SBLive's Central Section Fab 15 Football Rankings: Game of the Year lives up to hype

The big schools in the Central Section certainly get a lot of love, but most of the attention this past week focused on a one-school town just off highway 99 and a private school from Visalia. 

Billed as the “Game of the Year” and in front of more than 6,000 spectators, Central Valley Christian and Kingsburg battled to the end with the Cavaliers winning in dramatic fashion. 

We love to see it.

Though they struggled a bit in a win over Clovis North, Clovis West continued its storybook turnaround and remained undefeated at 8-0. Now, they travel to take on the mighty Central Grizzlies who have been to five straight D1 title games, winning three.

Believe it or not there are only two more weeks of league games in the section before the playoff madness begins on Nov. 4. Once the dust settles and the computers sort everything out, Phase 3 of the season starts.

Meanwhile, here are the updated rankings …

1. Clovis West-Fresno (8-0)
Last week rank: No. 1
Last week result: Defeated Clovis North 21-14
Next game: Friday at Central
The Golden Eagles hold onto the No. 1 ranking and remain undefeated after a tough game against Clovis North, scoring all 21 points in the first half. Senior quarterback Ryan Markarian tossed two touchdown passes to highly recruited Marshel Sanders and Aiden Fortenberry rushed for a score. A huge test awaits this Friday on the road as they face Central, who throttled Clovis East 56-13.

2. Buchanan-Clovis (7-1)"
Last week rank: No. 2
Last week result: Defeated Clovis 45-24
Next game: Friday vs Clovis North
Down 24-21 at half, the Bears stormed back to outscore Clovis 24-0 behind the strong play of Fresno State commit Jayden Mandal and running back Michael Runnels. Mandal threw for three TDs to three different receivers and Runnels - a week after his five TD night against Central - rushed for three scores including a 4-yard run that gave Buchanan a 30-24 lead late in the third quarter. The Bears take on rival Clovis North, who lost to No. 1 Clovis West 21-14.

3. San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno (6-2)
Last week rank: No. 3
Last week result: Defeated Bullard 56-0
Next game: Friday vs Justin Garza
Brandon Ramirez continued his torrid two-game stretch, rushing for 200 yards on just six carries and five TDs as the Panthers blew out Bullard at home. In the last two games the Fresno State commit has run for 341 yards on 10 carries and eight touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Alex Asparuhov was perfect on extra points for the second consecutive game. On Friday they’ll play Justin Garza High, a new school in the Central district in its first year of varsity football.

4. Liberty-Bakersfield (6-2)
Last week rank: No. 4
Last week result: Defeated Centennial 42-7
Next game: Friday at Frontier
Jaden Hawkins rushed for two scores as the Patriots beat previously unbeaten Centennial 42-7 to stretch their league winning streak to 22. Kresean Krizzy returned an interception 42 yards and the defense held Golden Hawks quarterback Alex Copus to 9-23 for 72 yards. Liberty faces Frontier this Friday, 30-7 winners over Stockdale.

5. Central Valley Christian-Visalia (6-0)
Last week rank: No. 6
Last week result: Defeated Kingsburg 27-26
Next game: Friday vs Washington Union
The “Game of the Year” certainly lived up to the hype as the Cavaliers came back to defeat Kingsburg on the road 27-26 when Bryson Donalson ran it in from four yards out with just over a minute left to play. Max Bakker threw two TDs to Zach Zwart and Donalson ran for two scores. CVC plays Washington Union this Friday in only their third home game of the season.

6. Central-Fresno (5-3)
Last week rank: No. 7
Last week result: Defeated Clovis East 56-13
Next game: Friday vs Clovis West
The Grizzlies made a statement and jump up a spot in the ranking, racing to a 56-0 halftime lead against Clovis East in a game that finished with a running clock. Dayton Tafoya passed for 180 yards and three TDs on 7-11 attempts and sophomore David Bell made the most of his two carries with touchdown runs of 89 and 25 yards. Central - with three D1 Central Section titles in the last five years - play No. 1 Clovis West at home in a monumental matchup.

7. Kingsburg (7-1)
Last week rank: No. 6
Last week result: Lost to Central Valley Christian 27-26
Next game: Friday at Reedley
In front of over 6,000 spectators the Vikings came up short in a loss to Central Valley Christian in an instant classic. Trace Jackson’s 29-yard TD run put Kingsburg ahead 26-21 with just under six minutes left to play but the Cavaliers marched down the field for the game-winning score. Ethan Winslow passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings turn their attention to Reedley, 42-20 winners over Sierra Pacific.

8. St. Joseph-Santa Maria (7-1)
Last week rank: No. 8
Last week result: Defeated Righetti 34-7
Next game: Friday vs Lompoc
Carter Vargas rushed for 117 yards and two TDs and Darian Mensah threw for 198 yards and tossed two touchdown passes to Colin Fasse in a 34-7 win against Righetti. The Knight’s defense held the Warriors to under 200 yards of total offense. This Friday they take on 6-2 Lompoc, 49-0 winners over Nipomo.

9. Lemoore (7-1)
Last week rank: No. 11
Last week result: Defeated Dinuba 28-14
Next game: Friday vs Tulare Western
Ty Chambers passed for 238 yards and two touchdowns on 9-12 passing and ran for a score to help propel the Tigers over Dinuba 28-14, jumping up two spots in the rankings. Andrew Meonch ran for 78 yards and a touchdown as the defense held the Emperors to 258 yards of total offense. Lemoore takes on Tulare Western this Friday.

10. Redwood-Visalia (6-2)
Last week rank: No. 12
Last week result: Defeated Monache 44-12
Next game: Friday vs Golden West
The Rangers rushed for 298 yards on 28 carries and quarterback Francisco Alvarez was almost perfect in a 44-12 win over Monache. Alex Perch ran for 178 yards on eight carries with two touchdowns and Alvarez passed for 168 yards and a score on 10-11 attempts. Since dropping their first two games of the season to Centennial and Clovis North, Redwood has reeled off six straight wins and will face Golden West at home.

11. Clovis East (6-2)
Last week rank: No. 9
Last week result: Lost to Central 56-13
Next game: Friday at Clovis
A week after nearly upsetting No. 1 Clovis West, the Timberwolves were throttled by Central 56-13 at home in a game they were down six starters due to injury. After winning its first six games Clovis East will look to right the ship against Clovis, who fell 42-24 to Buchanan.

12. Centennial-Bakersfield (7-1)
Last week rank: No. 10
Last week result: Lost to Liberty 41-7
Next game: Friday vs Garces
The Golden Hawks lost for the first time this season, a 41-7 drubbing from Liberty at home in a South Yosemite River League game. Centennial now turns their attention to Garces, 30-13 winners over Bakersfield Christian.

13. Clovis North (4-4)
Last week rank: No. 13
Last week result: Lost to Clovis West 21-14
Next game: Friday vs Buchanan
The Broncos held tough against No. 1 Clovis West, shutting out the potent Golden Eagle offense in the second half but it wasn’t enough as they fell 21-14 at home. Sophomore McKay Madsen and senior Jackson Cinfel each rushed for a touchdown. Clovis North faces Buchanan this Friday and finishes the regular season against Central.

14. Hanford (6-2)
Last week rank: No. 15
Last week result: Defeated Tulare Western 56-0
Next game: Saturday vs Mission Oak
Senior Cayden Muir threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns and sophomore Kourdey Glass rushed for two scores and had a 91 yard TD reception in a 56-0 win against Tulare Western. In addition, talented sophomore JC Turner caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Bullpups play Mission Oak in a Saturday contest.

15. Clovis (3-5)
Last week rank: No. 14
Last week result: Lost to Buchanan 45-24
Next game: Friday vs Clovis East
The Cougars held a 24-21 lead over No. 2 Buchanan at half but were shutout in the second half, dropping their third straight. Freshman quarterback Deagan Rose continues to impress, passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns, both to senior Jacob Saldate who caught six passes for 156 yards. Clovis plays Clovis East on Friday at historic Daryle Lamonica Stadium.

More from around the section …

* Edison has a long history of star-studded players that include Tim McDonald, Ricky Manning Jr and Icky Woods. And you can now add senior quarterback Ya’J Vance to the list of standout Tiger legends. Vance passed for 499 yards and a school record eight touchdowns in a 58-40 win over Justin Garza High School, one short of the Central Section record. According to Cal-Hi Sports the section record is nine set by Brandon Jones of Bakersfield Christian in 2013.

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 anyasist for high school games in the Central Section.

Twitter: @paulmeadors
Email: paulmeadors@gmail.com