The compliments have come rushing in for the Sierra High football team and its defensive leader, Trevon McCray. He’s been called “the best player on the field” by Ripon coach Chris Johnson following the Timberwolves’ season-opening 54-7 victory. Teammates often refer to the middle linebacker as an “animal” for his tenacious play on Friday evenings.

But perhaps Hunter Johnson, the team’s offensive leader, said it best after McCray’s virtuoso performance in last week’s victory over Kimball.

McCray’s finished with four sacks and three forced fumbles, setting the tone in a 55-20 victory, Sierra’s fourth consecutive blowout.

“Kimball witnessed a beast in Trevon,” Johnson said. “He’s quick off the ball and quick to get back there. He brings a lot of passion to the field.

“He’s an animal with every play. If he’s not in on (the tackle), he’s right around there.”

Now it’s Central Catholic’s turn to meet the Beast and his boys.

Sierra has run roughshod over its first four opponents, dominating virtually every phase of the game in building a spotless 4-0 record. Now comes its first real test – the two-time small-school CIF state champions.

The Raiders (1-0, 3-1) roll into Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium on the heels of a momentous overtime victory over Manteca High, the defending Valley Oak League and Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champions.

Their reward is a team that may be bigger, faster and stronger than the Buffaloes.

McCray certainly fits the bill, but it’s his cerebral approach to the game of football that has been his biggest asset this fall.

To put it simply, he has become a film junkie. Johnson said McCray had such a firm grasp of Kimball’s offense and its tendencies that he could sniff out a play before the bumbling Jaguars broke huddle.

Honestly.

How else can you explain four sacks against a Wing-T offense?

“A lot of it has to do with his habits of studying the game and putting in time with film,” Johnson said. “He can tell you what teams are going to run before they run it.”

Sierra coach Jeff Harbison echoed those sentiments.

“He was a pretty doggone good linebacker last year,” Harbison said. “He has gotten physically stronger and the year of experience has really shown on the football field.

“I think film has a lot to do with it. He’s getting more film time on his own and he’s gotten his teammates into, it too. It’s something that we’ve been preaching about and the kids have bought into it.”

It shows.

Through four games, the Timberwolves’ defensive unit has proven to be just as electric and game-changing as its prolific offense.

Sierra is yielding a shade under 13 points per game with one shutout, a 56-0 drubbing of Central Valley, a Division III playoff team a year ago.

The Timberwolves have 16 sacks, 22 tackles for a loss, five interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.

“I don’t know how to describe it. They’re doing everything that our coaches ask for and more,” Johnson said. “I feel like everyone out there has the same fire and passion. They fight for everything.”

It emanates from McCray, an all-Valley Oak League first-team selection in 2013 and the team’s leading tackler with 88 stops.

He leads the charge with 28 tackles, including 10 for a loss (he had 13 all of last year), five forced fumbles and four sacks. His sack total is second only to Andrew Guevara (5).

“He’s our best defensive player on the field. Being our Mike (linebacker) in our defense, he has a lot of responsibility,” Harbison said. “He’s got to make the right calls, right recognition, make the right adjustments. He’s really become a defensive captain.”

Just how far can this defense carry Sierra?

In years past, defense has been the Timberwolves’ Achilles’ heel.

A perennial playoff team and former Valley Oak League champion (2009), Sierra’s hopes of a Sac-Joaquin Section championship have often been punctured by a porous defense.

Their sad season-enders have often been shootouts – a 42-37 loss at Colfax in 2013, a 69-47 setback to Inderkum in 2012, a 49-45 loss at Patterson in 2010, and a 39-10 blowout by Del Campo in a 2009 semifinal.

Friday should provide a litmus test; a peak at what this defense can do in the postseason.

After all, it’s Central Catholic, a 17-time section champion and two-time defending state champion.

The Raiders introduced themselves to the Valley Oak League by taking aim at the throne.

CC edged Manteca in overtime thanks to a pair of bull-dozing runs by backup running back Justin Rice. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder carried a Manteca safety 7 yards into the end zone on Central Catholic’s first play of overtime.

He provided an encore for the win, steamrolling a would-be tackler for the  two-point conversion.

The Raiders have merged seamlessly into the VOL with their power run game and physicality. Along with Rice, the Raiders feature tough-to-takedown talent around every turn.

There’s quarterback Hunter Pentlansky, running back Montell Bland and tight end Jared Rice.

“They have talent all over. Is there anybody on their starting team under 6-foot? They’re all tall, big and none of them are slow,” Harbison said. “It’s going to be a big challenge for us. They want to play their game, execute their plays and try and push us around with what they do well.

“Naturally, we’re going to try and stop it.”

Step No. 1: Unleash the Beast.