CV Athletes is simply a web journal looking to promote prep athletes from the Central Valley. It is designed to be interesting and informative to the student-athlete, the avid fan, the dedicated parent, the college recruiter, and everyone in between. Features, interviews, analysis, and much more will be updated weekly -- check back and tell us what you think.
Comments, Questions, Knowledge? Drop our editor a line: edson@cvathletes.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week Three

CVA's Top 15 TEAMS IN THE CENTRAL SECTION AFTER WEEK THREE RESULTS.
(*note: 6-15 after the jump.)

1. Bakersfield: (4-0) The Drillers keep on winning this time even though didn’t play great against Buchanan (Clovis) still managed to come out on top. The Clovis West-Edison tie, allows Bakersfield to be the number one team in the section this week.

2. Clovis West (Fresno): (2-0-1) OK if it wasn’t for the lights going out in their game against Edison they would either still be on top or at number five. Instead must get ready to play the hottest team in the valley Bullard this week.

3. Edison (Fresno): (3-0-1) It’s a tragedy for these Tigers. They made a great comeback against Clovis West and due to timers on lights we don’t get to find out if they could of finished the job. This proves however, Edison can now hang with the big boys.

4. Bullard: (3-0) I said last week Clovis East was the defending champs and that’s why Bullard was ranked behind them. Well Bullard is the hottest team this year and just ran through Clovis East 33-14. By the way Clifton Rogers is quickly becoming a superstar. Can Fresno State please recruit this kid.

5. Central (Fresno): (3-0) The Grizzlies move up to five with Clovis East and Centennial both losing. This team is quietly putting together a great season. The TRAC is going to be a great league to
watch.


6. Tulare: (3-0) They just defeated Mt. Whitney 53-12 in Mt. Whitney. Bobby Barnes threw for 285 yards and three TDs and by the way he also ran one in.


7. East Bakersfield: (3-0) They go from a bubble team to the number seven team. After defeating a very good Centennial-Bakersfield team the Blades deserve this ranking. Oh and they have this guy named Andre Smith who had 32 carries for 328 yards and four TDs. He’s pretty good.

8. Taft: (4-0) Move up two spots because of losses to higher ranked teams. The Wildcats have been dominating this season. Only gave up 60 yards to South-Bakersfield.


9. Clovis East (Clovis): (2-2) OK at some point I will not talk about them being the defending section champions. Their two losses came at the hands of Alta-Sandy (Utah) and Bullard. Alta-Sandy just defeated Grant (Sac), so this just in they are good. No state bowl for Clovis East but they will play for a league title and will battle the rest of the year.

10. El Diamante (Visalia): (2-1) They climb a spot because they played well in shutting out North-Bakersfield. Earl Rhodes continues to impress and take away the second half against Clovis West and this team is undefeated.

11. Centennial (Bakersfield): (2-1) Dropped a heartbreaker to East Bakersfield. Their reward is a chance to dethrone the newly appointed number one team this week (Bakersfield).


12. Delano: (3-0) They climb a spot because simply they continue to win. Have yet to play anyone tough, but can’t punish the team for that.


13. Tulare Western: (3-0) For the first time this season get into the top 15 after a 23-16 win against a very tough Hoover (Fresno) team. Harless Dailey gets a late pick and rushes for 171 yards to keep Tulare Western undefeated.

14. Sanger: (2-1) They defeat Lemoore and keep proving to people they are a tough opponent for anyone every week.


15. Monache: (3-0) They are undefeated and shut out Highland 33-0. They get into the top 15 and now the Marauders will try and climb up from here.


Others: Kingsburg (3-0), Sunnyside (2-1), Liberty (Bakersfield) (1-2), Hoover (1-2), Tehachapi (3-1)
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Thursday, September 13, 2007

Cal-Hi Top 100 CV Breakdown

The following players are all seniors in the Central Valley that are ranked in the Top 100 football players in the state according to Cal-Hi Sports. Player summaries and analysis created and compiled by the CV Athletes staff.


Should you or your school's player be ranked? Let us know who and why in the Comments.

Robert Golden: Ranked #9 in the state. This 5’10 182 pound Edison High defensive back is already committed to Arizona.

Beau Sweeney: Ranked #36 and the 6’1 197 pound Clovis West slinger is taking his smarts and golden right arm to Cal.

Jarrett Sparks: Ranked #38 but the 6’2 216 pound Merced High receiver has impressed early this season. In his showcase game in Los Angeles against Crenshaw he scored two touchdowns (Kick return 79 yard and 53 yard reception). Has offers from five PAC-10 schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon State, Washington State...continue reading.

Dominic Glass: Ranked #41 this offensive lineman from Central Catholic (Modesto) would be higher if it wasn’t for his height. Only 6’1 266 pounds but plays bigger than his stature. Has been offered by: Colorado, UNLV, Oregon State, Nevada, Boise State

Zander Fabbri: Ranked #55 this linebacker from Centennial-Bakersfield is not dealing with recruiting anymore. He is taking his 6’1 245 pound frame to the PAC-10. Fabbri has committed to the University of Arizona.

Louis Bland: Ranked #66 the running back from Central Catholic (Modesto) has interests from several schools. He is a stud wrestler too and wrestling may be in his college future so may be turning away some schools. The schools that are interested but no offers yet are: Arizona State, Cal, University of Washington, Boise State.

Brandon Leslie: Ranked #69 but this DB from Edison High would be much higher if not for missing the entire 2006 season due to injury. The 5’11 194 pound ball-hawk has received plenty of offers: Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Stanford, Utah, University of Washington, Nevada, Air Force.

Mychal Kendricks: Ranked #91 the undersized linebacker (6’0 202) from Hoover plays with a lot of energy and heart. Colleges have noticed his desire and the ones that have offered him already are: Cal, Oregon State, San Diego State, Fresno State, San Jose State.

Matt Akers: Ranked #95 this defensive end from Liberty-Bakersfield has three offers already. His 6’3 240 pound frame attracts colleges. The offers are from: Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State.


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CVA TOP 15 Rankings - 2007 Week Two

CVA's Top 15 TEAMS IN THE CENTRAL SECTION AFTER WEEK TWO RESULTS.
(*note: 6-15 after the jump.)

1. Clovis West (Fresno): (2-0) CW continues to roll early in the season. The defense is the strength and junior linebacker Travis Brown is the leader. Brown has just received a scholarship offer by the University of Arizona. Defense toughest task to date comes this week against the very athletic and undefeated Edison team.

2. Bakersfield: (3-0) The offense is the strength of this team after putting up 44 points against Stockdale. Are playing terrific ball but CW maintains the top spot.


3. Edison (Fresno): (3-0) They are safely behind the two powerhouses in the section. However after an impressive 59-20 win against Modesto, the Tigers must now focus on Clovis West.


4. Clovis East (Clovis): (2-1) Move up a spot by default after Liberty dropped another game. Squeaked out a victory against an injury-riddled Sanger High team. Facing Bullard this week will be true test of this year’s Timberwolves.

5. Bullard: (2-0) Impressively defeated Clovis High (46-12) so they get to move up two spots. Clovis East is still the defending champs so they stay above them, but Clifton Rogers and Bullard look to knock off the T’wolves this week.

6. Centennial (Bakersfield): (2-0) Stay in the same spot. Yeah I know they beat Liberty-Bakersfield, but I’m no longer impressed by Liberty and Bullard just looks too good.


7. Central (Fresno): (2-0) Move up due to losses by other teams but their defense looked good against a scrappy Hoover team. After this week the schedule becomes brutal for this team.


8. Tulare: (2-0) Huge jump because they dominated a tough Lemoore defense. Final score 41-13 yeah it was never close. Jontell Reedom had 236 yards and two touchdowns, if he keeps that up look out for Tulare this year.

9. Tehachapi: (3-0) Another team moving up by default, but they are scoring points in bunches. Their strength of schedule gets a grade of an F up to this point, but they go out and win.


10. Taft: (3-0) Move up two spots because they won. They shutout Frontier, yeah doesn’t sound impressive but this team is overlooked and that is just how they like it.


11. El Diamante (Visalia): (1-1) They get punished because the game got away from them in the second half against Clovis West. They played great in the first half. It’s time to forget about that game and get refocused.

12. Lemoore: (1-1) Got embarrassed by Tulare and their defense looked lost. They are not going to win many games giving up 41 points. It doesn’t get any easier against the Apaches this week.


13. Delano: (2-0) The get into the rankings after good win against Ridgeview (29-13). Another win next week may jump them to top 10.


14. Hanford: (1-1) They went to Yosemite and put up 45 points. Most importantly they held the vaunted passing attack to only 21 points.


15. Sanger: (1-1) Only lost by seven to the defending Division I section champion. You can’t question this team’s heart.


Others: Tulare Western (2-0), Monache (2-0), Sunnyside (1-1), Hoover (1-1), East Bakersfield (2-0)
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Thursday, September 6, 2007

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - 2007 Week One

CVA's Top 15 TEAMS IN THE CENTRAL SECTION AFTER WEEK ONE RESULTS.
(*note: 6-15 after the jump.)

1. Clovis West (Fresno): (1-0) Shutting out the team we had ranked as #2 is pretty impressive. Making one of the best quarterbacks in the valley, Byron Campbell, look average is even more impressive. Offense didn’t produce, but they will only get better and the defense looks in mid-season form. Up next for this defense El Diamante stud running back Earl Rhodes.

2. Bakersfield: (1-0) Defeating perennial state power Grant (Sacramento) 28-21, earns the Drillers the number two ranking. They had me thinking about moving them to number one, but CW didn’t do anything bad that justifies a move down. Running back Marcus Nelson is pretty good.

3. Edison (Fresno): (2-0) Junior receiver Rolando Jefferson is an absolute stud. Two more touchdowns for him and a shutout for the Tigers’ defense. OK we know North (Bakersfield) isn’t a powerhouse, but nonetheless a shutout is a shutout. The Tigers are a team that no one should want to play in my opinion, they can be that good.

4. Liberty (Bakersfield): (0-1) OK we know they were shutout, but I mean their defense only gave up nine points to a stacked CW offense. Byron Campbell must turn things around and start being the playmaker he has the ability to be.

5. Clovis East (Clovis): (1-1) They lost to Alta-Sandy (Utah) who is ranked number 2 in the state of Utah. Albeit we don’t know much about Alta-Sandy, but the Timberwolves ran the ball extremely well and just came up short.

6. Centennial (Bakersfield): (1-0) Defeated Redwood by nine (30-21), but showed flashes of being far more dominant. They still have a ways to go before they are the cream of the crop in Bakersfield but can definitely compete.

7. Bullard: (1-0) They completely dominated San Joaquin Memorial right from the opening kickoff. The final score of 42-7 could have been a lot worse. Bullard has some serious athletes and look like a team to be very aware of. Some may disagree having them this high after not being ranked to begin the season, but they have speed, size and toughness.

8. Lemoore: (1-0) Defeated Porterville 42-6. Looks like a good team but some great teams ahead of them.


9. El Diamante (Visalia): (1-0) Earl Rhodes is good ladies and gentleman. El Diamante pitches a shutout 63-0 against Frontier, real test is coming this week against Clovis West and we will see just how good this team is as well as Earl Rhodes.

10. Central (Fresno): (1-0) Beat a good, not great, but good Golden Valley-Merced team 41-21. This team could be the wildcard of perhaps the toughest league in the state.


11. Yosemite: (1-0) Junior quarterback Jesse Lownsbury picked up where he left off last year. This is a high power offense but will the defense be there all year? Perhaps it won’t matter if they continue to score 50 points a game.

12. Taft: (2-0) Wins against Foothill and Ridgeview has Taft climbing the rankings.



13. Tehachapi: (2-0) Already defeated Garces which was on our bubble. Then they host L.A. Baptist and win 33-6. This team has a tough defense and looked sharp.


14. Tulare: (1-0) A win against Golden West is never a bad thing. They crack the top 15 and now they play host to Lemoore which will test Tulare early on should be a good game.


15. Sanger: (1-0) Already have lost Justin Webber for the year and now lost Mario Navarrete for at least six weeks. Without their two best running backs still found a way to defeat Sunnyside 32-29. The Apaches just know how to win so they stay in my top 15. Play Clovis East next this one could knock them out of the top 15.

Others: Kerman (1-0), Clovis (0-1), Buchanan (Clovis) (0-1), Garces (Bakersfield) (1-1), Hoover (Fresno) (1-0), Tulare Western (1-0), Washington Union (0-1), Foothill (1-1)
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Sunday, September 2, 2007

CW, Bakersfield Pull Out Tough Ones

Going into week one the game to watch was Clovis West vs. Liberty (Bakersfield). In our polls the Golden Eagles are ranked #1 while Liberty was #2 and our rankings proved to be right. Clovis West did just enough to defeat Liberty 9-0 and they did it with defense. A shutout gives Marty Martin his first win as head coach for Clovis West. CAL-bound quarterback Beau Sweeney didn’t have his best game (4-6 for 3 yards), but then again the offense had 2 first downs in 4 quarters of play. JJ Jelmini scored the lone touchdown of the game with a 59-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter on a fourth-and-one. Liberty just couldn’t get their offense going and the Golden Eagles played a tremendous game defensively. Byron Campbell, star quarterback for Liberty, finished the night 8 of 25 for 103 yards. If this is any sign... of how good the Golden Eagles defense is going to be, fans better start getting ready for a trip to the Carson Center for the state championship game.

Clovis East loses 28-12 against Alta-Sandy (Utah). Alta-Sandy is ranked #2 in the state of Utah. Stanley Yarbrough had 11 carries for 101 yards. The Timberwolves’ didn’t have trouble rushing the ball as the team totaled 284 rushing yards.

Edison High continues to roll as they move to 2-0 after a shutout victory against North (Bakersfield). Jerry Davis one of the central valley’s most exciting quarterback finished the night 8 of 18 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Rolando Jefferson, junior, is showing fans why schools such as USC are interested in his services. Jefferson finished with two touchdown receptions.

Bakersfield High defeats state power Grant (Sacramento) 28-21.

Other scores:

Chowchilla 40 Coalinga 33
Garces 24 CVC 10
Dinuba 50 Orosi 0
Exeter 27 Woodlake 20
Yosemite 50 Hanford West 20
Bullard 42 Memorial 7
Kingsburg 34 Dos Palos 7
Sanger 32 Sunnyside 29
Kerman 29 Fresno High 15
Central 41 Golden Valley (Merced) 21
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