High school football playoffs: Golden West prevails in thrilling game against Kingsburg
A thrilling game in Visalia came down to the wire between No. 2 Golden West and No. 7 Kingsburg.
And the Trailblazers had to rally to make it happen over and over in the high school playoffs.
Golden West trailed 21-11 at halftime and later took the lead before the Vikings tied the game at 28.
That is when the Trailblazers’ Case Ander ran for a 1-yard score with no time remaining and Matthew Garza sealed the game with a successful extra point to send Golden West to the semifinals of the Central Section Division II.
The Trailblazers will face No. 3 Central Valley Christian.
The Cavaliers defeated No. 6 San Luis Obispo 21-14.
Golden West has won 10 straight games since losing the season opener to Arroyo Grande, 44-37 in double overtime.
It’s been a dominant season for the Timberwolves minus the game against Kingsburg who hung tough throughout the game.
Kerman gets key TD in win
Kerman’s Julien Velez scored on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter and Eddie Hernandez’s extra point was good as the fifth-seeded Lions held on for a 35-34 win over No. 4 Garza.
Garza had its chances.
Lee Williams recovered a fumble with 3 minutes remaining and got the ball to the 50-yard line, but couldn’t generate a drive that would give them a chance to win the game by turning the ball over on downs.
The Lions picked up a first down with 1 minute remaining and went into victory formation.
Kerman will visit top-seed Porterville.
The other semifinal pitted No. 2 Madera against No. 6 Kennedy.
Predictions
The Fresno Bee went 18-8 in the latest predictions.
The Bee swept Divisions I-AA and I-A, including Division II, III, but struggled in Division IV minus the Roosevelt and Shafter wins. Division V was another struggle with the lone predicted win coming by No. 1 Bishop Union. The Bee went 1-3 there.
