Varnum on 2023 football schedule: ‘This gets us ready for bowl games’
Manteca High sophomore lineman Isiah White runs to midfield and waves the Honor the Code flag following a victory over Rocklin in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs. (Wayne Thallander)
By HUDSON WYATT
The Tower
The reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champions have loaded up their schedule for the upcoming season.
The Manteca High football team had a successful season last fall. The Buffaloes reached the CIF State Regional Division 1-AA Northern California Championship, falling short to Bay Area powerhouse Pittsburg High, 35-14.
With a jump to Division I for the playoffs next season, coach Mark Varnum will test his team with a rigorous non-league schedule.
Due to winning the Division II section title in the fall, and winning five section championships in the last six years, the Buffaloes have been moved up to Division I.
“We’re not going down anytime soon; we need to this kind of schedule. This gets us ready for bowl games because we know what the CIF likes to do to us in bowl games,” Varnum said.
The Buffaloes will be on the road most of the season with only three home games for the 2023 season. This year is one of the best strengths of schedule the Buffaloes have had in recent years, Varnum said, and they’re up for the challenge.
This season, the Buffaloes will travel to Vista Del Lago (Folsom) on Aug. 18 for their season opener. Manteca played the Eagles last season for the first time since 2019, defeating the Sacramento-area school 44-6. Vista Del Lago is bringing back star receiver Matt Long, who had more than 1,000 receiving yards last season.
On Aug. 25, Manteca hosts one of its three home games against Granite Bay, its dance partner in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II final last season. The Buffaloes defeated the Grizzlies, 51-48.
“We proved last year that we can play with (Sierra Foothill League) teams. We know Granite Bay and Rocklin will be happy to play us again,” Varnum said.
On Sept. 1, Manteca ventures to St. Mary’s for a clash with a Division I parochial power. St Mary’s went undefeated in the regular season, beating powerhouse De La Salle along the way. Stunningly, the Rams were knocked out of the Division I playoffs by Turlock, 51-50.
“We’ve been trying to get this game scheduled for a long time,” Varnum said. “Now we finally got it done we’re excited for this.”
The following week Manteca will play in the Honor Bowl at Oak Ridge High School versus another SFL giant, Rocklin, on Sep. 9. The Buffaloes defeated the Thunder in the section semifinal, coming back from nine points in the fourth quarter to win 34-28.
Manteca will end the non-league portion of its schedule on Sept. 22 at Lodi High, a playoff team last fall. The Flames lost to Vacaville in the first round of the Division II playoffs; one week later, the Buffaloes shut out Vacaville.
“We have a lot to accomplish this year. Last year the seniors set the example for us and now we got to fill those shoes,” sophomore defensive tackle Isiah White said.
Buffaloes’ Football Schedule
8/18 @ Vista Del Lago
8/25 vs Granite Bay
9/1 @ St. Mary's
9/9 vs Rocklin (@Oak Ridge)
9/15 Bye
9/22 @Lodi
9/29 vs Kimball
10/6 @Sierra
10/13 vs East Union
10/20 @Central Catholic
10/27 @Oakdale