Four Tri-River Athletic Conference schools advanced to Division I-AA semifinals
Top-seed Clovis East had a bit of trouble facing No. 8 Tulare Union for the first two quarters in the Central Section Division I-AA playoffs.
No. 2 Clovis North didn’t have any trouble against No. 7 Sanger.
No. 3 Central still had its way against No. 6 Liberty-Bakersfield.
No. 5 Clovis might’ve felt disrespected having to travel to No. 4 Hanford.
In the end, the four Tri-River Athletic Conference teams advanced to the semifinals with wins in the quarterfinals of the Central Section playoffs.
Clovis East won 48-20, but the TImberwolves faced a tough battle with the Tribe, though.
Tulare Union got within 14-12 when Jordan Crisp connected with Demaje Riley for a 62-yard touchdown. Tulare Union went for two but did not convert.
The Tribe had opportunities in the first half, getting the ball back and trailing by two
Crisp had a deep pass to Josiah Orosco that got the ball to the Timberwolves’ 45-yard line.
Romeo Amescua then got a sack before Tulare punted the ball away.
The Timberwolves went on to score the next 14 points to pull away.
Clovis East will next meet Clovis.
Clovis fends off Hanford
Clovis was a bit too much for Hanford.
It didn’t help matters when the game opened with a kickoff return.
Dez Malone went 90 yards for the opening kickoff to give Clovis a 6-0 lead.
But Maddox Merrill and two pick-6’s help Clovis’ cause, too, in a 49-31 victory.
Ayden Hernandez and Carlos Young each had an interception return for a touchdown.
Merrill, though, finished with over 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Clovis North starts fast against Sanger
The defending section champions Clovis North jumped out to a 24-0.
That was more than enough for the Broncos to advance to the next round after a 24-6 victory.
McKay Madsen had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to Jayden Villegas for a 21-yard completion.
Central rolls past Liberty-Bakersfield
Just like last time, Central didn’t have a problem with Liberty-Bakersfield.
The Grizzlies got big touchdown runs — one that was set up — in a 35-14 victory.
Brandon Smith finished the game with 89 rushing yards and a touchdown and quarterback Jelani Dippel had 62 rushing yards and a touchdown that sent a safety to the ground.
He also finished with three touchdown passes.
Jeffrey Amosa had an 84-yard run that set up Dippel’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Daylon Scott.
Earlier in the season, Central defeated the Patriots 41-14.
Central will meet Clovis North at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 15.
This story was originally published November 9, 2024 at 7:12 AM.
