Merced hosts Patterson in nonleague opener Friday

Merced -

Merced will welcome Patterson for a nonleague junior varsity matchup on Friday, Aug. 22. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT at Merced, with the Bears (0-0) hosting the Tigers (0-0) in the season’s early tune-up.

Quick look

• Game: Merced Bears vs. Patterson Tigers (nonleague JV)

• When: 5 p.m. PT Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

• Where: Merced (home of the Merced Bears)

• SBLive game page: https://scorebooklive.com/california/football/games/5432528-merced-vs-patterson

• Merced team page: https://scorebooklive.com/california/football/teams/234306-merced-bears-jv

• Patterson team page: https://scorebooklive.com/california/football/teams/234826-patterson-tigers-jv

Game notes

Both teams enter the contest at 0-0 as they open the season on the junior varsity level. With no recent meeting on file, Friday’s game will be an early measuring stick as each program looks to find rhythm and depth before league play. Merced’s next scheduled JV game is Gregori at Merced on Aug. 29 (5 p.m.), and Patterson’s next JV game is at Modesto on Aug. 28 (5 p.m.).

Streaming and ticketing

• Merced NFHS Network page (streaming info): https://nfhsnetwork.com/schools/merced-high-school-merced-ca/football?referrer_name=scorebooklive&utm_campaign=scorebooklive&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=scorebooklive

• Patterson NFHS Network page (streaming info): https://nfhsnetwork.com/schools/patterson-high-school-patterson-ca/football?referrer_name=scorebooklive&utm_campaign=scorebooklive&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=scorebooklive

Fan action — follow and make a pick

On SBLive you can follow both teams to get updates and help grow their fan counts (Merced: 4 fans; Patterson: 5 fans). Picks on SBLive are for fun and fan engagement only — both teams currently show 0 picks — and numbers may change leading up to kickoff. Follow your team’s SBLive page and make your pick if you want to show support.

Follow the game page for updates and postgame coverage: https://scorebooklive.com/california/football/games/5432528-merced-vs-patterson