Can Clovis East complete undefeated season with Division I-AA section crown?
There is plenty riding for top-seeded Clovis East despite going for a section championship for the first time since 2006.
An undefeated season remains on the line as the Timberwolves (12-0) will look to become the second team to finish the season unblemished.
The last team to do it?
Central High in 2019 after defeating Sierra Canyon 34-19 in the CIF Division I-AA title game to finish 15-0.
The fourth-seeded Grizzlies stand in the way as the two teams meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Ted Simons Field at Lamonica Stadium.
Clovis East coach Brandon Nagle said going undefeated is not what they’re talking about.
“We just take it one week at a time,” he said. “Like really, all we’ve talked about this week is this week. That’s truthfully the honest answer. I don’t think we’ve ever talked about state, not one time.”
Instead the goal is trying to contain a well-coached Central team.
But Clovis East is more than capable of becoming the second team to accomplish the feat with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball led by quarterback and UC Davis-bound Tyus Miller.
Miller leads the way on offense
Miller has done a fair share of damage for Clovis East by distributing the ball to several key playmakers such as Fresno State-bound wide receiver Harold Duvall. Miller’s other target and surely reliable is Donyell Booker.
“This will be his 45th starting,” Nagle said of Miller. “Just having that leadership and being a captain, I mean it always just gives us a chance.”
Let’s not forget about wide receiver Blake Mathieu. He’s come up clutch many times for the Timberwolves on his way to a team-leading 16 touchdowns.
And all that meant 36 touchdowns thrown by Miller against five interceptions.
It picks your poison when facing Clovis East.
Just ask Davis-Sacramento, West-Salt Lake City, Sanger and the Tri-River Athletic Conference teams.
Clovis East’s run game is just as pivotal as its pass game.
Lindsey Graves has led the way for Clovis East. He has a team-leading 10 touchdowns, but he has missed the past four games due to a collarbone injury.
Filling in for him is Taemell Horton, who has been just as productive.
He has a team-leading 734 rushing yards and added seven touchdowns. Tyrone Bishop has spotted Horton and has four touchdowns.
Whether Graves is back in time for Clovis East remains to be seen as rain is supposed to arrive in time for kickoff.
Defense shines at will
The Timberwolves’ defense has come up big in crucial and opportune times.
Just because Duvall is primarily a wide receiver, he find ways to get to the ball on defense.
He has one interception, but the ballhawk Clovis East can rely on is Oshea Webb.
He has five interceptions, which three of those have turned into Pick-6’s.
That’s the big boost the Timberwolves needs on defense with the added pressure by Jack Wilson, who has 10 sacks, and Joshua Wilson with seven.
“Underrated part of our team,” Nagle said. “We have an explosive offense that we’ve been scoring so fast. I think the (defense) done a good job. Just consistency. Flying to the football and being relentless; pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run.”
Clovis East roster
1 Lindsey Graves Jr. RB, CB 5’9” 175 lbs
2 Harold Duvall Sr. WR, DB 6’3” 185 lbs
3 Blake Mathieu Sr. WR, FS 6’0” 160 lbs
4 Obadare Jaiyeoba Sr. WR 5’8” 130 lbs
5 Taemell Horton Sr. FS, RB 5’9” -
6 Donyell J booker jr Sr. WR, CB 5’10” 170 lbs
7 Jade Lopez Sr. CB, WR 5’10” 155 lbs
8 Tyrone Bishop Sr. DB, RB 6’0” 175 lbs
9 Joshua Wilson Sr. OLB, MLB 6’0” 200 lbs
10 Tyus Miller Sr. QB 5’10” 175 lbs
11 Devyn Perez Jr. DE, DL 5’10” 220 lbs
12 Romeo Amescua Jr. DE 6’1” 225 lbs
13 Oshea Webb Jr. WR, CB 5’11” 167 lbs
14 Taevionne Horton Jr. WR, CB 5’10” 150 lbs
15 Izaac Ramirez Sr. CB 5’9” 150 lbs
16 Jeddrick Dominguez Sr. ILB 5’5” 155 lbs
17 Jamie Spurgeon So. QB, WR, TE 6’4” 200 lbs
18 LaBrent Harvey Jr. WR, SS 5’9” 160 lbs
19 Isaac Marin Sr. RB, CB 5’6” 135 lbs
20 Elijah Wilson So. WR, FS 5’11” 160 lbs
21 Tristan Kircher Jr. WR, SS 6’0” 185 lbs
22 Geno Capriola Jr. MLB 5’11” 185 lbs
23 Donald Moore Jr. FS 6’1” -
24 Caleb Slocum Jr. DE, OLB, RB 5’10” 210 lbs
25 Francisco Damas Jr. K, P 5’10” 155 lbs
26 Joey Burge Jr. CB 5’10” 130 lbs
27 Marcellus Royal Jr. WR, CB 5’10” -
28 Dharri Greathouse Jr. WR, CB - -
29 Donovan Woodard So. - -
30 Ethan Tapia Jr. - -
31 Ayden BaltierraSr. DL - -
32 Akello Johnson Sr. DL 5’11” 215 lbs
33 Jax Koontz Sr. ILB 6’2” 215 lbs
34 Justin Misquez So. 5’10” 125 lbs
35 Connor Kirchman So. - -
40 Beau Davis Sr. RB 5’10” 130 lbs
41 Derek Majors Sr. DL 5’9” -
42 Luis Perez Jr. ILB, TE 6’1” 170 lbs
43 Salvador Cruz Jr. MLB 5’9” -
44 Jack Nelson Sr. DE 6’0” -
45 Alec Haun Sr. TE, C 6’0” 190 lbs
46 Lyle Nelson Jr. TE 5’11” 175 lbs
47 Miles Ramos Jr. ILB 5’8” 172 lbs
48 Nomis Cisneros So. - -
49 Ethan Rigon So. - -
51 Ayden Rodriguez Jr. C 5’10” 210 lbs
52 Tyson Cook ii Jr. G, T, DT 6’2” 315 lbs
53 Kalen McCoy So. - -
54 Shondrick Smallwood Sr. NG 6’2” 300 lbs
55 Devin Woodard Jr. ILB, TE 5’11” 175 lbs
56 Hilario Ramos So. - -
57 Harman Gill Jr. T 6’3” 240 lbs
58 Caleb Solis Sr. DL 5’11” 197 lbs
59 Emmanuel Ramirez So. - -
60 Hayden Howard So. - -
61 Christian Thao So. - -
62 Elijah Quintero So. - -
64 Michael Wade So. - -
65 Thomas MartinezSr. OG 5’10” -
66 Nick Renteria Jr. C, G 5’11” -
69 Chase Gann Sr. T, G 6’1” 270 lbs
70 Nathan CombsFr. - -
71 Jaiden McDermott Fr. - -
72 Joe Delgado So. - -
73 Sebastian Cardenas Jr. C, G 5’9” 245 lbs
74 Austin Plaza So. OG, DT 6’0” 220 lbs
75 Mateo Lopez Fr. - -
76 Trayce Simes Sr. T 6’3” 300 lbs
77 Thailin Rivera Sr. OT, DL 6’5” 270 lbs
80 Mario Simmons So. - -
81 Nathan Silva So. - -
82 James Drake So. - -
87 Brandon Cervantez Jr. DE 6’0” -
89 Tate Miller Jr. TE, WR 6’0” 185 lbs
97 Regan Garcia Sr. DL, OL 5’11” 249 lbs
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 12:38 PM.
