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WEEK 3 PREVIEW: Slowing the spread
Turlock presents another challenge for Manteca
Vista del Lago-Manteca football
Fullback Alijah Cota rambles past the line of scrimmage in Manteca’s season opener against Vista del Lago on Aug. 19. - photo by Wayne Thallander

Manteca’s defense is getting another dose of the spread offense this Friday when Turlock visits Guss Schmiedt Field in this clash between old-school heavyweights.

In fact, the Buffaloes’ first eight opponents of the season run the spread.

It’s the only show in town with three other local schools hitting the road. Lathrop and Ripon Christian are idle as they prepare for league play.

Manteca was tested for the first quarter-plus last week against Cosumnes Oaks in Elk Grove and even trailed 21-15 at one point. The Buffs eventually clamped down and exploded for 52 unanswered points en route to a 67-28 shellacking.

Turlock (1-2) aims to rebound from back-to-back losses to Central Section powers Clovis West, 48-0, and Central of Fresno, 54-41. The Bulldogs opened with an impressive 14-7 triumph over Rocklin.  

Quarterback Cole Gilbert is coming off his best effort of the season throwing for 317 yards and two touchdowns while scoring twice more on the run. Manteca’s young secondary allowed more than 300 yards passing at Cosumnes Oaks.

J.T. Foreman II (190 yards rushing, 88 receiving) and Logan Bankson (74 rushing, 90 receiving) split time in the backfield. Six-foot-4 tight end Joshua Weatherbee (145 yards, two TDs) and Jeremiah Bertalotto (133-2) are Gilbert’s top targets.

Manteca escaped Turlock with a 44-36 victory last season while on its way to a 7-0 start and the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship.

Manteca’s attack is off and running, averaging 51.3 points behind running back/receiver Blake Nichelson, running back Bryson Davis and quarterback Hudson Wyatt. The Buffs look to keep the momentum rolling for their anticipated road trip to Reno — they take on Damonte Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 17.

A glance at other Week 3 contests:

 

East Union (2-1) at Atwater (1-2): It’s the home opener for Atwater, which has trekked north to Sacramento (50-0 win over Valley) and south to Clovis (52-21 loss to Clovis East).

Last week, the Falcons could not get untracked in their 21-0 defeat to Gregori in Modesto. Quarterback Tyler Parr, RB/OLB Josue Garcia-Chavez and WR/DB Colin Williams are among the Falcons’ top returners.

East Union handed Atwater its worst loss of 2021, 54-7. The Lancers put together a complete effort led by QB Dylan Lee and the defense last week in a 43-7 win at McNair but committed four turnovers. They have one more game and their bye week to fine tune the attack before meeting Stockton powerhouse Lincoln at home Sept. 23.

 

Sierra (0-2) at Armijo (1-2): Sierra is rested from its unplanned bye — a COVID-19 outbreak forced the Timberwolves to postpone their Week 2 contest at Golden Valley.

They travel to Fairfield to face an improved Armijo team that went 2-8 last year. The Royals’ two current losses were decided by eight or less points to playoff qualifiers, El Camino and Dixon, with a combined 5-1 record. Armijo fell short against Dixon last week, 28-26.

Leading the Royals’ resurgence is 6-5, 305-pound junior defensive tackle Jericho Johnson (21 tackles, seven for losses, four sacks), 6-2 receiver Kaiba Washington (162 yards, three TDs), sophomore quarterback Willie Nickson (450 yards, seven TDs; 130 yards rushing, three TDs) and sophomore running back Markel Hazzard (174 yards, 6.4 per carry, two TDs).

 

McClatchy-Ripon football
Ripon linebackers Max Davis (13) and Anden Ries (4) combine to stop the McClathy ball carrier last Friday at Stouffer Field. - photo by SEAN KAHLER
Ripon (1-2) at Calaveras (0-3): The Indians got a needed confidence boost with their 49-7 thrashing of McClatchy.

They have an opportunity to string together wins ahead of their Trans-Valley League opener against Modesto Christian. Ripon first tangles with struggling Calaveras, which has totaled just 13 points in three games.

To the Redhawks’ credit they’ve managed to stay in games with defense. They were trailing 12-6 early in the third quarter last Friday at Ripon Christian before falling, 27-6. Braeden Orlandi stars for Calaveras as quarterback, running back, punter and defensive back.