Lathrop, CA

A Week 10 change of opponent may end up improving Lathrop’s playoff chances. The Spartans (6-3) are now facing Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion Sutter (9-0) on the road Friday, a match-up they hope provides enough of a boost to their MaxPreps rating for a playoff berth, regardless of the outcome. Strength of schedule is weighed heavily in MaxPreps’ computer rating.

Lathrop as a Bay Area dining destination? Don’t laugh. The Redwood Café partnership between Bob Campana and Cambay Group is likely to a

Lathrop trailed by two scores with 4 minutes remaining but still gave itself a chance in the final seconds of its Sac-Joaquin Section Division III quarterfinal Monday with visiting fifth seed Pioneer.

There were many highlights Friday night in Lathrop’s 36-6 Western Athletic Conference win over Ceres at Bennie Gatto Field, but Dario Joseph’s 70-yard punt return was highlight-reel worthy.

It’s shaping up as “the” restaurant in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. But is also will serve as a winery, events center, wedding locale, art gallery, furniture store, and appliance dealer. “It” is the 2.0 version of the Redwood Cafe taking shape at River Islands at Lathrop.

Ripon Christian coach Kayla Kootstra knows when to call a timeout. While the visiting sixth-seeded Knights won the first two sets 25-15, 25-13 against No. 3 Lathrop, Ripon Christian was floundering in the third set trailing 12-6 when Kootstra called a timeout.

Locked in a defensive battle, Lathrop looked to its JV quarterback to help breathe life into the offense. The fourth-seeded Spartans were able to avoid a big upset in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs on Wednesday, edging out No. 13 Vanden 9-6 at Bennie Gatto Field.

For as much success as Lathrop has had in the last decade, it has not translated beyond the regular season. Until now.

East Union is gearing up for its first postseason appearance in girls volleyball since 2015, while Lathrop and River Islands are aiming for their first playoff victories.

MODESTO — Lathrop picked up its fourth consecutive Western Athletic Conference victory Friday night, knocking off Grace Davis 29-19 in a game played at Chuck Hughes Stadium on the campus of Thomas Downey High.