What to expect in the section championships: Can Central High continue title streak?
The Central High football team is back in the Central Section championship.
But so is Liberty-Bakersfield, making for a marquee Division I matchup, one of six title games Friday night.
The Grizzlies and Patriots met in the 2018 final with Central coming out on top 58-34. That was the second of three section titles in a row for the Grizzlies before the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 season. Games resumed this spring, but no postseason took place.
Liberty has won two section titles with the last coming in 2015, according to section historian Bob Barnett.
Third-seeded Central has relied on a team effort throughout the season en route to a 9-1 record, with the lone loss coming to Tri-River Athletic Conference champion Buchanan.
Coach Kyle Biggs says the game on Oct. 28 against Clovis North was the turning point for his team. Trailing 14-7, the Grizzlies scored 28 points in the second half for a 35-14 victory.
“They’re able to handle responsibilities and able to handle adversity and come through and do all the little things we asked them to do,” Biggs said.
“They’re resilient. It’s a resilient group and work hard. Everyday is a new day with them and they’re doing everything we asked them to do and playing our best ball right now.”
Fourth-seeded Liberty (9-2) has already knocked off TRAC teams Clovis 45-35 and top-seeded Buchanan 28-21 to advance to the title game.
The Patriots feature quarterback Carson Woods and wide receiver/cornerback Jason Oliver who has multiple offers, including Fresno State.
Kickoff at Central’s Deran Koligian Stadium is 7 p.m.
A look at the other Friday finals:
D-II: Bakersfield (6-5) at Bullard (8-4)
Bullard coach Don Arax says his team has a chip on their shoulder after not being able to play in Division I. He also realizes the Drillers feel the same way.
Both teams were placed in Division II as a result of the section’s new playoff format that uses final regular-season computer rankings to set the brackets.
“We’re really a Division I team and so is Bakersfield,” Arax said. “We take pride being a Division I team. If they’re going to put us in Division II, then we got to try to go as far as we can.”
Kickoff at McLane Stadium is 7 p.m.
Knights quarterback Roland Russo is about to break Kevin Sweeney’s 40-year-old record.
Russo needs 46 passing yards to break Sweeney’s 3,031 yards set in 1981, Barnett said.
Russo already passed Sweeney’s record 181 completions in a season set in 1981.
For the season, Russo has completed 206 of 273 for 2,986 yards and 32 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
“That is something special,” Arax said. “Russo is a guy we knew that had the potential. He’s had a really special year. We knew in the spring season he was going to be good. He’s a good kid and works hard and smart. These are huge numbers he’s putting up. When you put up numbers Sweeney put up, it’s special.”
Arax’s teams lost to the Drillers twice in the section championship in 2005 (35-28) and 2011 (38-3). This matchup, he said, is “going to be a very tough game for us. Physical, fast and athletic and run man-coverage.”
Bullard last won a section title in 2009 and Bakersfield has 38 titles with the last coming in 2016.
D-III: Bakersfield Christian (10-3) at Central Valley Christian (9-4)
It is a rematch of the Division III title game in 2019.
The Eagles defeated the Cavaliers 28-14 for their fifth section title.
CVC’s last section title came in 2018 with a 49-14 victory over Golden West in Division IV for its fifth title in school history.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Visalia.
D-IV: Mendota (8-3) at Independence (7-6)
The Aztecs will look to win their first section title since 2016 when Mendota defeated Firebaugh 50-22 in Division V. The Aztecs have won three championships overall.
Independence is looking for its first section title.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Bakersfield.
D-V: Liberty-Madera Ranchos (7-5) at Righetti (4-8)
The Hawks last won the title in 2014, defeating CVC 24-6 in Division IV to complete an undefeated season at 14-0 under coach Mike Nolte.
Liberty has won three section championships overall. Righetti is looking for its first section title since joining in 2018.
Kickoff is 6 p.m. in Santa Maria.
Also Friday, Morro Bay plays at Taft in D-VI.
