Something has to give.
When top-seeded Capital Christian plays host to No. 4 Manteca on Friday in the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs, the Buffaloes’ steam-rolling offense is going to run smack dab against the Cougars’ brick-wall defense.
Manteca scored 355 points and averaged nearly 60 during its current six-game winning streak, while Capital Christian has allowed only 52 points — less than 10 per game — in that undefeated time span
Manteca (9-2) eked out a 39-35 home win over Vista del Lago last Friday, with the Cougars downing Antelope 27-17.
“Friday was a huge win,” Buffaloes coach Mark Varnum said. “But we know we need to play a better game this week.”
Manteca allowed big plays on defense that kept Vista del Lago in the game early and lost a fumble late with a chance to put it away.  Angel Garay’s 12-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds remaining put the Buffaloes up for good, and Isaac Searcy picked off a pass on the final play to seal it.
Vista del Lago and Capital Christian are rivals in the Capital Athletic League. The Cougars defeated Vista 21-7 in the regular-season finale to capture the title.
One of Capital Christian’s two losses was to Chandler, 56-0, the top-ranked team in Arizona.
“Capital is way too big and talented for us not to overcome the mistakes we made last week,” Varnum said. “Our kids know that and know what's at stake. Capital is huge up front and have athletes all over the field.”
Way too big is one way to describe the Cougars (9-2).  The offensive line averages 263 pounds with a pair of 300-plus pound tackles and defensive line is anchored by a 330-pound tackle.
Capital Christian averages nearly 350 yards per game — 187 rushing and 162 passing. Austin Amador has thrown for 1,689 yards with 14 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Zeke Burnett has run for 960 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry with Isaiah Bass picking up 697 yards with a 9.1 yards-per-carry average.
Manteca puts up some pretty good numbers as well. The Buffaloes offense has churned out more than 400 yards per game and Ryan Ward has 1,860 yards passing, throwing for 30 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Trabron Russell has added 1,237 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns, including a gutsy 174-yard, one-touchdown outing last Friday while battling illness.
Manteca is not just a two-man show. Jacob De Jesus has more than 1,700 all-purpose with Sunny Dozier chipping in in excess of 700 all-purpose yards. 
“We need to execute and give our playmakers a chance to do what they do,” Varnum said. “We need to give Ryan a little time and get the ball in the hands of Tra (Russell), Jake (De Jesus), Angel (Garay) and Sunny (Dozier).”
With 113 rushing yards and no touchdowns coming into last Friday, Garay busted loose for 110 bruising yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Friday night pits the last two Division III champions against each other. Manteca rolled Oakdale 34-17 in 2017, and Capital Christian edged Placer 25-22 in 2018. The Cougars went on to lose to Wilcox 34-30 in the CIF State Division III-A NorCal Regional Bowl Game. 
“All year, we've talked about getting back what's ours,” Varnum said.  “They are a phenomenal team and the defending D-III Champs and we want it back.
“That's what the kids have worked so hard for since January. It's a tall order, but they are hungry and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
Kickoff is Friday night at 7 at Capital Christian.

AT A GLANCE
WHO: Manteca (9-2) Capital Christian (9-2)
WHAT: Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Capital Christian HS, Sacramento
ADMISSION: $12 adults, $8 seniors (65-over)/military, $5 students (k-12), children 5-under are free