Top moments of Fresno area's high school football season

The wild 2024 high school football season in the Fresno area has been marked by thrilling victories, heartbreaking losses, and pivotal plays that shaped numerous championship aspirations. Bullard's late-game heroics against San Joaquin Memorial encapsulated the season's unpredictable nature, while Clovis East's dominance in securing the TRAC title resonated through the competition.

The TRAC, often likened to collegiate football's SEC, showcased intense rivalries and standout performances, with Clovis East's undefeated run in the regular season illustrating its prowess. Emotional wins like Kerman's first Central Section championship highlighted the dedication and hard work of players and coaches, painting a vivid picture of a memorable season.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Buchanan head coach Ross Wood congratulates players after scoring against Bakersfield in their game at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. The Bee’s No. 2 Bears visit top-ranked Liberty-Bakersfield on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. By image not found

NO. 1: BUCHANAN TOPS LIBERTY-BAKERSFIELD IN THRILLER, NYL SHOWDOWN SET, PLUS TOP 25 FARED

One coach has led his team to a good start in his first season. | Published September 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Central High quarterback Jelani Dippel passes against Garza High in the opening game of the 2024 season at Koligian Stadium Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Fresno. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 2: THERE ARE SOME TOP PREP QBS IN FRESNO AREA — AND THERE ARE MORE ALSO LOOKING GOOD

There is a freshman who is listed in The Bee’s look at the high school quarterbacks. | Published September 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Clovis High’s Maddox Merrill, top, is lifted in celebration after he scored a touchdown against Bullard making it 25-0 in the second quarter Friday night, Sept. 20, 2024 at Lamonica Stadium in Clovis.

NO. 3: TWO PICK 6’S BY SAME PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS CLOVIS’ SHUTOUT VICTORY OVER BULLARD

How did The Bee’s Top 25 fared, plus prediction results. | Published September 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Clovis East celebrates Jax Koontz’s interception, center, against Grant Union Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 in Clovis. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 4: A CLEAR-CUT FAVORITE TO WIN THE TRAC? ONE COACH SAYS ‘IT’S GOING TO BE A GAUNTLET’

All five teams are ranked in The Fresno Bee Top 10. | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

McKay Madsen is congratulated after his pick-6 against Central on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. By ANTHONY GALAVIZ

NO. 5: DEFENDING SECTION CHAMPS CLOVIS NORTH HOLD OFF CENTRAL BEHIND A BIG PICK-6 IN TRAC OPENER

Clovis North had jumped out to a 20-0 lead against Central. | Published October 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by agalaviz@fresnobee.comAnthony Galaviz

Clovis East’s Jamie Spurgeon catches the ball over the top of Clovis defender Sterling Edwards for a touchdown during their game at Lamonica Stadium on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 6: CLOVIS EAST DOMINATES IN ‘BATTLE FOR THE BOOT’ WITH 52-33 VICTORY OVER CLOVIS HIGH

The Timberwolves scored on offense, defense, and special teams, including a 74-yard kickoff return. | Published October 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Bullard wide receiver Davien Potts tries to get past the Memorial defense after a catch down the middle in their game at San Joaquin Memorial on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.

NO. 7: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: BULLARD PICKS UP LATE TD IN WIN; TRAC TITLE SET, PLUS TOP 25 FARED

Photos of the Bullard and San Joaquin Memorial game. | Published October 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

McLane’s Jazz Boyland barrells into the Hoover defense Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Fresno. The Highlanders beat the Patriots 58-13.

NO. 8: MCLANE AND SANGER SECURE OUTRIGHT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS. WHO ELSE WON LEAGUE TITLES?

Photos from the Sanger-San Joaquin Memorial, Roosevelt-Fresno and McLane-Hoover games. | Published November 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by agalaviz@fresnobee.comAnthony Galaviz

Clovis East head coach Brandon Nagle, right, celebrates the team’s 38-21 TRAC Championship win over Clovis North Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Clovis. Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

NO. 9: CLOVIS EAST CLAIMS OUTRIGHT TRAC TITLE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2005 WITH WIN OVER CLOVIS NORTH

“I said in my head ‘it’s game.’ I’m going to walk off right here and the rest is history.” - Clovis East player Oshea Webb | Published November 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Clovis North’s McKay Madsen runs past Sanger defenders on his way to a long touchdown run in the second quarter of their Division I-AA quarterfinal playoff game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

NO. 10: FOUR TRI-RIVER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SCHOOLS ADVANCED TO DIVISION I-AA SEMIFINALS

Clovis East had a battle with Tulare Union. | Published November 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Clovis East quarterback Tyus Miller gets pulled down after scrambling for a first down against Clovis during their Central Section Division 1-AA semifinal game at Lamonica Stadium in Clovis on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

NO. 11: CLOVIS EAST CRUISES TO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER CLOVIS

A pick-6 helped Clovis East. | Published November 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Central quarterback Jelani Dippel, right, leaps past Clovis North’s Wyatt Johnson before dashing into the end zone for a touchdown on a keeper during their Central Section Division 1-AA semifinal game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

NO. 12: CENTRAL’S DOMINANT VICTORY OVER CLOVIS NORTH SECURES CENTRAL SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP BERTH

“We’ve been there a lot of times. We want to win it.” - Kyle Biggs | Published November 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Central Valley Christian celebrates its 28-1 victory over Golden West in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. CVC will face Bakersfield in next week’s final.

NO. 13: LED BY DON ARAX, CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN TO PLAY FOR SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

Thrilling finish in Division III. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

Kerman head coach Damon Jenkins, center, hoists the championship plaque after Kerman beat Madera 42-28 in the Central Section DIII championship held Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Madera. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 14: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: KERMAN, SELMA AND COALINGA WIN CENTRAL SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS

See photos of the Kerman and Madera game. | Published November 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

The Central Grizzlies’ Xavior Jones (15) kneels dejectedly after missing a touchdown catch against Edison High School of Huntington Beach during the CIF State Division 1-A championship at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. By Hector Amezcua

NO. 15: CENTRAL’S DREAM SEASON COMES TO AN END AFTER CRITICAL ERRORS DOOM STATE TITLE HOPES

See photos of Central’s state title game against Edison-Huntington Beach. | Published December 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Galaviz

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.