Manteca was a play away from earning the outright Valley Oak League title in 2023, reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals and wrapped up a demanding schedule with an 8-4 record.
Most teams would call that a success.
“What’s tough is that any year we don’t put a ring on the finger, it feels like a letdown,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said. “Lots of teams would kill to win eight games and make the semifinals in D-II, but our goals don’t change.”
Such is the life of a nine-time section titlist that had claimed five SJS banners in the previous six seasons. Parochial power St. Mary’s dropped from Division I and ended the Buffaloes’ bid at repeating as D-II champion. The Rams were responsible for two of their losses on the season.
With another daunting lineup of non-league opponents and a deeper cast of Valley Oak League rivals, Manteca’s path to the top has only gotten tougher.
Reigning All-VOL Co-Outstanding Defensive Player Isaiah White returns to lead an experienced defense with seven returners, while the offense transitions into a more balanced approach with a crowded stable of young talent hungry to break through.
“Expectations are high for this season,” senior inside linebacker Ruben Moreno said. “We’re bringing a lot of guys back and players coming up from the JV team that were really good. It just depends on how much we want it. We’ll be ready come Week 1 against Elk Grove.”
Here’s a look ahead to the Buffaloes’ season:
Herd mentality
Manteca was spoiled by workhorse backs Blake Nichelson and Bryson Davis the past three seasons.
Sophomore Nikko Juarez, who already has an offer from Nevada, showed his breakaway ability after getting called up to varsity a week before the start of league. He finished as the Buffaloes’ second-leading rusher (480 yards, 10 per carry, seven TDs) in just eight games.
The Buffs are going away from being so run dominant, however. Varnum is taking over play-calling duties with offensive coordinator Brian Rohles now heading the JV squad. Varnum was previously OC under then-head coach Eric Reis when Manteca, traditionally a power-running team, did not shy away from airing it out.
“We’re going to open up this year,” Varnum said. “There’s a lot of depth at receiver and two quarterbacks who are having really good summers and battling it out. It’ll look more like we did in years past with Gino Campiotti and Ryan Ward, as opposed to the last couple where it was focused around one dude.”
Senior Preston Smith and junior Owen Gully are dueling for the lead role at quarterback. Both enjoyed success at the lower levels, and Gully helped lead the JV Buffs to a 10-0 finish.
Two noticeable absences are leading receiver Julian Moncada and junior running back/defensive back Jhadis Luckey. Moncada, a standout sprinter, has decided to focus on his track endeavors, while Luckey transferred to California in San Ramon.
Third-year seniors Eddie Anthony, Chris Chavez and second-year junior Quinn Martinez will get their shots as receivers after featuring mainly as defensive backs. Cameron Jimenez, Gully’s top target last season, is another option in the deep receiving corps.
Seasoned secondary
Anthony, Chavez and Martinez have all-league credentials and one more season together.
The defensive backfield struggled out the gate last season but was much improved by the end. Sophomores such as Carson Sablan and Luckey emerged, tying for the team lead with three interceptions apiece. The secondary is now considered a strength going into the new season, even with Luckey out of the picture. Senior Damariae Long had a productive offseason and could step in at safety.
“Our entire secondary has guys going into their second or third year of varsity experience, and it’s going to pay off huge with the schedule we have,” Varnum said. “We need that experience and for these guys to step up and play to their potential.”
Big, bad Buffs
There is a part of the Buffaloes’ DNA that remains unchanged.
“We still want to play our hard-nosed Manteca football,” Varnum said.
They’re again big and physical up front on both sides of scrimmage. Third-year starter Ratu Tomasi and Josiah Sagapolu return to solidify the left side of the offensive line, and Gavin Goodwin moves from guard to center. Isaiah Ahumada, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound tackle, is among the JV reinforcements.
Senior Josh Mellion and sophomore Nate Slikker add size and pass-catching ability at tight end. Second-year junior Maava Tialavea and Moreno are punishing fullbacks as blockers and ball carriers.
The defensive front is again anchored by All-VOL linemen Mellion (6.0 sacks), White (93 tackles, 4.0 sacks) and second-team linebacker Moreno (66 tackles).
“I feel like our defense is the best it has been,” said White, who will be a four-year starter. “What makes our front special is not just how big we are, but we have motors. With guys like me and Josh, we just want to go, go, go.
“We have a few things to fix, but that’s every team right now. I think our defense is going to be one of the top defenses in the league. We have a lot of returners coming back and good chemistry.”
The loaded junior class includes edge rushers Mathieu Evans and Xyloh Kuresa and linebacker Kyrin Barajas from the undefeated JV.
“We’re pretty excited about the pass rushers,” Varnum said, adding that Tialavea will also be in the mix. “With the experience we have in the back end, we want to be able to get home (sack the quarterback), and we have the guys to do that.”
Early tests
As the Buffs continue to rise in prestige as a NorCal power, teams far and wide are reaching out for non-league games.
“We know what we gotta to do get in the playoffs, and that means playing teams at a high level,” Varnum said. “We’re going to see some new faces and schools I don’t think we’ve ever played before. We’re excited about the opportunity to hang some new pelts on our wall.”
Last year, they took on Sierra Foothill League heavyweights Granite Bay and Rocklin, Capital Athletic League champion Vista del Lago out of Rocklin and St. Mary’s.
The non-league schedule has been entirely revamped but isn’t any easier. Manteca takes on Elk Grove Laguna Creek and Lincoln, all postseason qualifiers in the upper divisions. The Buffaloes play all three on the road.
The first “home” date is a big one: Sept. 13 against reigning Division III-A state champion Marin Catholic at Sierra. With ongoing renovations to Guss Schmiedt Field, the Buffs will be hosting games at other Manteca Unified campuses.
“Last year, we played a lot of good teams, so it won’t be that much different this year,” Moreno said. “Marin Catholic is definitely not going to roll over for us, so we have to strap our boots on for that one.”
Outlook
Manteca’s ambitions are clear, year in and year out.
“We’re trying to get that belt back,” White said.
The VOL has gotten tougher with the additions of SJS Division III runner-up Patterson and Mountain House. And getting to a NorCal Bowl — where the Buffs remain winless at 0-6 — is a tall order coming out of the SJS’ always-competitive Division II bracket.
“We want that section title, a NorCal game and hopefully win a state title,” Varnum said. “We know what our goals are going to be, and we want to do it playing Buffalo football.”
