It looks like the Manteca High football team will have its big stars for the big game.

Dakarai Charles and Hector Soto will start Saturday’s against Oakdale at Levi’s Stadium.

Manteca’s nicked-up offensive catalysts began last Friday’s 14-12 victory at Lathrop on the bench, but were summoned onto the field with the game in doubt in the second half. Head coach Eric Reis planned to rest the starters, both of whom were injured during the Central Catholic week.

Charles injured his knee in practice the Wednesday before the Buffaloes’ 29-28 overtime loss to the Raiders. The injury was severe that Reis later disclosed that the junior quarterback was a game-time decision. Charles played with a noticeable limp and was largely ineffective through the first three quarters.

He shook off the pain, though, and gave the Buffaloes (1-1 VOL, 4-1 overall) a chance to escape with a win, engineering touchdowns on their final two drives. He had a 36-yard pass to Ronaldo Tijero down the sideline, showcasing his arm strength and touch. The ball was thrown long and toward the boundary, allowing Tijero to run past the double coverage.

Three plays later, Lechi Nkwocha tied the game at 21s with a 1-yard run.

“Dakarai got hurt the Wednesday before Central Catholic and hasn’t been right,” Reis said of the dual-threat quarterback. “I want him right. We need him to be himself.”

Soto was on pace for a banner game when he pulled up lame on the first series of the second half with a leg injury. 

The bruising tailback rushed for 106 yards on 11 carries, and his 35-yard touchdown pass to Dom Pisano helped Manteca cut into a 21-0 deficit.

He was also a major contributor on defense. The middle linebacker had seven tackles, and the Buffaloes will need his presence in the gaps against an Oakdale team that promises to be just as physical and run-oriented.

“It almost cost us the game last week,” Reis said of a narrow 14-12 victory over Lathrop, “but we’ll be alright. … We should be ready to practice all and put our best foot forward.”

Reis hoped to sit the two last week, but the much-improved Spartans nearly dealt the reigning Valley Oak League champions a crippling blow. The Buffaloes jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind Pisano and Darrion Kitson, filling in at quarterback and tailback, respectively.

Pisano hooked up with Tijero for a 26-yard touchdown, and Kitson showed his breakaway speed with a 35-yard scoring burst.

But the offense stalled.

Eventually, the defense saved the day, blocking their second game-winning field goal attempt in as many weeks. 

Both Charles and Soto played in the second half, with the latter playing a pivotal role in the victory. Soto carried the ball five times for 43 yards with long runs of 15 and 12 yards, as the Buffaloes chewed up the game clock.

“Sitting those guys, it almost blew up on us,” Reis said. “Lathrop is right there. You start giving them momentum and the next you thing you know, you’re in a dogfight. 

“Coach (Steve) Wichman has his program going in the right direction. We were fortunate to get the win and now we’re at the biggest game of the year.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at noon at Levi’s Stadium, the billion-dollar home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara. The game is one of four in the “Friday Night Lights” showcase. There are doubleheaders scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Manteca-Oakdale kicks off the Saturday lineup – nationally-ranked De La Salle takes on James Logan in the nightcap – but in the Valley Oak League, this is the main event. 

Oakdale (2-0, 5-0) has won 10 VOL championships in the last 12 years. Manteca currently occupies the throne and has four Sac-Joaquin Section titles.