Week 2 high school football scoreboard: Buchanan snaps Central’s section winning streak
Week 2 of a most unusual Central Section football season produced one of the more stunning results of recent years -- and it came down to the final seconds.
Buchanan High beat Central 31-28 in Friday’s marquee game, handing the Grizzlies their first defeat at the hands of a section team since the 2016 Division I final won by Bakersfield.
Central entered the 2020-21 season — pushed into a spring start because of the coronavirus pandemic — having won three straight section titles while compiling a 40-3 record, capped by its 2019 championship run.
The Grizzlies had beaten Tri-River Athletic Conference rival Buchanan alone six straight times, including two playoff games.
During the Central reign, however, the Bears have established themselves as the area’s No. 2 program. Befitting a matchup of the two powers, it took a last-second play to decide things.
Austin Arroyo kicked a clinching 20-yard field goal as time expired.
Buchanan quarterback Jayden Mandal was 15-of-23 passing for 223 yards and three touchdowns and also had a rushing TD as the Bears improved to 2-0 heading into next week’s game versus Clovis.
DJ Stevenson, the Central quarterback who transferred from Buchanan. was 13 of 26 for 155 yards and two TDs and rushed 35 times for 181 yards. The Grizzlies are 1-1 and play Clovis East.
Check out more highlights, the Week 2 scores and a recap of The Bee player of the week poll:
Selma debuts stadium, gives Bullard a test
It is a new beginning for Selma High, opening its renovated stadium on Friday against Bullard.
The start of the construction began in November 2019 and was completed March 2020.
That also meant the Selma High football team had to remain on the road during the 2019 season while going 13-1 and winning a Central Section championship. The Bears’ last home game was in 2018.
The long wait is now finally over.
Staley Stadium features a nine-lane all-weather track and LED lights, new concession stand with restrooms and a new weight room at the north end.
Athletic director Randy Esraelian said the stadium seats 5,000 fans.
Selma opened its renovated stadium on Friday against Bullard. The visiting Knights won 46-31, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns after the Bears had rallied to take a one-point lead.
The Bears and Knights — in their first matchup against each other — were one of many high school football games going on in the Central Section.
Week 2 scores
Thursday
Nonleague
Bakersfield Christian 28, Central Valley Christian 26
Tulare Union 53, Wasco 7
Friday
Tri-River
Buchanan 31, Central 28
Clovis East 34, Clovis West 27 (2OT)
North Yosemite
Reedley 46, Hoover 6
Roosevelt 13, Sunnyside 10
McLane 34, Fresno 12
North Sequoia
Washington Union 27, Chowchilla 6
Yosemite 27, Kerman 18
West Sequoia
Orosi 55, Riverdale 0
West Sierra
Coalinga 54, Avenal 0
East Sequoia
Lindsay 19, Woodlake 12
Mountain
St. Joseph 45, Arroyo Grande 14
Paso Robles 29, San Luis Obispo 22
Ocean
Mission Prep 56, Atascadero 6
South Sequoia
Shafter 52, Arvin 3
Southeast Yosemite
Highland 28, North 20
Southwest Yosemite
Bakersfield 37, Centennial 30 (OT)
Liberty-Bakersfield 45, Ridgeview 6
Stockdale at Frontier, postponed
Non-league
Bullard 46, Selma 31
Clovis 46, Madera 26
San Joaquin Memorial 37, Palma-Salinas 14
Kingsburg 7, Sanger 6
Caruthers 28, Firebaugh 21
Tulare Western 26, Dinuba 20
Corcoran 28, Fowler 14
Hanford 20, Mission Oak 6
Liberty-Madera Ranchos 45, Madera South 21
Dos Palos 44, Mendota 38
Sierra 24, Laton 20
East Bakersfield 24, West 21
Golden Valley 6, Foothill
Mira Monte 41, Kern Valley 32
Independence 20, South 7
Templeton 42, Morro Bay 0
Saturday
Ocean
Nipomo 21, Santa Maria 14
Non-league
St. Francis-La Canada 48, Garces 42
Fresno region player of week poll
Raul Medrano of Madera is the winner of The Bee’s player of the week for March 18 and 19.
He received 63.4% of the votes. Coming in second is Trent Calvert of Dos Palos with 31.2%, followed by Hayden Petersen of Buchanan with 1.6%.
Medrano finished with six receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-0 win over Hoover. He also had an interception.
Follow today’s highlights and watch for next week’s nominations to vote for your new player of the week favorites at fresnobee.com/high-school.
City/County All-Star Football game returns
Sanger High will host the City/County All-Star game on June 18 at Tom Flores Stadium.
The game will feature players from Fresno and Madera counties.
Kickoff time hasn’t been set, yet.
The first All-Star game was played on Aug. 26, 1955 at Ratcliffe Stadium.
The 2020 All-Star game was canceled because of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 26, 2021 at 6:29 PM.
