Bakersfield High outkicks Clovis West

The game came down to the wire. With one of the best kickers in the history of the section Clovis West was confident Mr. Rolph would nail the game tying field goal. Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles it sailed wide on the senior. This was one of the best games I have ever witnessed at any level. Forget about the fact that it was high school. Forget about the fact that Bakersfield High's extraordinaire is only 5'7'' (MVP Peter Mitchell who was the QB and kicked the game winning FG for BHS). Forget about the tussle that occurred after the game (we got highlights below of the fight). This was nothing but a great FOOTBALL game. CW quarterback is heading to CAL but the best QB on the field on this night was the guy without the scholarship. Once again Kyle Negrete proved why he should be the MVP of the Clovis West football team. He not only played great offensively and defensively, but the best play was his punt of over 60 yards to pin Bakersfield deep in their territory (not that it mattered in the end). CW Running Back Matt Jelmini is a class act and conducted himself like a perfect gentleman during our interview. By the way rumor is he's up for valedictorian, I can see that. Check out the highlights below and if you weren't at this game, boy did you miss yourself an instant classic.

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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

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

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 | MORE