Merced ready for another big football matchup against Turlock

It seems every year there is a lot on the line when the Merced and Turlock high schools square off on the football field. The last two seasons the Bears-Bulldogs matchup decided the Central California Conference championship.

The stakes will be high again as Merced (6-2, 3-1 CCC) travels to Joe Debely Stadium to face Turlock (6-2, 4-0) in a key conference matchup.

“I think it’s the competitiveness that both schools have,” said Bears senior Ulonzo Gilliam. “It’s been that way since I was in Pop Warner and we played against Turlock. We both want it. We bring out the best when we face each other.”

Merced comes into the game needing a win to keep its hopes of a fourth consecutive CCC championship alive. The Bears would need to win out and hope Turlock rebounds next week to defeat Pitman in the Harvest Bowl. A Turlock win sets up a title showdown against the Pitman Pride.

Gilliam is happy to get another shot at Turlock. The Merced star was sidelined with a leg injury when the Bears faced Turlock last season.

“It means a lot to be out there with my team,” Gilliam said. “It’s always a big game against Turlock. Last year it was tough, but I knew I had to help prepare my team, and when I was on the sideline I had to use what I know to encourage our guys.”

Gilliam has enjoyed a healthy season this year and is leading the area in rushing with 1,195 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“He’s a difference-maker,” said Merced coach Rob Scheidt. “We didn’t want to lose him last year. I think he’s a big factor. You saw that last year in our game against Pitman and again this year against Pitman. You put him together with other guys like Paul (Scoggins), Rayveon (Slaton) and Tanner (Pellissier), and it gives us an advantage on both sides of the ball.”

The Bears seem to be at full strength with quarterback Jake Foss ready to start after rotating series the last two weeks with Dhameer Warren. Foss has thrown for four touchdowns the last two weeks.

With Foss at quarterback, Warren will strengthen Merced’s secondary as a defensive back. Warren had played sparingly on defense because the Bears couldn’t afford another injured quarterback.

The Bulldogs have their share of difference-makers, but the Merced defense will be focused on Turlock quarterback Danny Velasquez.

The senior threw for four touchdowns in last week’s 59-12 win over Atwater. However, Velasquez poses a bigger threat in the running game.

“We have to contain Danny Velasquez,” Gilliam said. “We want to make him throw the football. We want to get the ball out of his hands.”

The Bears have beaten Turlock four consecutive years and have won eight of the last 10 against the Bulldogs.

“Some of these games have been for an opportunity to win a championship, a winner-takes-all type of matchup,” Scheidt said. “That’s not totally true in this situation, but nothing is happening for us if we don’t take care of our responsibility on Friday night.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Merced ready for another big football matchup against Turlock."