With two weeks remaining in the 2022 high school football season, two local teams are positioning themselves for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, while the other two are simply playing out the string.
Turlock and Hilmar need to win out — and both will be favored to do just that in their final two games — to secure the highest possible postseason seeding. Meanwhile, Pitman and Denair are merely searching for bright spots in seasons that will come to an end on Oct. 28.
Enochs (3-5, 1-2) at Turlock (4-4, 2-1), 7 p.m. — The Bulldogs’ path to a Central California Athletic League co-title requires taking care of business against the Eagles, while getting help from Gregori, which takes on undefeated Downey. That scenario would leave the Jaguars as the lone team with an unblemished CCAL record, with them paying a visit to Joe Debely Stadium the following week in the regular-season finale.
Hilmar (5-3, 4-0) at Modesto Christian (6-3, 2-3), 7 p.m. — The Yellowjackets are coming of a TVL showdown victory against ancient rival Hughson. Hilmar is a huge favorite in this game, according to CalPreps.com, but has to guard against a letdown against the Crusaders, who have managed six victories. Modesto Christian’s three losses this year have come to TVL teams — Escalon, Hughson, Ripon — that Hilmar has defeated.
Pitman (1-7, 0-3) at Modesto (2-6, 0-3), 7 p.m. — The Pride will conclude the season Oct. 28 against league-leader Downey, so this is the their last best shot to avoid posting the worst record in school history. According to CalPreps.com, Pitman is a 10-point favorite against the Panthers in a game that will be played at Chuck Hughes Stadium.
Orestimba (7-1, 5-0) at Denair (1-7, 0-5), 7:15 p.m. — The Warriors can clinch at least a share of the Southern League title with a win on Friday. Orestimba is coming off a 70-point performance against defending SL champion Waterford, and are hopeful of a first-round bye in the Division VI playoffs. In other words, the last-place Coyotes are facing a team that will be highly motivated on Denair’s Senior Night.