Buffs Seize VOL Lead

Coach Brian Rohles minutes after Manteca High beat Central Catholic

By KAL OCHOA 
The Tower 

MANTECA – On a crisp Friday night under the bright lights of David Patton Field, the Manteca Buffaloes junior varsity team delivered the of the most emotional and hard-fought victories in recent memory, toppling league powerhouse Central Catholic 19-14.  

Fueled by grit, discipline, and a pair of spectacular performances from Bode Hiatt and quarterback Brody Carabello, Manteca put themselves squarely in the driver’s seat for the Valley Oak League championship. 

 Head coach Brian Rohles didn’t hold back his pride following the win.  

“Our offensive line play was phenomenal,” Rohles said. “Those guys executed well up front, and that was a big thing we talked about early in the week. Whoever won the line of scrimmage was going to win the game. And then of course, we’ve got Brody at quarterback. He’s exceptional. We’re lucky to have him.”  

The victory didn’t come easy for the Buffaloes.  

Central Catholic, a program synonymous with championships and physicality, came into the matchup favored by many to continue their dominance in the VOL. But Manteca, still stinging from last year’s loss to the Raiders, refused to back down. 

 From the opening kickoff, the Buffaloes played with urgency and intensity. Hiatt, who had been eyeing this game for nearly a year, immediately made his presence known. He scored two of Manteca’s touchdowns on the night, refusing to be denied in important moments. His first touchdown came on a beautifully timed reception from Carabello, breaking a tackle and racing to the end zone as the home crowd was silenced. His second touchdown came later in the game, solidifying his place as the night’s difference-maker. 

“When I scored my touchdown, I was just trying not to go down,” Hiatt said afterward. “I was just trying to get in that end zone. This game meant everything to me, absolutely everything. I’ve been pumped to play this one for a year since we lost last year.” 

 Hiatt’s contributions weren’t limited to the offense.  

Late in the fourth quarter, with Central Catholic mounting a final drive, Hiatt stepped in front of a pass to secure a clutch interception, effectively sealing the game. It was the kind of all-around performance that solidifies a player’s reputation as a leader. 

Carabello, meanwhile, showed the composure of a veteran. He played with confidence, delivering timely passes and keeping the Raiders’ defense off balance. While he was quick to credit his teammates, his leadership was evident throughout. 

“It was huge,” Carabello said. “We’ve been working as a team for this game the whole year. Finally getting our get back felt good. Personally, I think I played well, but there’s always stuff I can do better. What I’m most proud of is being able to come out and throw the ball, make plays when we needed them.” 

Carabello also noted how much the coaching staff influenced the team’s mindset going into the match.  

“Coaches always kept us motivated,” Carabello said. “They knew it was a big game but told us to stay under control and save our energy for Friday.” 

“Coach Rohles always told us to ‘let it build,’ and that’s what I tried to do all week.”  

Rohles was quick to spread the credit beyond his stars.  

The longtime lower-level coach and varsity assistant praised the offensive line: Jameer Melion, Orlando Quintinar, Giovanni Suarez, Roy Turner, and Tarrell Valentine for controlling the trenches against Central Catholic’s vaunted defensive front.  

“All five of those guys really executed the game plan very well,” Rohles said. 

Victory carries enormous implications. With the win, Manteca now holds the inside track to the league title. 

“Since Central Catholic has come into the league, the winner of this game has gone on to win the VOL,” Rohles said. “This definitely puts us in the driver’s seat, but we can’t step back. We still have five tough league games ahead.” 

Still, the night belonged to Manteca’s resilience and their ability to rise to the moment. The Buffaloes played with the kind of determination that championship teams are built on. For Hiatt, Carabello, and the rest of the team, this was more than just a win—it was validation, redemption, and a statement to the rest of the league. 

 Final score: Manteca 19, Central Catholic 14. 

 The Buffaloes are more than competitors. They’re the team to beat.