Crystal Ball: A look at the Stanislaus District’s top games

A quick glance at the Stanislaus District’s marquee playoff football games this Friday, including predictions by Bee reporter James Burns and sports editor Joe Cortez:

Placer (11-0) at Patterson (11-0): The Hillmen will literally bring the noise to the West Side, according to Auburn Journal sports editor Ike Dodson. Placer will travel with its band, which should only add to the festive atmosphere at Patterson Community Stadium. It promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups across all divisions in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Both teams are 11-0 and vying for the opportunity to face No. 1 Central Catholic or No. 9 Christian Brothers in a Division III semifinal. The Hillmen are anchored by Oregon-bound lineman Jacob Capra (6-foot-5, 280 pounds) and two 1,000-yard running backs, Owen Scott and Jared Halbert. Patterson lacks the major Division I recruit and 1,000-yard running back, but the Tigers are explosive. Quarterback Kevin Todd pulls the strings on a triple-option spread offense growing stronger each week. The Tigers have scored 60, 69, 55 and 73 points in the last four games. However, a game of this magnitude likely will come down to turnovers and defensive stops. A defensive specialist, head coach Rob Cozart will need his Tigers to tidy up last week’s effort. Patterson gave up 42 points to Yuba City, despite recovering seven fumbles.

Predictions: Burns: Patterson. Cortez: Patterson.

Orestimba (11-0) at Sonora (10-1): Orestimba is playing with house money. Sonora is in no mood to gamble. Two programs with vastly different postseason lineages will collide at Dunlavy Field. Sonora is the established small-school power. The Wildcats reached the Division IV final last fall by winning 10 consecutive games. Once there, Sonora pushed eventual section and state champion Central Catholic in a wildly entertaining 42-35 loss. Fast forward a year and Sonora finds itself on a similar run, even without its top player (junior Bradley Canepa). The Wildcats have won 10 consecutive games with a plug-and-play defense and super sophomore in Kane Rogers, but Sonora faces an opponent even hotter than it. Orestimba has won a school-best 11 consecutive games and flies into the semifinal on the heels of its first playoff win in school history, a 42-35 last-second triumph over Hughson.

Predictions: Burns: Sonora. Cortez: Sonora.

Ripon Christian (9-2) at Hilmar (8-3): Hilmar was the best team in the Trans-Valley League, save for the first quarter in a league-opening loss to co-champion Ripon. The Yellowjackets’ youth has been its strongest asset. Quarterback Daniel Teixeira and wide receiver Alex Chavez have blossomed into the Stanislaus District’s top tandem. Chavez has 1,171 yards and 15 touchdowns, and has found the end zone in all 11 games. That kind of production has impacted the scoreboard. Hilmar has won five consecutive games. Ripon Christian will look to conquer that wave of momentum with a defense that locked down everyone not named Orestimba in the Southern League. The Knights have held six of their last seven opponents to 14 points or less and the outlier – Gustine – needed to dig deep to pull off a 24-21 win.

Predictions: Burns: Hilmar. Cortez: Hilmar.

Merced (8-3) at Elk Grove (11-0): There isn’t a more versatile player in the Sac-Joaquin Section that Ryan Robards, whose impact can be felt all over the field. Robards is averaging 23 points per game and his play has embodied the type of season the Thundering Herd is having. Elk Grove is ranked No. 6 in the state in Division I, according to Cal-Hi Sports. Merced knows a thing or two about versatile athletes – Central California Conference MVP A.J. Stewart is an electric wideout who doubles as an all-league kicker and emergency quarterback – but the Bears haven’t seen a defense like his. The Thundering Herd is holding its opposition to less than 9 points per game.

Predictions: Burns: Elk Grove. Cortez: Elk Grove.

Los Banos (7-4) at Liberty Ranch (7-4): The Tigers’ struggles down the stretch in the Western Athletic Conference are a thing of the past. Los Banos has been given new life in a wide-open Division IV bracket, and with last week’s victory over top-seeded Lathrop, the eighth-seeded Tigers should get the smoothest path to the final. That includes a trip to Liberty Ranch, a familiar name in the Stanislaus District. The Hawks have been beaten by Lathrop, Escalon and Hughson by a combined score of 93-28. With a wealth of offensive talent, including quarterback Adam Herrera and a re-energized David Walker, Los Banos could turn this semifinal into a laugher.

Predictions: Burns: Los Banos. Cortez: Los Banos.

Sierra (6-5) at Calaveras (8-3): The Timberwolves are on the cusp of the first section final appearance in the school’s 21-year history but that milestone will have to be mined in the Mother Lode. Sierra travels to San Andreas to face Calaveras in a D-IV semifinal. The Redskins have received a boost from running back Noah Preuss, who sat out most of the season after transferring back from Oakdale. The junior has made the most of limited time, rushing for nearly 700 yards in four games. Sierra will be the underdog, but they’ll swing with a proven ground game – Mark Paule Jr. has rushed for more than 3,000 yards in two seasons – and a junior quarterback (Mark Vicente) growing in confidence.

Predictions: Burns: Sierra. Cortez: Calaveras.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Crystal Ball: A look at the Stanislaus District’s top games."