Ryan Teicheira was on the losing end the last time he was involved in a Sierra-Lathrop football game.

He was Sierra’s offensive coordinator in 2015 when the visiting Spartans escaped with a 37-35 victory. Of course, Teicheira and the Timberwolves did not lose for the rest of the year, making a surprising run to a state championship.

The following year, Lathrop won more decisively 49-21, then squeaked out a third straight in 2017, 21-20.

Now, as head coach of Lathrop, Teicheira — a 2001 Sierra graduate — is trying to get the Spartans rolling again in this rekindled rivalry. Sierra dominated the last two meetings and lead the all-time series 8-3.

After a four-year break, these Manteca Unified schools will reunite in a season opener tonight at Lathrop’s Bennie Gatto Field. Lathrop is coming off two straight 6-4 seasons, while Sierra wants to begin a turnaround from back-to-back 1-9 finishes.

In filling out his schedule, Teicheira sought an opponent that runs a spread offense and can prepare his team for Western Athletic Conference play. He jumped on the opportunity to face one he is already familiar with.

“There are a couple spread teams in our league and I wanted us to face that early,” Teicheira said. “Plus, it’s a fun matchup with people on their staff I’ve known a long time. We’re still buddies and still hang out.

The schedule for the upcoming season already been established by the time longtime assistant Jeff Abrew took over the head coaching position at Sierra, and he is excited to have Lathrop back in the crosshairs.

“I’m looking to keep on that on the schedule forever,” Abrew said. “It’s a fun rivalry, and they were on the cusp of making the playoffs the last couple years. It’s a solid program.”

It’s a chance for Sierra to match up with a traditional Wing-T offense, which the T’wolves will see again in the Valley Oak League against Oakdale.

Tonight, they’ll get to test their unproven linemen against Lathrop’s experienced front. Meanwhile, Lathrop’s new-look linebacking corps expects to have its hands full with Sierra running back Anthony Grady.

With so much history between the two schools, Teicheira expects an intense battle that serves as an important learning experience for his players.

 “It’s a game we haven’t had in a few years,” he said. “It’s going to be fun overall but also highly competitive. I know coach Abrew isn’t going to put a bad product out there. It’ll be highly emotional, and we’re hoping this will teach the kids how to stay in the game and just focus on playing good football.”

Here’s a look at other week-zero games in the area:

East Union (4-7) at Armijo (4-6): Both teams are young and athletic at the skill positions, but this could come down to the battle in the trenches in Fairfield.

East Union’s offensive line is going to be challenged by a massive defensive front led by 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive tackle Jericho Johnson, who compiled nine sacks for the Royals last year. He’s a four-star prospect who holds 20 offers from NCAA Division I programs.

Armijo looks to be improved offensively after its attack was orchestrated by two underclassmen. Returning is dual-threat junior Willie Nickson and sophomore Kimani Dokes.

The Royals struggled to score for much of last season, tallying just 24 points in all during a five-game losing streak.

Manteca (11-2) at Vista del Lago (6-5): The Buffaloes battered Vista del Lago at home in their season opener last year 44-6, but the Eagles of Folsom improved from there en route to a second-place finish in the competitive Capital Athletic League.

Vista del Lago has high hopes with an experienced senior class supported by juniors who went 9-1 at the JV level. Leading the way are three-star prospects in quarterback Johnny Koett, receiver Matt Long and 6-4, 265-pound defensive lineman Brandon Nazworth. All have multiple offers, with Long and Nazworth both committing to Air Force.

Ripon (5-7) at Linden (6-4): These teams have not played each other in 10 years.

Both have loads of returning talent at the skill positions. For the Lions, 6-2 sophomore DeAndre Smith returns at receiver with junior Sebastian Trujillo coming up from the 7-3 JV team. Dax Weber, their leading receiver as a sophomore last year, gets the nod at running back in place of the highly-productive Joe Cowan.

Linden also gets its best defensive player back in 6-0, 220-pound linebacker Tony Cowan.

Ripon Christian (11-3) at Central Valley Christian (12-1): Two close-knit, small-school communities converge in Visalia. Their girls volleyball teams — which met in the Division IV state title match last year — are also playing each other tonight.

CVC won the opener last year 42-14 and remained undefeated until losing the Central Section Division II final to Lemoore, 62-46. Ripon Christian went on to claim the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII championship.

The Cavaliers graduated much of their talent, such as touted tight end/edge rusher Jaeden Moore (now at Oregon), but have reloaded with a strong class from their 10-0 JV squad.

Three-star running back Bryson Donelson is Central Valley’s top returner after rushing for 1,466 yards and 18 touchdowns while catching 17 passes for 364 yards and five more scores.