Those back-to-back losses to start the season are a distant memory to Manteca, which opened its Valley Oak League title defense last Friday with a resounding 47-7 win at Patterson.

The Buffaloes (1-0 VOL, 3-2 overall) have won three in a row and aren’t leaving town for the rest of the regular season after playing four of their first five on the road.

They scored 33 unanswered points against Patterson (0-1, 3-2), and the defense came up with four interceptions.

Nikko Juarez led the balanced attack with 148 yards and two touchdowns on 13 rushes. Brody Carabello completed eight of nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown to Jaylin Harris (three receptions, 82 yards).

Sophomore E.J. Johnson had one of the interceptions, which set up his own 1-yard touchdown run that it 33-0 in the third quarter. The Tigers answered with their lone TD, a 15-yard pass from Scout Silva to Caden Lozano.

Manny Lopez and Carabello capped scoring for Manteca with short-yardage scampers.

Washington State commit Jayden Harris picked off two passes, and Jeremiah Orona had the other interception. Linebacker Brixton Menchaca had a team-high seven tackles.

The Buffaloes host Mountain House (0-1, 1-4) on Friday.

Oakdale 42, Sierra 5

Sierra (0-1 VOL, 3-2 overall) struck first at The Corral with a field goal from Ryan Serratos, but it was all Mustangs (1-0, 2-3) from there.

Oakdale tallied 42 straight points, while compiling 403 yards of offense — 331 on the ground. Christian Amerine attempted just four passes but hit connected on three of them for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Andres Ruiz had 98 yards from scrimmage, scoring one receiving touchdown and one rushing.

The Timberwolves scored the rest of their points on a late safety from Mateo Munoz. Offensively, they were limited to 117 yards, 73 coming from five receptions by Blama Kamara. Defensive lineman Jacob Soares led the team with seven tackles.

Sierra has its bye this week and next heads to Mountain House on Oct. 9.

Escalon 38, Ripon Christian 7

Archer Sanders competed two touchdowns passes in a dominant first half for Escalon (1-0, 3-2), which led comfortably at halftime 38-0 on its homecoming night in the Trans Valley League opener.

Fullback Brayden Hughes scored the only touchdown for previously-undefeated Ripon Christian (0-1, 4-1). The Knights used six different rushers to total 128 yards on the ground.

Talen Tameling highlighted the defense with eight tackles and a sack. Samuel Bruno and Jeremy Molloy each forced a fumble.