Non-league play is over. Now, every game can shape a league title race.
Each week, The Record will provide the full San Joaquin County high school football schedule while highlighting 10 matchups that deserve a closer look, complete with a preview and prediction for each.
Seven weeks and 70 predictions produced a 49-21 record. Then came Week 7, and for the first time all season, The Record got every pick right, going a perfect 10-0.
Keeping that streak alive, though, won't be easy. Week 8 might bring the most difficult matchups to predict all season.
Some picks will feel safe. Others could look much different by the final whistle.
Here are The Record’s 10 games to watch and Week 8 predictions.
Edison (6-1) at St. Mary's (3-4), 7:15 p.m.
Circle it. Highlight it. Do whatever you need to do, because
this is the game of the year. Fifty-nine straight TCAL wins by more than a touchdown and every league championship since 2014. That's the mountain Edison is trying to climb after finishing second in both seasons since joining in 2024. Both teams now rank among California's top 90, setting up perhaps the Rams' toughest league test in years. So what gives? The Vikings pulling off what so many have failed to do, or a St. Mary's dynasty that simply refuses to budge?
Prediction: St. Mary's 28, Edison 27
Linden (5-2) at River Islands (7-1), 7 p.m.
At the start of the season, perhaps only those inside River Islands believed this game would mean something. Now, after setting a program wins record and all but securing a section playoff spot, the Riptide has a chance to make even more history. Standing in its way is Linden, a section finalist determined to capture the MLL title it let slip away last season.
Prediction: Linden 30, River Island 24
Oakdale (4-3) at Manteca (5-3), 7 p.m.
Remember when this matchup decided the VOL? That was just last year, when both teams entered Week 10 at 5-0 before Manteca took a 40-26 victory. Central Catholic has changed the picture this season, likely leaving second place as the prize. Still, a win here could do wonders for section playoff seeding, and beating a rival never hurts.
Prediction: Manteca 38, Oakdale 24
Tracy (6-1) at Lincoln (4-3), 7 p.m.
Losing to Edison may have hurt Tracy and Lincoln's championship hopes, but it hasn't necessarily ended them. A St. Mary's victory over the Vikings could open the door for one of these teams, making this a must-win. The postseason stakes are just as important, with Tracy projected to need an at-large Division II bid and Lincoln's Division I spot far from secure.
Prediction: Lincoln 40, Tracy 35
Hilmar (8-0) at Ripon Christian (5-2), 7:15 p.m.
Last year, Hilmar beat Ripon Christian 35-21 but somehow finished behind the Knights in the TVL standings. Now, the Yellowjackets are chasing a perfect season and are projected as Division V's top seed. Sometimes, a team simply finds itself standing in the path of a juggernaut. Ripon Christian might be that team.
Prediction: Hilmar 34, Ripon Christian 17
Sierra (4-3) at Central Catholic (6-1), 7 p.m.
Want to see the VOL's best? Look no further than Central Catholic, which just beat Manteca 42-13 to all but end its three-peat hopes. Now comes Sierra, fresh off a 65-14 loss to those same Buffaloes, who scored 51 before halftime. Central Catholic, you're up. How many can you score?
Prediction: Central Catholic 56, Sierra 7
Lathrop (4-3) at Grace Davis (4-3), 7 p.m.
So, Lathrop's three-peat hopes aren't dead after all. Last week's win over Central Valley kept them alive, but the Spartans still need to beat Grace Davis in a battle of 3-1 teams. The other requirement? Central Valley must beat unbeaten Johansen this week. Suddenly, Lathrop is Central Valley's biggest fan.
Prediction: Lathrop 25, Grace Davis 21
Ripon (2-5) at Sonora (4-4), 7 p.m.
Here's Ripon's problem. The Indians need two more wins to reach the Division VI playoffs, but they're favored in only one of their final three games. Sonora isn't that one. Still, the back-to-back state champions have shown some cracks, dropping consecutive games to Hilmar and Hughson.
Prediction: Sonora 33, Ripon 12
Stagg (5-2) at Bear Creek (2-5), 7:15 p.m.
When two Stockton teams square off, there's always more than a win at stake. Pride and bragging rights come with it. But for Bear Creek, those bragging rights have been hard to come by against Stagg, which has won 16 of the last 20 meetings and outscored the Bruins 85-23 over the past two.
Prediction: Stagg 35, Bear Creek 13
West (3-4) at Chavez (5-2), 7 p.m.
The outcome may seem like a foregone conclusion, but Chavez's offense could still make this one worth watching. The Titans have piled up 217 points in just four SJAA games. West has come a long way since last year's 63-0 loss, but catching the Titans is another matter.
Prediction: Chavez 55, Merrill West 10
Five more San Joaquin County games to watch
- Franklin (2-5) at Tokay (5-2), 7 p.m.
- Lodi (2-5) at Kimball (0-7), 7:15 p.m.
- East Union (3-4) at Mountain House (1-7), 7 p.m.
- Weston Ranch (0-7) at McNair (5-2), 7 p.m.
- Delta (0-6) at Millennium (5-1), 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Record: San Joaquin County high school football Week 8 predictions, schedule
