The latest San Joaquin County football power rankings are in.
Each week, The Record will rank all 26 county high school football teams while tracking how the landscape shifts throughout the season.
It’s more than just wins and losses. Movement is explained. Results are detailed. Every ranking carries a reason.
After Week 7, here’s how all 26 county teams rank heading into Week 8. Movement reflects changes from The Record’s Week 6 rankings
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1. Edison (—) (6-1)
One missed extra point. One last-second field goal. One unforgettable rivalry game. Edison escaped with a 51-48 win over crosstown rival Lincoln in the "craziest game you'll ever see." For the second straight week, the Vikings sit atop the rankings.
2. St Mary's (↑1) (3-4)
Make that 59 straight.
Not one opponent has come within seven points of ending St. Mary's league winning streak, and Kimball was no different in a 56-0 rout. The Rams haven't lost a TCAL game or league title since 2013. But if that reign is ever going to be challenged, this week might be it.
3. Manteca (↑1) (5-3)
The game hadn't even started, and Manteca already had Sierra beaten. At least, that's how it looked by halftime. The Buffaloes built a 52-14 lead before finishing off a 65-14 rout, extending their winning streak over the Timberwolves to 14 games. It's another reminder why Manteca joins Edison and St. Mary's inside California's top 90, according to MaxPreps.
4. Tracy (↓2) (6-1)
Don't read too much into the two-spot drop. It has more to do with the teams above Tracy than the Bulldogs themselves, who continue to exceed expectations after a 48-7 rout of Lodi. Their seven-point loss to Edison, which also saw running back David Grisham go down, remains a tough blow.
5. Lincoln (—) (4-3)
What if the play hadn't been blown dead? What if Lincoln's kicker hadn't been injured and his replacement hadn't missed the extra point? Maybe the Trojans beat Edison. Regardless, Lincoln refused to fold in a 51-48 loss, with quarterback Julian Perez throwing for 590 yards and accounting for six touchdowns.
6. Escalon (↑1) (5-3)
It's been three years since Escalon last celebrated a section championship. Could No. 13 be coming? The Cougars are projected as the No. 2 seed in Division V in MaxPreps' first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff projections, and their latest statement was a 45-24 victory over Ripon.
7. Chavez (↓1) (5-2)
Yes, Chavez beat Escalon head-to-head. So why are the Titans ranked lower? Escalon has the stronger resume against a more competitive TVL schedule. That's no fault of Chavez, which appears headed for a third straight SJAA title barring a major upset. A 69-0 rout of Franklin only reinforced that.
8. Oakdale (—) (4-3)
There weren't 126 combined points like last year, but Oakdale's Wing-T was once again the difference. A year after rushing for 618 yards and 10 touchdowns against East Union, the Mustangs piled up 446 rushing yards in a 41-21 win. Anthony Navarro led the way with 216 yards and five touchdowns.
9. Ripon Christian (—) (5-2)
An open date gave Ripon Christian time to prepare for a difficult final three-game stretch. The Knights still have to face the TVL favorite, a Hughson team ahead of them in the standings and rival Ripon.
10. East Union (—) (3-4)
Forget another section championship run for now. East Union's first priority is getting back to the playoffs. The Lancers, who reached their first section final since 1987 last year, are projected as the No. 7 seed in Division IV by MaxPreps. A 5-5 finish could keep them in contention.
11. Linden (↑1) (5-2)
Big Valley Christian brought a 6-1 record. Linden brought Isaac Ruvalcaba. The running back took over with 248 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries, powering a 32-20 win. Now, a year after reaching the section playoffs, the Lions have a legitimate shot at a league title. Their two toughest challengers are next on the schedule.
12. Stagg (↓1) (5-2)
Second place is guaranteed. But Stagg might not be satisfied with that. A year after a 42-0 loss to Chavez ended the regular season, the Delta Kings are showing why this year's showdown could tell a different story, or at least be much closer. Their latest argument came in a 48-0 shutout of Weston Ranch.
13. River Island (↑1) (7-1)
Two wins. Then three. Now seven and counting. River Islands keeps rewriting its young program's history, crushing Bret Harte 37-0 to move one step closer to a playoff berth that looks all but certain. MaxPreps even has the Riptide projected as the No. 4 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
14. Tokay (↓1) (5-2)
For more than a decade, Tokay couldn't get past five wins in a season. Now the Tigers are closing in on doing it in back-to-back years. A 39-26 victory over Bear Creek has third place in the SJAA nearly locked up, with the league's three weakest teams left. Another bowl appearance looks well within reach.
15. Lathrop (↑1) (4-3)
The three-peat isn't dead yet. Lathrop's first league loss since 2023, against Johansen, appeared to put its Western League title hopes in jeopardy. Then came a 20-12 win over previously unbeaten Central Valley. Now the Spartans, favored to win out, just need to take care of business and hope Central Valley or Grace Davis knocks off Johansen.
16. Ripon (↓1) (2-5)
17. McNair (—) (5-2)
18. Sierra (—) (4-3)
19. Lodi (—) (2-5)
20. Bear Creek (—) (2-5)
21. Merrill West (—) (3-4)
22. Mountain House (—) (1-7)
23. Franklin (—) (2-5)
24. Millennium (—) (5-1)
25. Kimball (—) (0-7)
26. Weston Ranch (—) (0-7)
This article originally appeared on The Record: Top three changes in San Joaquin County football rankings after Week 7
