Media, coaches predict Friday’s Central Catholic-Oakdale outcome

Nineteen members of the local media and coaching ranks were asked to predict Friday’s rematch between Valley Oak League rivals Oakdale (12-1) and Central Catholic (13-0), who meet at Lincoln’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium in Stockton with the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III football title on the line. The Mustangs are the the reigning D-III champs, while the Raiders have won the last three D-IV section and state crowns. For the record, Central Catholic won the coaches/media poll 12-7, though Oakdale won the Twitter poll with 54 percent of the vote.

James Burns, Modesto Bee sportswriter

Central Catholic 42, Oakdale 24 – Central Catholic bottles up potent Oakdale attack; Rice boys run wild.

Ron Agostini, Modesto Bee sportswriter

Oakdale 35, Central Catholic 31 – The Mustangs fell one play short on Nov. 6; they’ll make that play this time.

Joe Cortez, Modesto Bee sports editor

Central Catholic 42, Oakdale 31 – Justin Rice will bust a big play late in the game to break open a tight contest; Raiders may even have to come from behind to win this one.

Jim Silva, Modesto Bee online producer

Oakdale 31, Central Catholic 28 – The Mustangs need to play a perfect game to win the rematch. They will.

Brian Clark, Modesto Bee senior editor, digital

Central Catholic 38, Oakdale 14 – Raiders’ defense too much. Oakdale’s second-half fumble recovery, fake punt and onside-kick recovery kept first game close.

Andy Alfaro, Modesto Bee photographer

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 21 – I think Oakdale wins the intensity battle, but Central Catholic’s offense and defense have too many weapons.

John Westberg, Modesto Bee photographer

Central Catholic 38, Oakdale 30 – Central Catholic’s offense is more explosive than Oakdale’s ... Justin Rice is more likely to rip off a 65-yard TD run.

Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee sportswriter

Oakdale 35, Central Catholic 31 – Yes, this would be an upset because the safe pick would be a team that just doesn’t lose in the playoffs, like Central Catholic. But if there’s a program and a coach to do it, it’s Oakdale and Trent Merzon, and the Mustangs don’t have any pressure to win this game, which might be the difference. Merzon and Central Catholic coach Roger Canepa are two of the most impressive coaches and leaders anywhere, and their players live to compete for them.

Mark Tennis, Cal-Hi Sports co-founder

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 24 – After seeing the first game, Central Catholic looked like the better team for 80 percent of it. If Central avoids a late turnover or losing an onside kick, it should win. I think for Oakdale to win, it has to get some turnovers and things like that. I’m not sure they have enough to stay with Central on both sides of the ball.

Thomas Lawrence, The Record (Stockton) sportswriter

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 31 – When the Raiders re-entered the Valley Oak League in 2014, the Mustangs made them pay for their relative lack of depth overall, and especially on their lines, in a league-clinching blowout victory at The Corral. Powerful lines and improved depth are strengths of this Central Catholic team. Look for the Raiders to feed Justin Rice, who’s built like a grown man, not a teenager, early and often.

Jonamar Jacinto, Manteca Bulletin sports editor

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 27 – Justin Rice keeps doing his thing, but Central’s defense again makes the big stops in another classic.

Jordan Serpa, host of ‘Saturday Morning Quarterback,’ Power Talk 1360 AM

Oakdale 45, Central Catholic 42 – The best way to slow down Justin Rice? Keep the Central Catholic offense on the sideline. Oakdale needs sustained, methodical drives to control game flow and prevent Rice from running wild again. A heavy dose of Brad Aquino and Austin Burke should do the trick.

Jeremy Plaa, Downey coach

Oakdale 35, Central Catholic 34 – To be fair, I haven’t seen either on film this year. CC is always talented and prepared, but it seems like Oakdale gets stronger every week of the postseason.

Aaron Souza, Orestimba coach

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 28 – I watched Central play Placer. Central’s unbelievable and (Justin) Rice, he’s a stud. It’s hard to say, having only seen Oakdale on film. The game-winning touchdown scored in the last two minutes of the game.

Dustin Caropreso, Los Banos coach

Central Catholic 45, Oakdale 31 – Roger (Canepa) has those guys firing on all cylinders. Playing against them all those years in the WAC, and seeing those state championship teams, I think this group of kids is one of the best they’ve had. When you throttle a Placer team that went 12-0, and rush for almost 500 yards without having to throw, that’s pretty impressive.

Seth Davis, Weston Ranch coach

Oakdale 38, Central Catholic 34 – I think the depth and discipline of Oakdale is going to outweigh the athleticism and firepower of Central.

Joe Pirillo, Lathrop coach

Oakdale 28, Central Catholic 14 – Second time around, I think Oakdale pulls it off. I think Oakdale’s defense is going to come ready to play. Central has a good defense, too, but the wing-T offense just wears you down.

Mike Parsons, Modesto Christian coach

Central Catholic 35, Oakdale 27 – Second week in a row, Central Catholic sees a strong wing-T team that is well coached. Reps equal proficiency. Central Catholic has dudes at every position and they keep it very simple. Simple equals fast. When great players are playing fast, they are very tough to beat. Trent Merzon is one of the greats in big games. Oakdale kids are tough; never back down from a fight. But Central Catholic is a District all-star team … too much this time around for the Mustangs.

Mark Loureiro, Escalon coach

Central Catholic 31, Oakdale 28 – This will be a war between two of the top football programs in the section. Oakdale has the revenge factor and its players never quit. They play 3 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than they really are. Central has size and a huge physical presence. Right now they are playing their best ball of the season, both on offense and defense. They have one factor that nobody has and that is Justin Rice. Look for Oakdale’s heart to keep this game close. Central hangs on to win at the end.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Media, coaches predict Friday’s Central Catholic-Oakdale outcome."