Buhach Colony High football has been annihilating teams all season. In the Thunder’s five wins, three of the teams couldn’t score more than one touchdown, two were blown out by at least 53 points and only one opponent scored in double-digits.
Of course, the Thunder would like to keep this sort of dominance rolling. But on Friday at 7:30 p.m., they’re facing one of their tougher challenges: Turlock High.
The Bulldogs, 4-1 overall after winning three consecutive preseason games, will open the Central California Conference at Atwater High, where Buhach Colony will be waiting. It’s one of the most anticipated matchups this Friday.
Coach James Peterson and his Turlock team know it’s not going to be like last week’s opponents, the Franklin High Yellowjackets, who gave up 35 first-half points before submitting to a 42-7 thumping. Buhach Colony advanced to the semifinals of last season’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs, and this season the Thunder (5-0) have outscored their opponents 226-36 and are averaging 45.2 points per game.
The Thunder’s closest loss came in the season opener, when they beat Bethel High of Vallejo 34-13 after scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. Other than that, they have not been challenged.
The Bulldogs want to change that.
“We need to play physical football in all phases of the game: offense, defense, special teams,” Peterson said. “If we can do that and minimize the mistakes and penalties, I believe we can come away from this game with a victory.”
Pitman returns to action
After a week off, Pitman High wants to dominate again. After producing the school’s best start ever, the Pride’s next victim is Golden Valley High, a 2-3 team that has lost two of the last three games.
The CCC opener for both teams will be held at Debely Stadium on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Pride have shut out two teams so far, held four to single-digit scoring and green-lighted the running clock on at least two occasions. Though they have defending league champion Buhach Colony at home next week, which could be an epic battle depending on this week’s outcomes, Pitman coach Brandon Harris and his team aren’t looking past Friday night.
“Every league game is huge,” he said. “This is the biggest game of the year so far. Golden Valley is very talented. We are going to have to play well on defense against both the pass and the run. On offense, we must try to control the ball and the tempo of the game in order to have an opportunity of winning.”
Other games
As one of the hottest teams in the Section, Hilmar High will march onto the Modesto Christian High football field with a five-game winning surge after losing to Beyer High in the season opener. Last week, the Yellowjackets (5-1 overall) stomped all over Hughson High, 43-0, in the Trans-Valley League opener.
Modesto Christian owns a well-tested 4-2 overall mark and boasts senior quarterback Nathan Sudfeld, a University of Arizona commit who has already passed for 1,332 yards this season.
As for Denair High and Turlock Christian High, they’re still searching for a win.
Denair (0-5, 0-2 Southern League) will have a good chance at Ripon Christian High (1-4, 0-2 SL) and Turlock Christian will also have to do some traveling, as the Eagles (0-5, 0-2 SL) will play at Mariposa High (3-2, 2-0 SL). Both games are Friday at 7:30 p.m.
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
