The senior running back and defensive back finished with three touchdowns and a game-sealing interception to lead No.-4 seeded San Joaquin Memorial to a 28-21 victory over No. 5 Central in a Central Section Division I football quarterfinal game at SJM.
“We know we’re a physical football team,” Memorial coach Anthony Goston said. “If we can hang your hat on running the ball and play good defense, you give yourself a chance, especially in the playoffs.”
The Grizzlies had a chance to tie the score, but Ramirez picked off Tafoya’s pass at the Panthers 29-yard line.
The Panthers ran some run plays and fed the ball to Ramirez, who found space to give Memorial a first down as SJM ran out the clock.
Memorial’s Brandon Ramirez tries to find a hole in the Central defense on a run in their Division I playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Ramire, who committed to Fresno State at the beginning of the season, finished with 30 carries for 325 yards. Entering Thursday’s game, he had 1,260 yards and 23 touchdowns.
“Brandon is a special guy,” Goston said. “He excels on both sides of the ball. When you got a guy like that who’s special, you want to ride that guy, and we did.”
Ramirez gave credit to his teammates and coaches.
“Coaches called the right plays at the right time,” he said. “All I had to do is run and hit the hole.”
The Panthers next face top-seed Clovis West at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 18. The Golden Eagles defeated No. 8 Clovis 24-21.
Central’s Michael James, left, tries to get by Memorial’s Jayden Enriquez on a run in the first half of their quarterfinal playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Memorial’s Donovan Harris, left, tries to free himself from the grasp of Central’s Caleb Shelton in the first half of their quarterfinal playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central quarterback Dayton Tafoya, left, takes off on a keeper as Memorial’s James Mahoney chases after in the first half of their quarterfinal playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Memorial’s Logan Dasilva attempt to tackle Central’s David Bell on a kickoff return in their Division I playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Central quarterback Dayton Tafoya throws downfield against Memorial in their Division I playoff game at San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 10:14 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
