Central Section football playoffs: Furious comeback, plus a controversial finish in OT
Top-seed Central Valley Christian found itself down big against No. 4 Tulare Union.
It didn’t look good for the Cavaliers, trailing 33-13 at halftime.
But CVC turned it up a notch in the second half and capped its comeback with 7 minutes remaining, scoring the game-winner on Bryson Donelson’s 15-yard run and then converting a two-point conversion for a 43-42 victory over Tulare Union in a Central Section Division II semifinal game in Visalia on Friday night.
The Fresno State-bound running back finished with four touchdowns.
CVC will face Lemoore in a rematch of last season’s championship, won by the Tigers 62-46.
No. 2 Lemoore advanced after beating No. 3 Centennial 20-14.
Botched snap then a win?
No. 5 Torres converted on a two-point conversion after a botched snap for a 43-42 overtime victory over No. 1 Shafter in Division IV.
The play unfolded after a Joseph Bass touchdown that made in 42-41.
Torres lined up for an extra point, but the snap was high and Pablo Adame scrambled and looked for a teammate.
He found Bass in the end zone for the two-point conversion and victory.
But one potential problem: Bass lined up to snap the ball, which would make it a penalty for an illegal man downfield.
Shafter athletic director Brian Feaster said the school has filed a protest and will meet with Central Section commissioner Ryan Tos, the game officials and Torres athletic director Jordan Murphy through a Zoom call Sunday.
Tos said “our office is in the process of gathering the appropriate information and setting up a time to meet with the involved schools.”
“Until we are able to meet with the schools we will not have a public statement on this matter,” Tos said.
Feaster said the officials ran off the field when the game was over.
“The call was bad,” Feaster said. “They thought the CIF could fix it. The assistant commissioner told them once the whistle was blown and they ran off the field, the game was over. They knew the mistake was made.”
Both schools hope to get clarity Sunday, but Torres, as of now, will face No. 2 Dos Palos.
The Broncos defeated No. 3 Exeter 28-21.
Kerman reaches first section title game
For the first time in school history, Kerman is headed to the section championship.
The Lions can thank Adrian Torres and Adam Delgado for that.
Torres completed a pass to Delgado in overtime that gave the fifth-seeded Lions a 20-14 victory over No. 1 Mission Prep in Division III.
Kerman next face No. 3 Mission Oak, which defeated Washington Union 39-25.
The Hawks reeled off 32 consecutive points to put it away. Danny Gonzalez rushed for two touchdowns and threw for a third.
Mission Oak coach Marty Martin is a former Kerman head coach.
Scores
Division I
No. 1 Clovis North 34, No. 4 Clovis East 28
No. 7 Central 35, No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield 21
Division II
No. 1 Central Valley Christian 43, No. 4 Tulare Union 42
No. 2 Lemoore 20, No. 3 Centennial 14
Division III
No. 5 Kerman 20, No. 1 Mission Prep 14
No. 3 Mission Oak 39, No. 7 Washington Union 25
Division IV
No. 5 Torres 43, No. 1 Shafter 42, OT
No. 2 Dos Palos 28, No. 3 Exeter 21
Division V
No. 1 Bishop 28, No. 4 Morro Bay 26
No. 2 Wasco 13, No. 3 Liberty-Madera Ranchos 7
Division VI
No. 4 Strathmore 28, No. 1 Arvin 21
No. 3 Mendota 56, No. 7 Fowler 44
8-man championship
No. 1 Fresno Christian 34, No. 3 Sierra 26
Next week’s schedule
Central Section championships
7 p.m. Nov. 24
Division I
No. 7 Central at No. 1 Clovis North (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Division II
No. 2 Lemoore at No. 1 Central Valley Christian
Division III
No. 5 Kerman at No. 3 Mission Oak
Division IV
No. 5 Torres at No. 2 Dos Palos
Division V
No. 2 Wasco at No. 1 Bishop
Division VI
No. 4 Strathmore at No. 3 Mendota
