Lathrop and Weston Ranch meet for the 11th time this Friday, and one of them is going to take the series lead in the “Battle of I-5.”
The two teams evenly split the first 10 matchups, with Weston Ranch winning the first five and the Spartans taking the next five. Lathrop came from behind to win at home last year, 14-13.
The rivalry’s perpetual trophy has stayed with the Spartans since 2014. Lathrop left the Valley Oak League for the Western Athletic Conference after the 2017 season, and the two teams had not squared off again until the rivalry was revived last year under first-year Lathrop coach Ryan Teicheira and second-year Weston Ranch coach Ron Wayman. The Cougars are in their first year with the San Joaquin Athletic Association after starting out in the VOL in 2003.
Although the series began back in 2009, it wasn’t until the 2013 season that then-Weston Ranch coach Seth Davis, with cooperation from Lathrop’s Steven Wichman, came up with the idea to christen this budding grudge match between Manteca Unified's two high schools west of Interstate 5.
Both teams are 1-1 and looking to vault into their conference schedules on a high note.
Host Weston Ranch has played two of Lathrop’s WAC foes, fending off reigning champion Grace Davis 28-25 before coming up short at Mountain House last week, 26-20.
VOL Utility Player of the Year Namir Brown-Sanger leads a veteran core for the Cougars. He has moved from quarterback to running back and receiver on offense while remaining a leader on defense at outside linebacker (eight tackles, interception).
Also back are All-VOL second-team selections Chris Buttram (161 yards, two TDs) at receiver and Alex Walker (eight tackles, sack) at defensive line.
Lathrop opened with a 35-28 setback to small-school power Bradshaw Christian and rebounded with a dominant 56-0 thumping at Mt. Diablo. Running back/cornerback Kameron Jones (307 rushing yards, seven total TDs) has starred in the Spartans’ Wing-T attack.
Lathrop has a bye next week and kicks off WAC action at Ceres on Sept. 16.
A glance at other Week 2 contests in the area:
East Union (1-1) at McNair (2-0): The Lancers struggled to keep up with Downey’s prolific spread offense in a 56-6 drubbing last week.
They’ll face another in Stockton. The Eagles of McNair are soaring after their stunning 28-21 win at Sacramento High. Freshman Skyler Bell threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns while mostly targeting seniors Jeremiah Nash (six catches, 187, three TDs) and Amaren Long (7-150-0).
Nash (14-337-4) and Long (13-241-2) are ranked 1-2 in the SJS in receiving yards, and the former is No. 5 in the state.
Manteca (2-0) at Cosumnes Oaks (1-1): Manteca hits the road again after crushing Patterson, 43-10.
The Buffaloes head to Elk Grove to meet Cosumnes Oaks, which has had an up-and-down start, so far. The Wolfpack were trounced at home by longtime heavyweight Oak Ridge 56-0 in Week Zero, then traveled to Turlock to pound Pitman, 42-6.
Quarterback Ranvir Malhi (52.3%, 261 yards, TD, three INTs; two rushing TDs) runs the offense and shares the backfield with Jeremiah King (14 rushes, 95 yards, TD) and sophomore Brandon Lambert (12-72-1).
Sierra (0-2) at Golden Valley (2-0): It doesn’t get easier for Sierra following a 41-21 setback against Stagg.
Up next are the upstart Cougars of Merced, who fended off Del Campo at home 28-20 before Madera South on the road, 35-7.
Golden Valley is led by electric running back Jahkylle Smith and dual-threat QB Eleazar Garza.
McClatchy (0-2) at Ripon (0-2): Somebody is notching its first win of the season at Stouffer Field.
The Lions of Sacramento have had a resurgence in recent seasons but is off to a rough start after dropping a 36-35 decision to first-year varsity Twelve Bridges and a 40-20 defeat at the hands of Rosemont.
They’re led by running back/linebacker Kazi Lewis, their second-leading rusher and top scorer a year ago, and returning quarterback Frank Espinoza.
Calaveras (0-2) at Ripon Christian (1-1): The Knights have moved on after falling to a state finalist in the opener. They bounced back from the 42-14 loss to Central Valley Christian and dominated Cloverdale 48-7 in Sonoma County.
Calaveras has been held to just seven points, so far, losing to McNair 21-7 and Carson of Nevada, 14-0. Quarterback Braeden Orlandi rushed for an 88-yard touchdown on the Red Hawks’ first offensive play from scrimmage this season but have been shutout since.
The defense has been solid, however, giving up 306 yards to McNair’s pass-happy attack and only 222 to Carson.
