High school football playoffs: How Fresno Christian claimed a title and dramatic finishes
Fresno Christian High football coach Mick Fuller let out a sigh of relief when Paul Sheppard made a game-clinching interception that gave the Eagles a 30-27 victory over Sierra in the Central Section eight-man championship game on Friday.
“This is almost indescribable,” Fuller said. “The boys set this goal at the beginning of the season, and I knew they were good. I knew they had it in them, but they just had to fight through adversity and make it happen. I’m so proud of them. This is one of the best football games I’ve ever been a part of. I’m so proud of these boys. They did a great job.”
The game went back-and-forth, but the Eagles regained the lead in the fourth quarter when Logan Stotts scored on a quarterback sneak for a 28-27 lead. Fresno Christian then converted on a two-point conversion — Stotts to Bryson Moore — for a 30-27 lead with 1:40 remaining.
Sierra had plenty of time to get in position for a field goal or even the go-ahead touchdown, but Shepard read the quarterback and picked off Aaron Irvine.
“That was a God-send,” Fuller said. “That’s all I can say. For the game to end that way is perfect.”
Division II
No. 1 Central Valley Christian 50, No 4 Hanford 41: The Cavaliers jumped out to a 16-0 lead befoore the Bullpups got within 16-14 in the second quarter on Cayden Muir’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Kourdey Glass. CVC scored 21 unanswered points to pull away.
No. 3 Lemoore 56, No. 7 Frontier 21: The Tigers led 35-21 at halftime and proved to be too much for the Titans. Lemoore has won eight consecutive games. The Tigers have scored 40-plus points in seven of those eight games.
Division III
No. 11 Sunnyside 38, No. 15 Independence 23: The Wildcats roared to the win behind quarterback Tanner Wilson who threw two quick early touchdowns. Sunnyside built a 29-0 lead to race to the win and will next travel to Delano to face No. 4 Kennedy for the section championship.
Division IV
No. 3 Caruthers 22, No. 7 Coalinga 21: It didn’t look good for the Blue Raiders, trailing 20-7 with six minutes remaining. But there was plenty of time remaining for Caruthers to rally. That it did on a passing touchdown and then Hunter Babb’s 1-yard touchdown with 40 seconds remaining. Caruthers coach Brandon Ward felt it was the right time to go for two on a gutsy call and Lorenzo Taguada ran it in to give the Blue Raiders a win.
No. 8 Shafter 42, No. 4 Torres 41: The game was decided in overtime. After a Generals touchdown, Angel Pereida scored for Torres on a 25-yard run. Coach Joe Marquez went for the win on a two-point try, but the Toros’ pass fell incomplete.
Division VI
No. 1 Hanford West 27, No. 5 Avenal 12: It was all Huskies as Julius Andrews started off the scoring on a 24-yard run in the first quarter. Oryin Turner contributed with a 78-yard run in the quarter. Hanford West built the lead to 27-6 in the fourth quarter.
No. 3 Mendota 49, No. 10 Riverdale 28: The game saw early lead changes and ties before the Aztecs defense forced a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. An extra point tied the game at 21 at halftime. The Aztecs ended up scoring 35 unanswered points in that sequence to put the game away for good.
Game balls
Julius Andrews, Hanford West: He finished with two touchdowns to help the Huskies to a win over Avenal.
Hunter Babb, Caruthers: He scored twice and finished with 29 carries for 169 yards, helping the Blue Raiders to a win over Coalinga.
Maxx Bakker, Central Valley Christian: He completed 12 of 16 for 259 yards and three touchdowns in the Cavaliers’ win over Hanford.
Bryson Donelson, Central Valley Christian: He finished with 35 carries for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Chapman Dunn, Central Valley Christian: Helped the Cavaliers with five receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Jayden Enriquez, San Joaquin Memorial: He recorded a safety and had an interception return for a touchdown in the Panthers’ win over Clovis West.
Chris Mejia, Mendota: He had three touchdowns and finished with 206 rushing yards in the Aztecs’ win over Riverdale.
Brandon Ramirez, San Joaquin Memorial: He finished with three touchdowns to guide the Panthers to a victory over Clovis West.
Paul Sheppard, Fresno Christian: He had the game-clinching interception to propel the Eagles to an eight-man title win over Sierra.
Logan Stotts, Fresno Christian: The quarterback had four rushing touchdowns to help the Eagles to a win over Sierra.
Lorenzo Taguada, Caruthers: He had the game-winner when he caught a two-point conversion that gave the Blue Raiders a 22-21 victory over Coalinga.
Oryin Turner, Hanford West: Totaled two touchdown runs, including a 78-yard run in a victory over Avenal.
The Bee’s predictions results
The Bee went 11-2 in its predictions during the semifinals.
The only losses came when Torres and Mission Prep were bounced out of the playoffs.
The Bee is now 110-32 this season.
This story was originally published November 19, 2022 at 11:11 AM.
