High school football rankings: No. 2 Escalon at No. 5 Hughson highlights key games

Quinton Hamilton
·2 min read

Preseason No. 1 Central Catholic remains the top Stanislaus District team midway through the season as league play begins for the Valley Oak League, Central Catholic Athletic League and Valley Oak League this week. The Raiders benefited last week from the addition of transfers on the offensive and defensive line in a blowout win over the Northern Section’s top team, Pleasant Valley of Chico. In his first game this season, senior Anthony Todd tied with Brooklyn Cheek for a game-high seven tackles. The Raiders travel to East Union this week.

Six of the Top 10 had a bye last week, including defending state champions Hughson and Escalon, who face off this week in what is expected to be a high-energy TVL opener Friday night. There are key matchups all over the field, including the quarterback battle between Donovan Rozevink and Robert McDaniel and a battle on the line between Hughson lineman Navi Arretche and Escalon defensive end Ryan Lewis.

No. 4 Patterson played its first Central California Conference game last week and moved to 5-0 after blowing out El Capitan. This week, the Tigers host Merced in a game that can go a long way in determining if Patterson goes on to win a third straight CCC crown or if it drops its first league contest since 2019.

Gregori has won three straight, most recently beating Tokay 21-20 on Sept. 15. The Jaguars host a Turlock team that might be the best winless team in the section. The Bulldogs have played two of The Sacramento Bee’s top five ranked teams, Rocklin and Folsom, a pair of Fresno-area heavyweights in Clovis West and Central and a Bay Area perennial playoff team, Clayton Valley Charter. No. 6 Gregori and No. 10 Turlock also return from their respective byes and tip off the CCAL season in a Thursday night matchup.

Here’s a look at how the rest of the Top 10 stacks up.

1. Central Catholic (3-2)

Last Week: 49-7 win vs Pleasant Valley

This Week: 9/29 at East Union

2. Escalon (4-1)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/29 at No. 5 Hughson

3. Downey (4-1)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/29 at Pitman

4. Patterson (5-0)

Last Week: 47-0 win at El Capitan

This Week: 9/29 vs Merced

5. Hughson (4-1)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/29 vs No. 2 Escalon

6. Gregori (4-1)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/28 vs No. 10 Turlock

7. Oakdale (4-1)

Last Week: 49-35 win at Enochs

This Week: 9/29 at Sierra

8. Hilmar (3-2)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/29 vs Livingston

9. Ripon Christian (4-1)

Last Week: 42-12 win vs Orestimba

This Week: 9/29 vs Waterford

10. Turlock (0-5)

Last Week: BYE

This Week: 9/28 at No. 6 Gregori