All signs pointed to change.
A touchdown lead entering the fourth quarter. A one-point lead with 3:11 remaining. Four downs in the red zone for another chance.
None of it was enough.
For the third straight year, the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals became Manteca’s stopping point.
So as the Buffaloes enter their 100th season, there’s no overhaul coming. Not for a program with nine section titles, including back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022.
The difference, they believe, is much smaller. It’s in the "little things."
“We’re really emphasizing the little things,” coach Mark Varnum said. “They may not seem important at the time, but on a Friday night in November, they can be the difference.”
It took plenty of little things to produce
Manteca’s first two semifinal endings. A 41-12 loss to St. Mary’s in 2023. A 30-7 loss to Rocklin a year later.
Nov. 21, 2025, was different.
The No. 1-seeded Buffaloes were coming off their first undefeated regular season since 2006 and led No. 4 St. Mary’s 14-7 after a pick-six. Then a low snap became a fumble. A quick three-and-out with 3:31 remaining gave the Rams the ball back.
St. Mary’s went on to win section and state. Manteca went home.
Again.
Those moments can’t be changed. The little ones happening now can.
“We’re coming with vengeance this year,” running back Nikko Juarez said. "We want to win something big. There’s more energy, more life at practice, and we’re making sure everyone is doing the right things, especially the little things.”
Senior cornerback Jayden Harris added, “We fought, but at the end, they wanted it more. Falling short gave us a lot of motivation. This year, we want to fight all the way to the end.”
Finishing the job will require some new faces.
Three-star wide receiver Quinn Martinez and quarterback Owen Gully are gone, along with eight of Manteca’s top nine tacklers and four of its leading pass rushers.
Still, there’s little concern.
“We had a great team last year, but this year we play for each other,” Juarez said. “Everyone wants to see each other win. Last year, we had a couple guys who wanted to do things on their own. This year, the energy and the vibes are different.”
Those stepping in have brought that.
Junior quarterback Brody Carabello gets his turn after quarterbacking Manteca’s junior varsity team to a 10-0 record. Sophomore running back EJ Johnson is next to him, already drawing comparisons from coach Mark Varnum to former Manteca star Jacob DeJesus, now with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dom Amato has waited behind two first-team defensive tackles. Senior wide receiver Jaylin Harris has waited for a larger role, too.
“At the beginning of the year, I thought it might be tough for Brody,” Juarez said. “But he’s improved a lot and shown a lot. I’m more comfortable in the backfield, and I think some of the new things we’re bringing can take us really far. Defensively, we’ve got some things coming off the edge and some athletic linebackers that I don’t think teams will be expecting.”
Jayden added, “This defense is hungry. We fly to the ball. There are things we still need to improve, but I think we’ll get better every week.”
A breakthrough, though, could hinge on two of the county’s best.
Juarez enters his fourth year as a starter after rushing for 1,652 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. The three-star recruit holds offers from Cal, Washington State, Colorado State, Nevada, San Diego State and Sacramento State and sits 346 yards shy of becoming Manteca’s all-time leading rusher.
“Some of the vultures up north tried everything they could to get him away from us,” Varnum said. “He’s a loyal kid, and he’s going to go down as one of the greatest Buffaloes of all time. Now he wants to put a stamp on what he’s done here. It’s not about the individual stuff for him. He wants a championship, and I’m hoping we can deliver that for him in his senior year.”
Then there’s Jayden. The three-star safety is committed to Washington State after also earning offers from Fresno State, UNLV, Idaho and Sacramento State.
“He had a massive season last year,” Varnum said. “Nine interceptions in his first year at corner is crazy. He exploded on the scene, and he’s raised his level accordingly.”
Talent isn’t lacking. Neither is motivation.
What Manteca needs now are the "little things."
A block. A tackle. A snap. A yard.
In their 100th season, they’re hoping those "little things" finally lead somewhere bigger.
“It would be sick to win section and state in the 100th year with the new white helmets,” Harris said. “But the little things come first. Come to practice ready to work. Practice how you play. Do your job. Do everything right.”
Varnum added, “It doesn’t matter who the kids are or what numbers they’re wearing. We have a standard, and this group is working hard to reach it. In the 100th year, we want to go out every week, represent that legacy and do our part to support it. Hopefully, taking care of the little things helps us get it done.”
This article originally appeared on The Record: Manteca football hopes 'little things' end playoff heartbreak in 100th year
