Central Section playoffs: Semifinals preview, predictions, plus eight-man championship
A three-peat is on the minds of the Fresno Christian football team.
Sierra would like nothing more than to spoil that.
The Eagles and Chieftains meet for the Central Section high school football eight-man championship that will be played at Fresno Christian. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday.
“Produced two consecutive championships, Fresno Christian coach Mark Fuller said. “They have an opportunity now to contribute to that legacy.”
It is also a rematch of last season’s title game that went back and forth, but the Eagles regained the lead in the fourth quarter when Logan Stotts scored on a quarterback sneak for a 28-27 lead. Fresno Christian then converted on a two-point conversion — Stotts to Bryson Moore — for a 30-27 lead with 1:40 remaining.
The Chieftains remember seeing Fresno Christian celebrate with a section title.
That hasn’t been forgotten, and Sierra coach Mark Stelling relayed that message to his team.
“You never want to feel that way again,” Stelling said. “’You guys need to be laser-focused and have your eye on the prize. They’ve been working for this.”
At 11-0, the Eagles will look to keep their undefeated streak intact.
Fresno Christian defeated Sierra 48-34 on Oct. 20 in a game that Stelling said one of his players told him that a Fresno Christian player posted a TikTok video holding one of Sierra’s towels.
“All my kids are calling me, ‘we want them again’ ” he said. “It’s in the back of their minds. They want revenge. They didn’t like what happened.”
Players to watch for Fresno Christian are Stotts, who has thrown 47 touchdowns. Also to watch is Jude Sheppard, Paul Sheppard, Joshua Kubota, Joseph Davila and Angel DeLeon
For Sierra, players to watch are Aaron Irvine, Logan Kilbert, Johnny Harshman, Brock Cunnings and Tanner Forrester.
Semifinal matchups
Division I
Clovis North will face Tri-River Athletic Conference foe Clovis East at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday.
Last week, the Broncos defeated Clovis West 35-0, while the Timberwolves stopped Sanger for a 17-14 victory.
Both teams are no strangers to each other. Their game earlier in the season was a close one.
Clovis North defeated Clovis East 31-21.
The Broncos led 24-21 in the third quarter before Mario Cosma’s touchdown pass to Vincent Cordoba.
Andrew Chavez had two rushing touchdowns for Clovis North.
No. 7 Central at No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield: The Grizzlies picked up a big win on the road last week. Can they do it again?
It’s two teams that are familiar with each other.
The Patriots got the upperhand on the Grizzlies earlier this season, winning 35-14.
Central trailed at the half 28-7 and couldn’t get anything going.
Division II
Top-seed Central Valley Christian will host No. 4 Tulare Union.
The Cavaliers defeated Tehachapi 48-27 behind Bryson Donelson’s six touchdowns.
The Tribe won in a shootout over No. 5 Kingsburg, 49-42.
Jordan Crisp completed 21 of 26 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed for a sixth.
No. 3 Centennial at No. 2 Lemoore: The Tigers will look to get back to the championship.
Lemoore defeated No. 7 Sunnyside 38-22.
Elijah Daley had a rushing touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown to spark the Tigers.
The Golden Hawks defeated No. 11 Madera 42-7.
Division III
No. 7 Washington Union took care of business last week, dispatching No. 2 Atascadero 41-13.
Ryan Brown had a receiving touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown.
No. 3 Mission Oak reeled off 28 consecutive points to knock off No. 6 Mt. Whitney 35-12.
Kenny Jackson ran for 135 yards and a touchdown and had a 16-yard touchdown reception and an interception.
QB Danny Gonzalez rushed for two touchdowns and threw a touchdown.
No. 5 Kerman at No. 1 Mission Prep: The Lions defeated No. 4 Kennedy 34-28 behind Julien Velez’s rushing touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.
The Royals got past No. 8 Porterville 15-14.
Division IV
No. 2 Dos Palos and No. 5 Exeter will meet.
The Broncos defeated No. 10 Santa Maria 45-28.
Peyton Van Worth passed for two touchdowns and Andre Flores ran for three scores.
The Monarchs jumped out to a 14-0 lead over No. 11 Roosevelt for a 45-22 victory.
No. 5 Torres at No. 1 Shafter: The Toros defeated No. 4 Coalinga 21-19 despite the Horned Toads’ late rally.
Division V
No. 3 Liberty faces No. 2 Wasco.
The Hawks got past No. 6 Chavez 34-31 in overtime to advance.
The Tigers defeated No. 10 Reedley 28-21.
No. 1 Bishop Union and No. 4 Morro Bay meet in the other semifinal matchup.
Division VI
No. 7 Fowler advanced to the semifinals after a 43-36 victory over No. 2 Boron.
Redcats quarterback Jerod Smith provided the lift with three rushing touchdowns.
No. 4 Strathmore at No. 1 Arvin: The Spartans are in the semifinals after defeating No. 5 Woodlake 27-21.
Bryson Bias threw for two touchdowns for the Spartans.
Predictions
Division I: Clovis North 27, Clovis East 24; Liberty-Bakersfield 43, Central 36
Division II: Central Valley Christian 54, Tulare Union 37; Centennial 30, Lemoore 27
Division III: Mission Oak 23, Washington Union 20; Kerman 27, Mission Prep 24
Division IV: Dos Palos 41, Exeter 34; Shafter 37, Torres 27
Division V: Wasco 17, Liberty-Madera Ranchos 13; Bishop Union 24, Morro Bay 20
Division VI: Fowler 34, Mendota 30; Arvin 20, Strathmore 16
Eight-man championship: Sierra 37, Fresno Christian 34
Semifinals schedule
7 p.m. Friday
Division I
No. 4 Clovis East at No. 1 Clovis North (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
No. 7 Central at No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield
Division II
No. 4 Tulare Union at No. 1 Central Valley Christian
No. 3 Centennial at No. 2 Lemoore
Division III
No. 5 Kerman at No. 1 Mission Prep
No. 7 Washington Union at No. 3 Mission Oak
Division IV
No. 5 Torres at No. 1 Shafter
No. 3 Exeter at No. 2 Dos Palos
Division V
No. 4 Morro Bay at No. 1 Bishop
No. 3 Liberty-Madera Ranchos at No. 2 Wasco
Division VI
No. 4 Strathmore at No. 1 Arvin
No. 7 Fowler at No. 3 Mendota
8-man championship
No. 3 Sierra at No. 1 Fresno Christian
