Five Merced-area high school football games to watch

Calaveras at El Capitan – Ready or not, the Gauchos make the jump to the Central California Conference this season. Calaveras should be a tough test. A smaller school, but a feisty opponent that returns its top two rushers from last season in Anthony Giangregorio (1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Noah Preuss (689 yards and seven touchdowns). El Capitan returns two three-year starters on offense in quarterback Chase Whitaker and wide receiver Elijah Reid.

Merced at Del Campo – The Bears have won three consecutive CCC championships. The big question mark for Merced is the offensive line, which lost five seniors. The Bears have plenty of weapons with quarterback Jake Foss and running backs Ulonzo Gilliam, Paul Scoggins and Rayveon Slaton. It’s always a chance for area teams to make a statement when they face a quality Sacramento program.

Beyer at Hilmar – Senior Chase Kindberg makes his first start at quarterback for Hilmar after serving as Daniel Teixeira’s backup last season. Kindberg has plenty of weapons around him, including running backs Cody Rentfro and Joshua Lee Jennings and receiver Klay Farris. The Yellowjackets are champing at the bit to start the season after losing in the section title game last season.

Central Valley at Atwater – The Falcons will honor the 1996 Atwater High School team that reached the Sac-Joaquin Section championship game before the start of Friday’s season opener. Friday also marks the start of the Nelson Medeiros era as the former Falcons lineman takes over for Bob Valladao.

Delhi at Livingston – The Hawks think they will be challenging for a Southern League championship this year. Delhi is led by third-year, two-way starter Jesse Flores, who rushed for 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also led the team with 138 tackles. The Wolves are looking to bounce back from a 1-9 season.

Shawn Jansen

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Five Merced-area high school football games to watch."