Ask Manteca coach Eric Reis what impresses him most about Central Catholic and the answer stretches on and on.

There’s a lot to like about the Valley Oak League’s newest dance partner.

Start with the quarterback, Hunter Petlansky, a readymade college prospect in both size and skill-set.

There’s the number of Sac-Joaquin Section championships (11) and state titles (2), which collectively put the sparkle in the Raiders’ trademark gold helmets.

Then there’s the cast: the Rice brothers, Jared and Justin, who patrol the airways for Central Catholic (2-1); and running back Montell Bland, whose older brother Louis is a legend in these parts.

Then, of course, there is the discipline and execution, both of which stem from head coach Roger Canepa.

“They’re the two-time state champs. When you have them on your schedule, you know it’s a huge game,” said Reis, whose Valley Oak League title defense begins on Friday at Central Catholic’s Patton Field.

“We know there are a couple of other huge ones on the horizon, so you play each one as they come to you. … This is different, though, because it’s the first game and it feels a lot bigger than that.”

Manteca has been managing those emotions now for two weeks. The Buffaloes are 3-0 with victories over Wilcox, small-school power Valley Christian and Enochs, and spent their bye week scouting Central Catholic’s 41-13 victory over Beyer.

Reis and his staff weren’t surprised by what they saw. Like Manteca, the Raiders are rooted in an I-formation offense and 3-4 defense. Everything they do comes slathered in force and physicality.

“They’re a power football team, too,” Reis said. “We’re eerily similar in the schemes we want to do. Even when we play Oakdale, at least they’re a Wing-T team. To play somebody that runs a similar offense and a 3-4 defense is weird, for sure.”

Rattling Petlansky will be Manteca’s chief concern on Friday – and that promises to be no easy task. The sturdy but deceptively nimble quarterback has thrown for 395 yards, rushed for a team-high 158 more and accounted for six touchdowns.

“He’s just a humongous human being,” Reis said of the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior. “He’s got these massive arms and legs. He can run and he can throw, so he definitely gets your attention.”

Petlansky’s role might be amplified if Bland (23 carries, 116 yards) is limited by an ankle injury that forced him out of last week’s game.

“Who knows what will happen. He left and didn’t come back. We’re expecting him to play,” Reis said. “Our thought is to always expect their best to be out there.

“He runs super hard, and he’s got a big body. Their line executes. Look, there’s no magic wand – they execute.”

Manteca will look to its own dual-threat quarterback to keep Central Catholic on edge.

Reis said shifty quarterback Dakarai Charles may be called upon to win the game with his arm.

Through three games, Charles has been nothing more than a game manager, showing only flashes of his athletic talent. Instead, the Buffaloes have relied on a stable of running backs to shoulder the brunt of the load.

Manteca has rushed for 874 yards, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. Hector Soto leads the way with 307 yards and six touchdowns, while change-of-pace back Lechi Nkwocha has 160 yards on 11 touches with four TDs.

To this point, Charles’ main objective was to give them the ball and get out of the way. The junior is 16 of 29 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. He hasn’t attempted 10 or more passes since a Week Zero win at Wilcox.

On Friday, he may be asked to play a larger role.

“We’re going to have to throw the ball, so ultimately that falls on the quarterback,” Reis said. “Our receivers and tight end Greg Jones have shown an ability to make plays. We’re going to have to mix it up (with) playaction. We’re not going to be able to run a guy right at you the whole time.”