Prep football roundup: Escalon opens new Engel Field with win, Turlock wins in historic matchup

Quinton Hamilton
·5 min read

The opening of a new field, blowout wins and fights for playoff positioning highlighted Week 10 of the high school football season.

After playing every one of its games away from Engel Field this season, Escalon welcomed the community back to the newly renovated historic home venue. The Cougars picked up a big TVL home win over Ripon.

Modesto and Turlock on Friday night matched up for the 125th time. Turlock, which is on the fast track to a CCAL title, beat the Panthers for the ninth straight time. In other CCAL matchups, Gregori maintained its hold on the league’s third-place spot with a win over Pitman, and Downey beat Enochs, which is likely on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.

Oakdale also picked up a key Valley Oak League win with a second-half touchdown over Kimball.

Here is a look at other Stanislaus District games from this weekend.

Escalon 40, Ripon 7: On a night when Escalon introduced the improved Engel Field to the community for the first time in the 2023 season, the Cougars put forth a dominant effort to earn their Trans Valley League-best fourth win. Josh Graham and Jamin Miller each rushed for over 100 yards. Graham scored twice on the ground, while Miller added a score. Donovan Rozevink tossed a pair of touchdown passes. Sam Jimenez caught four passes for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Pacheco 36, Beyer 12: The Patriots were unable to earn their first Western Athletic Conference win in a matchup of teams that entered the game winless against league opponents. Beyer finished its 2023 season on the road against Johansen Oct. 26.

Livingston 47, Modesto Christian 22: The Crusaders dropped their sixth straight contest despite Livingston throwing just three passes. The Wolves rushed for over 300 yards and scored four touchdowns. Modesto Christian was forced into four interceptions, three of which were returned for pick-sixes.

Mountain House 31, Ceres 9: The Bulldogs gave up 160 passing yards with two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown to dual-threat quarterback Amare Brooks in Friday night’s WAC loss. Reis Smith recorded an interception for the Bulldogs in the loss.

Davis 27, Johansen 14: The Spartans continue to get healthier as the season goes on and proved that Friday night, beating a Johansen team doing its best to hold on to a playoff spot. Quarterback Izzy Sanchez passed for 193 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. For Johansen, Tek Garcia rushed for 186 yards and a touchdown and added a conversion.

Atwater 39, Central Valley 29: The Hawks dropped their third straight Central California Conference game Friday night. Central Valley, which started league play 2-0, will finish league play at home against Merced.

Gregori 28, Pitman 7: Conner Bailey found Reggieon Foster on the second play from scrimmage for an 87-yard touchdown pass and the Jaguars did not look back. The duo connected on one more first-half touchdown pass and Michael Marsden rushed for a pair of first-half scores as Gregori coasted to victory. The Jaguars finish league play against Downey.

Downey 48, Enochs 0: Downey’s defense was dominant in a bounce-back win over Enochs, which was without running back Aiden Muhammad, who injured his ankle in Week 9. The Knights gave up just 22 passing yards and 19 rushing yards. Carson Lamb passed for 312 yards and a touchdown, and Marcus Cruz, Nathan Dip, Elijah Tamayo and Derrick Kirkendall combined for five rushing touchdowns.

Stone Ridge Christian 35, Big Valley Christian 7: The Lions could only manage a third-quarter touchdown despite recording 105 passing yards and 114 rushing yards. Stone Ridge moves to 7-1 on the season, while Big Valley falls to 3-6.

Oakdale 21, Kimball 14: The Mustangs overcame a pair of interceptions to secure a key Valley Oak League victory. Oakdale led 14-7 at halftime but Kimball tied the game in the third quarter. Wes Burford put the Mustangs ahead for good with a three-yard rushing touchdown with seven seconds left in the third quarter. Oakdale has a key matchup with Manteca next week.

Turlock 49, Modesto 6: In a longstanding tradition that dates back to at least 1920, Turlock beat Modesto in the yearly matchup. Turlock earned its 81st victory over the Panthers thanks to two passing touchdowns from quarterback Vince Gonzales and a pair of rushing touchdowns from Tarell Johnson. Turlock remains in first place in the CCAL with one final matchup against Enochs next week.

Patterson 63, Golden Valley 28: Patterson advanced to 8-1 on senior night Friday. Max Medina passed for 255 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Jeremiah Lugo finished with 159 rushing yards and three scores on 19 carries. Frank Callum had an interception, Jorge Lainez had a pick-six and Alvaro Granados recovered a fumble.

Orestimba 41, Denair 3: The Warriors kept their second place spot in the Southern League with a dominant win over Denair. Senior quarterback Alex Milan made his return after missing nearly two months with an injury, completing three of three passes in limited action. Juan Esquivez rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries and returned a punt for a touchdown.

Ripon Christian 42, Gustine 0: The Knights won yet another league game in shutout fashion as they continued to dominate SL opponents in a league championship season. Brady Grondz rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on just two carries. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. Grant Sonke added two rushing scores and Amos Cady added a rushing touchdown.

Escalon running back Jamin Miller (26) tries to break free from a Ripon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon running back Jamin Miller (26) tries to break free from a Ripon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez (5) turns up field after catching the ball during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez (5) turns up field after catching the ball during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon running back Eric Guevera (11) tries to escape multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon running back Eric Guevera (11) tries to escape multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon running back Joshua Graham (21) breaks free for a touchdown during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon running back Joshua Graham (21) breaks free for a touchdown during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink (7) throws a pass to the endzone during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink (7) throws a pass to the endzone during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) gets taken down by an Escalon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) gets taken down by an Escalon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) scrambles out of the pocket on a run during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) scrambles out of the pocket on a run during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink (7) scrambles out of the pocket during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink (7) scrambles out of the pocket during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon running back Jamin Miller (26) dives for the endzone during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon running back Jamin Miller (26) dives for the endzone during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon’s Nico Franzia (20) celebrates catching a touchdown during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon’s Nico Franzia (20) celebrates catching a touchdown during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez races past a Ripon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez races past a Ripon defender during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon running back Eric Guevera (11) tries to escape multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon running back Eric Guevera (11) tries to escape multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon Head Coach Andrew Beam watches his team from the sidelines during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon Head Coach Andrew Beam watches his team from the sidelines during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon Head Coach Chris Musseman looks down his sidelines during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon Head Coach Chris Musseman looks down his sidelines during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripons Owen Wilbur (13) tries to make a catch between multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripons Owen Wilbur (13) tries to make a catch between multiple Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
The Escalon High School band plays between plays during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
The Escalon High School band plays between plays during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) throws a deep pass during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon quarterback Ty Herrin (1) throws a deep pass during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon receiver Dru Orlando (24) gets hit by Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Ripon receiver Dru Orlando (24) gets hit by Escalon defenders during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez (5) deflects a pass during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.
Escalon receiver Sam Jimenez (5) deflects a pass during a game between Escalon High School and Ripon High School in Escalon, California on October 20, 2023.