Move over guys; it's the girls turn

Dos Palos High School girls basketball is ranked #3 in the valley (DIV). I'm not sure when was the last time the girls team or guys team (basketball) was ranked but this is a big deal in the small town. It's great to see the huge turnaround by this team. Big time props go out to Coach Hendricks who has engineered this fantastic start by the Broncos (13-3).

The Broncos are led by senior Porsha Rivers and junior Irene Barrantes. It will be interesting to see how this season unfolds for the Broncos. Tonight they square off against a tough Fresno Christian team that is currently #2 in Division V. One thing is for certain the winter time is now becoming relevant for sports in the town of 5,000 residents. It's not only about football and baseball anymore, the lady Broncos are in the house. | 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

High School Football Around the Corner

It's almost time to get rid of the shorts and put on your thigh, butt and hip pads. The most anticipated time of the year is upon us in the central valley. High school football. Aww the guys that play for the love of the sport not the money. Although others may play to get that pretty cheerleader or land that big scholarship. What you won't find is any high school stars funding dog fighting rings or hanging out at strip clubs "making it rain." With the likes of Pacman Jones and Michael Vick being in the news day in and day out all summer long some of these kids will have to look to imitate other NFL superstars. Regardless these kids have been busting their butts all summer long and it's finally time for them to put all the 7 on 7 drills and new formations to work. Friday nights are the nights were streets are empty in small towns such as Sanger, Dos Palos, Chowchilla among others because everyone wants to see their beloved high school's game. Speaking of a beloved high school, Sanger suffered a huge blow when arguably their best player, Justin Webber, was injured at a Stanford camp and lost for the entire year (http://www.fresnobee.com/459/story/102930.html) Clovis West has a new coach but still the same tradition. Dos Palos is returning valley champs for like th 100th time in the last century. Edison High again is full of athletes, but for former 49er Tim McDonald the challenge is getting them to play together. Ebahn Feathers and Jerry Davis are two very versatile quarterbacks in the valley. Beau Sweeney has the name and is the most polished quarterback in the valley. Sweeney accepted a scholarship to CAL. Feathers has been offered by Fresno State while Davis remains mum on his choices. It's time to witness football at its best, well purest form at least. Good luck to all teams this season from CV Athletes. | MORE