Conference play begins this week with Golden Valley facing a big test in Buhach Colony
The Merced and Patterson high schools’ football teams were widely considered the two favorites to win the Central California Conference championship coming into the season.
Golden Valley has entered the conversation after an impressive 3-0 start in which the Cougars have outscored their opponents 117 to 42.
Are the Cougars pretenders or contenders?
While Golden Valley is undefeated, the Cougars haven’t beaten a team with a winning record. Their three wins came against Del Campo, Madera South and Pitman, which have a combined 4-7 record.
Golden Valley can cement itself as a bona fide contender with a win over Buhach Colony (2-2) on Friday night to kick off CCC play.
The Cougars start has definitely caught the attention of Merced coach Rob Scheidt.
“Obviously, being 3-0 and they’d have a good shot of being 4-0 if they would have played their other game (which was postponed due to COVID),” Scheidt said. “They’re building confidence. Patterson is really good. Buhach Colony has played a fairly tough schedule. I think the conference is wide open.”
The Cougars have had stellar play from quarterback Eleazar Garza, running back Jahkylle Smith and receiver Jonah White.
However, Buhach Colony is probably the best team the Cougars have faced so far this season. The Thunder are led by senior Jaxson Percoats, who has rushed for 668 yards and nine touchdowns in four games.
“I think he’s a lot like Pitman’s Joey Stout,” said Golden Valley coach Rick Martinez. “He’s a special athlete. Jaxson is the same type of player. To have success we have to slow him down.”
It’s a crucial league opener for both teams. Win and you have everything to play for the next five weeks. Lose and winning a CCC championship becomes a daunting task with Merced and Patterson still looming on the schedule.
Patterson is the defending CCC champs and will be tough again with the running back duo of Sean Vincent Hansen (553 rushing yards and four touchdowns) and Lolo Mataele (271 rushing yards and five touchdowns).
Despite a 1-3 start by Merced, nobody is counting out the Bears because their losses have come to some of the top teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section in Central Catholic, Downey and Monterey Trail
“We’re struggling in some spots offensively and defensively,” Scheidt said. “We’ve got to figure those things out. As far as physicality and preparedness, I feel we’re prepared for league.”
Merced will host Atwater (1-3) in Santa Fe Bowl 52 and El Capitan will travel to Patterson in the other two CCC openers on Friday.
Trans-Valley League
Escalon (3-1) has emerged as the clear favorite in the TVL after a 3-1 start against a brutal schedule that included Buchanan and Kimball.
“I think the leaders are Escalon and everyone else is chasing them,” said Hilmar coach Frank Marques.
The Yellowjackets (1-3) will travel to Livingston (2-2) for their TVL opener on Friday. The Wolves are led by running back Carlos Baez, who has rushed for almost 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hilmar lost quarterback Hudson Azevedo to a shoulder injury two weeks ago against Sonora. Marques says the best case scenario is for Azevedo to return against Hughson on Oct. 14.
Sophomore Caden Bailey was promoted from the junior varsity team last week against Palma.
“He struggled in the first half, throwing three interceptions,” Marques said. “In the second half he played really well. He had to adjust to the speed of the game. Palma was super fast. You can’t replicate that kind of speed in practice. I think we’ll be OK.”
Western Athletic Conference
The WAC is usually wide open and that should again be the case this season.
Mountain House and Ceres both enter conference play undefeated at 3-0. Both Los Banos (1-2) and Pacheco (1-2) could play a factor in the conference race.
The Tigers defense was a bit of question mark heading into the season but has played well. Quarterback David Herrera is a dual-threat for the Los Banos offense and receivers Ayden Barcellos and Jamison Braniff are strong outside threats.
Abel Bravo has been one of the standouts in Merced County for Pacheco, rushing for 494 yards and five touchdowns in three games.
Southern League
The Southern League race should be a fun one with Le Grand, Delhi and Mariposa all starting 3-0. Ripon Christian, Gustine and Orestimba are all 2-1.
The Bulldogs have looked even better than the team that won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII championship. Quarterback Julian Bucio is back with plenty of weapons in receivers Carlos Castaneda and Reyes Diaz.
Orestimba played Hughson tough and has a quality win over Los Banos.
Delhi has been led by a strong ground game that is averaging almost 350 yards per game.
Mariposa has found ways to win under new coach Spencer Arabelo and Gustine has done the same under its new coach Colin Lane.
Friday’s Games
Atwater at Merced
Golden Valley at Buhach Colony
El Capitan at Patterson
Hilmar at Livingston
Beyer at Los Banos
Pacheco at Johansen
Le Grand at Orestimba
Delhi at Waterford
Mariposa at Gustine
Vacaville Christian at Stone Ridge Christian
Yosemite at Chowchilla
