Manteca earned an outright claim of the Valley Oak League championship last year — the first time the Buffaloes had done so since 2013.

Although they’re proud of the achievement, other objectives remain unchecked.

The nine-time Sac-Joaquin Section champions made their seventh straight semifinal appearance but were stopped short of the Division II final for a second consecutive year.

The Buffs aspire to bust out of that slump and get another shot at that elusive state championship. Manteca has made six NorCal Bowl Games since the inception of the California Interscholastic Federation’s state playoffs but lost all six.

A decorated cast of returners led by VOL Co-MVP Quinn Martinez has been buttressed by talented newcomers, and they’ll be tested early on by some NorCal giants.

“This year, nothing has changed for us. Our expectations are the same, and we’re never satisfied,” Martinez said. “We won VOL outright last year, but that was last year. We’re playing good teams in the preseason, and that will get us ready for our VOL matchups. If we keep doing our thing, work hard and stay on the same page, we can come out of it 10-0 and hopefully win section and whatever comes next.”

With eight returning starters on offense, Manteca is loaded at the skill positions and may at times stray away from its typical ground-and-pound approach.

All-league honorees Nikko Juarez and Maava Tialavea enter their third varsity season in the Buffaloes’ backfield, and Martinez returns as the top target for senior quarterback Owen Gully.

“Gully’s leadership has been huge,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said. “He has taken the reins completely and it’s unquestionably his team. He has stepped up and really got things rolling.”

The emergence of Gully, wealth of talent at the skill position and reinforcements on the line allow the Buffaloes to diversify their attack. Also returning are second-year junior tight end Nate Slikker and senior receivers Micah Cardoza and Cam Jimenez. Varnum is also excited about the incoming juniors who were part of the 10-0 freshman squad two years ago.

“We’re deep at receiver and absolutely want to utilize them all,” Varnum said. “We’re bringing back every single skill player on offense, and with the new guys coming up from JV, we’re hoping to play fast and athletic. It’ll be tough to replace some of the guys from last year, but it’s a different-look Buffs this year.”

Defensively, they’re just as deep in the defensive backfield where Martinez also shines at cornerback. He is joined by fellow third-year varsity veteran Carson Sablan and seniors Mateo Esparza and Jose Rios. Juarez, who played sparingly on defense the past two seasons, will get more reps in the secondary.

All-VOL first-team linebacker Kyrin Barajas takes over the lead role after playing alongside VOL Co-Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Ruben Moreno.

Manteca’s biggest graduation hits are on the offensive and defensive lines. The Buffs lost three all-league offensive linemen, including third-year tackle and reigning VOL Lineman of the Year Ratu Tomasi. Four-year starter Isaiah White is among the losses on the defensive side.

Robert Nelson returns on the offensive line and will have more opportunities on defense. Michael Lopez is also back after starting at guard as a sophomore.

The Buffaloes got a boost from transfers Kevin Bradley and Michael Smith, who arrive from James Logan in Union City. They’ll likely play on both sides of scrimmage. Bradley immediately stands out at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds and was an All-West Alameda County Conference — Foothill first-team selection for both offense and defense last season.

“They transferred in the spring and took to being Buffs right away,” Varnum said.

Manteca faces four storied programs to prepare its VOL title defense. Elk Grove (Aug. 22) and Lincoln of Stockton (Sept. 19) visit, but between those home games are tough tests on the road. The Buffaloes tangle with North Coast Section powerhouses Cardinal Newman (Aug. 29) and Marin Catholic (Sept. 13).

Marin Catholic, the 2023 Division III-A state champion, came to Manteca last year and escaped with a 29-28 victory after going into the fourth quarter down by two scores. Cardinal Newman claimed the Division III-AA state crown in 2019.

“We’re kind of at that point where when we’re looking for games, there are no slouches,” Varnum said. “We’re only getting calls back from big programs, and Cardinal Newman is obviously another big name. These are the types of teams we play in the playoffs, so we want to match up with teams like that.”

Manteca’s top D-I prospects are ‘like family’

By JONAMAR JACINTO

Quinn Martinez and Nikko Juarez want to make the most of their final season together at Manteca.

The Buffaloes return their two most dynamic players from a 10-2 team that claimed sole possession of the Valley Oak League title, but they were again halted in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals. Martinez and Juarez want nothing more than to get Manteca back in the hunt for its first state championship before parting ways.

They’re both third-year varsity players, but Juarez is only a junior. Martinez is closer to realizing his dream of playing at the NCAA Division I level, but there are more immediate goals to accomplish alongside his best friend.

 “My dad and his dad have been close since they were in high school, so we’re like family,” Martinez said. “We’ve grown up together, and we’ve been working out together since we were real young. It’s been a hell of a ride.”

His dad, Gilbert Martinez, will also be part of the ride. Gilbert has joined the varsity staff to help coach the running backs and defensive backs, positions he played for Manteca’s 2001 SJS Division II championship team and 2002 section finalist.

The younger Martinez is trying to build on a breakout junior campaign in which he split MVP honors with Oakdale fullback/linebacker Wes Burford in the mighty VOL.

Manteca’s swift receiver/cornerback flashed his game-breaking abilities in all phases. Offensively, he paced Manteca with 425 yards and six touchdowns on 27 receptions to go with 203 yards and three TDs rushing. He also had touchdowns on interception, punt and kickoff returns and even chipped in five point-after kicks.

Martinez had a legendary showing at Sierra, single-handily turning the tide in what started as a back-and-forth rivalry rumble. He scored on a 90-yard kickoff return, 69-yard interception return, 26-yard reception and 18-yard all in the first half, as the Buffaloes rolled to a 70-21 victory.

“He’s a three-phase guy,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said. “No matter what, he’s going to make something happen, and we’re expecting more of that this year. We want to get him the ball more on offense and keep him involved in all three phases. He’s been putting the work in all offseason and is going to be exciting to watch.”

The Buffaloes present opposing teams with quite the dilemma on kickoffs with Juarez standing opposite Martinez on the return team.

Juarez, who received all-league first-team honors as a sophomore, was one of the top rushers in the SJS through the first month of the season, but a shoulder injury sustained in the VOL opener against Central Catholic knocked him out of the race.

Remarkably, Juarez still managed to amass 1,508 yards — a whopping 9.5 per carry — and 23 total touchdowns (one receiving, one kickoff).

“I didn’t like missing games, but at the same time, that opened up the playbook,” Juarez said. “Quinn got some love, as did other running backs. We have a good receiving corps, so it was good to get everyone involved.”

Juarez, who was promoted to the varsity early in his freshman year, expects to have an expanded role as an upperclassman. He may be more involved in the passing game as a slot receiver, and on defense he’ll join an experienced secondary.

“Nikko will get to play more defense and is champing at the bit to do that,” Varnum said. “We want to keep him on the field healthy and able to produce on both sides (of scrimmage).”

Juarez has four college offers so far, the first of which came from Nevada before his sophomore season. Cal is the most recent D1 program to join his growing list of suitors.

“It’s something we’ve dreamed about since we were little kids,” Martinez said of getting to play at the next level. It’s our last year together, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and him.”