Championship Week has arrived

It's a been a turbulant year in football for those of us in the central valley. Once again are gone the hopes of having a team represent us in the state championship game down at the Carson Center. Although some believe the winner between Tulare Union and El Diamante has an outside chance. I think there is no way it's happening. Edison High had the best chance.... and Clovis West derailed the mighty Tigers last week. It's going to be a cold night in the valley, but the players have worked all year long for this day and for many this will mark the last game of their football careers.

Div. I: Clovis West @ Bakersfield High: The Drillers have the most wins and section championships all-time in the state of California. The Golden Eagles are searching for their 8th section championship since 1985. Both of these defenses are tremendously gifted with athletes. If running back Matt Jelmini can control the clock for Clovis West, then they have a chance otherwise the Drillers will continue to roll.

Div II: Tulare Union @ El Diamante: The showdown of the year. Tulare has been upset about their #2 seed despite being undefeated now they get to face an El Diamante team that had the highest point difference than any other team in the section. Earl Rhodes vs Jontell Reedom it should be a great game.

Div III: Foothill @ El Tehachappi: The Warriors are hosting this one and they have been on fire. Foothill is coming off a great win against a very athletic Washington Union team, but the Warriors may just be too much.

Div IV: Corcoran @ Taft: Forget about the fact that Corcoran is the #3 seed. They were undefeated for much of the season and have a very good chance tonight against the #1 seed. Taft is big and athletic, but must remained focus and finish the job they started.

All in all should be a great night for football. It definately will be a cold one. | MORE

NFL Superstar goes unrecognized in Fresno

Here is a little tidbit to loosen everyone up before the big games tonight. A lady yesterday (she’ll remain nameless to spare her more comments) at World Sports Café in Riverpark asked former NFL superstar Tim McDonald to please check on her burger. This lady had no idea she was speaking to the owner of the restaurant as well as a former Pro-Bowler. The current Edison High coach was a good sport about it and didn’t say anything. The poor lady was teased by her co-workers for not knowing who McDonald was. Moral of the story not everyone recognizes a NFL superstar.

TRIVIA: What college did Tim McDonald attend? What NFL team drafted McDonald out of college? | MORE

Predictions for round 2 of the playoffs….

(Click MORE to see the rest of the predictions)

So I didn’t do to bad my first week of the playoffs. I missed 6 games, but come on unless you are from Reedley you were not expecting a win. Obviously my North Sequoia League expertise was displayed as I picked the #14 seed Yosemite High to defeat the #3 seed Sunnyside. Now it’s on to round two.

Div I.

Let’s get right to it. If you are going to be in Fresno Friday night you must make a stop at Edison High and watch this game.

#8 Liberty-Bakersfield (8-3) at #1 Edison (9-0-1): If you attend you will get to see two premier quarterbacks going at it. Jerry Davis is doing his best Tom Brady impersonation while Byron Campbell... is the focal point of the Patriots offense. Not a bad choice there. Say what you want about the Tigers past playoff woes, but I’m taking Edison here. No it’s not because if you take the “I” of Edison you have my name. That’s just a plus. The reason is simple; Rolando Jefferson, Jerry Davis, Cliff Harris, Brandon Leslie, Tim McDonald Jr., Robert Golden, Marquise Cooper and Mr. Tate will all be playing at a premier Div I college. Yes ladies they are that talented.

#5 Clovis West (7-3-1) at #4 Bullard (8-2): This is an easy pick. I’ve been raving about Clifton Rogers the entire year. He then made me look foolish by being a bad teammate and getting suspended along with quarterback Phillip Brandt. The Knights had a nice run, but this one ends here. The Golden Eagles will be advancing.

#6 Clovis East (8-3) at #3 Bakersfield (10-1): Clovis East is wants to control the clock with their famous double wing offense. But it’s not going to happen and the Drillers will throw the ball around and come out victorious. Coach Murphy’s defense has trouble with the pass.

#7 Buchanan (7-4) at #2 Centennial (9-1): Here’s a dandy for all you football fanatics. What’s better than watching future University of Arizona LB Zander Fabbri go head to head with Buchanan’s QB Jake Henderson. My money here is on the Bears, who are hot and are battle tested. Hey there has to be upsets right….

Div II

#14 Yosemite (7-4) at #11 Reedley (6-5): Well neither of these teams were suppose to be here. But they definitely earned it. Now I’m saying Mr. Jesse Lownsbury is too much for the Pirates to overcome. I’m taking the NSL team in this one.

#12 Hoover (4-7) at #4 Lemoore (8-3): I still want to know how Hoover got a higher seed than Yosemite. Anyways back to the game. Eric Aviles is going to be enough for the Tigers to move on to the next round. Sorry Hoover, but the buck stops here.

#7 Hanford (6-5) at #2 Tulare (11-0): As much as I like the name Cougar Williams, I just can’t see them winning this game. Tulare has been playing at an exceptionally high level all year. They want El Diamante and RB Jontell Reedom is carrying this team to the promise land.

#8 Fresno (6-5) at #1 El Diamante (9-1): The Miners are looking to get back to championship game and if all goes right this game will be over by halftime. The defense of El Diamante might be one of the best in the valley allowing a meager 5.6 points per game.

Div III

#12 Golden Valley (4-7) at #4 Garces (6-5): They play in the same league and GV finished seventh while Garces finished fifth. The Bulldogs ended Selma’s dream season last week and now the Rams will be end Golden Valley’s.

#8 Highland (5-6) at Tehachapi (9-1): Let’s move on the next game. Tehachapi will walk through this one.

#7 Dinuba (8-2) at #2 Foothill (7-3): Say what you want but I’m going out on a limb. I’m taking the mighty Emperors. RB Bladimir Cervantes is fun to watch and I just think they want it more.

#6 Delano (7-4) at #3 Washington Union (8-3): This is a tricky game. Their common opponent is Kerman. Delano put a hurting on the Lions last week and Washington Union also dominated them a couple weeks back. When in doubt just pick Washington Union’s QB Ebahn Feathers. I’m riding Feathers all the way to the finals, why not he’s what people call a PTP’er.

Div IV

#8 Dos Palos (5-6) at #1 Taft (9-1): The Broncos had a rough year, but in their last two games they have played like the Broncos everyone is accustomed to. Coach Sprague and Sparks have been battling it out for years. This one will come down to the wire and I think Sparks has the upper hand and the Broncos move on.

#5 Central Valley Christian (5-5) at #4 Chowchilla (7-3): This is a tough one, but I think CVC will come out on top. They have been playing real well and their tough preseason schedule has prepared them for this. Chowchilla had another weak preseason schedule and then struggled in league.

#6 Coalinga (6-5) at #3 Corcoran (9-1): Corcoran has already beaten the Toads and I think they do it again. Boger gives Coalinga a chance but he’s not going to be enough.

#7 Exeter (6-5) at #2 Kingsburg (9-1): Exeter’s Cameron Loeffler will be the offense for the Monarchs and Kingsburg must find a way to contain him because there is no stopping him. Sophomore sensation Tyler Bray is going to have be cool at the QB position for Kingsburg. Bray must find ways to get the ball in the hands of playmaker AJ Castillo. I’m taking Kingsburg to beat Exeter once more.

Div V

#5 Caruthers (8-3) at #1 Fowler (11-0): If you are planning on attending this game, show up early. The highlight for Caruthers will be their Hawaii like pre-game ritual. Josh Poytress, who officially signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Fresno State next year earlier in the week, leads an explosive offense. Fowler moves on.

#3 Strathmore (10-1) at Bakersfield Christian (9-2): Bakersfield’s Jake Peterson is really good, but so is Strathmore’s Jake Duffin. With that being said I’m taking Bakersfield Christian in this one. | MORE

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week 11

CVA's Top 15 TEAMS IN THE CENTRAL SECTION AFTER WEEK 11 RESULTS.
(*note: 6-15 after the jump.)

1. Edison (Fresno): (9-0-1) The Tigers earned a first round bye and now must remain focused. Liberty-Bakersfield is a good team that could give the Tigers some trouble, but if Coach McDonald has his athletes focused it will be too much for Liberty.

2. Tulare: (11-0) I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, North-Bakersfield received no favors from the playoff committee. Tulare has to be upset they didn’t receive the #1 seed and rightfully so. The date with El Diamante is one week closer.

3. Centennial (Bakersfield): (9-1) Centennial had a bye. They must face a very hot Buchanan team this week that could provide them with some trouble. The south valley is in for some great games this Friday night.

4. Bakersfield: (10-1) Another team with a bye. The Drillers have no easy task this week as they get to play the defending section champions Clovis East. The Drillers’ should benefit from having two weeks to prepare for the wing-T offense.

5. El Diamante (Visalia): (9-1) The number #1 seed in Div II received a bye. Only game on their minds at this point is Tulare. I can’t blame them, because no one else has a chance. Fresno High will try to prove us all wrong, but I don’t think their team speed will be enough to overcome this great defense.

6. Clovis West (Clovis):(7-3-1) Stockdale was outmatched from the coin toss until the end of the game. The Golden Eagles want nothing more than to avenge their earlier loss to Bullard this week and with a depleted Knights’ roster it should happen.

7. Tehachapi: (9-1) They had a bye and now they get to play Highland. Well kind of play, they get to go out and run their offense and make some tackles. It will not be much of a game.


8. Clovis East (Clovis): (8-3) Redwood gave up over 600 yards rushing to the Timberwolves. All you can say to that is WOW. This week should be a tougher test, with Bakersfield High hosting Tim Murphy’s squad. If the wing-T continues to be this effective the Drillers are in trouble, heck the whole valley is in trouble for that matter.

9. Bullard: (8-2) The Knight enjoyed their bye week, because they have so many young players they must get ready to play this Friday. The Golden Eagles are not going to hold back and Bullard must play a perfect game to make it interesting. Rogers and Brandt did not do their teammates any justice.

10. Liberty (Bakersfield):(8-3) They shutout a very good rushing team in Central (Fresno), but now are facing a plethora of Div I athletes. This game against Edison is set to be one of the best in Fresno this week.

11. Lemoore:(8-3) Talk about squeezing one out, that is exactly what Lemoore did against San Joaquin Memorial. The Tigers are set to play Hoover this week a game they should win, but it’s the playoffs so no guarantees.

12. Kingsburg: (9-1) The Vikings had a bye in round one. Now they are preparing to face Cameron Loeffler and his Exeter teammates. AJ Castillo and Tyler Bray are going to have to put up big numbers, because Exeter can score.

13. Washington Union (Fresno): (8-3) Poor Madera South, they were just overmatched. Quarterback Ebahn Feathers continues to put up huge numbers with his 8 carries for over 200 yards rushing. He just may be in the lead for the CV Athletes Heisman award at the end of the year.

14. Buchanan (Clovis): (7-4) The Bears are on fire. They walked through a tough Sanger team. Welcome to the big stage Jake Henderson, you are officially one of the better QB’s in the valley. The Bears have the ability to pull off the upset in Centennial we shall see.

15. Taft: (9-1) They are the number one seed in Div IV and had a bye. Coach Sprague was in Dos Palos watching the Broncos put on a display against Wasco. If Taft makes mistakes the Broncos will upset them, it will be a close game. | MORE

Central Valley Highlights.....

More videos to come soon....We currently have a few highlight videos take a look at some of the best plays from around the valley thus far this year.



To see more videos click more







All videos edited by Philip Torres | MORE

Da Bears get revenge

So much for my expertise...this game was not even close. Buchanan High defeated the Sanger Apaches by a score of 29-7. It would of been close but Mario Navarrete was injured after tying the score at seven in the first quarter. With Sanger's best best two players (Justin Webber and Mario Navarrete) on the sidelines, Jake Henderson took over. Man this kid has talent. He did a great job running the offense and the Bears continue to play good fundamental football. Next on the list is Centennial, which is going to be a huge test for the Bears but they are flowing with confidence right now. That alone can get you far in high school football.

TRIVIA: When was the last time the Buchanan Bears won the section championship? And who from that team owns a Super Bowl ring? | MORE

It's playoffs time...

The predictions for the first round are finally here. All the way from Div I to Div V check them out and leave your comments.

SECTION CHAMPIONS PREDICTIONS:
Div I: Edison High
Div II: El Diamante
Div III: Washington Union
Div IV: Dos Palos Broncos
Div V: Bakersfield Christian

Predictions for Div I:

Thursday:
#10 Sanger will defeat #7 Buchanan…Sanger has a lot of heart and looking to rebound after a tough loss to Reedley last week. It’s just hard to go against the Apaches they just figure out ways to win. The Bears may be too banged up from playing in the tough TRAC.

Friday:
#8 Liberty-Bakersfield will defeat #9 Central…The enigma that are the Grizzlies will just not be able to handle the… QB play of Liberty-Bakersfield. If Rakim Dawkins can get out in the open this could go the other way. For now I’m sticking with the Bakersfield school.

#5 Clovis West over #12 Stockdale….The Golden Eagles were the preseason favorite and they may be peaking at the right time. Matt Jelmini and Beau Sweeney will have to carry this team against Edison in two weeks, because we expect them to win here and then defeat the Clifton Rogers-less Bullard team.

#6 Clovis East over #11 Redwood….Rumors are Tim Murphy is on the hot seat. Rumors are also circulating regarding supplements at T’Wolves country. Why anger the defending section champions? The coach will have his team ready and the running game will be too much for Redwood to handle, who had a tough time handling Mt. Whitney’s Benjamin Bowen last week.

Bye: #1 Edison #2 Centennial (Bakersfield) #3 Bakersfield High #4 Bullard


Predictions for Div II:

#8 Fresno over #9 Tulare Western…I’m saying Chad White has a big game and Harless Dailey will be contained by the speedy Fresno High team.

#5 Monache over #12 Hoover….Don’t expect a lot of points in this battle. Both these teams have great defenses but I think Monache’s is a little better and a turnover late in the game will be the key in this one.

#4 Lemoore over #13 San Joaquin Memorial…The Panthers have Anthony Soto, but Lemoore’s Eric Aviles I think will make the key plays to help Lemoore advance.

#14 Yosemite over #3 Sunnyside….I’m taking the Badgers in this one. The reason is because Jesse Lownsbury is that good and I think Sunnyside will struggle against the passing attack of Yosemite. Should be a good one though.

#6 West over #11 Reedley…This is a tough one because Reedley has momentum after their huge win over Sanger last week. I just think West-Bakersfield will be too much for the Pirates.

#7 Hanford over #10 East (Bakersfield)…This is a toss up again, but I’m taking Tyson Perez and Cougar Williams to outscore superstar running back Andre Smith of the Blades.

#2 Tulare Union over #15 North (Bakersfield)….Too bad North High has to face an angry Tulare team. They are out to prove they deserved a bye and the number one seed in this division.

Bye: #1 El Diamante (Visalia)

Predictions for Div III:

#8 Highland over #9 Cesar Chavez…Two 4-6 teams battling it out here. I’m going with Highland because, well, no reason really. I just think they are going to win.

#5 Selma over #12 Golden Valley…The reason for taking a team to win a playoff game that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs in the last couple of years is Adrian Pacheco. The Bears’ running back has been a one man show and I expect him to continue excelling right into the second round.

#4 Garces over #13 Frontier High…This is going to get ugly. Garces will dominate early and get ready for their second round game during halftime.

#3 Washington Union over #14 Madera South…This is a mismatch. Then again anyone that tries to stop Ebahn Feathers is just dreaming. The Panthers finished the season strong and have figured out to just sit back and watch Feathers run and throw.

#11 Kerman over #6 Delano…I keep going back and forth on this one. Delano is bigger and probably faster. But I’m going with the Lions because I know Adrian Ruiz and Kevin Richards want coach Guizar’s career to end on the right way. Look for Richards to throw it 30+ times and Ruiz to get 10-15 touches.

#7 Dinuba over #11 Roosevelt…The Emperors have shown flashes of a good team this season. They defeated Kingsburg 33-0, but have also looked flat. I think they have enough to defeat Roosevelt.

Bye: #1 Tehachapi, #2 Foothill

Predictions for Div IV:

#8 Dos Palos over #9 Wasco…History alone gets DP into the second round. Not to mention the return of three starters. This has Coach Sparks’ team believing in each other. Look for the Broncos’ to run the ball effectively and throw it to Hector Gomez. Quarterback Sean Lemos is playing with a lot of confidence especially after his performance against Chowchilla last week.

#6 Coalinga over #11 Immanuel…The Toads already defeated Immanuel back in week 7 and I look for them to do it again.

#7 Exeter over #10 Parlier…Cameron Loeffler is just going to be too much for Parlier to handle. I look for them to advance to the second round where Kingsburg is waiting patiently.

Bye: #1 Taft, #2 Kingsburg, #3 Corcoran, #4 Chowchilla, #5 Central Valley Christian

Predictions for Div V:

#1 Fowler over #8 Orange Cove….Josh Poytress is a good quarterback and wants to win. The Redcats are the favorites all through this division.

#4 Liberty-Madera Ranchos over #5 Caruthers…Look for Liberty to knock off the defending champions. Last year as a #1 seed Liberty folded so expect them to be mentally prepared this time around.

#3 Strathmore over #6 Firebaugh…Strathmore has only lost to Fowler so I expect them to beat up on Firebaugh. But Firebaugh has been here before and will be ready to play. I still give the edge to Strathmore.

#2 Bakersfield Christian over #7 Coast Union….Two weeks ago Bakersfield Christian was undefeated and looking for a perfect season but Taft and Tehachapi knocked them back to earth. Jake Peterson, quarterback for Bakersfield Christian, is the leader and playmaker of the team.

Check back as we give you the results of these games. Also I will be providing more insight and predictions for the rest of the playoffs. | MORE

CVA TOP 15 Rankings - Week Ten

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

1. Edison (Fresno): (9-0-1) Jerry Davis threw three touchdown passes in his regular season finale. The Tigers must remain focused and if the stars align right they could be headed to the Carson Center.

2. Tulare: (10-0) Finish a perfect season, but I feel they got snubbed and ended with the #2 seed in Div. II. How does an undefeated team get penalized? This should give the Redskins more motivation to prove they are the best team in Div. II.

3. Centennial (Bakersfield): (9-1) Only win by two against Bakersfield-West but still got the #2 seed in Div. I due to their victory over Bakersfield earlier in the year.


4. Bakersfield: (10-1) Well so much for the hope that Liberty-Bakersfield was ready to compete with the big boys. A 28-10 win over a quality opponent has the Drillers primed for playoff action.


5. El Diamante (Visalia): (9-1) Another shutout for the best defense in the valley. We will hear over the next few weeks if they really deserved the one seed over an undefeated Tulare team. The answer will determine the section champion.

6. Clovis West (Clovis): (6-3-1) Walked through an overmatched Clovis High team that finished winless. The Golden Eagles have the confidence and want a rematch against Bullard. That game will happen if they can defeat Stockdale-Bakersfield in the first round.

7. Tehachapi: (9-1) Move up a spot after Liberty (Bakersfield) was no match for the Drillers. A 41-7 victory against a team that was unbeaten a couple weeks ago is a pretty good statement. The top seed in Div. III can flat out play ball and deserve this ranking.

8. Clovis East (Clovis): (7-3) The T’Wolves win a share of the TRAC…there’s a shocker. They have bounced back and are ready to roll. You know coach Murphy will have his team fired up against Redwood and then Bakersfield High.

9. Bullard: (8-2) With Sanger, Corcoran and Liberty losing and Bullard winning they get this spot by default. The Knights struggled in a 3-0 win over rival Hoover. The key was the absence of superstar Clifton Rogers, who is suspended along with other players for an incident at Hoover High School. Stay tuned for more on that subject….

10. Liberty (Bakersfield): (7-3) They lost so they dropped three spots. Obviously they are not to the level of the Drillers just yet. They play Central and if they win they earn a date against the all mighty Edison High.


11. Lemoore: (7-3) They have the #4 seed in Div. II and a favorable matchup against San Joaquin Memorial this Friday. The play of Eric Aviles is going to be key for Lemoore to make a run deep in the playoffs.

12. Kingsburg: (9-1) I keep hearing about Taft but I like the Vikings more. With the head-to-head against Washington Union they get the #12 spot. AJ Castillo has to carry this team in Div. IV and I expect him to. Tyler Bray (sophomore) has grown up a lot throughout the year, let’s see how he handles the playoffs.

13. Washington Union (Fresno): (7-3) No movement for the Panthers just because there was no where to go. Their loss to Kingsburg keeps them under the Swedish pride, but I look for Ebahn Feathers to carry his team deep in the Div. III playoffs, because he is a mismatch for anyone at any division.

14. Buchanan (Clovis): (6-4) League champs in one of the toughest in the state. Of course they have to be in the rankings, plus they beat the team I had ranked #14 last week. Should be a great one against the Apaches this Friday.

15. Sanger: (7-3) This team is never out of the rankings. Dropped a tough one to Reedley but still have good wins against Lemoore and Bullard this season. You know the Apaches will be ready to play come Friday night against Buchanan.

Others: Taft (9-1): The #1 seed in Div. IV but just not completely sold on them yet. I may be making a mistake but I don’t think they can run the table in that division. Central (6-4): Tough loss to Buchanan but it will be interesting if they can bounce back. So much talent on this roster yet so many inconsistencies. Monache (7-4): At one point the toughest defense in the valley, then they faced Tulare. Let’s see if they can step it up for the playoffs. | MORE