A Week 10 change of opponent may end up improving Lathrop’s playoff chances.
The Spartans (6-3) are now facing Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion Sutter (9-0) on the road Friday, a match-up they hope provides enough of a boost to their MaxPreps rating for a playoff berth, regardless of the outcome. Strength of schedule is weighed heavily in MaxPreps’ computer rating.
They were originally set to end the regular season against Beyer this Thursday at Johansen High’s Dan Gonsalves Stadium.
“Initially, there was that shock, just because it’s a different opponent, but there was no hesitation,” Lathrop coach Justin Muschott said of his team’s reaction. “They have known for a while now what’s on the table to make the playoffs, and we’re approaching this like a playoff game. This is an opponent we have to bring our ‘A’ game for, so the guys have had the right mentality since finding out.”
According to the Modesto Bee, Modesto City Schools canceled Beyer’s final two Western Athletic Conference contests at the varsity, JV and novice levels, as the program was investigated by Modesto police for misconduct involving players. Varsity coach Mike Young was placed on administrative leave, and one juvenile cited for misdemeanor battery.
Lathrop athletic director Chuck Selna had heard rumblings late last week regarding a possible cancellation of Beyer’s Week 9 game against Pacheco. The Patriots will wind up winless in the WAC at 0-7, and 1-9 overall.
About 24 hours later, after Selna confirmed Beyer’s forfeiture, Lathrop and Sutter reached an agreement for their varsity teams to meet, not long before the Spartans kicked off their regular-season home finale with Ceres on Friday.
It turned out Sutter was also looking for a Week 10 opponent. In fact, the Huskies’ final Golden Empire League opponent, Natomas, forfeited their game last week. They had a non-league home game slated for Week 10 against Layton Christian Academy of Utah, but that was also scrapped.
For the lower levels, Lathrop was unable to find a replacement opponent for its JV team, but the freshman has been matched with the River Islands JV.
“It has been an interesting couple of days trying to get things scheduled,” Muschott said. “It was the perfect storm, with Sutter also needing a game. It just worked out.”
Beyer’s forfeiture will count as a conference win but is not officially included in the overall record for the now-three-time champion Spartans, but there’s a chance they’ll have to split it with Johansen and Central Valley. Johansen ends WAC play at home against Pacheco, while CV tangles with cross-town foe Ceres.
There is only one automatic playoff qualifier per league, however. If they remain locked in a three-way tie, the WAC awards the team with the highest MaxPreps computer ranking, which currently favors Johansen. The Vikings (7-2) are ranked 71st in the section with a 37.40 rating, followed by Lathrop (76th, 35.70) and 7-2 Central Valley (82nd, 33.20).
Teams may also qualify with at-large bids by finishing with a top-eight ranking in their respective divisions. Lathrop, despite its convincing win over Ceres, slid from the No. 8 spot to 9 in Division V. Rio Linda (5-4, 36.17) and Rosemont (6-3, 38.40) are the schools directly above the Spartans.
Sutter is ranked No. 3 with a 63.53 rating in Division V behind Hilmar (9-0, 67.01) and Escalon (6-3, 63.53).
Teams ranked 9-16 in each division are eligible for SJS Bowl Games.
“We knew that we would get, at minimum, a bowl game, but we want to be in the playoffs and compete for a section title,” Selna said. “So, playing Sutter is good for our kids and our program to get that in the books.”
Sutter provides the Spartans a good litmus test heading into the postseason. They’re on a five-game winning streak after dropping three of their first four games, sparked in part by the addition of transfer running back Roman Duvernay. Although Lathrop has endured multiple injuries to key players in recent weeks, standout right tackle Malachi Joseph is expected to return from an ankle injury that kept him out the past two weeks.
“We’ve jelled as a team and been through a lot,” Muschott said. “We’re treating this like a playoff game — our rating and ranking says we have to treat it that way, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re approaching it from that standpoint, and what better way to see where we’re at than to face one of the top teams in the division.”
