Central Section football playoff predictions: Will a rematch have a different result?
Friday’s Central Section high school football playoffs include a rematch between No. 2 seed Buchanan and No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield in the Division I semifinals.
The Bears and Patriots met in September in Bakersfield, but the game was cut short because of lightning.
Buchanan won 35-27, but the game was called early in the fourth quarter after Liberty scored a touchdown.
The Bears had built a 35-14 in the third quarter before the Patriots made it a one-score game.
Who will come out on top in this rematch to face the winner between top-seed Clovis West and No. 4 San Joaquin Memorial?
The Bee makes its semifinal predictions, along with the 8-man championship between No. 1 Fresno Christian and No. 3 Sierra.
Last week, The Bee went 17-9 to hit 99-30 for the season.
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Division I
No. 1 Clovis West vs. No. 4 San Joaquin Memorial (7 p.m., Lamonica Stadium): The Golden Eagles can air it out, but the Panthers counter with Brandon Ramirez; can Clovis West stop him? Prediction: Memorial 27, Clovis West 24
No. 2 Buchanan vs. No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield (6:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium): Buchanan has beaten Liberty in four of the last six meetings, but the two losses were in the playoffs. Liberty is the defending section Division I champion. Prediction: Liberty 34, Buchanan 31
Division II
No. 1 Central Valley Christian vs. No. 4 Hanford: The Bullpups come with firepower, but the Cavaliers can put up points, too, and have a strong defense. Will it be enough to remain unbeaten? Prediction: CVC 37, Hanford 27
No. 3 Lemoore vs. No. 7 Frontier: The Tigers have many playmakers to go around on offense. The Titans knocked off No. 2 Kingsburg last week. Prediction: Lemoore 47, Frontier 44
Division III
No. 11 Sunnyside vs. No. 15 Independence: It’s a home game for the Wildcats after they upset No. 3 Tehachapi 33-21. Sunnyside will go against the Falcons after they defeated Mission Oak 27-24. Prediction: Sunnyside 40, Independence 34
No. 1 Mission Prep vs. No. 4 Kennedy: The Royals defeated No. 9 Arroyo Grande 35-14. Kennedy is coming off a decisive 33-7 win over No. 4 Kerman. Prediction: Mission Prep 27, Kennedy 20
Division IV
No. 4 Torres vs. No. 8 Shafter: The Toros have been consistent all season behind coach Joe Marquez. Torres got to the semifinal with a win over No. 13 Reedley 27-21 and No. 12 North 28-14. The Generals upset top-seed Liberty-Madera Ranchos 14-13. Prediction: Torres 23, Shafter 20
No. 3 Caruthers vs. No. 7 Coalinga: The Blue Raiders have scored in the 40s in the past two playoff games. Can the trend continue here against the Horned Toads who only gave up 24 points? Really good matchup. Prediction: Caruthers 34, Coalinga 26
Division V
No. 2 Atascadero vs. No. 3 Dos Palos: After steamrolling through No. 14 West 45-13 in the playoffs opener, the Broncos edged past No. 6 Morro Bay 28-27. The Greyhounds, on the other hand, had a bye before routing No. 2 Atascadero 39-8. For the first time in the playoffs, the Broncos will be on the road. Atascadero lost the first three games of the season before going on a run interrupted only by a one-point loss to Pioneer Valley. The Greyhounds will keep rolling. Prediction: Atascadero 45, Dos Palos 32
No. 4 Templeton vs. No. 8 Pioneer Valley: The Panthers knocked off top-seed Bishop Union 9-7. In two games in the playoffs, Pioneer Valley has given up just nine points. Templeton had some tough matchups and got by No. 13 Roosevelt (27-14) and No. 5 Corcoran (21-17). Pioneer Valley has already defeated Templeton in league this season. Will it continue: Prediction: Pioneer Valley 24, Templeton 19
Division VI
No. 1 Hanford West vs. No. 5 Avenal: These teams are familiar with each other. Both play tough defense and their early season matchup proves that when the Huskies won 7-3. The Buccaneers shut out No. 12 Farmersville 16-0 and held No. 4 Arvin to 14 points. Hanford West defeated No. 8 Kern Valley 13-12. Prediction: Hanford West 13, Avenal 10
No. 3 Mendota vs. No. 10 Riverdale: The Aztecs are on a four-game win streak, while the Cowboys won the past three. This will be a fun game to watch. Prediction: Mendota 35, Riverdale 32
8-man
No. 1 Fresno Christian vs. No. 3 Sierra: A rematch after the Eagles won 56-27. All Eagles here for back-to-back titles. Prediction: Fresno Christian 56, Sierra 34
