Buhach Colony faces tough test in one of the top-ranked football teams in the section
It’s never too early to start building a playoff resume.
The Buhach Colony High football team has an opportunity to snag a signature win this week with Lincoln of Stockton coming to town.
The Trojans (0-1) come in ranked No. 5 in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps. and are loaded with Division I type recruits.
Buhach Colony (0-2) is still looking for its first win after two one-score losses to Gregori and Enochs in the first three weeks of the season.
Last week’s 35-29 loss was tough to stomach as a botched handoff turned into a fumble return for a touchdown late for Enochs.
“I like how the kids rallied,” said Buhach Colony coach Jerry Dietz. “Nobody was pointing fingers. We didn’t lose because of that, it was all the other things that led up to the loss.”
The Thunder are going to have to eliminate some of the mistakes that have plagued them in their first two games. Things like missed assignments and not giving up big plays on special teams.
It’s the type of mistakes you’d expect from a young team that is counting on a lot of first-year varsity players.
“I knew we’d be a young team and we’re playing schools that are bigger than us,” Dietz said. “We’ve been right there at the end. We just need to find a way to finish these games.”
The Thunder have plenty of big-play potential with junior Jaxson Percoats, who scored two touchdowns last week, and senior Payton Johnson, who returned a kickoff for a score against Enochs.
Buhach Colony is going to need some big plays to stay with Lincoln, which is led by senior running back Jonah Coleman, who has committed to the University of Arizona.
Trojans quarterback Kenyon Nelson is a threat to run or throw and has two scholarship offers.
Lincoln defensive end Tim Thomas iii has already committed to Fresno State and defensive back Jomarion Briggs has reopened his recruiting after decommitting from Fresno State.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Dietz said. “(Lincoln) is big and athletic.”
The Thunder isn’t the only CCC team needing to start building a playoff resume.
The conference has a 6-14 record combined and only Central Valley (3-0) has a winning record.
These non-conference matchups go a long way in determining the seeding of the playoffs. How the CCC schools fare against teams from these other conferences can help or hurt at the end of the regular season.
Merced (1-2) has picked up a win against a bigger Gregori and played a section power in Central Catholic close to a 31-28 score.
Golden Valley (1-2), Atwater (0-3), Buhach Colony, El Capitan (0-3) and Patterson (1-2) have some work to do.
Thursday’s Game
Madera at Merced
Friday
Lincoln at Buhach Colony
Atwater at East Union
Pitman at Golden Valley
El Capitan at Livingston
Sonora at Hilmar
Tracy at Pacheco
Mariposa at Yosemite
Big Valley Christian at Delhi
Vacaville Christian at Gustine
Stone Ridge Christian at Torres
Dos Palos at Exeter
Chowchilla at Central Valley Christian
This story was originally published September 10, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
