Check out the Top 10 SJ County high school football teams after Week 7
STOCKTON — Several area teams are already in playoff mode with just three weeks left in the regular season. Some squads need to win out their remaining games just to qualify for an at-large berth, while others are a win away from claiming a league championship and automatic entry into November tournament brackets.
You could almost say it’s championship week for a couple of squads vying for titles among our Top 10 teams and their results will be reflected in our subsequent rankings.
For now, here are The Record’s Top 10 rankings following Week 7 as voted on by our sideline reporters.
1. St. Mary’s (6-1) 30 points
Week 8 game: away at Tracy (6-1)
The regular season is almost anticlimactic for the Rams, who play one of the toughest preseason schedules in Northern California. But St. Mary’s will pay the town of Tracy a visit for the second straight week after demolishing the Wolf Pack on Friday 55-7.
This contest is big for the Rams who are tied atop the Tri-City Athletic League standings (2-0 TCAL) with the Bulldogs (2-0), where the winner will stake a convincing early claim on the TCAL crown.
History is on St. Mary’s side where the Rams are looking to win their 23rd consecutive game against the Bulldogs. According to CalHiSports, Tracy was an impressive 19-0-1 against the Rams until St. Mary’s, who are 26-25-1 overall against the ‘Dogs, re-sparked its program and started the current dominating win streak.
2. Escalon (6-1) 27 points
Week 8 game: home vs. Hilmar (5-2)
The Cougars cruised past Modesto Christian 55-14 wearing the cool Army National Guard camouflage uniforms they typically sport once each year. Escalon’s defense shined with two pick-six interceptions returned for scores, including one by senior Jamin Miller for the final touchdown of the game.
Escalon, which has played seven straight road games, will play its first “home” game of the season against Hilmar Friday albeit at Modesto Junior College while Engel Field is still undergoing its renovation. This contest will once again likely be the deciding battle for the Trans-Valley League championship.
Hilmar (5-2) thumped Ripon 35-0 in Ripon on Friday led by junior quarterback Caden Bailey who scored on touchdown runs of 67 and two yards, while senior running back Logan Cardoso added a nine-yard touchdown run in the win. This game has almost always gone down to the wire. This could be the game of the week.
More: Week 7: San Joaquin County High school football kickoff times, scores and more
3. Tracy (6-1) 23 points
Week 8 game: home vs. St. Mary’s (6-1)
The Bulldogs found out Tokay means business this season, but the Bulldogs scored a fourth quarter insurance touchdown to finally put away the Tigers 21-6 on Friday.
Tracy has had good teams through the years compete well against the Rams but has come up short of the goal line. The Bulldogs’ closest contest recently came in 2018 when Tracy rallied for two late touchdowns in a 28-14 loss in 2018. In other, more forgettable years, the Bulldogs have seen a disappointing result end with a running clock and hope for a better next year.
If Tracy is going to pull off this upset the Bulldogs are going to have to play mistake-free to have a chance for the TCAL title. Going into week 7 Tracy had four interceptions as well as five turnovers on nine fumbles. St. Mary’s had just one interception and a single lost fumble all season going into week 7 — a sign of a great team.
The one thing the Bulldogs can’t afford to do is make St. Mary’s job easier by gifting the Rams with extra possessions so look for Tracy to focus on ball security in this big showdown.
4. Manteca (5-2) 22 points
Week 8 game: home vs. East Union (3-4)
The Buffaloes defeated Sierra 50-0, but if you ask Buffaloes coach Mark Varnum which unit played better between the offense and the defense, he’ll likely side with his defense, which is what earns championships.
Manteca got two first half interceptions by sophomore Jhadis Luckey, including a 101-yard pick-six score to make it 28-0. The Buffs handed the ball off three times to freshman running back Nikko Juarez, each going for a touchdown from three, six and 45 yards out from paydirt, while senior quarterback Garrison Reis scored twice on runs of eight and 18 yards in the win.
Manteca’s defense has helped the Buffaloes to their current three-game win streak as they prepare for their final regular season home game against the Lancers. Manteca has won 11 consecutive games against East Union since 2010 and rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit in 2021 to beat East Union and quarterback Luke Weaver 40-34.
Watch Manteca focus on keeping East Union’s electrifying offense on the sideline as much as possible with clock-chewing drives fueled by its own prolific rushing attack.
5. Edison (6-2) 18 points
Week 8 game: bye
The Vikings started slowly at Linden leading just 14-0 at the half but eventually pulled away for a 40-14 victory. Edison has all but clinched the San Joaquin Athletic Association championship with two weeks to go after the Vikings (5-0 SJAA) defense held the Lions (4-1 SJAA) in check, giving up only a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns in the win.
Edison’s stingy defense held Linden’s rushing attack to just 85 rushing yards and limited junior quarterback Matthew Schallberger to just 201 passing yards and a touchdown but picked off the signal-caller twice in the win.
The SJAA takes a week off next week giving the Vikings a chance to prepare for games against Bear Creek and Franklin to close out the regular season.
More: SJAA Dominance: Edison football beats Linden to secure first place in league
6. Lincoln (4-3) 15 points
Week 8 game: home vs. Tokay (4-3)
The Trojans got a pair of early rushing touchdowns from junior running back Jordin Thomas as Lincoln pulled away late for a 42-18 victory over the Flames.
Lodi senior Matthew Shinn and junior Chase Whiting each had interceptions to help the Flames stay close while Shinn added a pair of rushing touchdowns against the Trojans.
Lincoln will take on Tokay in a must-win battle for both teams. The Trojans need to stay healthy down the stretch if they are going to have any chance against St. Mary’s in their regular season finale — a game that may determine Lincoln’s playoff destiny.
7. Tokay (4-3) 11 points
Week 8 game: away at Lincoln (4-3)
The Tigers didn’t have an answer for Tracy’s ground assault surrendering three rushing touchdowns in the contest. But Tokay played inspired ball on defense while missing three of its players after the trio was involved in a vehicle accident. One of the players, senior receiver Lino Ruiz who has two receiving touchdowns this year, was reportedly still in critical condition on Friday.
Tokay will have to improve its run defense to stop Lincoln junior running back Jordin Thomas and keep its playoff hopes alive. The Tigers will be a strong test for the Trojans and the game may be decided by a single turnover.
8. Linden (6-2) 9 points
Week 8 game: bye
The Lions did everything they could against the Vikings but they couldn’t get past Edison’s defense until the fourth quarter which was too little, too late.
Linden will rest up for a week before traveling to Stagg for a key matchup with the Delta Kings and try to stay within reach of Edison in the SJAA title chase. The Lions deserved a playoff berth last year and, even after beating Stagg, had to watch the Delta Kings get into the postseason. Look for Linden to try to make an even stronger case to be included in the postseason after having to play against and beating several schools two and three times its size as the Lions contend for the SJAA championship.
9. East Union (3-4) 8 points
Week 8 game: away at Manteca (5-2)
The Lancers high flying offense didn’t get going until just before halftime, but by then Oakdale had a 41-0 lead behind bulldozing run blocking and the Mustangs didn’t look back.
East Union quarterback Kirk Simoni completed 19-of-30 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns but had an interception that led to an Oakdale score.
East Union next takes on Manteca, who has limited its opponents in its current three-game win streak to a combined total of 13 points.
10. Bear Creek (5-3) 2 points
Week 8 game: bye
The Bruins easily got past Franklin 48-12 as Bear Creek senior quarterback Shaan Johal completed 23-of-43 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns along with an interception in the win. Three of Johal’s passes went to sophomore receiver Richard Lara to fuel the offense. Johal also got it done on the ground for the Bruins with seven carries for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Yellowjackets.
Bear Creek has an extra week to prepare for a showdown with rival Edison to keep its slim SJAA title hopes alive.
Others receiving votes: Ripon Christian
This article originally appeared on The Record: Check out the Top 10 SJ County high school football teams after Week 7
