Bee’s prep football Week 2 predictions: Who will win Central-Memorial early showdown?
A big test awaits San Joaquin Memorial and Central when the teams meet in high school football action at Koligian Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.
It’s rare both teams meet in nonleague, but it’s also not the first time they’ve played each other recently.
In fact, The Bee’s second-ranked Panthers and No. 3 Central met in the section Division I playoffs last season.
The Grizzlies won that matchup, 37-20, at Memorial. Grizzlies QB Dayton Tafoya threw for a touchdown and ran for one.
He’s back leading Central in his senior season.
Tafoya led Central to a win last week over Edison-Stockton when he threw for three touchdowns that went to LaDanien Streets, Noel Felix and Braylen Hall.
Central proved it defensively, too, with three interceptions.
The Panthers, meanwhile, took it to Clovis North last week, winning 34-0 behind QB Carson Dean’s three touchdown passes.
Memorial generated pressure against the Broncos with two sacks by Joe Mahoney and Marquise Jones.
The Panthers also had two interceptions.
Analysis: This game is a tossup between two good Fresno-area high school teams to start the season. It could go either way. Don’t be surprised if this game is decided in the last minute of the game. Both teams were never tested last week, but this week will be different. This should be an entertaining game for the fans.
Prediction: Central 34, San Joaquin Memorial 30
No. 12 Kingsburg (1-0) at No. 21 Sunnyside (1-0)
Another big matchup between teams who will certainly be making noise this season.
Sunnyside trailed Golden Valley-Bakersfield 14-0 in the first quarter before exploding in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 34-6 for a 50-27 win.
Wildcats QB Tanner Wilson completed 33 of 474 yards and seven touchdowns. He connected 16 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns to CJ Jones.
Kingsburg also picked up a win, dominating Paso Robles 35-0.
The Vikings held Paso Robles to 110 yards and forced three turnovers.
Kingsburg QB Ethan Winslow threw for three touchdowns against four interceptions.
Analysis: Both schools got this right by scheduling this early-season matchup. The Bee feels this game is a tossup, too, but the Vikings bring more experience against a young Wildcats team that enjoys rising to the challenge. The same group gave Reedley fits last season, losing 35-28 at home. But Kingsburg has played a lot of tough games with the same senior group that’s been around for a while. It will be a challenge for both teams.
Prediction: Kingsburg 42, Sunnyside 35
No. 21 Lemoore (1-0) at No. 24 Washington Union (1-0)
Washington Union was too much for Fresno last week, rolling to a a 61-0 victory.
Joshua Vega led the way with 11 carries for 100 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers’ defense was stout, led by Kado Felder who led the team in tackles with 16. Tayven Holland had a fumble recovery and Kyle Plaza had an interception.
The Tigers had a big outing, too.
Preston Scott accounted for five touchdowns in a 78-6 victory over Selma. He did his damage on three punt returns (33, 68, 79 yards) for touchdowns, setting a state record according to Cal-Hi Sports. He also had an 80-yard kickoff return for a TD.
Lemoore’s points were the most in school history, section historian Bob Barnett said.
Analysis: The teams faced each other last season with the Tigers winning 12-6. This will likely be a close game throughout, and an exciting one, to boot.
Prediction: Washington Union 27, Lemoore 24
No. 10 Clovis (0-1) at Sanger (1-0)
It was a tough game, but a lesson learned for Clovis in a 56-7 loss against state power Long Beach Poly. Mistakes were a problem for the Cougars, who could never find their rhythm. The Apaches, on the other hand, rolled past Sanger West.
Analysis: Tom Flores Stadium will be rocking, a place that is always tough to play in for opposing teams, but the Cougars are probably looking forward to the matchup, just like the Apaches. Can Clovis get on the win column?
Prediction: Clovis 26, Sanger 24
No. 18 Tulare Western (1-0) at No. 6 Bullard (0-1)
The Knights had a tough opener against Hanford. Bullard evened the game at 7 before the Bullpups took control of the game and the Knights never recovered after that. It was a tough challenge for Bullard, but they welcome Tulare Western which looked strong in its 31-13 victory over El Diamante. Mustangs QB Carmine Ficher completed 28 of 46 for 359 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for a score.
Analysis: The Knights faced Hanford’s Cayden Muir and now will see Ficher. That is tough sledding for Bullard, but how much have they learned from their loss against the Bullpups? Can the Knights stop Ficher?
Prediction: Bullard 27, Tulare Western 23
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 11:42 AM.
