High school football rankings: A preview of each Top 10 team’s playoff journey
Somehow, 10 regular season football games are in the books. Now, the games really count. It’s playoff time.
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section released its playoff brackets for Divisions I-VII on Sunday afternoon and all 10 of the Stanislaus District’s Top 10 will play at least one more game in the 2023 season. Six of the 10 best earned first-round byes, giving them extra time to scout, get healthy and prepare for their quarterfinals opponents.
Turlock and Gregori in Division I, Downey in Division II and Ripon Christian in Division 7A will all suit up this Friday with hopes of extending their respective seasons. Turlock and Ripon Christian host while Gregori and Downey hit the road.
Central Catholic was the area’s top team in the preseason rankings and has left no doubt that it is the Stanislaus District’s top team. The No. 2 seed in Division I went 8-2 with losses to Division II top seed St. Mary’s and Serra of San Mateo, one of the best in the state. Turlock made its way up from last to third as its season unfolded, going from 0-5 to 5-5, earning a six seed in Division I.
Here is a look at The Bee’s final Top 10 of the season with a note on how each team’s playoff journey begins.
1. Central Catholic (8-2)
Last Week: 63-7 win at Sierra
This Week: D-I first-round bye
The Raiders got out of their season finale without any injuries because a lot of the starters got to rest most of the game. TP Wentworth and Brooklyn Cheek made the most of their time on the field, connecting five times for 181 yards and four touchdowns. Trace Hernandez also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score. The Raiders finished 5-0 in the VOL and earned the No. 2 seed in Division I and will have a bye before hosting the winner of No. 10 Gregori at No. 7 Edison-Stockton. A top-two seed gives the Raiders home field advantage through the section semifinals.
2. Escalon (9-1)
Last Week: 49-21 win at Livingston
This Week: D-IV first-round bye
The Cougars finished the TVL season 5-0 and as the top seed in Division IV, will host both of their postseason games before the section title. Escalon plays in Division IV this year because of the section’s continued success rule but has been battle-tested with a grueling nonleague slate and a tough trek to the top of the TVL. Its first game is the quarterfinals against the winner of No. 9 Sacramento at No. 8 Sierra.
3. Turlock (5-5)
Last Week: 55-14 win at Enochs
This Week: 11/3 vs Sheldon
After turning its season around and winning five straight games en route to a CCAL title, Turlock was rewarded with a home game. The No. 6 seed in Division I, the Bulldogs host No. 11 Sheldon on Friday night at 7 p.m. Awaiting them in the second round is No. 3 Oak Ridge.
4. Patterson (9-1)
Last Week: 63-2 win at Buhach Colony
This Week: D-IV first-round bye
Patterson is the No. 4 team in the 2023 Division IV bracket. The Tigers, who are led by Max Medina (2,070 yards, 29 touchdowns) and Jeremiah Lugo (1,168 yards, 17 touchdowns), have a bye Friday night before hosting either No. 11 Nevada or No. 6 Kimball. Should they advance to the semifinals, the Tigers could match up with No. 2 Vista del Lago.
5. Downey (9-1)
Last Week: 38-20 win vs No. 7 Gregori
This Week: 11/3 at Tracy
Surprisingly, the Knights will not host a first-round playoff game despite finishing 9-1 and second in the CCAL. Downey’s playoff journey starts with a road game at Tracy, which had to forfeit a game to Downey this season, for the second time in 2023. When the two sides met earlier this season, starting quarterback Carson Lamb missed the first game with an injury and backup quarterback/starting receiver Joseph Ramirez played through a shoulder injury.
6. Oakdale (7-3)
Last Week: 28-27 loss vs Manteca
This Week: D-III first-round bye
First-year Garrett Martin picked up where legendary coach Trent Merzon left off, guiding the Mustangs to seven wins and a Division III first-round playoff bye as the No. 4 seed. They host the winner of No. 12 Bella Vista and No. 5 Merced.
7. Gregori (7-3)
Last Week: 38-20 loss at No. 5 Downey
This Week: 11/3 at Edison-Stockton
No. 10 is where Gregori estimated it would be in the Division I playoffs and that’s exactly where it is. The CCAL third-place finisher travels to Edison-Stockton Friday to try to stage an upset of the No. 7 team in Division I.
8. Hilmar (7-3)
Last Week: 48-24 win at Modesto Christian
This Week: D-V first-round bye
Hilmar continues to get better as the season continues and its backfield of Caden Bailey and Logan Cardoso are looking to lead the No. 3 Yellowjackets to the promised land. Their first game is at home Nov. 10 against the winner of No. 11 Ceres at No. 6 Pioneer.
9. Hughson (7-3)
Last Week: 55-26 win at Ripon
This Week: D-VI first-round bye
Hughson was given the No. 4 seed in Division VI behind top seed Sutter, No. 2 Sonora and No. 3 Bradshaw Christian. All have first-round byes this week. The Huskies’ best football is in front of them and they hope to defend their Division VI section and Division 5-AA state title starting with a win in the quarterfinals Nov. 10 over either No. 12 Amador or No. 5 Colfax.
10. Ripon Christian (9-1)
Last Week: 35-0 win vs Delhi
This Week: 11/3 vs Golden Sierra
The top seed in Division 7A does not have a bye, which means No. 1A Ripon Christian suits up this Friday against No. 8A Golden Sierra. The Knights have been putting up big numbers all season and holding opponents to an average of less than 10 points a game.
