San Joaquin County high school football Week 2 predictions, schedule

Two weeks down. Plenty more football to come.

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.

After going 7-3 in Week 0, The Record stumbled to 4-6 in Week 1. Will the slump carry into another week, or can we get back on track?

Some picks will feel safe. Others could look much different by the final whistle.

Here are The Record’s 10 games to watch and predictions for Week 2, along with the full schedule.

Junipero Serra (1-1) at St. Mary’s (1-1), 7 p.m.

Tom Brady's alma mater was 2:41 away from knocking St. Mary's out of the NorCal Regional final. Instead, the Rams pulled off another last-minute miracle and went on to win the CIF State Division

2-AA championship. Now comes the rematch, with Serra ranked No. 33 in California by MaxPreps and St. Mary's at No. 66.

Prediction: Serra 31, St. Mary's 27

Chavez (1-1) at Manteca (0-2), 7:15 p.m.

The Manteca varsity football team takes the field before the start of a game against Lincoln at Guss Schmiedt Field in Manteca on Sept. 19. 2025.

Another "biggest win in program history" for Chavez, or does Manteca get back on track? Knocking off a nine-time section champion would certainly show the Titans are ready to push for their first playoff win. But after not losing a single regular-season game last year, the Buffaloes have plenty of frustration to take out on a night celebrating 100 years of Manteca football.

Prediction: Manteca 38, Chavez 23

Edison (2-0) at Marin Catholic (0-2), 6:30 p.m.

This is the game Edison wants. The Eric Crocker era is off to a fantastic start, but talent has rarely been what this program needed to prove. Being different from years past is. A road win over a top-100 team in California, in the toughest game of Crocker's head coaching career so far, would make quite the statement.

Prediction: Edison 24, Marin Catholic 21

Oakdale (1-1) at Escalon (0-2), 7:30 p.m.

Escalon players take the field during a varsity football game at Engel Field on Sept. 4, 2026. Chavez won 27-22.

Funny how things come full circle. Oakdale's Wing-T just produced its lowest regular-season rushing total since a 41-21 loss to Escalon in 2023, managing 229 yards in an upset loss to Lincoln. Escalon is coming off another heartbreaker against Chavez. Two small-school powers, and neither wants another loss. Oakdale won last year's meeting 27-13.

Prediction: Oakdale 35, Escalon 18

Tracy (2-0) at Lathrop (1-1), 7 p.m.

Tracy captains David Goularte, left, TJ Fonua and Case Borges walk to midfield for the opening coin toss during a varsity football game at Edison’s Magnasco Stadium in Stockton on Oct. 3 2025.

Talk about two teams feeling good about themselves. Lathrop just beat its former coach as it chases a third straight WAC title under Justin Muschott, while Tracy knocked off a top-100 team for its biggest win in more than a decade. Different leagues, different goals, but plenty of momentum on both sides.

Prediction: Tracy 40, Lathrop 20

Grant (1-1) at Lincoln (1-1), 7 p.m.

So, was beating Oakdale the start of something? Lincoln's biggest win since 2013, the last time it made the playoffs, came one week after a loss to top-70 Jesuit. The Trojans get an even bigger opportunity against top-25 Grant in unquestionably their toughest game of the year. Nobody saw Oakdale coming. Imagine what a win here would mean.

Prediction: Grant 38, Lincoln 21

Calaveras (2-0) at Ripon Christian (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

Ripon Christian captains Amos Cady, left, Aaron Van Hofwegen, Blake Stuit and Mason Tameling make their way to midfield for the opening coin toss before a varsity football game at Ripon High’s West Stouffer Field in Ripon on Oct. 10. 2025. Ripon Christian won 35-21.

One was a section finalist. The other became a state champion. Ripon Christian reached the CIF SJS Division VI championship game last year, while Calaveras won Division VII over Linden before finishing the job with a CIF State Division 5-A title. Both lost plenty, but neither has lost yet this season. Something has to give.

Prediction: Calaveras 30, Ripon Christian 28

Kimball (0-2) at West (1-1), 7 p.m.

City bragging rights have a way of making records matter a little less. Tracy already knocked off West in Week 0, leaving Kimball and West with something else to settle. Neither wants to walk away looking like the third-best team in Tracy.

Prediction: Merrill West 34, Kimball 17

Johansen (2-0) at East Union (1-0), 7 p.m.

Zero passing yards didn't matter when East Union won 49-0. It might against Johansen. The Lancers threw for 2,422 yards and 42 touchdowns during the best season in program history, and if this year is going to bring "more of the same," they'll need to show that part of the offense is still there.

Prediction: East Union 42, Johansen 28

Pitman (2-0) at Ripon (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

The Ripon varsity football team takes the field team takes the field before a game against Ripon Christian at Ripon High’s West Stouffer Field in Ripon on Oct. 10. 2025. Ripon Christian won 35-21.

Thirteen rushing yards. Ninety-two passing yards. And Ripon still came within a touchdown of Placer without Andrew Shaw. With similarly ranked Pitman next, getting its starting quarterback and dual threat back could make all the difference. Without him, the Indians could quickly find themselves behind the eight ball in the pursuit of their first winning season since 2021.

Prediction: Pitman 19, Ripon 14

Twelve more San Joaquin County games to watch

The McNair varsity football team raise their helmets during the national anthem before a game against West at McNair High in Stockton on Sept. 26, 2025.