Turlock and Central Catholic did not want their first-ever meeting football meeting to be in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterfinals.
But that is how it has played out—two tradition-steeped programs colliding for lofty stakes Friday night at Patton Field.
“Two good football teams,” Central Catholic head coach Roger Canepa summarized. “At this point, you should be good.”
The second round of the postseason brings everyone onto the field, including the teams who enjoyed first-round byes. Downey, not one of the fortunate teams to have a week off, worked hard to earn a second-round date at section heavyweight Folsom.
Canepa and Turlock coach James Peterson have tried over the years to schedule games. The Bulldogs and the Raiders even have scrimmaged several times in recent years, but not this season.
“The dates just never worked out,” Peterson said.
Turlock (8-3), the Central California Athletic League champion, advanced by beating Laguna Creek of Elk Grove 48-12. Central Catholic (7-3), beaten by Manteca for the Valley Oak League crown, was the No. 3 seed and watched the Bulldogs dominate another opponent.
The teams share similarities: Physical up-front, aggressive in the secondary, hardened by ambitious non-league schedules and, of course, difficult to beat.
The game’s focal point is Turlock quarterback Scout Silva, one of the section’s most exciting freshmen. He has passed for 2,275 yards and 27 touchdowns and has rushed for 529 yards and 10 touchdowns. His connection with receiver Junior Silva (no relation), who’s scored 10 touchdowns, gives Turlock balance. If Scout Silva imposes his will, the Bulldogs will win.
“He’s one of the better quarterbacks we’ve faced,” Canepa said.
Turlock also has received a boost from running back/defensive back Jeremiah Stine and receiver/defensive back Joseph Delte. Stine has played well the last two seasons after his transfer from Downey. Delte arrived this season from Oakdale.
Central Catholic will counter with a team that has won four straight and clearly has improved over the season. The Raiders took a major hit with the graduation of Tyler Paul Wentworth, Brooklyn Cheek, Trace Hernandez and Mana Itete, but they’ve developed young talent such as receiver Chase Perino and quarterback Kayden McHenry.
Fullback-linebacker Wyatt Dragoo embodies the 2024 Raiders—not fancy but quite functional and a bona fide load on game night. Running back Joey Alcutt (1,090 yards, 12 touchdowns) further identifies Central Catholic as one of the area’s most physical teams.
“These are tough valley kids,” Peterson said in his description of both teams. “I think it’s a great matchup. We’re going to find out who’s more tough.”
Central Catholic has reached the semifinals during its first two seasons in D-1. Reaching the semis again will require one of its best efforts.
“Once you get to this point, it comes down to who’s ready to play on Friday night,” Canepa said. “It depends on turnovers, how the ball bounces and which team is dialed up and ready to go.”
That Downey (10-1) is an underdog against top-seeded powerhouse Folsom (9-1) qualifies as a major understatement. The Knights showed mettle last week, however, by rallying from a 34-15 halftime deficit to top Edison 44-41.
“We’ll focus on what we can control,” Downey coach Jeremy Plaa said. “We’re looking forward to going up there and seeing where we stand.”
Senior quarterback Carson Lamb has passed for 3,421 yards, No. 4 on Downey’s all-time list, and a section-leading 39 touchdown passes.
A quick look at the rest of the divisions:
Division II: No. 4 seed Manteca (9-1), a nine-time section champion, annexed its first outright Valley Oak League title in 11 years. The Buffaloes will open the postseason at upgraded Guss Schmiedt Field against No. 5 seed Rodriguez, which edged Chavez 30-28.
Division III: Top-seeded Oakdale (7-3) features junior Wes Burford (2,002 yards, 24 touchdowns), one of the valley’s most dynamic players. The Mustangs are the hosts against Woodcreek, which stopped Armijo 56-33. Merced trots out another elite player in quarterback Quintell Dupree going into its game at No. 2 seed West Park. Bears coach Rob Scheidt picked up his 200th career victory 41-35 over Rio Americano last week.
Division IV: No. 5 seed Escalon, a state champion the last two years, has won section titles the last four seasons and has not lost in the bracket since 2018. The Cougars kept that streak intact by beating Fairfield 30-7. They’ll travel to Auburn to meet Placer.
Sierra held Yuba City at the 6-yard line during the fourth quarter of its 26-21 road win. The Timberwolves will travel to top-seeded Twelve Bridges. No. 10 seed East Union, which recorded its second playoff win over the last three years with its 21-14 decision at Nevada Union, earns a rematch against fellow Valley Oak League affiliate Patterson. The Tigers nearly blew a 43-15 lead and held on to win 53-50 on Sept. 27.
Division V: Trans-Valley League champion Hughson (10-0), the Division VI title holder the last two seasons and a state champ in '22, has rested for the last three weeks. Arizona-bound Robert McDaniel, one of the valley’s best quarterbacks, and his teammates will welcome an El Dorado team that edged Lincoln of Lincoln 19-14. Hilmar, which turned away a last-second threat from Livingston 14-7, goes to Western Athletic Conference champion Lathrop.
Division VI: Bradshaw Christian (10-0), the No. 1 seed, opens its playoffs against Ripon Christian, which advanced with a 21-6 win over Bear River. Orestimba (7-4), a 33-0 winner over Delhi, travels to No. 4 seed Linden. Calaveras (9-2), a No. 11 seed which shared the Mother Lode League title with Summerville and Linden, upset sixth-seeded Wheatland 24-14. The Red Hawks’ reward is a trip to No. 3 seed Sonora.
Division VII: Big Valley Christian’s 49-0 win over Valley Christian was its first first playoff victory in nine years. The Lions travel to Waterford, which defeated the Lions 35-22 on Aug. 30. Denair easily eliminated Delta of Clarksburg 49-16 but will be an underdog against No. 2 seed Stone Ridge Christian of Merced. SRC defeated Denair 28-6 on Sept. 20.
Alex Quezada’s 5-yard run with 10 seconds left gave Gustine a thrilling 21-18 win over Golden Sierra. It was the Reds’ first home playoff win since 2018. Gustine’s next challenge is a trip to Tuolumne City to face top-seeded Summerville.
THIS WEEK’s PLAYOFF GAMES:
Division I: Downey (8) at Folsom(1), Turlock (6) at Central Catholic (3).
Division II: Rodriguez (5) at Manteca (4).
Division III: Woodcreek (8) at Oakdale (1).
Division IV: Sierra (9) at Twelve Bridges (1), Escalon (5) at Placer (4), East Union (10) at Patterson(2).
Division V: El Dorado (8) at Hughson (1), Hilmar (6) at Lathrop (3).
Division VI: Ripon Christian (8) at Bradshaw Christian (1), Orestimba (5) at Linden (4), Calaveras (11) at Sonora (3).
Division VII: Gustine (8) at Summerville (1), Big Valley Christian (5) at Waterford (4), Denair at Stone Ridge Christian (2).
