The Bee’s prep football predictions: ‘Massive challenge’ awaits Lemoore vs Clovis West
The Bee’s High School football Game of the Week is between No. 4 Clovis West and No. 7 Lemoore.
Clovis West is coming off a 56-16 rout over Turlock after starting the season with a loss to St. Mary’s-Stockton.
It was a learning experience for the Golden Eagles after dropping the season opener.
Clovis West will look to keep it going against a hot Tigers team at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“Some of the times in football, it’s tough, hard lessons,” Clovis West coach Eric Brown said. “We have a lot of fight. There are some guys that need to continue to grow and continue to learn.”
The Golden Eagles are loaded with talent, led by Fresno State bound players Marshel Sanders, linebacker Tytus Khajavi and wide receiver Jordan Pierro.
And there is wide receiver Landon Wright, a Washington State commit, who racked up 180 yards on three receptions and three touchdowns.
“We knew we had explosive players,” Brown said. “We created a bunch of takeaways and turnovers and then our offense did a really good job of taking advantage of the explosive players.”
Khajavi figures that’s the formula needed against Lemoore that scored 94 points in the first two wins against Selma and Washington.
It’s just not the Tigers’ offense. Lemoore’s defense also shut out its first two opponents.
“They’re really big up front,” he said. “The o-line is massive, but it’s nothing we’ve handled before. Turlock had a big o-line. We’re kind of undersized this year, but it doesn’t mean we’re not going to work hard. They’re really a good offense.”
Lemoore’s Johnny Cunha has five touchdowns to start the season, including four against Selma.
The Tigers’ defense caused havoc against Washington, sacking the quarterback three times and also had five interceptions, led by Kiontre Harris’ two.
Lemoore coach Rich Tuman said his team looking forward to the challenge.
“Clovis West is a very well coached and talented team,” he said. “You can that when you watch film. It’s going to be a massive challenge. We are going to play Lemoore football and hopefully minimize our mistakes.”
Prediction
This is a rematch of last season’s contest, won by Clovis West 40-14.
Will it be déjà vu?
The Tigers hope not.
Lemoore will need to slow down Clovis West’s offense. The key to that is the Tigers’ offense staying on the field and eating up the clock.
That is easier said than done.
The tempo of the game will be dictated in the first five minutes of the game.
Prediction: Clovis West 47, Lemoore 27
Other predictions
For the season, The Bee is 7-3.
Clovis East 34, Sanger 30
Washington Union 27, Torres 23
Tulare Union 24, Redwood 20
Central Valley Christian 50, Bakersfield Christian 30
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
