Central Catholic, Oakdale set for football showdown

This is the game everybody’s been waiting for.

Central Catholic vs. Oakdale.

And, as most everybody assumed, it’s for the Valley Oak League title.

OK, it’s for a piece of the VOL title. And the winner will only get the league’s No. 2 playoff seed since Sierra, with wins over both teams, already has clinched the top spot.

But none of that diminishes this game, which kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. at The Corral in Oakdale.

Central Catholic (7-2, 5-1) is the Stanislaus District’s most powerful of powerhouses, having won a Sac-Joaquin Section-record 17 banners and the last two Division IV state championships. Oakdale (8-1, 5-1) is the district’s most successful public school over the past two decades with eight trips to the section final since 1996, including a trip to the 2012 D-II state title game.

These storied programs have combined for 20 section crowns, 30 trips to the section final and four state championship games.

And there’s nothing subtle about their game plans, either. Both teams play tough, physical football. So much so, in fact, that their physicality can intimidate opponents.

Central Catholic’s Justin Rice and Montell Bland, who is coming back from an injury and should see playing time Friday, are punishing runners, as likely to run over defenders as around them. On the other side, Oakdale fullback Frankie Trent, a brick-like 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds, will run over defenders even if he has the opportunity to run around them.

Gregori (7-2, 4-1) at Downey (8-1, 5-0) – The Knights already have clinched at least a share of their third consecutive Modesto Metro Conference championship, but they have not yet clinched the league’s No. 1 seed. The Jaguars, with a win, can create a three-way tie atop the conference standings. You can bet the Jags would like to nail down one of the automatic berths. After all, Gregori was one of two six-win teams that weren’t invited to the big dance – the first time a six-win team failed to qualify. And even though the Jags are a lock for the playoffs, you couldn’t blame them for being paranoid.

Escalon (7-2, 4-0) at Modesto Christian (8-1, 4-0) – Five years and one day ago, Escalon and Modesto Christian were both 8-0 and met in Salida with the Trans-Valley League title on the line. MC won that game en route to section and state championships. This one may not tilt the earth’s axis as that one did, but it’s still a biggie.

The Crusaders have clinched at least a share of the crown and can wrap up the No. 1 berth out of the TVL with a win. The Cougars will get the top spot, plus a share of the league crown, if they win.

Pitman (7-1, 3-1) at Turlock (5-4, 3-1) – Never has the Harvest Bowl been for higher stakes. Sure, these teams have met in the past with playoff position riding on the outcome, which will be the case Friday . But this time, one of the rivals is fighting for its postseason existence.

If Turlock wins, it will secure the Central California Conference’s No. 2 playoff spot, and Pitman will go to the playoffs as an at-large team. If Pitman wins, it will secure the No. 2 spot … and Turlock will be out. The Bulldogs came close last week to getting win No. 6, the plateau that has virtually guaranteed playoff participation in years past. But in last week’s rainstorm, Turlock fell to CCC champion Merced and now must beat its archrival to keep its season alive.

Pacheco (7-2, 5-0) at Los Banos (7-2, 5-0) – For the first time in this rivalry, which started in 2011, these teams are playing for the Western Athletic Conference championship. Pacheco, coming off a 7-4 season in which it gave eventual state champ Central Catholic all it could handle in their league meeting, was anointed the heir apparent when CC departed for the Valley Oak League. The Tigers, however, are coming off a 5-5 season that ended when the Panthers knocked them out of playoff contention with a 24-7 victory in the Crosstown Clash. Even though both teams are headed to the playoffs regardless of Friday’s result, the winning team will get the league title all to itself.

Le Grand (7-2, 6-0) at Mariposa (6-3, 5-1) – The Bulldogs clinched a share of the Southern League title last week – their sixth in a row – with a win over Denair and the Grizzlies’ loss to Delhi. If Mariposa wins Friday, it will go to the playoffs as the No. 1 team from the SL. If Le Grand wins, it will be No. 1 and Ripon Christian (assuming it beats Delhi) will get the No. 2 berth.

Ceres (2-7, 1-4) at Central Valley (5-4, 2-3) – Yes, the name of this feature is “Pick Six,” but this week’s slate of games just can’t be winnowed down to a half dozen. So here’s a bonus game.

The Bulldogs are playing only for bragging rights – something they haven’t had since 2006, CV’s first varsity season – while the Hawks are playing for a shot at the playoffs. A 6-4 regular season will give them a fighting chance; a 5-5 finish will mean they’re out.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Central Catholic, Oakdale set for football showdown."