Inprobable to beat a Golden West team that’s been scoring at will all season?
Don’t tell that to Central Valley Christian as the Cavaliers quickly ascended back to the top — and a spot in the section championship in their first season under coach Don Arax, who knows a thing or two about what it’s like to play for a section crown.
The Cavaliers got there with a strong defense Friday, limiting the Trailblazers offense in a 28-7 victory to land in the Central Section Division II championship against top-seed Bakersfield Christian.
“I felt like going in we’re that we were the most physical football team,” Arax said. “We left a lot of points in the first half, but ultimately our run game and our physicality kind of got us over the top.”
Micah Paden had three rushing touchdowns to pave the way for CVC.
The Cavaliers started slowly this season, but got going in the Tri-County - Kings Canyon finishing second.
The playoffs was another story for CVC, as it showed its knack for winning big games.
Paden made sure it would continue for another week. He gave credit to the defense.
“Our defense really played a part in it,” Paden said. “We showed what our offense what we can really can do.”
Kerman, Madera win thrillers to meet in title game
Kerman and Porterville decided its game in overtime.
But the Lions were the ones who remain alive and will play for the D-III section championship after Eddie Hernandez made a 35-yard field goal.
No. 5 Kerman will visit No. 2 Madera on Friday. The Coyotes defeated Kennedy in a shootout, 56-49.
The Coyotes got the win when Emanuel Soliz had the game-winning touchdown from Joel Arellano. The Coyotes benefited from a pass interference call with under 25 seconds remaining.
Arellano finished with 551 passing yards and six touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns.
Other teams advance
In Division IV, No. 3 Coalinga rolled past No. 15 Roosevelt 49-0.
The Horned Toads will play No. 1 Shafter.
In Division V, No. 7 Selma defeated No. 6 Delano 14-6. The Bears will visit No. 4 Morro Bay.
In Division VI, No. 3 Lindsay will host No. 12 Mira Monte, which upset No. 1 Minarets 24-22.
In the 8-man championship, No. 1 Mammoth defeated No. 2 Fresno Christian 50-30.
The Bee’s prediction
The Bee went a dismal 4-9 in the latest playoffs.
The DI and D-III games were spot on, but the others were way off.
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. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian’s head coach Don Arax, center, smiles after the team’s 28-7 win 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. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian’s Micah Paden, left, is tackled by Golden West’s Michael Aguilar, right, in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. CVC will face Bakersfield in next week’s final. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Golden West’s Isaac Saddler, left, breaks up a pass to Central Valley Christian’s Gunnar Piepgrass, right, in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Golden West quarterback Jayden Najera, left, hands off to Case Anders , right, in the D2 semifinal championship game against Central Valley Christian Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian’s Josh Hilvers, right, is chased by Golden West’s defense in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Golden West quarterback Jayden Najera , right, passes to Cadillac Pina, left, in its D2 semifinal championship game against Central Valley Christian Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian quarterback Nathan Peters passes against Golden West in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. CVC beat Golden West 28-7 and will face Bakersfield in next week’s final. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian quarterback Nathan Peters pitches the ball to running back Josh Hilvers in the D2 semifinal championship game against Golden West Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. CVC beat Golden West 28-7 and will face Bakersfield in next week’s final. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Golden West running back Case Anders, left, is tackled by Central Valley Christian’s Austin Reed, right, in the D2 semifinal championship game Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
Central Valley Christian head coach Don Arax is seen on the sidelines in the D2 semifinal championship game against Golden West Friday night, Nov. 22, 2024 in Visalia. CVC beat Golden West 28-7 and will face Bakersfield in next week’s final. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
This story was originally published November 23, 2024 at 10:58 AM.
Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology. Support my work with a digital subscription
