Central Section Top 25 (before the start of week 8)
1. Edison Tigers 6-1
2. Bakersfield Drillers 6-1
3. Liberty Patriots 5-2
4. Ridgeview Wolf Pack 6-1
5. Clovis North Broncos 4-3
6. Hanford Bullpups 8-0
7. Lemoore Tigers 8-0
8. Central Grizzlies 4-3
9. Dinuba Emperors 7-1
10. Memorial Panthers 6-1
11. Central Valley Christian Cavaliers 6-1
12. Madera Coyotes 6-1
13. Mission Oak Hawks 6-1
14. Clovis Cougars 4-3
15. Bullard Knights 4-3
16. Liberty Hawks 7-0
17. Clovis West Golden Eagles 3-4
18. Stockdale Mustangs 3-4
19. Centennial Golden Hawks 4-3
20. Sanger Apaches 5-2
21. Redwood Rangers 3-4
22. Tulare Western Mustangs 5-2
23. Tulare Union Redskins 4-3
24. Buchanan Bears 1-6
25. Frontier Titans 3-4
Outside looking in: Immanuel Eagles
Featured Game: Central @ Clovis North – 10/23/2014
The cool temperatures set in at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium; the fifth ranked Clovis North Broncos played host to the eighth ranked Central Grizzlies. Both teams are coming into the contest with a 4-3 record, and the winner of this match up would have sole first place of the TRAC (Tri-River Athletic Conference).
Clovis North is ranked fifth in the central section, and is finally coming off of some kind of winning streak. They have won two in a row, and have a 4-3 record. As stated last week, Clovis North has the Central Section’s hardest schedule. They are rallying behind UCLA commit, Bolu “fun run” Olorunfunmi. He is a big back with stop and go speed, and great balance. If this team can win the rest of their regular season game, they will finish with a 7-3 record.
Central is ranked eighth in the Central Section, and also have a 4-3 record. They are hot right now, winning four in a row. Tamar Johnson is having a great season playing both, wide receiver and running back. Junior quarterback Nick Szpor is growing into his position, and improving each week. If Central can win this game they will definitely move up in the Central Section Top 25. They will have won five in a row, and take sole possession of first place in the TRAC.
Central started the game receiving the ball and they made good use of their opportunity. Just before fans could get settled in their seats, Nick Szpor connected with Tamar Johnson in the corner of the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown. This capped off a quick but efficient drive for the Grizzlies (6-0). Then, we saw something from Clovis North that we didn’t see from them all last week: a punt. Clovis North was able to score on every drive last week and didn’t need to punt. So when Central was able to bring out the Broncos punt team, it opened some eyes.
The second quarter started out in Central’s favor as well. Bronco quarterback Austin Autry’s pass stayed in the air slightly too long and was intercepted by San Jose State commit Dehlon Preston. Preston showed how dangerous he was when he followed his blocks and ran that ball in for a touchdown (12-0).Central had the chance to score again, but were denied when they were 10 yards away from the end zone. The backwards pass attempt was dropped and subsequently called a fumble which was then recovered by Clovis East. Clovis East finally came to life just before the start of halftime. Austin Autry rebounded from his interception to drive the Broncos to a touchdown. He connected twice with wide receiver Bransin Johnson during the drive. One was a 50 yard bomb, and the other was a 27 yard slant route touchdown pass. Central had the slim 12-7 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was a different story; Clovis East’s Bolu Olorunfunmi began his stampede. The first two scores of the third quarter belonged to Bolu. First was a 59 yard touchdown (14-12), the next was 65 yard touchdown (21-12). Clovis North gained a lot of “Horse Power” in the third quarter from those two big runs, but Central kept the game close. A 38 yard field goal by Central kicker Tiago Paim made the score (21-15).
Central would let up in the fourth quarter. Another fun run for Bolu Olorunfunmi turned into an 86 yard touchdown (27-15). Then they shut Bolu down for another day, and put in his backup Jason Lee. Lee took advantage and scored two touchdowns to cap the game off. One was a long 65 yard touchdown where his second effort at the pylon got him in the end zone (34-15). Then he burned the defense and got in for a fancy 21 yard touchdown (41-15). That would be the final score of the game. Clovis North improved to 5-3, and Central fell to 4-4.
Clovis North earned the win because they changed their game plan during halftime, and came out as a different team. They are getting a lot of penalties called on them, and fortunately has not cost them a game yet. But they have to clean up the penalties come playoff time. Bolu Olorunfunmi is having an amazing season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a household name in 6 years. Austin Autry had to leave the game with concussion symptoms, but his supporting cast was able to not skip a beat. Clovis North should win the TRAC championship, and contend strongly in the Central Section division 1 tournament.
Central can win any given game, they just let up a in this contest. Their protection breaks down to quickly, which doesn’t give them enough time to develop a quality play. Nick Szpor has good scrambling ability, and can keep the play alive. Tamar Johnson can only do so much; using him too much makes the team one dimensional. If Central can manage to improve their blocking, they will be able to score more points from their other offensive weapons, and take more shots down the field. Central also needs to improve their run defense. Jason Lee scored two touchdowns for Clovis North that blew this game away. Central has two games left, and a chance to finish the regular season 6-4.
Top 25 week 8 results
(1)Edison 52
Madera South 7
EHS: AJ Greeley- 9 car, 211 yds, 3 TD’s
(2)Bakersfield 26
(19)Centennial 7
BHS: only giving up 11 points per game
(3)Liberty-Bakersfield 55
Garces 0
LHS: Plays (2)Bakersfield on 11/07
(4)Ridgeview 49
East Bakersfield 13
RHS: Score 44 points per game
(5)Clovis North 41
(8)Central 15
CN: B. Olorunfunmi – 18 car, 269 yds, 3 TD’s
(6)Hanford 61
Mt. Whitney 21
HHS:QB R. Johnson- 257 tot yards, 5 tot TD’s
(9)Dinuba 31
Selma 7
DHS: E. Herod- 7 rec, 120 yds
(10)Memorial 7
(15)Bullard 35
BHS: C. Williams- 18 car, 211 yds, 2 TD’s
(11)C.V.C. 40
Kingsburg 34
CVC: Come from behind win
(12)Madera 0
(20)Sanger 38
SHS: S. Pittman- 5 car, 90 yds
(13)Mission Oak 18
(22)Tulare Western 25
TW: K. Portillo- 21-39, 235 yds, 2 TD’s, 2 ints
(14)Clovis 35
(24)Buchanan 3
CHS: C. Alexander- 4 rec, 48 yds, 2 TD’s
(16)Liberty-Madera 48
Washington Union 7
LHS: W. Wallace- 12 car, 129 yds, 3 TD’s
(17)Clovis West 42
Clovis East 26
CW: J. Mendoza- 26 car, 143 yds
(18)Stockdale 17
(25)Frontier 28
FHS: I. Sharp- 32 car, 200 yds, 4 TD’s
(21)Redwood 14
El Diamante 27
ED: Snaps four game losing streak
(23)Tulare Union 55
Porterville 34
TU: R. Harris- 41 car, 402 yds, 5 TD’s
Bye:
(7)Lemoore
Immanuel 42
Farmersville 45
FHS: S. Metcalf- 32-53, 496 yds, 4 TD’s
Sierra 28
Kerman 24
SHS: T. Rehorn- 12 car, 159 yds, 1 TD
Minarets 8
Fowler 56
FHS: 340 yds rushing team total
Roosevelt 16
McLane 7
RHS: W. Fairman- 97 tot yards, 2 tot TD’s (1 def)
Fresno 32
Reedley 7
FHS: N. Hinton- 11 car, 102 yds, 3 TD’s
Sunnyside 35
Hoover 6
SHS: 3 game winning streak
Featured game for Week 9: Kerman @ Liberty-Madera
(Scores, stats, and rankings courtesy of Maxpreps.com, and The Fresno Bee)
- Immanuel makes it look easy; Golden Eagles soar past the Grizzlies - February 14, 2015
- Immanuel and Fresno High unstoppable; Central making a late run. - February 4, 2015
- Central stuns Clovis West, Roosevelt stumbles but not out. - January 27, 2015
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