Are you ready for high school football? The Bee’s 5 games to watch, plus players to watch
At long last.
High school football season is back in the Fresno area.
Months of waiting for the season to begin, it all starts on Thursday with games being held in the Fresno area, as well as throughout California.
Games in the Fresno area set to kick off on Thursday include Buchanan High hosting St. Pius X-St. Matthias-Downey and Fowler visiting Hanford West at the Neighbor Bowl and Reedley to face Fresno at McLane Stadium.
There are plenty of big games to look forward to such as the rivalry games, but The Bee put together five games that should be considered as games fans should look forward to.
Five games to watch
Week 1 Central vs. Garza
First game ever between the Central Unified schools and the game will be held at Koligian Stadium on Friday.
The Grizzlies are designated as visitors and will be on the opposite side of the stadium than the usual.
It should be a fun game to watch.
Week 1 Sunnyside vs. Madera
This game will be played in Madera.
Sunnyside comes back with playmakers, but Madera keeps improving under coach Ken Paolinelli especially after finishing 8-4 last season.
Another fun game to watch.
Week 2 Hanford vs. Sanger
Hanford looks explosive, but Sanger also has playmakers, too.
An early-season matchup that should be fun to watch at Tom Flores Stadium.
Week 4 Grant-Sacramento vs. Clovis East
The Timberwolves are tested early. While The Bee could’ve gone with any team Clovis East is playing, we’ll go with an out-of-area team in Grant that is usually impressive.
Great test for the Timberwolves.
Week 8 Clovis North vs. Clovis
The Tri-River Athletic Conference will be competitive once again. Clovis looks good on paper behind Oregon State commit Deagan Rose.
The Broncos counter with star running backs McKay Madsen and Jackson Cinfel.
What gives in this game?
Players to watch
The Bee compiled a list of players to look out for. If there are any players we’ve missed email agalaviz@fresnobee.com.
These players had a productive 2024 while there are some players that are new to fans.
Mind you, these are two-way players, which means they play on offense and defense and still be a difference maker.
How will they fare this season? The Bee lists those players.
WR Bryson Baker, Sanger
WR Malachi Barnes, Sunnyside
RB David Bell, San Joaquin Memorial
RB Jackson Cinfel, Clovis North
QB Jordan Crisp, Tulare Union
WR Jonavon Darrington, Clovis West
QB Jelani Dippel, Central
WR Harold Duvall, Clovis East
QB Tyler Franklin, Bullard
RB Kourdey Glass, Hanford
QB Daniel Gomez, Hanford
DE David Hilyard, Sierra Pacific
QB JJ Howard, Clovis West
WR C.J. Jones, Sunnyside
RB McKay Madsen, Clovis North
QB Caleb Matthews, Garza
QB Tyus Miller, Clovis East
Ath Rashad Perry, Washington Union
WR Gunnar Piepgrass, Central Valley Christian
DB Caden Ritchie, Central Valley Christian
QB Deagan Rose, Clovis
RB Brandon Smith, Central
QB Jerod Smith, Fowler
WR Brayden Stevenson, Tulare Union
RB Amani Sua, Torres
QB Noah Tasi, Coalinga
QB Tanner Wilson, Sunnyside
DB Carlos Young, Clovis
Week 1 predictions
During the season, The Bee will make predictions on the top five games.
The Bee will keep tabs on the record count.
Here are the five games The Bee is picking.
Clovis North at San Joaquin Memorial: This game will be on KFRE-59. The Broncos still look good, but the Panthers look to get things going under coach Rich Tuman. Prediction: Clovis North 34, Memorial 20
Central at Garza: This will be a fun game to watch. Both teams from Central Unified meet in the first meeting at Koligian Stadium. What’s different is that the Grizzlies will be on the visitors side. Prediction: Central 37, Garza 33
Central Valley Christian at Clovis: The Cougars are led by Deagan Rose who hope to lead his team to a successful season. Clovis meets CVC which is now coached by former Bullard coach Don Arax. Prediction: Clovis 43, CVC 27
Sunnyside vs. Madera: This will be an interesting game. The Coyotes were much improved last season. How will they be this season? While the Wildcats are led by Tanner Wilson. Prediction: Sunnyside 24, Madera 20
Sanger at Dinuba: Season openers are always tough because of a lot of unknowns. The Apaches are always tough under coach Matt Logue. Emperors too under CJ Lester. Prediction: Sanger 34, Dinuba 24
This story was originally published August 21, 2024 at 4:31 PM.
