One week after suffering a grade 2 AC ligament tear in a shoulder, Manteca linebacker Ruben Moreno was not going to miss his team’s regular-season finale against Oakdale on Friday.

“There was no way,” the Buffaloes’ defensive captain said. “It’s my senior night, and I had to come out and support my brothers and get this win,” he said.

It was a momentous occasion for several reasons during the long-awaited re-opening of the renovated Guss Schmiedt Field, and the Buffaloes outslugged their longtime rival for a 36-24 victory that secures sole possession of the Valley Oak League championship.

Manteca hosted its previous three home games of the season at other Manteca Unified schools but got to finally show off its $13 million stadium makeover that includes special-effects lighting and a video scoreboard.

The Buffaloes were part of a three-way share for the title in 2016 and 2019 with Oakdale and Central Catholic, but their last outright claim came in 2013. The Mustangs (4-2, 7-3 overall) had a chance to force another three-team share, but the Buffs distanced themselves with 22 unanswered points in the second half.

Manteca (6-0, 9-1) led 36-17 late in the fourth quarter, and Oakdale tacked on a cosmetic touchdown in the final minute.

“I have nothing but respect for them and the way they do things,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said of the Mustangs. “I love playing against them, but I love beating them even more.”

Sophomore running back Nikko Juarez led the charge with 168 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. He went toe-to-toe with Oakdale fullback/linebacker Wes Burford, who came into the week as the leading rusher in the SJS. The 6-foot, 210-pound junior finished with 19 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Burford also had a 23-yard touchdown catch as time expired in the first half, as the Mustangs capitalized after a roughing-the-passer penalty on fourth down. Chase Lopez was intercepted by Manteca’s Quinn Martinez on a halfback toss, but the turnover was negated by the infraction.

Oakdale received the second-half kickoff and quickly took its second — and final — lead of the game, as Burford barreled 43 yards to the end zone on the third play from scrimmage of the third period.

“We had to get the momentum back,” Varnum said. “Shot ourselves in the foot a couple times, but the bottom line is that we had to finish the regular season and finish the run for the title.”

Quarterback Owen Gully helped swing the momentum on the next series with a perfect 35-yard completion to sophomore tight end Nate Slikker. Juarez capped the 12-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1.

Gully, who earlier hit Martinez (four receptions, 67 yards) in stride for a 45-yard touchdown, completed eight of 10 passes for 123 yards and three scores.

“We made some big plays in the pass game with Owen; he really came into his own tonight,” Varnum said. “But when it came down to it and we had to play some smash-mouth football, our big boys up front got it done for us.”

Fullback Maava Tialavea (five rushers, 34 yards) widened the gap with a 25-yard dash in the final minute of the third quarter. Back-up fullback Kyrin Barajas then put it away with an 11-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-5 with 4:11 remaining.

“It felt amazing,” Barajas said of his rare offensive contribution. “I normally block for the offense and I love it. If I don’t get fed, it’s OK. I’ll block for my team and I want my other guys to get fed. But that did feel amazing.”

It was perhaps a reward for his excellent play on the defensive side. With Moreno (seven tackles) slowed by the shoulder injury sustained at Patterson last week, Barajas stepped up in a big way, compiling 10 tackles, five for losses and two quarterback sacks. Isaiah White (nine tackles), Joshua Mellion and Ryder Vasquez each contributed a sack.

“Our captain (Moreno) was out all week and ended up playing,” the 6-1, 215-pound Barajas said. “A lot of people had to step up, and I ended up being one of those guys. I couldn’t have done it without my D-line.”

The nine-time Sac-Joaquin Section champion Buffaloes now shift their focus to the Division II playoffs. Brackets will be released on Sunday.

“These kids want to be different, they want to be special and they did that,” Varnum said. “They’re outright VOL champs, but they’re not done. It’s time for 10. We’re going to enjoy this for the next couple of days, get better and healthy during the bye week and then it’s time to go get that ring.”