Central Section high school football playoffs: Semifinals D-I AA preview, plus predictions
Who’s advancing to the next round of the Central Section high school football playoffs?
The semifinals are set in Division I AA where top-seed Clovis East faces Clovis at Lamonica Stadium. No. 2 Clovis North plays No. 4 Central at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Bee will take a look at these matchups as well as others in other divisions.
Clovis East vs. Clovis
Last meeting: Oct. 18, Clovis East 52-33
Key players: Clovis East, QB Tyus Miller, WR Harold Duvall, WR Donyell Booker, WR Blake Mathieu, RB Taemell Horton, RB Lindsey Graves (if he’s available to play). Clovis, QB Deagan Rose, RB Maddox Merrill, WR Carlos Young, WR James Rose,
Prediction: Clovis found out quickly how good Clovis East is. The Cougars went to Hanford last Friday and rolled the Bullpups. The Timberwolves got by Tulare Union 48-20 behind Ty Miller’s four touchdowns. While Clovis may be improved since the Oct. 18, Clovis East is just too good. Clovis East 53, Clovis 28
Clovis North vs. Central
Last meeting: Oct. 4, Clovis North 26-21
Key players: Central, QB Jelani Dippel; RB Brandon Smith; WR Daylon Scott; WR Bayon Harris; LB Marcus Nolen; LB Juan Ochoa. Clovis North, RB McKay Madsen; RB Jackson Cinfel; WR Tyree Sams; DL Ross Cinfel; LB Cannon Parks.
Prediction: Clovis North is the defending section champions for a reason. Behind Madsen, the Broncos find ways to get it done. They did earlier in the season against the Grizzlies. Will history repeat itself? The Grizzlies need solid play by Dippel who misfired in the Broncos’ meeting. Central 34, Clovis North 33
Predictions
Division I-A
No. 1 Bakersfield 37, No. 4 Arroyo Grande 27
No. 3 Frontier 43, No. 7 Centennial 34
Division II
No. 1 Bakersfield Christian 32, No. 9 St. Joseph 20
No. 5 Sunnyside 34, No. 4 Tulare Western 23
No. 3 Central Valley Christian 27, No. 6 San Luis Obispo 20
No. 2 Golden West 43, No. 7 Kingsburg 24
Division III
No. 1 Porterville 38, No. 8 Monache 27
No. 5 Kerman 33, No. 4 Garza 30
No. 3 Righetti 24, No. 6 Kennedy 20
No. 2 Madera 47, No. 10 Nipomo 27
Division IV
No. 1 Shafter 37, No. 8 North 23
No. 4 McLane 45, No. 5 Immanuel 32
No. 6 Chowchilla 54, No. 3 Coalinga 50
No. 15 Roosevelt 17, No. 10 South 14
Division V
No. 1 Bishop Union 32, No. 9 Santa Ynez 26
No. 5 Atascadero 23, No. 4 Morro Bay 17
No. 3 Strathmore 34, No. 6 Delano 24
No. 15 Hoover 20., No. 7 Selma 17
Division VI
No. 1 Minarets 54, No. 9 Boron 20
No. 4 Firebaugh 34, No. 12 Mira Monte 26
No. 3 Lindsay 24, No. 11 Riverdale 23
No. 2 Corcoran 30, No. 7 Granite Hills 24
8-man semifinals
No. 1 Mammoth 37, No. 4 Orcutt Academy 34
No. 3 Laton 32, No. 2 Fresno Christian 30
Schedule
Division I-AA
No. 5 Clovis at No. 1 Clovis East (Lamonica Stadium)
No. 3 Central at No. 2 Clovis North (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Division I-A
No. 4 Arroyo Grande at No. 1 Bakersfield
No. 7 Centennial at No. 3 Frontier
Division II
No. 9 St. Joseph at No. 1 Bakersfield Christian
No. 5 Sunnyside at No. 4 Tulare Western
No. 6 San Luis Obispo at No. 3 Central Valley Christian
No. 7 Kingsburg at No. 2 Golden West
Division III
No. 8 Monache at No. 1 Porterville
No. 5 Kerman at No. 4 Garza
No. 6 Kennedy at No. 3 Righetti
No. 10 Nipomo at No. 2 Madera
Division IV
No. 8 North at No. 1 Shafter
No. 5 Immanue lat No. 4 McLane
No. 6 Chowchilla at No. Coalinga
No. 15 Roosevelt at No. 10 South
Division V
No. 9 Santa Ynez at No. 1 Bishop Union
No. 5 Atascadero at No. 4 Morro Bay
No. 6 Delano at No. 3 Strathmore
No. 15 Hoover at No. 7 Selma
Division VI
No. 9 Boron at No. 1 Minarets
No. 12 Mira Monte at No. 4 Firebaugh
No. 11 RIverdale at No. 3 Lindsay
No. 7 Granite Hills at No. 2 Corcoran
8-man
No. 4 Orcutt Academy at No. 1 Mammoth
No. 3 Laton at No. 2 Fresno Christian
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 3:18 PM.
