East Union has taken on a “business-like mentality” under first-year head coach Jason Stock.

That’s what has helped the Lancers jump out the gate to a 4-0 start, and they’re back to business this week as they prepare to face rival Sierra (2-2) for their Valley Oak League opener and homecoming game at Dino Cunial Stadium.

“We’ve been playing pretty consistent,” Stock said. “We’re playing to the level that I’ve expected. That’s kind of how I’ve evaluated the team, so far. We’re worrying about getting ourselves better and not really trying to focus so much on the other team, and I think we’ve done a decent job of that. We still have a lot of stuff to fix, and we’re going to keep focusing on those things.”

The 29th East Union-Sierra meeting is one of six games involving area schools. VOL champion Manteca has one more non-league game to play. Ripon

Sierra (2-2) holds an overwhelming 21-8 all-time lead over the Lancers, who want to avenge a 44-32 loss to the Timberwolves from last season.

East Union is a senior-heavy bunch led by veteran quarterback Kirk Simoni (787 yards, 13 touchdowns, no interceptions), running back Brayden Camara (545 yards, 10 TDs), receiver Jackson Fay (542 total yards, 12 TDs) and linebacker Hoku Ap’e (32 tackles).

“A lot of those kids have been on varsity for several years and have lots of experience,” Sierra coach Jeff Abrew said. “They’re very explosive on the offensive side of the ball, and their defense has been lights out. We have to be really, really good on both sides of the ball and execute the best we can.”

His defense is tasked with slowing down an East Union attack that averaged 63.8 points in landslide victories over Kimball, Freedom, Johansen and Enochs.

“Kirk has played pretty well, and our o-line is blocking very well for him,” Stock said. “Defensively, we had our best game all year Friday. They (Enochs) had some pretty athletic guys, and we were able to take care of business last week.

“I challenged the defense a little bit, because in the week prior against Johansen, even though we gave up 12 points I didn’t feel like we didn’t perform up to our standard. It’s the same challenge this week. We’re going to need them to step up, because they have some pretty good players over there, and Jeff does a great job. I respect him tremendously.”

The Lancers throttled Enochs 55-7 last week, and it’s the one common opponent they have with Sierra, so far. Sierra lost a wild 61-55 season opener in a mistake-filled season opener at Enochs but has since made some positive steps.

With experienced linemen such as Ben Davenport and Teagan Nazzisi leading the way, the Timberwolves are coming off comfortable wins over Modesto and Sheldon. The sophomore triumvirate of running back Darien East (515 yards, seven TDs), quarterback Jaysen Martinez (538 yards, seven TDs, two INTs) and defensive back/special teams returner Ozias Siga played big roles in Sierra’s 58-14 thrashing of Sheldon.

“We’ve had an up-and-down preseason,” Abrew said. “We’ve had a lot of mistakes on both sides of the ball, and we’re trying to clean those up. Those same mistakes cannot be made during league.

“It was definitely a morale booster for our team winning a couple games in a row. They’re coming into Monday’s practice a little more energized. It’s easier to come into a Monday and watch film after a win.”

It’s a homecoming of sorts for both Abrew and his defensive coordinator Mike James, both East Union graduates. James, in fact, coached at his alma mater for nearly three decades, including a head coaching stint that included Stock as a member of his staff.

Stock said his Lancers have remained focused on preparing for the game ahead amid the homecoming festivities.

“Homecoming is fun, the kids love it, but we’ve done a good job of minimalizing distractions,” Stock said. “This team and coaching staff do a good job of focusing on the task at hand and not getting sidetracked by other things.

“We’ve had a business-like mentality. That’s what we’ve been fostering.”

Here’s a glimpse at other Week 4 contests:

Lincoln (2-2) at Manteca (3-0): The Buffaloes are looking to close out the non-league portion of their schedule with another win over a big-name opponent.

The fifth-ranked team on the MaxPreps NorCal Top 20 started their campaign with routs against Elk Grove and Cardinal Newman and came back from their bye week to fend off Marin Catholic in a 15-14 thriller on the road this past Saturday.

Up next is an improved Lincoln team seeking payback after absorbing a 65-6 blow from Manteca at home a year ago. The Trojans from Stockton have incoming talent from their 8-1-1 JV team joining forces with an experienced varsity group that included underclassman last year.

The spread offense is led by second-year juniors in quarterback Julian Perez (1,352 yards, 12 TDs, six INTs) and receivers David Gray (33 receptions, 388 yards, five TDs) and Trey Jackson (19-302-2). Freshman edge rusher Chance Garner is among Lincoln’s defensive standouts.

The Trojans rebounded from back-to-back blowout losses to powerhouses Oakdale and Rocklin last week, handing Pleasant Grove its first loss, 44-22.

Ripon (3-0) at Hughson (4-0): Ripon enters this TVL battle of unbeaten well rested from its bye week.

Hughson is off to a strong start despite some noteworthy graduation losses, which include four-year starting QB Robert McDaniel and receiver Malakai Sumpter. McDaniel, now at UCLA, was named All-TVL MVP last year after leading the Huskies to a third straight Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Sumpter (Fresno State) earned the TVL’s Most Outstanding Receiver and Most Outstanding Defensive Back awards.

Returning running back Eli Wilbanks (551 yards, four total TDs) has carried the load and is the eighth-leading rusher in the SJS. Fresno State-committed receiver Bryce McDaniel (196 yards, three TDs), the younger brother of Robert, is a holdover from the Huskies’ prolific 2024 passing attack. Senior Lawson Aviles (313 total yards, four TDs) is another key weapon for the quarterback tandem of senior Russell Spaulding and freshman Hudson Baldwin.

After a 30-point waxing of Ceres, Hughson won its next three games by one score, including a 27-21 overtime triumph at Atwater.

Ripon Christian (4-0) at Hilmar (3-1): Hilmar appears to have righted the ship after a rare losing season marred by injuries.

Sophomore running back Adam Branco (394 yards, seven total TDs) is the Yellowjackets’ new workhorse, and junior wingback Nathan Ayala (289 total yards, three TDs) is a multi-dimensional athlete producing on both sides of scrimmage. Juniors Cohen Felber and Jorden Jacobo split quarterbacking duties. Second-year junior offensive tackle/defensive end Justin Ortiz is a massive presence in the trenches at 6-foot-7, 295 pounds and has an offer from Fresno State.

Hilmar goes into its league opener battle tested with wins over larger-school opponents Grace Davis, Los Banos and Atwater. The lone loss is to undefeated Palma, 48-20, a Salinas private-school power in the Central Coast Section.

Ripon Christian also has some notable notches in its belt, including wins over Mother Lode League tri-champions Summerville and Calaveras. Summerville is also the reigning Division VI-A state champion.

Lathrop (2-1) at Pacheco (0-3): The Spartans are raring to get back into action after a 28-13 loss to Patterson two weeks ago. They’ve since had an extra week to prepare for their WAC opener.

Pacheco’s winless record may be a bit deceiving, as its three opponents — Chavez, Minarets and Half Moon Bay — are a combined 10-1. Like Lathrop, the Panthers are also coming off their bye week.

Pacheco has had trouble getting untracked offensively, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.  

The junior trio of quarterback Raul Moreno (294 yards, two TDs, three INTs), running back Joseph Valencia (134 yards, TD) and receiver Brenton Siemiller (127 yards, two TDs) lead the offense, while defensive lineman Robert Crawford is back to anchor the defense.

River Islands (1-2) at Big Valley Christian (0-3): River Islands aims for a better start to MLL play after getting blown out in their first four league contests in its inaugural varsity season.

Now with seniors, the Riptide hope that experience — and health — can help them be more competitive. They’ve already endured injuries to key players, some of whom are expected to return for the league opener.

Big Valley Christian crushed River Islands 52-8 last year and went on to finish 8-5. The Lions have since lost multiple standouts to transfers, including junior H-back/defensive end Titus Beers (Hughson), senior cornerback/receiver Jackson Howell (Ripon Christian) and junior middle linebacker Grant Davis (Gregori).

Senior Brady Heinrich, at 6-4, 250 pounds, has transitioned from tackle to tight end to fill the role left by Beers. He has emerged as the top target for junior QB Travis Lema (359 yards, three TDs, three INTs). Jeremie Jourdan (164 yards, TD), Deangelo Martinez (132 yards, two TDs) and Ezra Stubbert (114 yards) share the load in BVC’s balanced run game out of the Gun-T.

Although winless, Big Valley’s defeats have come against teams — Beyer, Mariposa, West Valley — that are 7-2 combined.