High school football: The Fresno Bee’s preseason Top 25. Which teams could surprise?
Here are The Fresno Bee’s preseason Top 25 high school football rankings in advance of Thursday’s opener between Clovis and Garces at Lamonica Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m
Defending Central Section Division I champion Liberty-Bakersfield retains the top spot, with No. 2 Clovis West, No. 3 Clovis North, No. 4 Clovis East and No. 5 San Joaquin Memorial rounding out the first five.
Here’s the full preseason Top 25:
1. Liberty-Bakersfield
2022 record: 13-2
The Patriots graduated plenty of notable players, but coach Bryan Nixon is always retooling so that bounce-back ability gives Liberty the top nod heading into Week 0.
2. Clovis West
2022 record: 10-2
Plenty of talent to go around for the Golden Eagles, including wide receivers Marshel Sanders, Landon Wright and Jordan Pierro, all big targets for quarterback Tyler Patrick. The defense is led by linebacker Tytus Khajavi.
3. Clovis North
2022 record: 7-5
A surprise at No. 3? It shouldn’t be. Clovis North has high expectations, led by quarterback Mario Cosma. Who else is there to watch? WR/DB Vincent Cordoba, RB McKay Madsen and TE Brayden Bitter to name a few.
4. Clovis East
2022 record: 6-5
Another team The Bee expects to step up in 2023. Clovis East added several players by way of transfer. The Timberwolves could have questions on defense, but the offense is loaded.
5. Centennial
2022 record: 8-3
QB Adam Copus returns for his final season. He will look to WR Jaxton Santiago (13 TDs) like he did last season.
6. San Joaquin Memorial
2022 record: 10-3
It will be difficult to replace The Bee’s Player of the Year in Brandon Ramirez, who’s now at Fresno State. But the Panthers added transfer QB Jaylen Patterson and are still talented even if key questions remain going into the season.
7. Central
2022 record: 7-5
Never count out a Kyle Biggs=led Grizzlies team. While there are question marks at quarterback, Central does have WRs Braylen Hall and Noey Felix. Who will step up on defense?
8. Buchanan
2022 record: 9-3
The Bears’ offensive line will be a strong suit for QB Logan Sanchez, who will play in his first varsity game this season after QB Jayden Mandal graduated. Defensively, linebacker Logan Studt will be the focal point.
9. St. Joseph
2022 record: 10-2
The Knights return RB Carter Vargas, who ran for 17 touchdowns last season. WR Colin Fasse will play a keyrole in the offense again. But who will be QB1? With Vargas and Fasse, the Knights likely will put up points no matter who is behind center.
10. Garces
2022 record: 4-7
The Rams didn’t have a good year last season, but coach Paul Golla will look to guide his team to greater heights. History says that will happen under his leadership.
11. Lemoore
2022 record: 12-2
The TIgers were superb last season behind QB Ty Chambers, but he’s gone. Back, however, is WR/SS Kobe Green. Tigers coach Rich Tumen said to look for WR/DB Tre Harris and NT/DE/FB Trevon Gaffney to make a difference for Lemoore.
12. Kingsburg
2022 record: 9-2
The offense will be led by QB Max Warkentin. The Vikings lost key starters from last season’s team that came up short to Frontier in the Division II playoffs. Kingsburg, however, returned nine starters on defense.
13. Sanger
2022 record: 6-6
Apaches coach Matt Logue is optimistic about his team’s chances. Sanger is led by WR Bryson Baker. The Apaches’ strength comes along the offensive line, led by Johnathan Ybarra.
14. Frontier
2022 record: 8-5
QB Malahki Statler returns after throwing for 3,544 yards and 31 TDs. His targets will include Kai Rodriguez, Talan Ramirez, Malcolm James and Kobie Watson. LB Landon Heredia will lead the defense.
15. Clovis
2022 record: 5-7
The Cougars will be led by QB Deagan Rose, who will turn to WR Jacob Saldate and others. The defense will be led by LB Noah Luginbill and DL Brenden Nauheimer.
16. Edison
2022 record: 6-5
The Tigers lost prolific QB Ya’j Vance, but welcomed senior transfer QB Phoenix Lawrence, who played at Statesville High in North Carolina. There, he finished with 767 yards and six touchdowns in eight games.
17. Hanford
2022 record: 9-4
The Bullpups lost QB Cayden Muir. Daniel Gomez steps in as the replacement, Bullpups coach Cannon Sanchez said. RB Kourdey Glass figures to play a big role on offense. WR/DB Jordan Black is a transfer from San Joaquin Memorial.
18. Central Valley Christian
2022 record: 12-1
Plenty of talent returns for the Cavaliers, including RB Bryson Donelson. Brent Kroeze will be the QB.
19. Bakersfield Christian
2022 record: 7-5
The Eagles lost a lot of playmakers because of graduation, but the defense will be decent, led by Chase Furtado.
20. Redwood
2022 record: 8-3
DE/LB Kai Preisendorf figures to play a role for the Rangers. That is nothing new since he’s been reliable for coach Kevin Scharton.
21. Sunnyside
2022 record: 11-3
QB Tanner Wilson will have targets on offense, such as WR Malachi Barnes. The Wildcats will put up a ton of points again.
22. Bakersfield
2022 record: 3-7
It wasn’t a good 2022 season for the Drillers, but they hope to bounce back. You can never count out Bakersfield going into a new year.
23. Washington Union
2022 record: 8-4
The Panthers will have key pieces back and figure to challenge for the league title this season. LB Kado Felder will guide Washington Union.
24. Kennedy
2022 record: 11-3
RB Jace Demacabalin had five TDs last season, helping his team to a section championship. He will be surrounded on offense by WR Hugo Lorea, RB Estevan Orozco and guard Adrian Ochoa. DE Carlos Calderon will lead the defense.
25. Porterville
2022 record: 9-2
The Panthers have QB Rocky Arguijo back. He will also have RB Samuel Alcantar to help balance the offense.
Next 10: Ridgeview, Lompoc, Atascadero, Dinuba, Mission Prep, Torres, San Luis Obispo, Kerman, Reedley, Mission Oak, Tulare Union
Schedule
Thursday
Nonleague
Garces at Clovis, 7 p.m.
Aguora at Lompoc, 7 p.m.
Orange Cove vs. Sierra Pacific, 7:15 p.m. (Neighbor Bowl)
Monache at Mission Oak, 7:30 p.m. (Bob Mathias Stadium)
Friday
Nonleague
St. Joseph-Santa Maria at Palos Verdes, 3:30 p.m.
Buchanan at St. Paul X-St. Matthias, 6 p.m.
Foothill-Henderson, Nevada at Clovis East, 6:30 p.m. (Lamonica Stadium)
Edison-Stockton at Central, 7 p.m.
Mammoth at Fresno Christian, 7 p.m.
Sierra at Minarets, 7 p.m.
Bullard at Hanford, 7 p.m.
Fresno at Washington Union, 7 p.m.
Firebaugh at Reedley, 7 p.m.
Kingsburg at Paso Robles, 7 p.m. (Flamson Middle School)
Mendota at Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 7 p.m.
Parlier at Farmersville, 7 p.m.
Nipomo at San Luis Obispo, 7 p.m.
Taft at Kern Valley, 7 p.m.
Bakersfield at Righetti, 7 p.m.
Bakersfield Christian at Mission Prep, 7 p.m.
Cabrillo vs. Santa Ynez, 7 p.m. (Lompoc)
East Bakersfield at Santa Maria, 7 p.m.
Foothill at Morro Bay, 7 p.m.
Bishop at Fernley-Nevada, 7 p.m.
Bishop Montgomery at Boron, 7 p.m.
Fillmore at California City, 7 p.m.
Liberty-Bakersfeild at Highland-Palmdale, 7 p.m.
Ridgeview at Canyon-Canyon Country, 7 p.m.
Rosamond at Littlerock, 7 p.m.
Coleville at Lone Pine, 7 p.m.
Clovis West at St. Mary’s-Stockton, 7:15 p.m.
Strathmore at Exeter, 7:15 p.m.
San Joaquin Memorial vs. Clovis North, 7:30 p.m. (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Edison at Kennedy, 7:30 p.m.
Garza at Immanuel, 7:30 p.m. (Immanuel Sports Complex)
Golden Valley-Bakersfield at Sunnyside, 7:30 p.m.
El Diamante at Tulare Western, 7:30 p.m. (Bob Mathias Stadium)
Coalinga at Caruthers, 7:30 p.m.
Corcoran at Fowler, 7:30 p.m.
Dinuba at Sanger, 7:30 p.m.
Selma at Lemoore, 7:30 p.m.
McLane at Porterville, 7:30 p.m. (Granite Hills)
Torres at Madera, 7:30 p.m.
Orosi at Madera South, 7:30 p.m.
Redwood at Centennial, 7:30 p.m.
Tulare Union at Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m. (Mineral King Bowl)
Golden West at Arroyo Grande, 7:30 p.m.
Sanger West at Del Oro-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.
Tranquillity at Riverdale, 7:30 p.m.
McFarland at Avenal, 7:30 p.m.
Yosemite at Mariposa County, 7:30 p.m. (Mariposa County Fairgrounds)
Dos Palos at Los Banos, 7:30 p.m. (Loftin Stadium)
Ripon Christian at Central Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Burroughs at Tehachapi, 7:30 p.m.
Highland at Stockdale, 7:30 p.m.
Independence at Pioneer Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Mira Monte at Delano, 7:30 p.m.
South at Wasco, 7:30 p.m.
West at Shafter, 7:30 p.m.
Arvin at Chavez, 7:30 p.m.
Frontier at North, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Woodlake at Hanford West, 7:15 p.m. (Neighbor Bowl)
