For three years, Billy Sharmoug and Isaac McClain were the big men on the Manteca High campus.

The all-star linemen paved the way for the Buffaloes’ historic 2013 season, taking the program to their fourth Sac-Joaquin Section championship and the brink of a CIF State Bowl appearance.

Sharmoug and McClain anchored a massive offensive line, rich in experience and sharpened by playoff heartache. Manteca started five seniors, three of which now play Division II college ball.

There was a catch, of course, to having all that experience and talent on the front line: Eventually, the Buffaloes would have to replace it.

Meet the new kids on the block – Manteca’s next set of trench warriors: center Chase McKee, guards Steven Martinez and Darrell Clemons; tackles Donald Sanchez and Alex Cardwell; and tight end Greg Jones.

They’re not nearly as big as those that came before them, but the noobies’ sights are set just as high.

“The coaches told us from the start, right when spring conditioning began, we were the new five,” said Martinez, a 5-foot-9, 292-pound left guard that goes by “Bacon.”

“In the beginning we had a couple of comparisons to them, but now it’s about us. The comparisons were good. It makes us want to be as good as them; makes us want to step up.”

The Buffaloes (1-1, 4-1) are once again in the running for regional bowl consideration, granted they can survive the meat grinder that is the Valley Oak League and defend their Division III section title.

Manteca suffered a misstep two weeks ago with a 29-28 overtime loss at Central Catholic, but can recover on Saturday in a revival of the VOL’s oldest rivalry.

The Buffaloes butt heads with Oakdale (2-0, 5-0), yet another title contender, on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium, the billion-dollar home of the San Francisco 49ers. The game is part of the Friday Night Lights showcase.

It’s a showcase alright.

For five green giants, it’s a chance to step out of their predecessors’ long shadows and create their own.

“This game is one of those moments. There are a lot of people looking at us. We’re trying to leave our mark as offensive linemen,” Martinez said. “Like every lineman that has played at Manteca High, we want to protect our quarterback and open gaps for our running backs.

“We can leave our mark by making sure they’re safe.”

Still, Oakdale’s defensive front will test Manteca. The Mustangs have held opponents to 14 or fewer points in four of their five games, and last week forced three turnovers in a 48-0 shutout of Weston Ranch.

“Their weight doesn’t look big, but they come in strong. We’re going to run our offense; we’re going to attack them,” Martinez said. “Everybody does their job and you’re supposed to know the guy beside you – your brother – will do his. That’s our mantra.”

The Mustangs are led by defensive lineman Landon Ichord, who will move about the field to take advantage of matchups.

Ichord was one of the VOL’s top two-way players in 2013. Along with wreaking havoc in the backfield with his strength and speed, Ichord was also an all-league tight end.

He was the common denominator in most collisions.

“He’s a freaking beast,” Manteca coach Eric Reis said. “He was good last year, but this year he’s bigger and stronger. He’s one of the top VOL defenders, for sure.

“He also plays tight end, so he’s also crushing you on the down block.”

Not that the Buffaloes can’t dole out punishing hits of their own.

Clemons (guard) and Cardwell (tackle) are the biggest of the blockers. The 6-foot-2 seniors tip the scales at 265 and 276 pounds, respectively, and hold down the right side of the line.

Martinez and Donald Sanchez were tasked with stepping in for Sharmoug and McClain on the strong side. Sanchez is a 6-foot, 212-pounder.

McKee is the smallest of the linemen at 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, but, pound for pound, he might be the strongest Buffalo.

They surprised many when, over the summer, they won the Delta College Lineman Challenge.

The line backed that performance up with a physically imposing season debut at Wilcox of Santa Clara, a 20-14 victory.

Against Central Catholic, the Buffaloes continued to churn out yards on the ground, despite losing starting tailback Hector Soto to injury early in the second half.

However, a narrow 14-12 victory at Lathrop last Friday let doubt creep in. The offense stalled and the Buffaloes escaped only because their special teams unit blocked too kicks.

Reis believes the key to victory this weekend lies with the line and Manteca’s ability to finish off long, clock-chewing drives. For the season, the Buffaloes are averaging nearly 281 rushing yards per game.

“Are we the team we were against Central Catholic or the team last week? We have to figure out who we are,” Reis said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity to find out how good our line is.

“Offensively, we have to stay on the field because with their offense it’s only a matter of time. You stop them and you stop them and the next thing you know, they’re gone.”

Martinez says the noobies are ready for the challenge. This is their moment.

“If we keep on working hard we can become as good as them,” Martinez said. “Every week is different. Every week the D-liners are different; which gaps they go through will be different.

“Every week has to be an improvement by us.”