The Fresno Bee’s picks: Some upsets are predicted in this week’s high school football games
The Fresno Bee Game of the Week will be in Bakersfield when The Bee’s top-ranked Liberty-Bakersfield takes on No. 5 Central.
The Grizzlies are undefeated at 4-0 while the Patriots are 3-1.
The Bee will make a prediction on this game and the other four games that will be spotlighted for Friday’s games.
For the season, The Bee is 14-6.
Central (4-0) at Liberty-Bakersfield (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Two teams who are familiar with each other.
The Grizzlies are led by quarterback Earl Riley while the Patriots have QB Cole O’Brien.
Mehki Delouth leads Liberty in rushing touchdowns with seven.
Liberty barely slipped by Buchanan last week, 35-30.
Central on the other hand, got off a slow start to trail 14-0 in the first half to Bishop Diego-Santa Barbara.
Another slow start cannot happen against Liberty because the Patriots will take advantage of mistakes.
The Grizzlies finally got going in the second half outscoring the Cardinals 41-14.
If Central can put on a second half surge in the first half then the Grizzlies will be in good shape.
The Bee is calling an upset.
Prediction: Central 34, Liberty-Bakersfield 31
Clovis (3-1) vs. Bullard (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at McLane Stadium
Oh so close for the Knights last week against No. 4 Clovis West.
The Knights played four tough quarters to stay within the Golden Eagles, but lost 21-20.
It is the second time this season Bullard lost by a point.
After losing to Sanger three weeks ago, Clovis has put together a mini-win streak, beating Whitney-Rocklin 41-28 and Salinas 38-0.
No. 12 Clovis is led by QB Deagan Rose who has 10 touchdowns.
Prediction: Clovis 30, Bullard 24
Centennial (3-1) at Sanger (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Another big test for the seventh-ranked Apaches this week.
Sanger rolled past host Lemoore 42-13 in a statement game.
The Apaches can make another statement against No. 6 Centennial.
The sixth-ranked Golden Hawks’ lone loss was to Newbury Park 25-0, but their wins have come against Central Section teams. They beat Redwood 35-13, Independence 42-21 and Ridgeview 37-0.
Sanger learned a lot from its loss to Clovis on Aug. 25 and showed it against Lemoore.
It’s tough picking against a talented Sanger team.
Prediction: Sanger 24, Centennial 22
Liberty-Madera Ranchos (2-1) at Caruthers (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The Hawks lost a close one to Dos Palos last week 29-22.
Liberty’s wins came against Mendota, 24-17, and Sanger West 34-7.
Caruthers won last week behind Hunter Babb’s school-record performance.
He ran for a school-record 440 yards, according to section historian Bob Barnett. He matched a school record with six touchdowns in a win over Riverdale.
This is a toss-up game.
Prediction: Caruthers 47, Liberty 43
Hanford (3-1) at Redwood (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
After starting the season 0-2, the Rangers have won the past two games with wins over Tulare Union and Tulare Western.
Redwood will face the 14th-ranked Bullpups, who are coming off a 35-6 loss to Frontier.
This is an interesting game that will be played at Mineral King Bowl.
It’s a tough game to pick.
Prediction: Hanford 43, Redwood 40
This story was originally published September 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
