Central High’s path to state championship: Resiliency, some losses, and star players
Central High’s path to this weekend’s high school state championship game could be labeled a surprise.
The Grizzlies (12-2) weren’t favored to win the Tri-River Athletic Conference this fall. The two favorites standing in the way were reigning Central Section champion Clovis North and Clovis East.
The Broncos welcomed a two-pronged attack in running backs McKay Madsen and Jackson Cinfel. The Timberwolves had quarterback Tyus Miller, wide receivers Harold Duvall, Donyell Booker and running backs Lindsey Graves and Tamell Horton.
Getting past those two teams in conference play would be tough for any team. Just ask Buchanan, Clovis and Clovis West.
And Central.
The Grizzlies lost to both teams in the TRAC, but somehow, someway, have caught fire in the playoffs.
Central coach Kyle Biggs acknowledged as much following last week’s 33-23 CIF Division 1-A NorCal championship win over St. Ignatius.
“Resiliency,” he said, looking back on not just those defeats but also a season that began with a big question at quarterback.
“They didn’t even flinch. They took those two L’s, learned from them and they’ve been working harder ever since.”
Central’s hot postseason streak
The Grizzlies are looking for the second state title in school history when they face Edison-Huntington Beach (11-4) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
Central defeated Sierra Canyon 34-19 for the Division 1-AA state championship.
Edison is the same team that faced Clovis West in the season opener, a game won by the Golden Eagles 29-28.
Central’s postseason run has been powered by junior Brandon Smith, a nephew of former Fresno State star Clifton Smith (who went on to play in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
In the postseason that started Nov. 8, Smith has a combined 11 touchdowns — nine rushing, one receiving and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.
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After last week’s victory against St. Ignatius, Smith said he didn’t want the season to end any time soon. All he was hoping for was an opportunity.
“It comes from here,” he said, pointing to his heart. “It’s all I play with. Hats off to my linemen for giving me the lanes and holes and make me get open and make dudes miss.”
Smith finished the game against St. Ignatius with 23 carries for 162 yards and three touchdowns. He also had three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Central’s road to state title
Entering the season, the Grizzlies had a hole to fill: Who would start at quarterback?
Not much was said entering the season following the departure of David Marquez due to graduation and Earl Riley transferred back to Dos Palos.
Biggs decided to go with sophomore Jelani Dippel, who ended up exceeding expectations.
All Dippel has done is pass for 3,230 yards and 39 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
“He’s made tremendous leaps and bounds,” Biggs said. “He just keeps getting better and better in the way he handles himself and his confidence.”
Biggs added that prior to the season, all he wanted Dippel to do was make the reads and throws, but yet “he’s shown he can do more than that.”
“He’s a dynamic playmaker,” Biggs said. “He can get out of the pocket. He can extend plays and run the ball. He’s very intelligent and a smart kid.”
That’s not the only key piece that the Grizzlies needed. In the postseason, Central’s defense has risen and made key plays by forcing nine turnovers: four fumble recoveries and five interceptions.
Central will need some of that against Edison if the Grizzlies want to bring back another state championship back to Fresno.
As Smith put it: “Job’s not done.”
Lindsay in state championship game
Lindsay will face Moreau Catholic at 4 p.m. Friday at Fullerton Union High Stadium.
The Cardinals defeated Chatsworth 35-20 to advanced to the state title game.
Leading Lindsay is running back Jose Cortes, who has 18 rushing touchdowns on 2,088 yards.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 12:04 PM.
