Friday’s Games to Watch

Here are some other games to watch Friday night:

Los Banos (6-4) at Lathrop (6-4), 7 p.m.

The Tigers have as much talent as any other team in the Division IV field, but enter the playoffs having lost three of their final four games. Los Banos does enter tonight’s matchup healthy with receivers David Walker (ankle) and Kevin Spencer (concussion) ready to play.

While Los Banos has playoff experience off a trip to the semifinals last year, Lathrop is playing its first postseason game ever.

Mariposa (5-4) at Hilmar (7-3), 7 p.m.

The Yellowjackets are peaking at the right time, having won four consecutive games to close the season to earn a share of the Trans-Valley League championship. Hilmar is the heavy favorite in the Division VI bracket after battling through the TVL.

Mariposa has put up a lot of points this year, but has struggled against good teams. This matchup features two of the top receivers in the area in Mariposa’s Zack Smith (76 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns) and Hilmar’s Alex Chavez (56 catches for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns).

Rio Vista (7-3) at Gustine (9-1), 7 p.m.

The Redskins have to rebound after a tough 21-13 loss to Orestimba cost them a perfect regular season, Southern League title and The Chief.

Gustine’s offense should bounce back from its four-turnover game against the Rams. Redskins running back Brandon Labry has rushed for 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Gustine’s defense will face a high-powered offense for the second straight week. Rio Vista has a balanced attack with quarterback Ryan Mackey, who has passed for 2,468 yards and 27 touchdowns and running back B.J. Peters, who has rushed for 1,131 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Note: Stone Ridge Christian, Dos Palos and Chowchilla all have first-round byes this week.

Shawn Jansen

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Friday’s Games to Watch."