After each having a week off, the Manteca Buffaloes and the Tracy Bulldogs will shake off the rust and duke it out at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Manteca is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Manteca gave up the first points last Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They enjoyed a cozy 40-26 win over Oakdale. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Buffaloes' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' California football rankings (they are ranked 34th, while the Mustangs are ranked 88th).
Nikko Juarez
| 10/31/25 @ Oakdale | 104 |
| 10/24/25 vs Patterson | 117 |
| 10/17/25 vs East Union | 180 |
| 10/10/25 @ Mountain House | 165 |
| 10/03/25 vs Sierra | 126 |
| + 2 more games |
Manteca got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Nikko Juarez out in front who rushed for 104 yards and two scores on only seven carries, and also picked up 35 receiving yards. Juarez's rushing production has been exceptional as that marked his seventh straight game with at least 104 rushing yards. Another signal caller making a difference was Owen Gully, who threw for 235 yards and three TDs on only 18 passes.
Manteca didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The team can thank two different players for their defensive prowess: Xyloh Kuresa and Jayden Harris, who each picked up one interception apiece. Kyrin Barajas was another major factor on D, picking up a sack and making 15 total tackles (3.0 for loss).
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Tracy, who bounced back after a loss on the road back in October. They had just enough and edged out Kimball 28-26. The Bulldogs pushed the score to 28-6 by the end of the third, a deficit the Jaguars cut but never quite recovered from.
Manteca better keep an eye on David Grisham. He was instrumental in Tracy's win, rushing for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns while picking up 11.2 yards per carry, and also picking up 35 receiving yards. With that strong performance, Grisham is now averaging an impressive 106.4 rushing yards per game.
Tracy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 285 rushing yards. They are 4-1 when they've run for more than 200 yards.
Manteca's record is now 10-0. As for Tracy, the win got them back to even at 5-5.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Manteca has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 198 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Tracy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 233.6 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Manteca strolled past Tracy in their previous matchup back in September of 2019 by a score of 34-20. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Bulldogs' Riley Revino, who rushed for 148 yards and a pair of scores while picking up 7.0 yards per carry. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for the Buffaloes to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.
