League, Central California Athletic Association)

1. (1) Sonora (6-1) – Faces an Amador team Friday at Dunlavy Field that has won four games in a row.

2. (2) Modesto Christian (6-1) – Crusaders host a Ripon squad that has a little momentum after two consecutive wins.

3. (3) Escalon (5-2) – Should have little trouble this week against Riverbank before closing regular season against Ripon and Modesto Christian.

4. (5) Le Grand (5-2) – At 4-0 in the Southern, the Bulldogs sit atop a crowded leaderboard.

5. (7) Mariposa (5-2) – Also 4-0 in the Southern, the Grizzlies take on second-place Gustine in a key matchup.

6. (8) Gustine (6-1) – With one league loss, Redskins need a win over Mariposa to realistically stay in hunt for No. 1 playoff spot.

7. (4) Hughson (4-3) – After four straight wins to open the season, the Huskies have lost three in a row.

8. (6) Ripon Christian (5-2) – Fell 23-7 loss to Gustine and probably out of the race for one of the Southern’s automatic playoff bids.

9. (9) Orestimba (5-2) – If Orestimba wins final three, and Mariposa wins final three, the Warriors go to the playoffs as Southern’s No. 2 seed.

10. (10) Summerville (5-3) – Faces Calaveras (3-4), a team that is desperate to win out and get to six-win plateau that virtually guarantees at-large bid.

Dropped out: None. On the bubble: Ripon (3-4), Amador (4-3).

This story was originally published October 22, 2014 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Stanislaus District football rankings (10/23/14)."