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EDITOR'S NOTE: The large-school poll is comprised of teams from the Central California Athletic League, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference. Last week’s ranking and current records in parenthesis.
1. (1) Central Catholic (7-1, 4-0): The Raiders were idle last week. Next: at Kimball.
2. (2) Merced (8-0 4-0): The Bears limited an explosive Patterson offense to just two field goals and Xavier Stewart caught two touchdown passes for the second week in a row. Next: at Atwater.
3. (3) Pitman (8-0, 3-0): The Pride found themselves in a dogfight with Modesto, a team still searching for its first CCAL victory, but separated from the Panthers thanks to Denzel Steckwren’s 61-yard touchdown reception. It doesn’t get any easier this week. Next: at Downey.
4. (4) Turlock (5-3, 3-0): Lucas Curtis scored four touchdowns for the second straight week as the Bulldogs remained neck-and-neck with crosstown rival Pitman atop the CCAL standings. Next: vs. Gregori.
5. (5) Downey (5-3, 2-1): UC Davis-bound wide receiver Bryce Peterson had two touchdown receptions as the Knights avenged last season’s loss to the Jaguars. Downey is still in the hunt in the CCAL and has won two of the last three against this week’s opponent, the league-leading Pride. Next: vs. Pitman.
6. (6) Manteca (5-3, 3-1): The Buffaloes’ Big Four put on an offensive showcase against winless Weston Ranch. Trabron Russell rushed for 168 yards, Jacob DeJesus caught two touchdown passes, Jorge Cedano had 115 receiving yards, and quarterback Ryan Ward completed 8 of his 12 passes. Next: vs. Sierra.
7. (7) Oakdale (7-2, 4-1): Max Moore found the end zone five times, Homecoming King Caleb Kuppens scored three touchdowns, and AJ Martinez rushed for 112 yards as the Mustangs surged into their bye week with momentum. Next: Bye.
8. (8) Buhach Colony (6-2, 4-1): The Thunder bounced back from its loss to Merced with a show of force against the Hawks. Buhach Colony led 15-6 after the first quarter and never looked back. Next: at Golden Valley.
9. (10) Pacheco (7-1, 5-0): Julian Moran rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers handed Mountain House its first loss and moved one step closer to history. Pacheco can clinch at least a share f its first-ever league title with a win over winless Beyer Friday. Next: vs. Beyer (at Johansen High).
10. (9) Gregori (4-4, 1-2): A two-game losing streak has effectively eliminated the Jaguars from title contention in the CCAL, but Gregori can still have a say in where the championship banner hangs. Next: at Turlock.
Follow James Burns on Twitter @jburns1980, or email him at frontrowpreps@gmail.com.
