Many valley kids earn all-state football honors

Congratulations to Nick Rolph (Clovis West) and Ebahn Feathers (Washington Union) for earning prestigious awards from Cal-Hi Sports. Nick Rolph (first team all-state), may be remembered for missing what would of been the game-tying field goal in the section championship game against Bakersfield High this season. However, the young man had a tremendous season and career as the Golden Eagles place kicker. Feathers (Medium Schools State Player of the Year), quarterback, was simply a one-man highlight reel for the Panthers the last three years. Feathers will take his 4.38 speed and rocket arm to Fresno State next year. Also making the first team all-state squad were Robert Galas (OL) and Louis Bland (RB/LB) both from Central Catholic-Modesto.

Other notable central valley players earning awards were Robert Golden (Edison High), second team all-state cornerback heading to University of Arizona and defensive end Matt Akers (Liberty-Bakerfield) who will chase down quarterbacks as a Bulldog.

Others:
Third team all-state
D.J. Bennett (OL, Tulare), Andre Smith (RB, East Bakersfield), Mychal Kendricks (LB, Hoover), Emmanuel Oeriahki (DB, Bakersfield High), Pete Mitchell, (QB/RB/K, Bakersfield High), Kyle Negrete (TE/S/P, Clovis West)

Underclass All-State:

First Team:
David Born (OL, West), Greg Capella (OL, El Diamante), Jontell Reedom (RB, Tulare), Travis Brown (LB, Clovis West), Tim McDonald Jr (CB, Edison)

Second Team:
Rolando Jefferson (WR, Edison), Nikko Motto (OL, Sanger), Cliff Harris (DB/RET, Edison)

Sophomores:

First Team:
Rakeem Yates (DL, Edison), Kenny Corona (DB, Fowler), Alfonso Jackson (DB, Bakersfield)

Second Team:
Tyler Bray (QB, Kingsburg), Caleb Justice (LB, Bullard)

Medium Schools:

Second Team:
Adrian Pacheco (RB, Selma), Isiah Crunk (DB, Washington), Cameron Loeffler (RB/LB, Exeter)

Small Schools:
First Team:
Kyle Reitz (OL, Caruthers), Ben Savali (OL, Taft), Ryan Boschma (OL, Bakersfield Christian), Kenny Corona (DB, Fowler), Dalton Botts (P, Taft), Brant Botill (RB/LB, Corcoran), Ily Lopez (RB/LB, Avenal)

Second Team:
Josh Boger (LB, Coalinga), Darren Jones (DB, Corcoran), Josh Gallington (P, Bakersfield Christian) | MORE

Another Edison player closes in on scholarship

Jerry Davis was definitely one of the top quarterbacks in the central section this past season. The leader of the Edison High School offense seems poised to take his game to a different state. Davis has a visit planned to the University of Utah, where he hopes a scholarship offer will follow. It’s interesting to me how Davis is still without an offer despite his talent and the great season he had this year. Clovis West QB, Beau Sweeney, is heading to CAL, but I believe Davis is a better quarterback today. Washington Union’s QB Ebahn Feathers is taking his 4.38 speed to Fresno State.

Teammate Robert Golden has decommitted from the University of Arizona. Golden who has the honor of playing in the U.S. All-American Army Bowl has a lot of colleges asking for his lock-down services. The defensive back has not made any indications as to which school is at the top of his list. Maybe USC, after all teammate Tim McDonald Jr. has committed there which would make the two teammates in 2009. But everyone in the central valley is hoping Golden wants to stay close to home and becomes a Bulldog. Come on Clifton Smith let's see your best recruiting skills. | MORE

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

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