Five games to watch Friday
Hilmar (5-3, 2-1 Trans-Valley League) at Modesto Christian (3-5, 2-1)
The Yellowjackets have won down-to-the-wire games in back-to-back weeks with a 43-42 victory over Hughson in overtime last week and a 48-41 thriller against Escalon two weeks ago. The quarterback-receiver duo of Daniel Texeira and Alex Chavez has been producing big numbers all season. They hooked up for two more touchdowns last week and Chavez has racked up 52 catches for 954 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
The Crusaders are led by an electric running back in Chris Brown. The junior has carried the ball 100 times for 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Golden Valley (4-4, 1-2 Central California Conference) at Buhach Colony (2-6, 0-3)
The Cougars need to win their final two games to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Golden Valley struggled to stop the run against Pitman’s Wing-T attack last week in a 56-20 loss. Junior Isaiah Montanez has been tough to stop anytime he gets his hands on the ball. He returned his third kickoff for a touchdown last week against the Pride.
The Thunder is looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Buhach Colony had a brutal start to the CCC schedule with consecutive games against Pitman, Turlock and Merced. Alex Andrade leads Buhach Colony in rushing with 439 yards and four touchdowns.
Los Banos (6-2, 3-1 Western Athletic Conference) at Central Valley (5-3, 3-1)
Tigers quarterback Adam Herrera is closing in on a 1,000/1,000 season. The senior has thrown for 1,145 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s also run for 986 yards and 15 scores. However, Herrera may be slowed by a sprained ankle.
The Hawks are led by do-everything back Moises Ghiorso, who has rushed for 981 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also caught 20 passes for 352 yards and returned two punts for touchdowns.
Gustine (8-0, 5-0 Southern League) at Delhi (5-3, 2-3)
This game features two of the top two-way players in the area in Gustine’s Brandon Labry and Delhi’s Jesse Flores. Labry leads the area in rushing with 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also leads the Redskins in tackles from his middle-linebacker position with 82.
Flores leads the Hawks with 752 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with 110 tackles. The Hawks are looking to get that sixth win to lock up a playoff spot. A Gustine win sets up a showdown next week against Orestimba (8-0, 5-0) for the Southern League championship.
Ripon Christian (6-2, 3-2 SL) at Mariposa (5-3, 3-2)
The Grizzlies received a forfeit win for their Sept. 11 game against Minarets that was canceled. That means Mariposa can reach the playoffs if it can win one of its final two games. It’ll be a tall order against a talented Knights team tonight. Mariposa is led by receiver Zack Smith, who has caught 53 passes for 819 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ripon Christian is led by quarterback Travis Zuidervaart, who has thrown for 1,206 yards and 19 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
Shawn Jansen
This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Five games to watch Friday."