SBLive's Central Section Fab 15 Football Rankings: Clovis West new No. 1 after win over previously top-ranked Buchanan

A week of rest for most of the Central Section teams was just what the doctor ordered as exciting finishes, hard-hitting action and rivalry games galore headlined Week 7.

The top games of the week certainly lived up to the hype as upstart Clovis West toppled previous No. 1 Buchanan 29-22 on a last second-TD pass and is now top ranked in the Central Section. It’s been a remarkable turnaround under second year coach Eric Brown — last season the Golden Eagles were 4-8 and 11-28 since 2018.

The Tri-River Athletic Conference that includes Buchanan and Clovis West had another barnburner that ended in dramatic fashion as Clovis East defeated Clovis North 39-35 on a 40-yard TD pass with 10 seconds remaining.

And what a remarkable debut for a rising star in the Central Section who plays for Central Valley Christian, the No. 6 ranked team. Check out what he did below — it’s a performance that will be remembered for a long time.

SBLive Central Section Fab. 15 Football Rankings (Games through Oct. 1)

1. Clovis West (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 2
Last week result: Defeated Buchanan 29-22
Next game: Friday vs Clovis East (6-0)
The Golden Eagles toppled No. 1 Buchanan in dramatic fashion as Ryan Markarian tossed a 45-yard TD pass to Marshel Sanders with 35 seconds left in front of a frenzied crowd at Lamonica Stadium. Senior running back Aiden Fortenberry ran for two scores and Markarian connected with Landon Wright on a 31-yard TD pass. Next is a battle of undefeated teams as Clovis West and Clovis East — 6-0 after a 39-35 win over Clovis North — battle Friday at Lamonica Stadium.

2. Buchanan (5-1)
Last week rank: No. 1
Last week result: Lost to Clovis West 29-22
Next game: Friday at Central-Fresno (4-2)
Just when the Bears thought they had pulled off another remarkable comeback, Clovis West pulled off one of their own, taking down Buchanan with a last minute touchdown pass. Buchanan’s Michael Runnels scored on a 23-yard run with 2:14 left to take a 22-21 lead, capping off a 99-yard drive but it wasn’t enough as the Bears suffered their first loss of the season. Buchanan will turn its attention to No. 5 Central, 27-21 winners over Clovis.

3. San Joaquin Memorial (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 4
Last week result: Defeated Edison 42-20
Next game: Friday at Madera
The Panthers got back on track in a big way, two weeks after losing to Buchanan, using three Brandon Ramirez rushing TDs and two defensive scores in beating Edison. Ramon Ruiz returned a kickoff for a touchdown and had a scoop and score and Tommy Nix returned adn INT to the house. The win was head coach Anthony Goston’s 150 din his career, all with San Joaquin Memorial. The Panthers will now focus on Madera who lost 35-14 to Bullard.

4. Liberty-Bakersfield (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 3
Last week result: Beat Garces 13-0
Next game: Friday vs Stockdale
The Patriots won a hard-hitting defensive battle, using a late 48-yard TD run by Jalen Hawkins to put away a feisty Garces squad to open up league play. Cole O’Brien tossed a 61-yard TD pass to Xander Chisholm in the second quarter in a game that had 24 total penalties. Liberty now takes on Stockdale (1-5), who lost 33-9 to Centennial.

5. Central (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 5
Last week result: Defeated Clovis 27-21
Next game: Friday vs Buchanan
It wasn’t easy as Grizzlies’ senior QB Dayton Tafoya tossed four touchdowns and the defense stood tall on a goal-line stand to hold off Clovis. Tafoya completed 18 of 33 passes for 288 yards and the defense stopped the Cougars on four straight rushing attempts from inside the 2-yard line in the third quarter. The Grizzlies take on Buchanan in a huge game at home this Friday.

6. Central Valley Christian-Visalia (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 6
Last week result: Defeated Kerman 55-14
Next game: Friday at Selma
Bryson Donelson made his season debut and ran for an astounding 261 yards on just six carries with TDs runs of 61, 80 and 85 as the Cavs blew out the Lions. Donelson, only a junior who hold an offer from Fresno State, had to sit the first five games after transferring from El Diamante. University of Oregon commit Jaeden Moore, at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, carried the ball twice for 91 yards and two TDs. They travel to play Selma this Friday, 27-24 OT winners against Sierra Pacific. And yep, we can’t wait for the showdown with No. 7 Kingsburg on Oct. 14.

7. Kingsburg (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 7
Last week result: Defeated Washington Union 39-15
Next game: Friday at Kerman
The Vikings remain undefeated after trouncing Washington Union 39-15 on homecoming behind senior QB Ethan Winslow’s three TD passes, two to Connor McFall and one to Jack Rogers. Senior running back Trace Jackson rushed for 159 yards and the Kingsburg defense held the Panthers officially to one yard rushing on 21 attempts. The undefeated Vikings take on Kerman (4-2), who lost to CVC 55-14.

8. St. Joseph-Santa Maria (5-1)
Last week rank: No. 11
Last week result: Defeated Santa Ynez 42-7
Next game: Friday at Mission Prep
The Knights get a bump up in the rankings and used a strong ground attack to defeat Santa Ynez as Carter Vargas scored three rushing touchdowns and senior QB Darin Mensah added one on the ground. According to the Santa Maria Times, St. Joseph has now outscored its opponents 214-78 this season. They play Paso Robles, who lost 28-7 to Mission Prep, Friday.

9. Clovis East (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 12
Last week result: Defeated Clovis North 39-35
Next game: Friday vs Clovis North
Sophomore quarterback Ty Miller completed a 40-yard TD pass to Xavior Garcia with ten seconds remaining to keep the Timberwolves’ undefeated season alive in defeating Clovis North 39-35. Miller completed 22 of 35 passes for 423 yards and six touchdowns, three of those to Carson Sandoval. Clovis East has a showdown against No. 1 Clovis West in a game that will be broadcast on 1430ESPN radio.

10. Centennial-Bakersfield (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 10
Last week result: Defeated Stockdale 33-7
Next game: Friday vs. Highland (3-3)
The Golden Hawks used three total TDs from junior QB Alex Copus and exploded for 26 points in the second quarter to remain undefeated. They will take on Highland, a 44-29 winner over Independence.

11. Lemoore (5-1)
Last week rank: No. 13
Last week result: Defeated Tulare 42-20
Next game: Friday at Mission Oak (5-1)
Senior QB Ty Chambers completed 12-15 passes for 307 yards and five touchdowns as the Tigers defeated Tulare Union 42-20. Senior Demel Turner caught seven passes for 164 yards and three TDs and Preston Scott had 79 receiving yards and one score. Lemoore takes on Mission Oak (5-1) who defeated Tulare Western 43-7 at home.

12. Redwood-Visalia (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 14
Last week result: Defeated El Diamante 56-14
Next game: Friday vs. Porterville (6-0)
The Rangers cruised to a 56-14 win over El Diamante as senior QB Francisco Alverez tossed three touchdowns and senior Jacob Perch rushed for three scores on only eight carries. Redwood plays undefeated Porterville this Friday, 27-6 winners over Mt. Whitney.

13. Clovis (3-3)
Last week rank: No. 15
Last week result: Lost to Central 27-21
Next game: Friday vs Clovis North (3-3)
The Cougars played No. 5 Central tough at home before falling 27-21 to open up league. In his league debut, freshman quarterback Deagen Rose tossed three touchdown passes — two to senior Jaden Carillo. Clovis was thwarted four times inside the 2-yard-line in the third quarter on four straight running plays. They now take on Clovis North, who lost 39-35 to Clovis East, this Friday.

14. Clovis North (3-3)
Last week rank: Not ranked
Last week result: Lost to Clovis East 39-35
Next game: Friday vs Clovis
The Broncos enter the rankings despite losing to Clovis East, a wild back and forth game that ended on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore McKay Maden rushed for two scores and quarterback Mario Cosma passed and ran for one. The Broncos play Clovis in a rivalry game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

15. Hanford (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 8
Last week result: Lost to Dinuba 36-30 in OT
Next game: Friday vs Tulare
The Bullups were stunned at home in overtime, losing 36-30 to Dinuba in a wild game that Hanford led 30-16 in the 4th quarter. Sophomore Kourdy Glass rushed for two touchdowns and caught one and senior Cayden Muir returned from an injury to throw and rush for a TD. The Bullpups turn their attention to Tulare Union, who lost 42-20 to Lemoore.

More from around the section …

The curious case of what to do with Garces. It’s tough to put a 1-5 team into our Top 15 but we know they can play with anyone in the section, evidenced by their 13-0 loss to No. 3 Liberty. The defense is certainly a strength but their offense has sputtered all season to the tune of only 36 points scored in their five losses. If they make the playoffs - must have a 30 percent win percentage — they will certainly be battle tested with games against Los Alamitos, Bishop Diego, San Joaquin Memorial and the aforementioned Liberty.

Based in Fresno, Paul Meadors is the host of the Central Valley Sports Report on 1430ESPN on Saturday mornings from 10-12 and also serves as the color analyst for high school games in the Central Section.

Twitter: @paulmeadors
Email: paulmeadors@gmail.com