High school football: Losing streak ends in ‘Boot’ game; TRAC title at stake next week
The Boot is finally coming back to Clovis East.
Was it a long wait? Try 14 years.
The Bee’s sixth-ranked Timberwolves got the upper-hand on No. 12 Clovis en route to a 49-34 victory in the high school football rivalry known as the Battle for The Boot, a Tri-River Athletic Conference game at Lamonica Stadium.
Prior to Friday’s game, Clovis East’s last win against Clovis was in 2009 — a 31-0 victory.
“They were talking all that talk,” Clovis East wide receiver Tommy Nix said. “We just wanted to make history and show out. That’s all.”
Clovis made it interesting late in the fourth quarter when Deagan Rose connected on a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Saldate.
Clovis East answered when Nix returned the kickoff for a touchdown to seal the game.
Timberwolves coach Brandon Nagle liked how his team responded.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” he said. “We still have work to do. We got Buchanan next week and they’re a tough team.”
Central vs. Clovis North sets up for TRAC title
The Central High football team is thinking about a TRAC championship.
But the only way the fifth-ranked Grizzlies can get a share is if they beat top-ranked Clovis North next week.
Central handed its business Thursday, defeating Clovis West 27-15.
“We’ve been playing hard,” Grizzlies coach Kyle Biggs said. “Kids worked hard. It’s good to see that they can see the fruits of their labor coming out. Doing the little things right to get wins.”
Central quarterback David Marquez was efficient as he completed 14 of 18 for 229 yards, but his running also helped the Grizzlies as he rushed for two touchdowns.
Central’s defense was equally strong. Jamari Carter had a game-sealing interception return for a touchdown that went 55 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos, meanwhile, had no trouble against Buchanan in a 28-3 victory.
Jackson Cinfel rushed for two touchdowns and McKay Madsen opened the scoring with a 1-yard run.
Clovis North built its lead to 13-3 after a 63-yard pass by Mario Cosma to Vincent Cordoba in the second quarter.
The Broncos are looking to become outright TRAC champions for the first time since 2014.
This story was originally published October 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
