Another rivalry game for Merced, Atwater with Santa Fe Bowl in big CCC football matchup

There wasn’t much time to celebrate wins over cross-town rivals last week for the Atwater and Merced high school football teams.

That’s because both teams were back on the field, preparing for another rivalry game this week with the Falcons (3-2 overall, 1-0 Central California Conference) hosting the Bears (2-2, 1-0) in Santa Fe Bowl 53 on Friday night at Dave Honey Stadium.

“Usually, you have a week or so to soak it in after a rivalry win,” Atwater coach Seneca Ybarra said. “With Merced coming up this week, it’s like good game, move on.”

Atwater is coming off a 40-7 win over Buhach Colony in the Bloss Bowl last week.

Meanwhile, Merced defeated Golden Valley 38-16 win retain the Mayor’s Cup trophy for the 18th consecutive year.

Now both teams turn their attention to the Santa Fe Bowl, which will have major implications in the CCC race. Both teams hope to contend with undefeated Patterson for the CCC championship.

Merced holds a 37-15 lead against Atwater in the all-time series.

Ybarra expects to see a very talented Bears team led by senior running back Chase Smith, who was the CCC MVP last year, and senior linemen Jalonn Booth, who was the CCC Lineman of the Year last season.

“They always have athletes,” Ybarra said. “I’ve coached there for quite a while so I know. You see it more from the outside then as opposed to when you’re there. They have good coaches and the cupboard is never bare. They have the reigning MVP and the reigning Lineman of the Year and they’re both wreaking havoc.”

Merced coach Rob Scheidt says with rivalries growing with Golden Valley and El Capitan, the Atwater-Merced rivalry has changed, but it’s still very important to many people.

“With a new school down the street and us playing Golden Valley for a long time for the Mayor’s Cup, the Atwater rivalry is a different flavor for everyone,” Scheidt said. “Atwater is still a big game for the kids because our guys see their guys all the time.”

Scheidt says his team is still working on getting better and trying to figure out their identity.

“I think we figured out some things last week,” Scheidt said.

Ybarra hopes his young team will be able to turn the page after beating Buhach Colony last week.

“We’ll see,” Ybarra said. “With only 15 seniors, we’re young. If we had more veteran players it would be a lot easier.”

Both coaches are glad to be preparing for big games with a lot at stake.

“It’s great because it’s been a while,” Ybarra said. “We want to try to win championships, but we want to be consistent to be successful and get to that level. Merced has been there and done that.”

This week’s games

Merced at Atwater

Buhach Colony at Golden Valley

Patterson at El Capitan

Davis at Los Banos

Pacheco at Lathrop

Le Grand at Waterford

Denair at Gustine

Delhi at Mariposa

Stone Ridge Christian at Amador

Dos Palos at Chowchilla