Prep football roundup: Downey, Hughson, Orestimba and others start 2024 1-0

The 2024 high school football season kicked off Friday night across the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Stanislaus District teams competed in competitive non-league games that included rivalries, first time matchups and annual matchups that have become Week 1 traditions.

Downey opened the season with Lincoln-Stockton for the third time in as many years, taking their fast-paced offense on the road and coasting to victory. In their past four matchups, the Knights have not lost. Defending section champion Hughson opened with a dominant win over Ceres and Orestimba won their fourth straight matchup in the Battle of the Chief against Gustine.

Here’s a look at other Week 1 matchups across the Stanislaus District:

Hughson 35, Ceres 7: Robert McDaniel completed 15 of 21 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant Week 1 home win over Ceres. Eli Wilbanks rushed for a pair of scores. Bryce McDaniel caught four passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns and Lawson Aviles had a receiving touchdown. Max Mankins recorded 2.5 sacks.

Orestimba 56, Gustine 12: Orestimba dominated, taking a win in the Battle of the Chief over rival Gustine. The Warriors led 28-6 at halftime. In a narrow series, Orestimba leads all time, with a 39-36-2 record. It has won eight of the last 10 meetings, including the last four straight.

Gregori 47, Buhach Colony 12: The Jaguars opened up a quick 27-6 first half lead in their home season opener. They increased their lead to 41-6 by the end of the third quarter. Each team added a score in the fourth. The Jaguars host Merced Thursday at 7 p.m.

Downey 34, Lincoln-Stockton 28: The Knights fell behind early, but after a blocked punt, it was off to the races. Trailing 7-6, Downey’s special teams came through returning a blocked punt for a touchdown. They converted a two point conversion to take a 14-7 halftime lead. Downey opened up a 34-14 second half lead before Lincoln scored a pair of touchdowns.

Central Valley 27, Pitman 0: The Hawks held Pitman scoreless in their home opener and scored 20 of their 27 points in the first half during the dominant Week 1 performance. Dominic Delatorre threw three touchdown passes and Andre Flores scored on a 38-yard run.

Central Catholic 28, Pleasant Valley 21: Pleasant Valley’s Lucas Benson rushed for 134 yards with a 91 yard touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Central Catholic, the SJS No. 9 ranked team according to MaxPreps.

Davis 19, Hilmar 14: The Spartans took the narrow Week 1 win over Hilmar at Modesto Junior College Friday night. The Yellowjackets led 14-12 at the start of the third quarter but Davis scored near the end of the frame to take the lead and finish off the game. Davis visits Sierra next week while Hilmar hosts Los Banos.

Sonora 31, Oakdale 21: Oakdale took a 21-10 lead with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter, but allowed 21 unanswered points in a hostile road environment as the Wildcats stormed back to earn the Week 1 win. Grant Gardner threw a first half touchdown pass and added one in the third. Wes Burford added a rushing touchdown in the fourth.

Johansen 37, Modesto 0: The Vikings were dominant in their home opener Friday night, holding the Panthers scoreless. Johansen plays its next two games on the road, visiting Orestimba and Bear River before starting WAC play.

Summerville 24, Ripon Christian 21: After falling behind 14-0, Mason Tameling connected with Amos Cady on a deep ball for the Knights’ first touchdown of the season and the defense returned a fumble for a touchdown to tie the game at 14 before halftime, but Summerville held a narrow 17-14 lead at the half over the defending section champions. The two sides traded scores, but ultimately Ripon Christian did not have enough.

Linden 47, Ripon 44: Ripon held a 16-14 halftime lead over Linden and with both teams trading touchdowns all second half, Ripon came up just short. Ripon travels to Enochs and East Union before starting TVL play at home against Hughson.

Vacaville 23, Escalon 21: Escalon climbed out of a 10 point fourth quarter hole to make things interesting on the road. The Cougars made it a 17-14 game, but allowed a fourth quarter touchdown. They cut the lead to 23-21 with two minutes remaining, but the Bulldogs were able to run out the clock.