Stanislaus District football rankings (11/27/14)

LARGE SCHOOLS

(Modesto Metro Conference, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League, Western Athletic Conference; previous rankings in parentheses)

1. (3) Oakdale (11-1) – The Mustangs hammered Vista del Lago 42-14 to end the Eagles’ season for the third time in four seasons.

2. (5) Central Catholic (9-3) – Raiders take on small-school No. 1 Sonora in search of third consecutive D-IV crown; three in a row would trigger mandatory promotion to D-III playoffs in the future.

3. (1) Merced (9-3) – Upset by the lowest remaining seed in all of Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs: No. 12 Monterey Trail 51, Merced 45.

4. (2) Sierra (10-2) – Timberwolves gave up more than 600 yards on defense and, amazingly, were still within one score before being upset 49-44 by No. 10 Rio Linda.

5. (6) Downey (10-2) – The Knights fell 63-21 to top-seeded Grant, which ends their season for a second consecutive year.

6. (4) Manteca (9-3) – After beating Sacramento in 2013 to win D-III crown, the Buffaloes couldn’t do it again as the Dragons turned the tables for a 34-28 victory.

7. (7) Modesto (9-2) – Season complete.

8. (8) Turlock (6-5) – Season complete.

9. (9) Pitman (7-3) – Season complete.

10. (10) Los Banos (9-3) – For the second time in three years, the Tigers’ season ends in the second round of the D-IV playoffs as Sonora hands them a 28-14 loss.

Dropped out: None.

SMALL SCHOOLS

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

1. (1) Sonora (11-1) – The Wildcats beat Los Banos 28-14 and will play in first section championship game since 2005, seeking their first title since 1995.

2. (2) Modesto Christian (11-1) – The Crusaders eliminated defending D-VI champ Bradshaw Christian 42-14 and now get a shot at avenging a season-opening loss to Capital Christian on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Lodi’s Grape Bowl.

3. (3) Escalon (8-4) – The Cougars fell to two-time defending state champ Central Catholic 35-14 in a game closer than the score indicates; their future looks bright with eight offensive and seven defensive starters set to return in 2015.

4. (7) Hughson (8-4) – The Huskies made the long trip to Grass Valley to take on No. 1 Bear River and were sent home with a 37-14 loss.

5. (4) Ripon Christian (9-3) – The Knights were handled 56-13 by top-seeded and undefeated Capital Christian.

6. (5) Mariposa (8-4) – Mariposa couldn’t stop Colfax running back Tim Rawlins (179 yards), who picked up four first downs on the final drive of the Grizzlies’ 28-21 loss.

7. (6) Le Grand (7-4) – Season complete.

8. (8) Gustine (7-4) – Season complete.

9. (9) Orestimba (6-5) – Season complete.

10. (10) Amador (6-5) – Season complete.

Dropped out: None.

Joe Cortez

This story was originally published November 26, 2014 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Stanislaus District football rankings (11/27/14)."