MODESTO – The Central Catholic Raiders’ six-year run as Valley Oak League champions may be nearing its end, but they’re not stressing.
They think they’re getting better.
Last week’s 46-27 victory over Oakdale signaled improvement for Central Catholic (5-3, 3-1) with two weeks left in the regular season.
“Beating Oakdale is always nice,” Raiders coach Roger Canepa said at Monday’s lunch-meeting of the Modesto Quarterback Club.
Central Catholic won outright VOL titles in 2018, ’21, ’22 and ’23 and shared top honors with Manteca and Oakdale in ’19. The Raiders’ 31-14 loss to Manteca on Sept. 27—CC’s first loss in league play in five years—threw this season’s race toward the Buffaloes, who are favored to finish the job the final two weeks against Patterson and Oakdale.
Regardless, the Raiders have found some late-season momentum. In fact, they’re seeded No. 2 behind Folsom, and ahead of Turlock in No. 3, according to Division I projected rankings by MaxPreps.
That means that Turlock and Central Catholic, both with three losses, have been given credit for their rigorous non-league schedules. Wins this week over Mountain House and next week over Sierra could clinch a favorable postseason starting point for the Raiders.
Last week, they limited a potent Oakdale offense – anchored by one of the valley’s most dynamic players in junior Wes Burford (1,666 yards, 24 touchdowns) – to only two touchdowns.
“The first thing to do against Oakdale is to line up right and read the keys,” CC defensive coordinator Billy Hylla said. “We struggled with it all week in practice but by Friday night we got our checks right.”
Oakdale closed to 33-27 early in the fourth quarter but Central Catholic answered on Kayden McHenry’s 57-yard scoring pass to Chase Perino. Josh Mendoza’s 21-yard fumble recovery and return capped the night.
Eleven Raiders were special guests of the quarterback club.
DOWNEY – The previously unbeaten Knights were beaten 33-14 by Turlock in a game that, in the end, probably will decide the Central California Athletic League title. Downey (7-1, 3-1) will emphasize the fundamentals this week, according to coach Jeremy Plaa.
“Back to basics,” Plaa said. “The film of the game showed we have to work on a lot of little things.”
Downey was hurt by dropped passes, penalties and a Turlock defense which shut down the Knights’ running game. Turlock freshman quarterback Scout Silva rushed for three TD’s and passed for two. The loss dropped the Knights to No. 7 by MaxPreps.
“Turlock had a better plan,” Plaa said. “Our defense played good enough to win. Offense was a struggle.”
The Knights must regroup quickly for Thursday night’s home game against Enochs, which was beaten last week by previously winless Pitman 27-21.
NOTES -- The Modesto Junior College Pirates started their bid for a fourth straight Valley Conference title with a positive bang – an important 31-27 road win over archrival Fresno. The Pirates (4-2, 1-0) drew even 21-21 with five seconds left in the half on Luke Weaver’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Joey Stout. MJC took the lead to stay on Lyon Colon’s 27-yard run during the third period, and the defense shut out the Rams in the fourth quarter. Weaver passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third TD for the Pirates, who travel to Reedley (3-3) on Saturday. … Modesto Christian, which did not play last week, enjoyed a trip to Berkeley to watch the Cal Golden Bears and former Crusader star Xavier Carlton. MC coach Michael McFadden said the roster-thin Crusaders (0-6), deemed an independent earlier this season by Trans-Valley League officials, will make their scheduled trip Friday night to Sonora. …
Gregori quarterback Emmanuel Vasquez completed 13 of 17 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown during the Jaguars’ 40-20 win over Modesto. Vasquez’s favorite target was Kaeden Chanthamany who caught six passes for 117 yards. Gregori (3-5, 2-1 CCAL) travels to Pitman. …Johansen trailed 3-0, then ran off 38 straight points to beat Central Valley 38-3. Ezekiel Rodriguez rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns, while Jeydan Saing intercepted two passes for the Vikings (4-4, 3-2 Western Athletic Conference), who will welcome Livingston… Vanntheesouk Dam rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown and Melea Uili recorded 10 tackles for the Panthers (3-5, 1-2 CCAL), who will be underdogs Friday night against Turlock at Downey. …
Big Valley Christian (5-3, 3-2 Mother Lode) was competitive in a 35-20 loss at league-leading Calaveras. In fact, a blocked extra point prevented the Lions from drawing even during the third quarter. BVC will celebrate Senior Night against Summerville. … Beyer (2-6, 1-4 WAC) also will honor its seniors against Ceres at Gregori. The injury-weakened Patriots have scored only eight points in its last two games and were shut out last week at Pacheco 40-0.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES – Central Catholic at Mountain House, Manteca at Patterson, Sierra at Oakdale, Enochs at Downey (Thur.), Turlock at Modesto (at Downey), Gregori at Pitman, Escalon at Ripon, Modesto Christian at Sonora, Hughson at Hilmar, Ripon Christian at Orestimba, Merced at Atwater, Golden Valley at Los Banos, El Capitan at Buhach Colony, Lathrop at Central Valley, Grace Davis at Pacheco, Livingston at Johansen, Ceres at Beyer (at Gregori),Yosemite at Le Grand, Gustine at Stone Ridge Christian, Waterford at Mariposa County, Delhi at Denair, Calaveras at Linden, Summerville at Big Valley Christian, Riverbank at Bret Harte, Viewpoint at River Islands (Sat., 1 p.m.), Bradshaw Christian at Argonaut, Amador at El Dorado
