*Update: Franklin High

Franklin High does not have a football team. The team knowingly used three ineligible players and coach Verner knew it and didn’t care. Sac-Joaquin Section Commissioner Pete Saco held a press conference today and held Stockton Unified School District responsible for this. No more football until at least 2010 for the high school in Stockton. To make matters worse the entire winter and spring athletics program will not be allowed to participate in the playoffs for the 2007-2008 season.

More on this story via CalHi Sports

This situation is a disgrace and this coach needs to be fired immediately and never be allowed to coach. No one wants to take responsibility for this atrocious act. The people that are going to suffer most from this are the kids. Fair? Let us know what you think in the Comments. | MORE

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week Nine

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

1. Edison (Fresno): (8-0-1) The rest of the regular season is just a formality. There is no one in their league that has a chance and/or in the Valley in my opinion the way the Tigers are playing.


2. Tulare: (9-0) So much for Monache having the best defense in the valley. Is Tulare for reals? Monache had given up 43 points all year coming into Friday and Tulare won 49-28 behind CV Athlete of the Week Jontell Reedom. You tell me if they are for reals.

3. Centennial (Bakersfield): (8-1) No where to go for Centennial, because the top two teams are playing THAT good. The playoffs are the only thing Centennial is worried about.


4. Bakersfield: (9-1) Here we go BHS-Liberty for the league championship…Let’s see which team wants it more. Poor Highland just stood in the way this week (26-0).


5. El Diamante (Visalia): (8-1) The playoffs are the only competition left for this team. Hanford got flat out dominated for four quarters 30-7. I thought about bumping El Diamante higher, but just no where to go.

6. Clovis West (Clovis): (5-3-1) The Fresno Bee had the Madera Coyotes ranked #15 in the section. Well the final was 51-8. I think they were wrong. If the Golden Eagles can stay focused I would not want to play them in the playoffs.

7. Liberty (Bakersfield): (7-2) Did not make the mistake of overlooking Garces and won by 20. Liberty wants to prove that they can compete with the big dogs in the area. Most exciting game of the week goes down in the south valley this Friday.

8. Tehachapi: (8-1) Wasco thank you for stopping by now who’s next.



9. Sanger: (7-2) Sanger is sending thank you notes to Edison, because Bullard was obviously still suffering from a hangover. The Apaches are the upset kings, this team plays with a lot of heart.


10. Clovis East (Clovis): (6-3) The Timberwolves refuse to lose to the Buchanan Bears. The rushing attack was in full force and Buchanan just couldn’t stop the wing-T.


11. Corcoran: (9-0) They just continue to make it look easy. This week against CVC should test the Panthers a little more.


12: Bullard: (7-2) Two losses in a row for the Knights. What hurts more is the indefinite suspension of superstar Clifton Rogers. Without him Bullard is just an average Div. I team.


13. Washington Union (Fresno): (6-3) They crack the rankings because their playbook is simple. Ebahn Feathers run left, run right, run middle, pass right and pass left. No one in Div III can stop the Fresno State bound quarterback Feathers.

14. Central (Fresno): (6-3) This team has been a mystery all year. But I believe they will beat Buchanan in the season finale and deserve a top 15 ranking.


15. Lemoore: (6-3) They are back in the rankings after missing a few weeks. The Tigers should defeat Hanford and head into the playoffs with some momentum.


Others: Taft (8-1), Buchanan (5-4), Monache (6-3), West (Bakersfield) (6-3), Fowler (9-0) | MORE

CV ATHLETE PROFILE - Adrian Ruiz

CV Athletes is introducing a new Athlete Profile Feature to our site. Week 8 CV Athlete of the Week, Adrian Ruiz, from Kerman High School is first up. Enjoy and be on the lookout for more profiles in the very near future.

WHO: Adrian Ruiz | Senior
WHERE: Kerman High School
POSITION(S): Possession Receiver/Lockdown Safety
IN A FEW WORDS: Devin Hester-like return man

He put up 42 points in a basketball game against Yosemite High School as a junior. He was running at the high school a couple of weeks ago when a lady stopped him and told him, “You are Adrian Ruiz, my son wants to meet you.” Before this football season he wanted to be in the spotlight by having the ball in his hands. He’s definitely Kerman’s youngest celebrity. He has... plenty of confidence and swagger.

I am talking about do-it-all Kerman High standout Adrian Ruiz. No he hasn’t been offered by USC, Michigan, CAL or even Fresno State for that matter. Don’t forget neither was the man he patterns his game after; receiver for the Carolina Panthers Steve Smith.

If you see him standing at the snack bar you would just mistake him for another high school student. Once you step on the field it’s a whole different story. Ruiz is the go-to receiver, best safety and elusive return man for Kerman and oh by the way he has yet to reach his full potential according to head coach Efrain Guizar. Even Ruiz himself admits he’s still learning the game.

“As a junior I didn’t start on defense…I couldn’t understand my reads,” Ruiz calmly says in phone conversation. “I’ve come a long way and gotten better. All the team meetings really help. I’m just humble and happy we are winning.”

Forget the fact that it will take you hours to try and name another player in the valley that has two career wins against the Dos Palos Broncos. Forget the thought of your team having the best receiver in the valley.

“I believe I can lockdown any receiver in the valley,” he said with great confidence.

There is nothing better than a stud athlete with great confidence. He’s ready for any challenge. I asked him about college. His answer was simple:

“I haven’t got any offers. I wish I was a little taller but I’m not,” said Ruiz. “I’m not going to let it stop me though, I just have to work that much harder and get better.”

He’s the same height as Steve Smith. That Smith guy he’s a pretty good NFL receiver.

Coming into this season Ruiz wanted to be like Keyshawn Johnson, by that I mean he wanted the damn ball. Eight weeks into the season, he describes the highlight of his career as becoming the team leader. He’s accepted that if he gets double-teamed someone else is open.

“It’s all about wins,” said Ruiz.

Now that’s a mature high school senior. He doesn’t care about stats, just wins. You can thank coach Guizar for installing that mentally in the entire Kerman team.

“I love coach Guizar, I love that guy,” Ruiz acknowledges. “He yells at us, but not to be mean just to get us prepared and motivate us. He’s one of the best coaches I have ever had.”

Forget about getting in Ruiz’s head. He doesn’t play mind games. Before every game he gets taped up and thinks about his assignments while blasting some rock songs or rap to get pumped up. The kid doesn’t need any disruptions as he mentally prepares. Preparation is key.

The interception he returned for a touchdown against Dos Palos was due to that. Ruiz said the coaches worked on that play Dos Palos ran all week.

“I just made my read, saw the tight end coming out, stepped in front and did my thing, I took to the house,” said Ruiz.

He’s humble. He also knows he’s good. Confidence can take you a long way in life. He doesn’t want to go a long way however, suiting up for Fresno City or Merced College will suffice for him. Ruiz wants to remain close to his hometown—Kerman.

He’ll have to go far if he is to achieve his ultimate goal.

“I want to make it to the NFL. If not that I want to be like coach Guizar and teach and stuff like that.”

It’s good to see there are still role models in sports these days. | MORE

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week Eight

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

1. Edison (Fresno): (7-0-1) Forget about the question of who is the number one team in the central valley. Edison is stacked at every position and just dominated (35-0) a Bullard team that was undefeated. Jerry Davis has a Tom Brady like touchdown-to-interception ratio 22-1. Someone quickly remind Pat Hill they play football at Edison High and to start recruiting some of this amazing talent.

2. Tulare: (8-0) Say what you want about the lack of competition level for the Redskins. The fact is simple they have defeated everyone they have played. They have earned the number 2 ranking.


3. Centennial (Bakersfield): (7-1) Move up a spot after the top team gets steam rolled. Centennial is peaking at the right time expect them to roll through 1-7 Ridgeview this week.


4. Bakersfield: (7-1) Only loss this season to #3 Centennial. Blasted East Bakersfield 60-7, so much for the highly anticipated return of stud RB Andre Smith for the Blades.


5. El Diamante (Visalia): (7-1) All these one loss teams make the rankings really difficult. Ask the BCS. In the last two games the Miners have outscored opponents 112-0 and during six game winning streak 295-19. A win against Hanford will make me think about bumping them higher.

6. Bullard: (7-1) Got worked by the most talented team in the valley. The Knights must rebound this week against Sanger High who is a very scrappy team. Clifton Rogers must tell the team to hop on his back and he must take them to the promise land.

7. Clovis West (Clovis): (4-3-1) The best three loss team in the state. Good win against Clovis East bumps them up a few notches. Battling a lot of adversity within the team, but they must put it aside in order to accomplish one of their goals this season. Let Beau Sweeney do the play-calling…

8. Buchanan (Clovis): (5-3) Drop a notch because defeating Clovis is not nearly as impressive as CW beating up on Clovis East. Now Buchanan can clinch at least a share of the TRAC title with a win against Clovis East.

9. Liberty (Bakersfield): (6-2) Better not be looking forward to the Bakersfield match-up in a week. Garces has the ability to pull the upset if the Patriots overlook them.


10. Tehachapi: (7-1) Move up two spots after defeating Arvin easily 55-14. Should remain undefeated against showdown with Bakersfield Christian in a week. Tehachapi definitely looks like the cream of the crop in DIV-III.

11. West (Bakersfield): (6-2) With a 48-13 victory over South (Bakersfield) the alma mater of Fresno State stud freshman Ryan Matthews takes a five-game winning streak to North (Bakersfield) this week.

12. Sanger: (6-2) They somehow just keep winning games; this time 21-17 against Hoover. Unfortunately that might end against Bullard this week, the Apaches will be hoping Bullard still has a strong Edison hangover.

13. Monache (Porterville): (6-2) Lost by one to Lemoore but Monache High might have the best defense in the valley. Have allowed a meager 43 points all year long and their two losses have been by a combined two points.

14. Corcoran: (8-0) So what if they are Division IV, they are undefeated so they earn their spot in the top 15.


15. Clovis East (Clovis): (5-3) Lost to Clovis West 20-10 and looked very uninspired after racking up so many yards the week before against Central High. Stay in my top 15 because they are the defending D-I champions. A loss to Buchanan surely knocks them out of the top 15.

Others: Bakersfield Christian (8-0), Lemoore (5-3), Kingsburg (7-1), Washington Union (5-3), Kerman (5-3) | MORE

Feathers Orally Commits to Fresno State

Word is that Senior quarterback from Washington Union and Week 7 CV Athlete of the Week, Ebahn Feathers, has orally committed to Fresno State. The dual-threat quarterback was impressed after taking an official visit to campus last week. Feathers was in attendance during the beat down the Bulldogs put on the San Jose State Spartans this past Saturday 33-0. Feathers told the Fresno Bee the Bulldogs assured him that they were recruiting him as a quarterback. Even though Feathers is... a great quarterback I personally think his 4.38 4o speed should be utilized somewhere else on the field. The receiver position has been lacking burst and a playmaker. I think anyone as fast and athletic as Feathers could easily adjust and be very successful. He's listed at 6'1 and that's not protypical size for a quarterback. Unless the Bulldogs start to run the option they won't get the full potential Feathers has to offer. However, if coach McElwin decides to open it up and include quarterback draws, rollouts and bootlegs amongst under things this will be a great fit. Either way this is a great thing for the valley, the Bulldogs and Feathers. He gets the opportunity to display his talents in the valley for at least four more years. Feathers received an offer from Nevada and growing interest from Arizona and San Jose State. Univeristy of Southern California also had interest in Feathers but as a defensive back. I can see it now in 2009 current stud freshman Ryan Matthews and Ebahn Feathers running all over the field and constantly making highlight reels. | MORE

The Franklin High Controversy

High school sports used to be pure, a tradition where kids from one area competed against kids from another. It was a tool used to teach kids good sportsmanship and the ethics of the game. Coaches, administrators, teachers and parents all involved in communicating the positive and negative aspects of both the game and its rules. High school sports was not defined by a win-at-all cost attitude led by adults.


Unfortunately these ideals have diminished even in our sacred San Joaquin Valley. If you follow high school sports, which I’m assuming you do, you are already aware about Franklin High School’s (Stockton, CA) 54 violations. Their punishment was stiff. The high school from the Stockton Unified School District received a 5-year ban from the playoffs. What this means is; they can play their 10-game regular season schedule but regardless of their record there will be no playoffs for the team.

Let’s examine whether or not this punishment is fair. At first glance you ask, well what did they do? I will explain briefly....Franklin High was found to have players that were recruited into their school from American Samoa. Now it’s bad when a coach goes into an opponent’s district and tries to lure a player to his school, but now we are going out of the Continental United States. Now that’s a little extreme and inexcusable. That is obviously not allowed in any high school. What is worse is that this has been going on for several years allegedly. The Modesto Bee has a very thorough piece found HERE.

Like any true journalist I must examine the other half before coming to a conclusion. Is it fair to the 7th grader in the Franklin High feeder school that will never get an opportunity to play in the playoffs? To be punished for something these kids had absolutely no control over seems to be unjust. What about the players in the past years that were born and raised in the Franklin district? This is where coaches, administrators and teachers have failed these kids. Of course no one is taking responsibility for what happened. If you ask, well you can ask, but you will get no response. The adults have showed us that cheating to win is far easier than teaching and coaching the kids in their district. Yeah some disagree; but look at the signals they are sending the kids in their district that attended their youth camps, played in their Pop Warner league, and attended all their high school games. What they are telling the kid is simple: sorry but if I go to American Samoa and bring a kid over for a couple years I may win a championship and quite simply you aren’t going to win me one.

So what is really the appropriate punishment in this situation? In my opinion, can the coach. There is no doubt in my mind, if these kids were really being imported over from American Samoa, that the coach was very well aware of the situation at hand. Coach didn’t stop it. Therefore, the coach should be gone. That’s where I would start. Get rid of the entire coaching staff. As the investigation continues, if they find any administrator that was an accomplice he or she must also get canned. No questions asked, just dismissed right on the spot. If parents where found to be hosting these kids and knew they were ineligible they should flat out be ashamed of themselves.

When will people understand that high school sports are for the kids? It’s for the love. It should be about teaching these young men (and women) how to be responsible adults. Just stop and think of the message we send these 16-17 year olds about cheating when the authority figures in their lives are cheating right in front of them.

If you have an opinion, let us know what and why in the Comments.

More on this story from:

Sacramento Bee
Stockton Record
Modesto Bee
USA Today



Other Central Valley questionable moves:

1999: Clovis West basketball team with super sophomore Charlie Rodriguez who ended up being the Danny Almonte of basketball. Yes Charlie was a little to old to be playing high school basketball.

1999: Mark Reese, new Chowchilla head coach at the time, had Lance Mitchell transfer to Chowchilla from Los Banos High School. The move didn’t last long as Mitchell returned to Los Banos as they were being investigated. Mitchell went on to be an all-American linebacker for the University of Oklahoma and get drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.

2001: Super-hyped basketball stud Antonio Lawrence comes from Jacksonville, FL to join coach Will Hooker at San Joaquin Memorial for his senior season. Lawrence went to play college basketball at San Jose State and entered the NBA draft after his freshman season but was not drafted. He was a great football player by the way, I always thought he should of played football in college instead. Also on team was super-freshman Dwain Williams who only lasted a year at Memorial then went back to Temecula in Riverside County. His freshman year he averaged 18 points and 6 assists. Williams is currently entering his sophomore season at Providence College.

2002: Ja’Vance Coleman transfers to basketball powerhouse Washington Union for to finish off his career. Nothing was ever ruled on this, but many people found it odd. Then again many people found it odd that Vonn Webb always had the best talent in the Central Section and most of his players transferred to him.

2003-2004: Top 25 basketball recruit Robert Swift transfers from Garces High Memorial (Bakersfield) to Highland High School and then to Bakersfield High. The 7-footer was initially ruled ineligible for the entire 2003-2004 season, but the ruling was later over-turned. Swift went on to play with Bakersfield High and got drafted by the Seattle Supersonics, where he currently plays.

2007: Clovis East football head coach Tim Murphy gets a 4-game suspension for recruiting a 7th grader.

2007: Many people are questioning how the super-talented Clifton Rogers ended up in Bullard’s district. He was a Hoover High School student just last year. Rogers is leading the Knights to a 7-1 season. | MORE

CV Athletes Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that like a lot of folks in the Valley, the CV Athletes staff got caught up in Tomato season and what not. But rest assure the updates are back for good. So be sure to check back. We have great things in store. One. | MORE

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week Seven

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

1. Bullard: (7-0) The most anticipated game of the year didn’t distract the Knights as they blanked Reedly 16-0. Now they can turn full attention to the Edison High Tigers. Clifton Rogers only had four carries and has a sprained ankle. Word from Bullard’s camp is that Rogers will be ready to go against the speedy Tigers’ defense.

2. Edison (Fresno): (6-0-1) Hoover became the next victim of the most exciting offense in the central section. The defense is pretty good as well earning another shutout. The hope of a state championship is still very well alive for the Tigers and would drastically improve with a victory over the Knights.

3. Tulare: (7-0) Blanked Porterville 47-0 and just keep doing what it takes to win. One of the few undefeated teams left in the section, so they have earned the number three ranking. Jontell Reedom continues to run the ball extremely well week in and week out.

4. Centennial (Bakersfield): (6-1) Despite having a loss this team looks good. They walked through South-Bakersfield (49-7) and expect them to do the same this week against North-Bakersfield.


5. Bakersfield: (7-1) The Drillers are once again looking like the team I had ranked number one for a few weeks. Golden Valley didn’t have a chance against them.


6. Clovis East (Clovis): (5-2) Never give up on Tim Murphy’s group of guys. The Timberwolves started slow but have bounced back nicely and Central was pounded for a total of 500 rushing yards. The young guys are now getting the hang of this offense and looked poised to make a run in the playoffs.

7. Buchanan (Clovis): (4-3) A shocking number seven ranking perhaps, but just defeated highly touted Clovis West. Besides the three losses Buchanan has were to Bullard (#1), Edison (#2) and Serra of San Mateo (top ten in Bay Area). That is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Bears better keep it going and not make me look bad on this one.

8. El Diamante (Visalia): (6-1) Hanford West never knew what hit them in the 56-0 clubbing El Diamante handed them. This Visalia team is scoring at a higher pace than the New England Patriots. If they continue to average 45 points per game they may not lose the rest of the year.

9. Clovis West (Clovis): (3-3-1) I’m going to hear it for this ranking. I know what Buchanan did was impressive, but face it the Golden Eagles are still going to make a run. Suspensions and injuries have curtailed their dream of playing at the Carson Center. Now they must regain their composure and focus on Clovis East.

10. Liberty (Bakersfield): (5-2) East Bakersfield should of saved their energy, or perhaps they did losing 63-6. Byron Campbell still impresses anyone and everyone who will watch him play.


11. Monache (Porterville): (6-1) With all the talk about offense this year the Marauders do it with defense. They have only allowed 33 points in their seven games. Cesar Chavez was the latest shutout victim.

12. Tehachapi: (6-1) They have yet to lose in the section. Taft is a very good team who was undefeated and Tehachapi beat them by 14 (17-3).


13. West (Bakersfield): (5-2) Earned a tough win in overtime against Stockdale-Bakersfield, but nonetheless a win. Nathaniel Wiley is trying his best to help people forget about Ryan Matthews—that’s no easy task.

14. Sanger: (5-2) Bounced back after losing to Edison by rolling through McLane 38-12. Mario Navarette scored twice and Sanger has to be happy he’s back.


15. Corcoran: (7-0) An easy win against Lindsay 63-7. Corcoran have now outscored their opponents 301-38. Brant Botill had 10 carries for 170 yards as well as two touchdowns.


Others: Bakersfield Christian (7-0), Kingsburg (6-1), Garces (4-3), Central (4-3), Dinuba (5-1). | MORE