Sierra is off to its best start through six games since going 5-1 during the 2019 run to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship, but the Timberwolves are well aware of what’s coming to Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium on Friday.
Manteca is fresh off its first win over five-time defending Valley Oak League champion Central Catholic, and it happened with star running back Nikko Juarez going down with an early shoulder injury. The result has vaulted the Buffaloes (1-0 VOL, 4-1 overall) to No. 5 in the latest MaxPreps SJS rankings.
“We’re off to a great start, but we know these last four games are going to be a different challenge for us,” Sierra coach Jeff Abrew said. “Our preseason schedule is a lot less difficult than what Manteca plays, and in order for us to compete at their level, we’re going to have to step our game up. They’re going to be the best team we play all year.”
If Juarez is good to go Friday, this rivalry rumble would feature two of the top five running backs in the SJS, according to stats submitted to MaxPreps.
Fullback Maava Tialavea (20 carries, 155 yards, TD), Ruben Moreno (two TDs), Elijah Stevenson (eight carries, 62 yards) and receiver Quinn Martinez (four receptions, 45 yards, rushing TD) were among those to pick up the slack after Juarez was sidelined during the 30-14 win over Central Catholic.
“Maava and Elijah played great Friday night against Central Catholic, and we’re hoping they pick up where they left off,” Varnum said. “Ruben and Kyrin (Barajas) want the ball, too. We tell them, ‘You block, you get the rock.’ We have guys who can take care of business.
“At the same time, we want to be balanced and get our receivers involved. Even if a player like Nikko goes down, we still have a lot of weapons.”
For Sierra, Brock Felt (826 yards, eight TDs) — known more for his defensive prowess the past two seasons — has been a revelation at running back in the last month.
The Timberwolves have returned most of their talent in the passing game, but the emergence of Felt and addition of Tom Perea as offensive coordinator give them new wrinkles in the spread attack as it goes head-to-head with Manteca’s impressive defense led by energetic lineman Isaiah White.
“Their defensive line is ultra-aggressive,” Abrew said. “They get after it, they’re fast and they’re physical. We’ll have our work cut out for us. Hopefully, the guys will rise up to the challenge.
“This will be the best defense we face all year,” he added. “They give you a lot of different looks, their front seven is very aggressive and very physical, they tackle very well, and they got speed all over the place.”
Manteca owns a 23-6 all-time series lead against Sierra and have won 11 in a row, the last three being shutouts.
“It’s always a little extra when it’s an in-town (rival),” Varnum said. “We know it’s important to them, but we feel like we took a big step last week and we don’t want them to take it from us, so we’re going to have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
Here’s a look at other Week 6 contests:
Valley Oak League
Oakdale (1-0, 4-1) at East Union (0-2, 4-2): Down 43-15 late in the second quarter, East Union nearly pulled off a wild comeback in a 53-50 homecoming loss to Patterson last week. And the Lancers were without their best two-way player Blake Mount (calf).
The unforgiving VOL schedule goes on, this time with Oakdale visiting Dino Cunial Stadium. The Mustangs have won 30 straight against EU, the latest being a 62-26 blowout at The Corral.
East Union struggled to stop the run two weeks ago in a loss to rival Sierra, and it is now tasked with having to lasso the leading rusher in the SJS. The 6-foot, 210-pound Wes Burford has run for 972 yards (9.7 per carry) and 11 touchdowns after rambling for to 1,819 yards and 27 TDs as a sophomore last season. He is also one of Oakdale’s top defensive players as a linebacker.
Fellow juniors Chase Lopez and Gavin Wyatt are other key contributors in the Mustangs’ Wing-T offense.
Oakdale has won four straight since dropping its season-opener to traditional rival Sonora, including an overtime triumph over reigning SJS Division IV champion Escalon.
Western Athletic Conference
Ceres (1-1, 3-2) at Lathrop (2-0, 4-1): Lathrop is establishing itself as the pacesetter in the new-look WAC. The Spartans had no trouble dispatching Grace Davis 35-0 on the road and now get back-to-back home tilts against foes that have given them some tough battles in recent seasons.
First up are the Bulldogs, who fended off Johansen last week, 25-20. Johansen so happens to be the next team coming to Lathrop. Johansen was able produce on the ground, which bodes well for the run-oriented Spartans, but was done in by two interceptions.
Daniel Davis grabbed the two picks for Ceres, while contributing seven receptions, 86 yards and a touchdown in the attack. Quarterback Kyle Phongsa Chhoeum had his best game (227 yards, two TDs), bouncing back from a four-interception effort in Ceres’ 21-14 Week 4 loss to Livingston.
Receiver/defensive back Reis Smith is the Bulldogs’ two-way standout. Linebackers Michael Solis and Manny Mendoza anchor a senior-loaded defense.
Trans-Valley League
Ripon (0-1, 2-3) at Orestimba (0-1, 4-1): The Indians got their groove back last week in a 28-0 shutout of a Modesto, which averaged 51.3 points in its previous three games.
Now, they reunite with Orestimba, which returns to the TVL after a successful 10-year run in the Southern League. The Warriors took their first loss of the season last week to undefeated Sonora, 44-20, another TVL newcomer and early front runner. Orestimba struggled to with the Wildcats’ run game, giving up 318 rushing yards and 419 total.
Jacob Valenzuela continued his strong start to the season, however. Orestimba’s 6-1, 210-pound dual-threat QB threw for a season-high 296 yards with three touchdowns. His top targets are 6-4, 200-pound tight end Dylan McCauley and 6-2 Alan Gamboa.
Orestimba also has two physical running backs in Allen Garcia and Nicolas Cuevas. The 6-1, 185-pound Cuevas is also Orestimba’s top defensive player at linebacker with 42 tackles, 2.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Defensive back Richie Rivas is among SJS leaders with four interceptions.
Mother Lode League
Linden (1-0, 4-1) at River Islands (0-2, 1-4): After sustaining a 70-0 shellacking at Calaveras, the Riptide continues the Mother Lode gauntlet with another contending team. Next week, they’re on to unbeaten Summerville.
They’ll first take on one of the top passing offenses in the SJS led by 6-2 QB Matthew Schallberger, who has completed 65.6% of passes for 1,316 yards, 13 TDs and three interceptions. He throws to two talented 6-2 receivers in Braden Busalacchi (26 catches, 476 yards, six TDs) and DeAndre Smith (25-420-3). Busalacchi is also the Lions’ top defensive player with 43 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Senior Landen Ly is their leading rusher with 373 yards (7.0 per carry) and seven TDs but is also involved in the passing game (12-104-0).
Non-league
Ripon Christian (2-3) at Modesto Christian (0-4): The game is on.
Modesto Christian recently announced to its TVL mates that the football team is going to an independent schedule, as its availability to play games remains in flux from week to week because of low turnout. Although the Crusaders do not have a JV team, a lower-level game will still take place Friday at Roy Blakeley Field between Ripon Christian and Gustine.
The Knights’ depth is being tested with several two-way starters out with injuries. Amos Cady was shelved by an ankle sprain in the first half of their game with Hughson last Friday. The undefeated Huskies escaped with a 28-21 comeback win.
With a 17-man roster, Modesto Christian is young and has yet to score a point through four games. The Crusaders’ depth took a hit when three-star edge rusher Alhassan Iddrissu transferred out of state.
