Now that Week 8 is kicking off, and we are down to our last stretch of league games, let’s see if we can compare these teams throughout Merced County and figure out who is the best team in Merced County. After totaling win/loss records, points allowed vs points scored per game, comparing schedules, good wins, bad losses, and Maxpreps.com rankings we have come up with this weeks Power Rankings for Merced County. We hope you enjoy:
14. Delhi Hawks 0-6 Overall, 0-3 Southern League: The Hawks remain last in the county after going 0-6 in the preseason and 0-3 to begin league play. Their closest game was a 12-point loss to Stone Ridge Christian, but they have a chance to climb the rankings this week as they take on Modesto Christian, who is currently 1-5 and coming off a loss to Gustine.
13. Livingston Wolves 0-6 Overall, 0-3 WAC League: The Wolves have had a tough time finding consistency this year. They’ve been close a few times but just haven’t found the big play they needed in the fourth quarter to push them into the win column. Next week, they may have a chance though. They go to Ceres who is 2-4 and coming off a 25-point loss to Johansen.
12. Buhach Colony 0-6 Overall, 0-1 CCC League: Buhach has looked competitive at times, but they have also had trouble putting four quarters of football together. Their offense is averaging less than 10 points a game. They seem simple and predictable, but the Bloss Bowl has a way of bringing out the best in the Thunder.
11. Gustine Reds 1-5 Overall, 1-2 Southern League: The Reds got off the schneid last week with a convincing win over Modesto Christian 30-12. The Reds have been playing quality football in the month of October. The previous week they only lost by a touchdown against Denair, who is currently tied for first in their league. Maybe next week the Reds crack the top 10.
10. El Capitan Gauchos 1-4 Overall, 0-1 CCC League: The Gauchos are coming off a tough loss to a strong Golden Valley team. El Capitan played some poor football for the first 4 games of the season, but during week 5 they obliterated Modesto High. In week 6, they regathered and retooled during their bye week, and in week 7, they played competitive football. Although they’re getting better, they face a tough CCC schedule to end the season.
9. Pacheco Panthers 2-4 Overall, 1-2 WAC League: The Pacheco Panthers have been in some really close games and some blowouts. They look like a team with potential but still a little too inconsistent for the playoffs. However, if they can iron out some defensive wrinkles and build up their passing game, they may surprise us by the end of the month.
8. Le Grand Bulldogs 3-3 Overall, 2-1 Southern League: Le Grand appears to have the best running back in the Southern League, but they sure do enjoy throwing the ball a lot for a team that has such a dominant runner. If they can slow the game down, and keep the ball away from their opponents, they may turn some heads by the end of league play.
7. Atwater Falcons 1-5 Overall, 1-0 CCC League: After starting the season 0-5, the Falcons had something to prove when Los Banos came to town, and what a statement they made. The Falcons held Los Banos to their second-lowest point total of the season as the Falcons held onto a one-point lead, 14-13, to earn their first win of the season. Can they carry that momentum into the Bloss Bowl next week?
6. Stone Ridge Christian 4-2 Overall, 2-1 Southern League: The Knights look like a Southern League favorite. However, a tough home loss to Denair has them looking up in the standings. If the Knights stay consistent, they may have a chance to recapture first place, but it’s going to take some help from another school.
5. Los Banos Tigers 3-3 Overall, 0-1 CCC League: The Tigers ran into a determined Falcon group last week that clipped the Tigers’ claws. Now, it’s the Tigers’ turn to prove they belong near the top of the CCC as they search for their first league win at home next week against El Capitan.
4. Golden Valley Cougars 3-3 Overall, 1-0 CCC League: The Cougars are on the cusps of proving they’re the real deal. They’ve got a quarterback, they’ve got speed, they’ve got linebackers, and they’ve got the best running back in the CCC, but are they ready to take on the best in the CCC? The only way to find out is to check out the Mayor’s Cup next week against Merced High.
3. Dos Palos Broncos 5-2 Overall, 1-1 West Sierra League: The Broncos are a tough squad that look ready to make league run this year. They’ve already lost to Liberty, and they have some tough games left on the schedule. However, their roster is quite talented, especially on offense. Their running back is a big bruising back. Feed this guy the ball 20 times a game and let him crush the opposition.
2. Merced Bears 4-2 Overall, 1-0 CCC League: The Bears used their preseason to find out who they were. What’s their identity, and who’s their guy on 4th and gotta have it. Well, they appear to have figured out those details as they dominated their first league opponent 61-0. Next week, they take on a solid Golden Valley team whom they haven’t lost to in 20 years.
1. Hilmar Yellowjackets 7-0 Overall, 3-0 Trans-Valley League: If you are a fan of high school football in Merced County, and you have not seen the Yellowjackets play, you need to take moment to watch this team. You will not regret it. They have the best running game in the county, and their quarterback is the smoothest running back playing quarterback I’ve seen this season. Hilmar has already defeated Escalon and Sonora, two big-time powerhouses in the TVL. They look like not just a TVL favorite, but also the favorite to win the entire section. They’re 7-0, and the crazy part is they haven’t even had a bye week yet. They won’t get one until week 10. But they’re not complaining. They’re just winning.
- Photos by Average Local Media staff. ↩︎
