Merced’s Foss expected to start against Turlock in CCC football clash

All signs point to Merced High School senior Jake Foss returning to his starting quarterback role Friday night when the Bears face Turlock in a key Central California Conference matchup at Joe Debely Stadium.

Foss was originally ruled out for the season after he tore his labrum in his throwing shoulder in the season opener against Del Campo of Fair Oaks.

After consulting with doctors, Foss decided to postpone surgery until after the season and has been working with a physical therapist to regain strength in his shoulder.

Merced coach Rob Scheidt has been easing Foss into the lineup the past couple weeks, starting with Foss taking snaps late in the game against Atwater on Sept. 30, progressing to rotating series with sophomore quarterback Dhameer Warren the past two weeks against El Capitan and Buhach Colony.

Foss completed 8 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 42-13 win over Buhach Colony last week. Foss also threw for two touchdowns against El Capitan two weeks ago.

“Tonight was the next step, and then we’ll make a decision with where Jake is,” Scheidt said after Friday’s win. “I think being able to play Dhameer on defense makes us a deeper team. I think we can throw the ball a little more with Jake.”

With Warren and Foss rotating each series last week, Merced only attempted four passes with Warren at quarterback. Warren is more of a threat to run. He rushed for 78 yards on just five carries against the Thunder.

Since taking over as the starter, Merced is 6-1 with Warren at quarterback. The sophomore showed the future looks bright for the Bears with him at quarterback. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Warren will likely still see time at quarterback in the Bears’ rogue package, which is similar to a wildcat formation. Scheidt used running back Ulonzo Gilliam as the quarterback in the rogue package.

Buhach Colony honors veterans – Buhach Colony honored military veterans by wearing camouflage jerseys for the first time Friday night against Merced.

Printed on back of the jerseys were the words “honor,” “sacrifice” and “courage.”

Meanwhile, the Thunder coaching staff wore shirts honoring former Buhach Colony player Joshua Pickard, a Marine who was killed in Iraq in 2006.

Pickard is also the nephew of Merced coach Rob Scheidt.

Merced closer to on-campus stadium – Merced took a big step in building an on-campus stadium Friday night with the sale of the land donated to the program by Greg Hostetler in December 2014.

The land was purchased for $1.1 million. After paying taxes and other fees, Scheidt was able to deposit a check for $955,000.

“It’s good. It’s exciting,” Scheidt said. “It’s starting to feel real.”

The cost of the stadium, which would be built where the practice field is located, is estimated between $2.8 million to $3 million.

The sale also means Scheidt can finally cut his hair. Scheidt pledged he wouldn’t cut his hair until the land was sold and hasn’t had a haircut since December 2014.

“I am cutting it,” Scheidt said. “It’s just a matter of when.”

Buhach Colony’s playoff hopes fading – Most projections last week had Buhach Colony possibly making the playoffs as a five-win team. Those projections will likely change this week.

Laguna Creek’s 19-6 upset of Kennedy in the Metropolitan League could propel the Elk Grove school into the playoffs if the Cardinals win their last two games, which they would be favored in.

Benicia defeating Vanden 36-28 also didn’t help the Thunder. Benicia’s win likely means the Solano County Athletic Conference will have three teams make the playoffs instead of two.

Buhach Colony coach Kevin Navarra said the Thunder would welcome a chance to play in the playoffs even if it means going on the road to face a Sacramento heavyweight.

“It would mean a lot to this group,” Navarra said. “Our seniors have done a good job being leaders, and we have a lot of young guys who would be able to get some valuable playoff experience. It would be a lot like our 2009 team making the playoffs for the first time. I guess we would take on that Pat Hill mentality: We’ll take on anyone, at any place at any time.”

According to Sac-Joaquin Section director of communications Will DeBoard’s latest projections, no 5-5 team will make the field as an at-large. That can change in the final two weeks. The line could also keep rising, which would keep a few 6-4 teams out of the playoffs.

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Merced’s Foss expected to start against Turlock in CCC football clash."