Manteca High’s football team eyes a section championship with their smashmouth play tradition.
MANTECA, Calif. — There’s a certain pride that comes with playing football for Manteca High School, where a tradition of physical, smashmouth play defines the culture—and the expectations.
“We play Manteca hard-nose tough football,” said head coach Mark Varnum. “They know when they walk on this campus, they’re going to be part of that, and they take that seriously.”
The Buffaloes are no strangers to success. A perennial playoff powerhouse, Manteca has claimed nine section titles since the turn of the century—and this year’s team has its eyes locked on another.
“We want that section championship. We haven’t had it in a few years,” said senior free safety Mateo Esparza. “Everyone here is hungry, every single person. We’re the hungriest team out here. We really want that Section Champ.”
For senior defensive end Xyloh Kuresa, it’s not just about playoffs—it’s about domination.
“We’re hungry, and we want to win something. We hungry for that,” Kuresa said. “I want to go to state. I want to win the chip. Let’s focus on going 10-0 first and making playoffs.”
That hunger is fed by a program rooted in toughness and an unapologetically physical style of play.
“Our motto for a long, long time has been we will hit you. And that’s how we play football,” Varnum said. “The rules keep changing, and they keep trying to take the physicality out of football, but we’re fighting that battle, and we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing until they tell us we can’t.”
Kuresa put it more bluntly: “We like to hit you in the mouth. Smashmouth football. That’s how it is.”
Adding to the excitement this year is a newly renovated stadium, giving the Buffaloes an upgraded home field—and an even bigger stage.
“A lot of people put in a lot of work to get this place where it needs to be,” Varnum said. “Real excited about the big screen we got out there. The light show is second to none. Friday nights in Manteca—there’s nothing like it.”
When asked on camera why other teams should fear the Buffaloes, Kuresa didn’t hesitate.
“Cause we got something to play for. We all want to win around each other. We all got that grit,” he said. “It’s that smashmouth football. Be ready to get hit—Manteca football.”
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