After scoring on its opening possession for the second week in a row Manteca High watched Stagg answer its opening score with a 55-yard touchdown run of its own. That would be the only answer Stagg would find in the 62-6 drubbing last Thursday in freshman football.

The Buffaloes (3-0) remained perfect on the young season, disposing of Stagg with relative ease in the preseason finale for Manteca. The Buffaloes open the defense of the program’s Valley Oak League title against Kimball Thursday.

Marcus Rivas had another phenomenal effort for Manteca, rushing for 196 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns. Dakari Charles just missed out on breaking the century mark, finishing with 99 yards on just 10 carries with a pair of scores.

Tyler Graves tossed a touchdown pass for Manteca and also converted on 8-of-9 PAT attempts. Teammates Darian Kitson, Brian Robbins and Nate Krebs also scored touchdowns in the blowout.

Defensively Manteca got a score from Jason Defrenchi who picked off a Stagg pass and returned it 28 yards for the touchdown. Matt Maddox recovered a Stagg football deep in its own territory, leading to the Buffaloes eighth score.

“This was a great way to finish the preseason,” Manteca head coach Jon Shaefer said. “(It was) a superior victory over a very athletic Stagg football team.

“Tonight we were firing on all cylinders.”

Manteca will be hosting the Jaguars when they open the VOL schedule Thursday.