High school football: Kerman, Selma and Coalinga win Central Section championships
For the first time in school history, the Kerman High football team are Central Section champions.
The Lions scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and also held Madera scoreless in the quarter for a 42-28 victory in Division III in Madera.
“I mean, it’s crazy, man,” Kerman quarterback Adrian Torres said, who finished the game with five touchdown passes. “We’ve been working since January. We knew we weren’t going to let this opportunity pass up and we got the job done.”
Kerman trailed 28-21 late in the second quarter before Torres connected on a touchdown pass just before halftime.
The Coyotes never saw the end zone again, thanks to a strong defense by the Lions, including an interception by Nicholas Grewal.
Torres rode his defense and took care of business and made sure he’s not going to let their chance of a section title slip away.
“We help each other on both sides of the ball,” he said. “And play for each other. We know who we got and how we can get it done.”
Jenkins took over as the Kerman coach in 2021. The former Fresno State standout looked into the camera and proudly laughed and yelled No. 1 ring.
He praised his QB1.
“Adrian stepped up big tonight,” he said. “Our O-line stepped up. Garewal stepped up in a big play in the third quarter and got an interception. It’s been a wonderful season. We knew starting in February it would be a grind.”
Kerman is not finished as they await to see who they will play in the CIF regionals.
“We have three goals at the beginning of the season: win league, win Valley and win State.”
Selma victorious
Jacob Hernandez had a 57-yard touchdown run to help the Bears defeat Morro Bay 32-28 for the Division V championship.
Hernandez also made a key play when he intercepted Sands Dougherty to Morro Bay’s 20-yard line.
A quarterback sneak put the Bears ahead 25-7.
Coalinga edges past Shafter
Noah Tasi has been clutch for Coalinga High this season.
So has Gavin Watson.
Tasi connected on a 21-yard pass to Watson for a touchdown with 1 minute to go and an extra point gave Coalinga a 34-33 victory for the Division IV championship.
It didn’t look good for the Horned Toads, trailing 33-21, but Tasi found a way by helping Coalinga score the next 12 points.
Bakersfield Christian 28, Central Valley Christian 7: Micah Paden scored the lone touchdown for the Cavaliers in Division II.
