Bee’s prep football Week 4 predictions: Buchanan-Liberty, Clovis West-Bullard and more
Two Central Section Division I high school football powerhouses meet on Friday in Bakersfield.
The Bee’s second-ranked Buchanan High visits top-ranked Liberty-Bakersfield in the Game of the Week.
Our other games to watch: Clovis West vs. Bullard; Sunnyside at Kerman; Central Valley Christian vs. Clovis North and Lemoore at Sanger.
For the season, The Bee is 12-3.
Here are The Bee’s Week 4 predictions:
No. 2 Buchanan (3-0) at No. 1 Liberty (2-0)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Could this be a preview of the Division I championship?
Buchanan is led by QB Jayden Mandal while Liberty counters with RB Jalen Hankins who has four touchdowns.
Prediction: Liberty 34, Buchanan 30
No. 4 Clovis West (3-0) at No. 13 Bullard (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at McLane Stadium
The Golden Eagles are red-hot heading into this matchup.
The teams met twice last year and split with the Knights getting the upper-hand in the Division II playoffs.
Leading the way for Clovis West is Ryan Markarian who has thrown for six touchdowns. Marshel Sanders has three touchdown receptions for the Golden Eagles.
Brian Evans leads Clovis West with 25 tackles.
The Knights had a 20-10 lead over Frontier in the third quarter, but gave up the next 14 points for the loss.
Prediction: Clovis West 34, Bullard 23
No. 7 Central Valley Christian (3-0) at No. 14 Clovis North (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium
The Cavaliers come into the game fresh off a 34-14 victory over Bakersfield Christian.
Max Bakker and Jaeden Moore are leading the charge for CVC. Bakker has completed 30 of 42 for 359 yards and eight touchdowns. Moore has three touchdowns receptions, along with Zach Zwart.
After starting the season with a 34-0 loss to San Joaquin Memorial, the Broncos defeated Redwood 17-16 and El Diamante 48-0.
Prediction: CVC 37, Clovis North 20
No. 19 Lemoore (2-1) at Sanger (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The Tigers suffered their first loss last week, falling to Clovis West at home.
Lemoore will head to Sanger and face the Apaches after they lost to Clovis East 49-7.
It’s a big matchup for both teams as they look to get back on the win column.
Prediction: Lemoore 34, Sanger 27
No. 25 Sunnyside (1-1) at Kerman (3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
This is an intriguing matchup.
Kerman defeated Madera on the road last week and is led by former Fresno State standout Damon Jenkins as its head coach. This is a chance for a marquee victory.
Sunnyside started with high expectations centered on sophomore quarterback Tanner Wilson, but he had a tough day two weeks ago against Kingsburg. Did the Wildcats find their groove again during their bye week?
Prediction: Sunnyside 43, Kerman 38
