The Buffaloes’ versatile virtuoso was bound to have one of these performances, and if history is any indicator there is likely more to come.

Last Friday, Nichelson scored six touchdowns in Manteca’s 59-22 homecoming rout of Turlock, rushing 23 times for 207 yards. He totaled 31 rushes in the Buffs’ first three wins of the season, sharing carries with emerging junior running back Bryson Davis while playing some wide receiver.

“I really don’t mind it,” Nichelson said “It gives me more of a break from hits, and I have so much energy for the entire game.”

Against Turlock, however, Nichelson had touches on nearly half of Manteca’s 55 plays from scrimmage and even got to show off his passing ability. On a key third-and-long play, he hit Diego Esparza for a 45-yard gain, setting up a short-yardage touchdown jaunt from Davis to give the Buffaloes a 14-0 lead.

“That’s a play we’ve been working on in practice and we had to take a shot,” Nichelson said. “I was kind of surprised (to complete the pass), to be honest, because there were a bunch of defenders in my face.”

On Manteca’s next possession, Nichelson scored on an electric 26-yard scamper when he spun off a big hit in the middle of the field and bolted toward the goal line with a second burst. He said that was his favorite moment of the game.

Turlock (1-3) did not go away quietly, scoring all 22 of its points in the second quarter to close in 35-22 by halftime. The Manteca defense tightened up, and the Bulldogs had no answer for Nichelson. He scored three of the Buffaloes’ four second-half touchdowns, including a 60-yarder at the start of the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t really have a specific game plan for me to get the ball more this game, I just think in the beginning the run game was working a bunch so they just kept feeding me the ball,” Nichelson said.

The state’s scoring leader a last season, Nichelson is ranked fifth in California with 90 points and fourth with 14 touchdowns. He also has 472 rushing yards (8.7 per carry) and another 164 yards on nine receptions.

Nichelson is a four-star rated outside linebacker who is announcing his commitment next Tuesday at Manteca High’s new gym. He named Florida State, Oregon and UCLA as his top-three choices before the start of the season.

Nichelson and the Buffaloes (4-0) will first cross state lines this Saturday to face Damonte Ranch in Reno.