Buchanan High's football team conquered a demanding 10-game regular season, winning the Central Section's toughest league in the process.
But the Bears' reward the top seed in the Division I playoffs as announced Saturday comes with a caveat: a potential quarterfinal against the team that left them battered and bruised two weeks ago, Clovis East.
Buchanan lost five starters to injury receivers Jake East (calf) and Kyle Novak (concussion), running back Nigel Simmons (ankle), offensive tackle Zach Young (shoulder) and defensive end Christian Parra (shoulder) during a 20-17 victory over the Timberwolves on Nov. 6.
But the No. 9 Timberwolves must first get past No. 8 Centennial to set the stage for a rematch.
Bullard, D-I's only other undefeated team, received the No. 2 seed.
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 9 Clovis East at No. 8 Centennial
Byes: No. 1 Buchanan, No. 2 Bullard, No. 3 Stockdale, No. 4 Central, No. 5 Liberty-Bakersfield, No. 6 Bakersfield, No. 7 Clovis West
In the other brackets:
DIVISION II: A repeat of last season, with defending champion Tulare (10-0) the top seed and El Diamante (9-1) No. 2. Memorial, which won the North Yosemite League and went 9-1, settled for No. 4 behind Frontier (9-1).
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 9 West at No. 8 Sanger
No. 12 Sunnyside at No. 5 Edison
No. 13 Mt. Whitney at No. 4 Memorial
No. 11 Reedley at No. 6 Garces
No. 10 Redwood at No. 7 Hoover
Byes: No. 1 Tulare, No. 2 El Diamante, No. 3 Frontier
DIVISION III: Dinuba (8-2) gets the nod over South Sequoia League tri-champion Tehachapi (8-2).
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 9 Clovis North at No. 8 Cesar Chavez
No. 12 Golden Valley at No. 5 Hanford
No. 13 Highland at No. 4 Delano
No. 14 Independence at No. 3 Porterville
No. 11 Hanford West at No. 6 Ridgeview
No. 10 Foothill at No. 7 South
No. 15 Mira Monte at No. 2 Tehachapi
Bye: No. 1 Dinuba
DIVISION IV: Kingsburg (10-0) attempts to return to the final where it lost 20-0 against Chowchilla as the top seed. Washington (8-2) is No. 2.
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 9 Roosevelt at No. 8 Kerman
No. 11 Central Valley Christian at No. 6 Dos Palos
No. 10 Immanuel at No. 7 Sierra
Byes: No. 1 Kingsburg, No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Taft, No. 4 Wasco, No. 5 Exeter
DIVISION V: Last year's runner-up, Corcoran (8-2), snags homefield advantage.
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 9 Bakersfield Christian at No. 8 Mission Prep
No. 11 Fresno Christian at No. 6 Lindsay
No. 10 Firebaugh at No. 7 Parlier
Byes: No. 1 Corcoran, No. 2 Fowler, No. 3 Liberty-Madera Ranchos, No. 4 Woodlake, No. 5 Caruthers
DIVISION VI: Defending champion Tranquillity (8-2) gets the top seed.
First round
Friday's games at 7 p.m.
No. 5 Orange Cove at No. 4 Farmersville
No. 6 McFarland at No. 3 Mendota
Byes: No. 1 Tranquillity, No. 2 Strathmore
SMALL SCHOOLS (8-MAN):
Friday's game at 7 p.m.
Faith Christian at Clovis Christian
Saturday's game at 1 p.m.
Lighhouse Christian at Riverdale Christian