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MANTECA – Supported largely by another unbelievable Blake Nichelson performance, the Manteca Buffaloes routed the visiting Turlock Bulldogs on Friday evening, 59-22.
Nichelson, one of the most highly-touted recruits in Manteca city history, did not disappoint.
Even with the pressures of being such a high-ranked prospect and with a Florida State coach standing in the north end zone, Nichelson delivered a virtuoso performance in front a near-capacity Homecoming crowd: a 200-yard rushing game and six touchdowns, including a 61-yard gallop into open space to start the fourth quarter.
“I feel like when I get into the game, I just get into a different mode,” said Nichelson, who remains uncommitted. However, he's narrowed his list college suitors down to three, in no particular order: Florida State, Oregon and UCLA. He will announce his commitment on Sept. 2. “I don’t really take (any) pressure, basically just play my game … go out there and have fun."
The other half of Manteca's "Killer B" backfield, junior running back Bryson Davis, tallied two rushing touchdowns, both in the first half as Manteca carved out a 35-22 lead. Both of Davis’ touchdowns came from within the 5-yard line.
The big-bodied back sought contact at the goal line.
“I’m not really looking (for a way to get into the end zone), I’m just running hard. Looking to run somebody over, really," Davis said with a smirk.
The ground game was king in Friday’s contest, as Turlock running back JT Foreman tallied 101 yards and two touchdown runs of his own.
The unbeaten Buffaloes (4-0), ranked No. 1 in the FrontRowPreps.com large-school poll, travel across state lines for next week’s matchup against Reno’s Damonte Ranch, while the reeling Bulldogs (1-3) look to snap a three-game losing skid next Friday versus Clayton Valley Charter.
Lucas Stackpole is a senior at Sierra High School. He is a first-year intern with FrontRowPreps.com. He is a three-sport athlete with the Timberwolves and wants to pursue a career in sports journalism.
