Touchdown after touchdown and interception after interception.
That’s what was working for The Bee’s sixth-ranked Central High Grizzlies on Friday night at Koligian Stadium.
The Grizzlies blew past top-ranked Clovis West 45-0. The win puts Central in a tie for first place in the Tri-River Athletic Conference football standings with the Golden Eagles at 3-1. Clovis West suffered its first loss of the season.
Buchanan, which handed Central its TRAC loss, had a shot to join the first-place tie, but the Bears fell to Clovis North 28-21 in an upset.
“We’re being consistent and showing heart out there,” said Central quarterback Dayton Tafoya, who threw five touchdowns. “Every single day at practice, we’re being consistent and just working hard.”
The Grizzlies defense had four interceptions, three in the first half. Kaleb Tennison led the way with two interceptions.
Clovis West’s Markel Sanders looks for an opening while taking the ball on a kickoff against Central at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Clovis West quarterback Ryan Markarian throws against Central during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Braylen Hall had an interception in the second quarter at Clovis West’s 20-yard line that led to a touchdown by the Grizzlies when Tafoya completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Hill for a 13-0 lead.
The Grizzlies just kept piling it on.
“Great effort,” Central coach Kyle Biggs said. “They did everything we asked them to do. They believe in each other and believe in themselves and showed how good we’re capable of being. The defense played phenomenal. They got after the quarterback and got hands on the ball. They played fast.
“More importantly, I like how we’re practicing. We’re practicing hard and doing a good job in practice and results are showing on game night.”
Tafoya cited a tough preseason schedule as the reason why the Grizzlies (6-3) have put together a dominant performance in back-to-back games. After the 49-41 loss to Buchanan, Central routed Clovis East 56-13
“We got knocked on the face very early,” he said. “That really helped us now so now we’re playing our best football.”
Clovis West running back Aidan Fortenberry looks for an opening on a run against Central during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central High quarterback Dayton Tafoya throws ahead of pressure from Clovis West’s Tytus Khajavi during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central’s Imari Conley, center, celebrates with teammates after picking off a pass from Clovis West during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central High’s LaDanian Streets takes the ball upfield before scoring the Grizzlies’s first touchdown of the game against undefeated Clovis West at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
The Central High Grizzlies take to the field before the start of their football game against undefeated Clovis West at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central’s David Bell runs the ball against the Clovis West defense during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central High’s James Michael turns up field against Clovis West during their football game at Deran Koligian Stadium on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 10:27 PM.
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
