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WEEK 1 PREVIEW: Buffs heading to Patterson after impressive win
Vista del Lago-Manteca football
Manteca’s Blake Nichelson (20) and Bryson Davis (7) converge on Vista del Lago running back Thomas Keegan last Friday at Guss Schmiedt Field. - photo by Wayne Thallander

Manteca’s physical ground game and defense grounded the Vista del Lago attack in a zero-week shellacking, and the Buffaloes will look to keep it going Friday against yet another spread offense.

Patterson (1-0) welcomes the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion after escaping Hilmar victorious, 20-14. The Tigers struggled to get untracked in what began as a defensive battle and trailed 14-6 in the fourth quarter.

Freshman quarterback Max Medina was in on two touchdowns in the comeback, including the go-ahead 10-yard toss to Fernando Herrera. Sophomore defensive back Noah Cozart locked down the ‘W’ for Patterson with an interception in the final minute. Freshman guard/defensive tackle Daniel Mataele is another underclassman making immediate contributions.

Meanwhile, Manteca (1-0) mauled Vista del Lago 44-6, registering all of its points in the first half while holding the Eagles from Folsom scoreless through three quarters. The Buffs gained 345 of their 348 yards from scrimmage on run plays while holding them to 58 yards on 29 carries. Vista gained 201 yards through the air but could only manage a 43.8 completion percentage (14 of 32).

Last year, Patterson started 0-2 following a 44-17 thumping at the hands of Manteca but went on to win 10 in a row for the Central California Conference title and an SJS Division III semifinal appearance. All three of the Tigers’ losses were to Section finalists, the other being Oakdale.

Although Patterson lost its quarterback and top receiver from that team to graduation, running backs Sean Vincent Hansen Jr. (1,284 yards, 7.4 per carry, seven TDs) and Lolo Mataele (938-6.7-13) return. The 6-foot, 210-pound Mataele is also one of the Tigers’ top returners on defense.

Here’s a glance at the rest of the Week 1 games in the area:

 

Downey (1-0) at East Union (1-0): There are some concerns for coach Mike Kuhnlenz and the Lancers after they survived an uneven effort to beat Ripon, 28-14.

At the top of the list is the health of QB/LB Dylan Lee, who has been slowed by an ankle injury. Back-up QB A.J. Vazquez was thrown to the fire and performed admirably, even completing two passes to Lee who was one of the most productive receivers in the Section last year.

In the meantime, EU’s two toughest non-league opponents were squaring off. Downey traveled to Stockton and outlasted Lincoln 42-35, getting a massive jolt from QB Conner Stoddard (30-of-39, 369 yards, three TDs; 56 yards rushing, TD). Gabe Hernandez (16 catches, 158 yards) was Stoddard’s No. 1 target for the night, but his scoring tosses went to three other receivers.

It’s a dual between spread offenses, and Downey coach Jeremy Plaa has run this offense with the Knights for a long time. They’re the defending champions of the Central California Athletic League.

 

Stagg (0-1) at Sierra (0-1): Both teams are coming off lopsided losses; Sierra gave up nearly 400 yards of offense to Hughson in its 55-15 setback, while Stagg was stymied by a talented Sacramento team, 48-6.

Last season, it was at Stagg were then-sophomore Anthony Grady went off for 270 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-35 defeat for the Timberwolves. Grady struggled (20 rushes, 54 yards) in the season opener, but quarterbacks Arjan Birdi (12-of-19, 72 yards, TD) and Tim Sarginson (3-of-4, 55 yards; 66 yards rushing, TD) were able to have some bright moments.

For Stagg, 6-1 receiver Troy Davis (93 yards, TD) stood out against Sac, but quarterbacks Jerry Rigumidin and Andrew Johnson combined to throw four interceptions while completing 41.4% of their passes.

 

Lathrop (0-1) at Mt. Diablo (0-0): It’s the season over for the host Red Devils in Concord, and they’ll look to avenge a 49-26 loss to Lathrop. They finished 4-7, losing three of their final four while getting shut out in all three defeats.

Mt. Diablo lost four-year QB D’Antonio Jerome to graduation but return standout tackle Aidan Vanhoose, 230-pound RB/MLB D’Angelo Jerome Jr. and WR/RB/CB Jalen Sutton-Brown.

The Spartans dropped their opener at home against Bradshaw Christian, 35-28. Kameron rushed for 111 yards on eight attempts, totaled three touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense.

 

Sonora (0-1) at Ripon (0-1): The youthful Indians were not able to sustain enough long drives to come away with the win at East Union, but coach Chris Musseman was encouraged by his team’s grit.

Sophomore running back Anden Ries (nine rushes, 71 yards) and junior Xzavier Clark (68 total yards TD) showed they’re ready to be impact players.

Ripon’s home opener comes against a likely frustrated Sonora squad that let one get away at its own Dunlavy Field. The Wildcats had their oldest rival, Oakdale, on the ropes by halftime with a 21-3 lead, only to surrender 24-unanswred points to lose in overtime, 27-21. Sonora was doomed by five turnovers and a blocked field goal.

 

Ripon Christian (0-1) at Cloverdale (0-0): The Knights were outmatched against Central Valley Christian last week, 42-14. The Cavaliers return much of the talent from their Central Section Division III championship team, including 6-4, 230-pound tight end/defensive end and Oregon commit Jaeden Moore.

It doesn’t get much easier RC, which travels to Sonoma County to face an experienced team that reached the North Coast Section Division VII playoffs and went 6-5.

The Eagles have 17 returning starters and are reinforced by up-and-coming talent from the 8-2 JV squad. They’re led by 6-3, 235-pound lineman Casey Lemley, RB/LB Ayal Fichelberg, and WR/RB/S Diesel Cavallo.