Shawn Jansen: Eye on preps -- Bloss Bowl stakes high

ATWATER -- As far as rivalry games go, the Bloss Bowl is still in the diaper stage.

No, I'm not saying it's a stinker.

In fact, all three games between Buhach Colony and Atwater have been competitive. They've all been decided by six points or less.

Still, it's been missing something.

For one thing, there's never been anything on the line in the Bloss Bowl besides bragging rights.

A chance to puff out your chest and let your friends across town know which team was better.

The teams have never played with league titles or playoff hopes on the line.

Sadly, neither team has even gone into the Bloss Bowl with a winning record.

That changes on Friday evening as both Atwater (1-0 Central California Conference, 3-1 overall) and Buhach Colony (0-1, 3-2) come in with more wins than losses.

In what appears to be a wide open CCC, one or both of the teams could play their way into the playoffs.

Which makes this Bloss Bowl the biggest yet.

It's an opportunity to take the diapers off the rivalry so to speak and let it grow.

"Any time the two schools get together it's going to be intense," Buhach Colony coach Kevin Swartwood said. "It doesn't matter what the records are.

"I still like it when the game is at the end of the year. I remember when Merced played Golden Valley at the end of the year. It added to it, especially if both teams were in it."

There's no question there will be more talent on the field on Friday evening than any of the three previous Bloss Bowl.

Neither team has scored more than 21 points in a Bloss Bowl and that's not because they've been shut down by great defenses.

Friday there is a chance for some serious fireworks.

Despite two straight losses, BC is off to its best start with an explosive backfield.

Atwater comes in with three straight wins in which it has outscored its opponents 159-51.

Sure, it's still early in the year, but with the Sac-Joaquin Section's new playoff system, the CCC will likely send more than just two teams to the playoffs.

Teams with six wins have a legitimate shot of making the postseason.

"I remember the second year I was here and we won the trophy," Swartwood said. "I was taken aback just how much it mattered to our guys.

"I was around the Merced-Golden Valley rivalry and I know how important it is to beat your rivals.

"But it was amazing. For our seniors, it was like winning the Super Bowl. It was a huge deal and that's what makes rivalries neat. Those are the games you remember forever."

Let's hope we get a chance to see something memorable this time.

The availability of Buhach Colony running backs Corey Chapman and Jarrell Davis for the Bloss Bowl are still in question.

Both sat out last week's loss against Pitman.

"It looks like Jarrell will be able to play," Swartwood said. "Corey is looking like it will be a game-day decision."

Los Banos quarterback Erik Martin didn't get the news he was hoping to hear on Wednesday afternoon.

Martin informed Los Banos coach Dennis Stubbs that he won't be cleared to be play on Friday against Merced.

Martin suffered a concussion against St. Mary's two weeks ago.

The senior had taken some reps in practice this week and thought he'd be ready to go.

"Erik was feeling better," Stubbs said. "He's totally devastated. He wanted to play in this game so bad. He's pretty shook up about it.

"But it's like we told him, his health is far more important."

Stubbs also doesn't believe running back Darron Brown will be available against Merced either.

Brown has been bothered by a lower back injury and has missed the last two games.

Stubbs said Brown was planning to try to practice on Wednesday night.

"It's a possibility that he suits up," Stubbs said. "But we seriously doubt he'll play."

The Madden cover jinx has nothing on the Sun-Star.

We've watched as a number of the players we featured in our prep football preview issue have dropped like flies.

Davis and Chapman were both part of "The Unit" for BC and have missed games because of injuries.

Martin, Brown and Marcus Arista were three of Los Banos' "Entourage" and have missed time with injuries.

Lance Terry and Brandon Ramirez were two of the doctors in GV's Anatomy and have seen time on the IR.

Fellas, we can only say we're sorry.

Shawn Jansen is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2462 or via e-mail at sjansen@mercedsun-star.com.