Stanislaus District prep football power rankings

Comprising teams from the Modesto Metro Conference, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference.

1. (1) Central Catholic (10-0, 7-0 VOL): The Raiders and Fresno State-bound running back Justin Rice found their postseason form in a thrilling victory over No. 2 and reigning Division III champion Oakdale.

2. (2) Oakdale (9-1, 6-1 VOL): The Mustangs went behind enemy lines and nearly took down a three-time defending state champion, overcoming the loss of two-way lineman Louis Marsella (shoulder).

3. Patterson (10-0, 6-0 WAC): The Tigers provided a campus reeling from the tragic death of a student with a reason to smile Friday: With a 55-13 romp over El Capitan, Patterson capped its perfect season.

4. (4) Merced (7-3, 5-0 CCC): The injury-plagued Bears dispatched Golden Valley, but the one player Merced couldn’t afford to lose – quarterback Jake Foss – left the game at halftime.

5. Turlock (7-2, 4-1 CCC): The Bulldogs, fresh off their second straight Harvest Bowl win, hope to get back senior quarterback Peyton Dunseth (shoulder inflammation) this week.

6. (6) Downey (8-2, 5-1 MMC): The Knights have won four consecutive games, including the last three by 40 or more points, to clinch a share of their fourth straight MMC title.

7. (8) Manteca (8-2, 5-2 VOL): On a night when Manteca blasted rival East Union, the absence of seniors Dakarai Charles and Darrion Kitson was the story. Both were left off the roster for undisclosed reasons.

8. (9) Central Valley (7-3, 5-1 WAC): Moses Ghiorso scored four touchdowns for the high-flying Hawks, who take a four-game win streak into the postseason.

9. (7) Pitman (6-4, 3-2 CCC): The Pride found themselves in position to force overtime in the final seconds against Turlock.

10. (nr) Beyer (6-4, 5-1 MMC): The Patriots make their first appearance in the power rankings after solidifying an MMC title with a five-game win streak.

Comprising schools in the Trans-Valley League, Mother Lode League, Southern League and Central California Athletic Alliance.

1. (1) Sonora (9-1, 6-0 MLL): The bye week came at the perfect time for the Wildcats, who may be without junior captain Bradley Canepa for the postseason.

2. (3) Hilmar (7-3, 4-1 TVL): Save for a disastrous opening quarter in a shootout loss to Ripon, the TVL co-champions have been the best team in the area’s deepest league.

3. (4) Orestimba (10-0, 7-0 SL): The Warriors’ defense turned the Battle for the Chief with five turnovers and a fumble recovery in the end zone in the final minute.

4. (2) Ripon (6-4, 4-1 TVL): With a chance to clinch outright the TVL title, Ripon suffered an emotional letdown on the road at Hughson.

5. (5) Hughson (8-2, 3-2 TVL): The Huskies clinched the TVL’s No. 3 seed with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter and a touch of brilliance from QB Walter Fountain.

6. (6) Gustine (9-1, 6-1 SL): The Redskins nearly overcame five turnovers with a championship-caliber defense led by linebacker Brandon LaBry.

7. (8) Stone Ridge Christian (9-1, 5-0 CCAA): The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII champion’s shutout streak reached eight games with a 43-0 win over Brookside Christian.

8. (9) Ripon Christian (8-2, 5-2 SL): Wide receiver Jonah Lewis erupted for four touchdowns, including a 50-yard punt return, as Ripon Christian finished off Delhi.

9. (10) Escalon (5-5, 2-3 TVL): Led by long touchdown runs by Hunter Calton and Cameron Puthoff, the Cougars scored the first 31 points in a final plea to the selection committee.

10. (nr) Calaveras (8-3, 5-1 MLL): The Redskins return to the rankings after completing an impressive campaign in the MLL with a double-digit win over a playoff team (Amador).

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Stanislaus District prep football power rankings."