Merced-area high school football: Five games to watch in Week 10

Here’s a look at the top games Friday night (all games at 7 p.m., unless noted:

Merced (6-3, 4-0 Central California Conference) at Golden Valley (4-5, 1-3)

The Bears wrapped up the Central California Conference championship last week with a 34-28 win over Turlock. The victory extended Merced’s conference winning streak to 17 games. A win Friday night likely would give the Bears a home game in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs next week. Merced will be without running back Ulonzo Gilliam, who is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.

The Cougars struggled to stop the run last week in a 30-21 loss to Buhach Colony. The Golden Valley defense will have its hands full with a Merced offensive line that has played well during a five-game winning streak.

Los Banos (6-3, 3-2 Western Athletic Conference) at Pacheco (4-5, 3-2)

The Tigers have dropped two of their last three games, including a 42-21 loss to Central Valley last week. Los Banos is looking to regain momentum heading into the playoffs. The Tigers’ defense allowed a combined 33 points during a five-game winning streak, including two shutouts, until giving up a combined 76 points in losses to Patterson and Central Valley.

Pacheco has scored 195 points in its last four games as Tk Teneng and Carlos Garcia have run the ball well. This game could be a shootout.

Buhach Colony (3-6, 1-3 CCC) at Atwater (1-8, 0-4)

The Bloss Bowl is always a fun matchup when these crosstown rivals square off. Both teams were victims of tough schedules. The Thunder lost five in a row against St. Mary’s and Central (Fresno) and then starting CCC play against Pitman, Turlock and Merced.

Atwater has lost eight consecutive games, including matchups against undefeated Central Catholic and Patterson.

Buhach Colony leads the all-time series 6-3, including a 49-13 win last season.

Mariposa (4-4, 3-3 Southern League) at Le Grand (2-7, 2-4), 7:30 p.m.

Bragging rights are on the line as the longtime rivals meet in the Green and Gold Bowl. The Grizzlies need a win to get in the playoffs. Mariposa’s high-scoring offense was slowed in a 27-8 loss to Ripon Christian last week.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have righted the ship in recent weeks, scoring 55 points in a win over Waterford on Oct. 16 and 46 in last week’s victory over Denair. The combination of quarterback Beto Marquez and receiver Jose Renteria has worked well for Le Grand this year.

Dos Palos (5-4, 4-0 West Sierra League) at Avenal (6-3, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.

The Broncos have rebounded from a 1-4 start to win four consecutive games. Leading the charge has been running back Andrew Walker, who has rushed for 583 yards and nine touchdowns during the winning streak.

A win clinches the outright WSL championship for the Broncos.

Shawn Jansen

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Merced-area high school football: Five games to watch in Week 10."