As Merced County wraps up week 9 and teams are left with only two more weeks in the regular season, the disparity between the top and the bottom becomes evident, but what’s not as clear to the public are the mistakes, the faults, the improvements, the adjustments and the maturity that teams go through as they pursue their season to its end. The way each team handles these things throughout their season ultimately determines how close they are, how far they are, and how far close can seem from where they really want to be. Let’s take a look at how close the teams in Merced County are to being where they want to be after week 9.
Golden Valley 27, Atwater 24: The Falcons have been hard to figure out all year. When they play their best, they probably have the most explosive offense in Merced County. However, when they’re not at their best, they are very beatable. Golden Valley, on the other hand, is experiencing a season-saving renaissance from their last two CCC wins. Quarterback Gabe Richards and running back Isaiah Welch have been leading the charge the past two games. In this game, both had key runs to take, retake, and maintain the lead. Golden Valley started the season 0-6, but now they are 2-1 in the CCC, and if they can find a way to win the next two games, they’ll finish no worse than 2nd place in the CCC. How’s that for Cougar Pride? In week 10, Golden Valley hosts Los Banos while Atwater travels to Merced.
Stone Ridge Christian 14, Mariposa County 11: The Knights made a statement win on Friday night when they defeated previously undefeated Mariposa County. SRC grinded out a tough defensive battle with not a lot of scoring, but plenty of physicality and grit. It’s the second week in a row that the Knights have defeated a tough league opponent in close fashion, securing first place in their league with only one league game left. In week 10, they travel to Gustine High.
Le Grand 21, Gustine 12: Gustine showed up to Le Grand hoping to upset the Bulldogs after struggling against their last three league opponents. Although Gustine came closer in this game than their previous three, it was the Bulldogs who were able to secure their third league win of the season. The Bulldogs’ playmakers Blake Lua, Thomas Benting and Diego Martinez routinely moved the Bulldogs’ offense down the field. This game, it was Benting that kept the Bulldogs ahead with three rushing touchdowns. In week 10 Le Grand will host Yosemite High (Oakhurst) in a non-league game while Gustine will visit Stone Ridge Christian.
Merced 63, El Capitan 6: Since El Capitan High opened, their football team has never defeated Merced. In this game, the Gauchos took the lead in the first quarter for the first time all season, but after that, the aggressive, opportunistic Bears offense scored every time they got the ball. The Gauchos sit in last place in the CCC after losing their last four games, including this game to the Bears. A team that had playoff hopes before the year began is now trying to correct their season before it’s too late. El Capitan is on the road in week 10 against Buhach. Meanwhile, Merced High looks as good as ever. They’ve thoroughly defeated their last three league opponents, but in week 10 they host Atwater, who may be the one team in the CCC with an offense powerful enough to match the Bears. This should make for another interesting Sante Fe Bowl.
Los Banos 48, Buhach 9: The Thunder have been trying to climb up the standings after defeating Atwater two weeks ago to begin league play. However, since that win, Buhach has struggled to stop opponents when it matters most. In this game, it was Los Banos’ Raul Diaz and Gavin Blackwood-Estrada that couldn’t be stopped when it mattered most. Diaz finished with multiple rushing touchdowns and Blackwood-Estrada ran for a 54-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 35-9 in the third quarter, which essentially took the sound out of the Thunder. In week 10 Buhach will host El Capitan, and Los Banos will travel to Golden Valley.
Dos Palos 56, Tranquility 6: The Dos Palos Broncos were honored this week for winning their 700th game in week 8 against Mendota. They can now add 701 to that record after overwhelming Tranquility High. After dismantling their opponent, the Broncos remain in first place in their league with a 3-0 record. So far, they’ve been dominant, but the next two weeks may be their toughest. They will host Firebaugh in week 10, who is currently in third place with a 2-1 league record. Then, they will host Coalinga, who is currently undefeated in league play. One thing worth noting, Dos Palos has won their last four in a row against Firebaugh.
Lathrop 61, Livingston 27: The Wolves came into week 10 having won three of their last four games and looking to gain ground against league-leading Lathrop. However, Lathrop proved they are in first place for a reason. The Spartans’ explosive athletes jumped on top of the Wolves in the first quarter and had a three-touchdown lead by halftime: 28-7. In the second half, Livingston found their stride on offense, but they were unable to stop the big plays from Lathrop. Livingston gave up more points in this game than in any other game all season, demonstrating how easy it is to be so close, yet so far.
Beyer 20, Pacheco 7: Pacheco High was unable to keep up with Beyer as the Patriots handed the Panthers their eighth loss of the season. Currently, the Panthers are winless this season. They have been competitive the last two weeks, but they haven’t been able to find the big play when they need it. Their next two games only get tougher. They will travel to Grace Davis High then host Livingston High. Both of those teams are fighting for the playoffs and can’t afford to lose ground. The Panthers will have their work cut out for them if they want to find a win this season.
Hughson 38, Orestimba 13: The Warriors scored their first points of league play against Hughson, but that is probably their only silver lining of this game as they lost their fourth straight. The Warriors have had trouble on offense this year. Their 14 points in this game are the first pair of touchdowns they’ve scored since September 19th. In a tough TVL league, they’ll need to find a way to move the ball better than that if they want to finish the season with a league win. In week 10 the Warriors will travel to Ripon to face Ripon Christian High.
Waterford 38, Delhi 6: The Hawks have now lost six in a row and seven of their last eight as they fell to the Wildcats in week 9. Delhi has had trouble stopping opponents this season. Over their last four league games, opponents are averaging 35.5 points against them. That puts a lot of pressure on an offense that is only averaging 6.5 points a game over that same stretch. In week 10 the Hawks will try to get back on track when they host Denair High.
The end of week 9 is the end of all bye weeks for Merced County teams. That means in week 10 they’ll all be in action. Merced High, Stone Ridge Christian High, and Dos Palos High are leading their league with two games left to play. Meanwhile, teams like Hilmar, Los Banos, Le Grand, and Golden Valley are doing their best to close in on the top.
