Aside from Weston Ranch and Ceres, Valley Oak League football teams put together quite the show in the first week of football last week.

Oakdale shellacked normally strong Turlock 56-6, Sonora outlasted Johansen 28-15, Central Valley steamrolled Le Grand 44-8, Manteca topped Soquel 23-17, Sierra eased past Lathrop 55-0, and East Union showed some spark in a 41-35 loss to Beyer.

You can bet each program is hyped and ready for the next contest Friday, Sept. 18, with one eye on big VOL battles in the future.

Manteca’s Oct. 9 meeting at Sierra is going to be exciting, and Buffaloes players already have voiced their hunger for revenge after the T’wolves won last year’s contest to slip past Manteca and into the playoffs.

Oakdale isn’t playing around this season, and with games against the likes of Novato (Division III, North Section) and Whitney (Sac-Joaquin Section champ), it’s clear the Mustangs are out for more than a playoff appearance.

Central Valley and talented runner Vince Lopez won’t slip quietly into the night, and the Hawks open league play with Oakdale, Sonora and Sierra.

The Lancers, fresh off a surprising offensive output in their season-opening loss to Beyer, should play entertaining games this season. The team already topped last year’s high for points in a game (28) and has the tools to challenge any defense in the league.

If East Union can roll Bear Creek today, it should head into VOL action on the momentum of two consecutive victories (the Lancers play senior-less Lathrop next week) with Sierra up first Oct. 2.

If I had to pick an early favorite, I’d say Oakdale carries the top résumé, but I think Sierra running back Jared Daniels is the best player in the league and Manteca has the most well-rounded program.

Any of those three teams could snatch a VOL title, and I can’t wait for this thing to get started.

• To comment on the Weekly Ramble, call Sports Editor Ike Dodson at 239-6351, ext. 306, or e-mail ike@sunpost.net.