Fresno Bee Top 25 preseason football rankings: Central East leads the way
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Central East opens as No. 1 following 2024 title and return of key starters.
- Fresno Bee ranks Frontier, Clovis East, Clovis West and Clovis in top five.
- Season begins Aug. 21 with teams featuring returning QBs and rising talent.
Central East is the defending Central Section Division I-AA champion and will aim to repeat with familiar faces on the roster this fall.
Following in The Bee’s first Top 25 of the prep football season is Central East is Frontier, Clovis East, Clovis West and Clovis to round out the top five.
The Bee listed last season’s records, as well as a short descriptor of the team.
The season kicks off Aug. 21
Preseason rankings
1. Central East (12-3)
Different name (the Bengals), same Division I-AA title team. QB Jelani Dippel and RB Brandon Smith return.
2. Frontier (11-4)
QB Brady Campbell is back after passing for 1,935 yards and 22 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
3. Clovis East (12-1)
A lot of key players graduated, but the Timberwolves have RBs Lindsey Graves and Tristan Kircher and CB Oshea Webb.
4. Clovis West (3-8)
It was a bad 2024 for the Golden Eagles. Should be much improved this season led by sophomore QB JJ Howard.
5. Clovis (8-4)
Oregon State-bound QB Deagan Rose is back for his final season. Can he end his high school career on top?
6. Clovis North (8-4)
No more RBs McKay Madsen and Jackson Cinfel. A lot of unknowns. Coach Mike Jacot resigned and OC Vince Branstetter has since moved.
7. Tulare Union (9-2)
Under coach Darren Bennett, the Tribe will be a tough team. Tulare Union welcomes back QB Jordan Crisp, along with key WRs.
8. Liberty-Bakersfield (7-4)
Like Clovis North, plenty of unknowns for the Patriots.
9. Bullard (7-4)
How will the Knights fare this season led by QB Tyler Franklin?
10. Sanger (8-3)
Under coach Matt Logue, the Apaches will fare well this season.
11. Arroyo Grande (9-3)
RB Zack Tayman, who ran for over 1,000 yards and had 12 TDs, is back. DB Caleb Clark had four INTs last season.
12. Bakersfield Christian (11-3)
Senior QB Lincoln Adame passed for 2,772 yards and 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Back, too, is Talen Mather, who rushed for 17 TDs.
13. Buchanan (6-5)
Question marks surround the Bears. At least RB Carvell Wafer is back. CB Donovan Dunmore will lead the defense.
14. Bakersfield (11-2)
Can the Drillers top 2024? Missing is Brison Abbott, who graduated after rushing for 19 TDs.
15. Centennial (7-5)
RB Jet Santiago was a goal-line force, rushing for seven TDs. Can a young Golden Hawks defense step up?
16. Central Valley Christian (8-5)
What is up coach Don Arax’s sleeve this season after missing plenty of key starters? He welcomes back QB Nathan Peters.
17. Golden West (10-2)
Junior QB Jayden Herrera passed for 2,775 yards and 31 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
18. Kennedy (8-5)
Running the football was a focal point last season. Jace Demacablin ran for 2,077 yards and 24 TDs.
19. Redwood (4-7)
Coach Curtis Allen leads a group that has a couple D-I commitments. The Rangers are a team to watch.
20. St. Joseph (6-6)
Can the Knights regain their form and lead the Mountain League after back-to-back runner-up finishes?
21. Tulare Western (7-4)
Sophomore QB Juju Hernandez is back. He loses two key players on offense.
22. Kerman (12-3)
The Lions figure to be good again with QB Adrian Torres, but lost key players due to graduation.
23. Kingsburg (7-5)
Junior QB Kade Holt will lead the Vikings, coming off a 19-TD season.
24. Hanford (10-1)
Coach Cannon Sanchez lost a lot of top players. The Bullpups will be young.
25. Porterville (9-3)
The Pirates bring back QB Ethan Enriquez, who passed for 3,001 yards and 33 TDs.
Others: San Joaquin Memorial, McLane, Madera, Shafter, Sunnyside, Coalinga, San Luis Obispo, Monache, Nipomo, Stockdale, Independence, Immanuel
Week 1 schedule
Aug. 21
Avenal at McLane, 7 p.m.
Elite-Vallejo at Central West, 7 p.m. (Koligian Stadium)
Sanger West at Mission Oak, 7:30 p.m. (Bob Mathias Stadium
Aug. 22
Inglewood at Central East, 7 p.m.
Clovis at Central Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
Madera at Sunnyside, 7 p.m.
Sierra Pacific at Woodlake, 7 p.m.
Clovis West at Edison-Huntington Beach, 7 p.m.
Tulare Union at St. Joseph, 7 p.m.
Firebaugh at Chowchilla, 7 p.m.
Avalon at Fresno Christian, 7 p.m.
Mariposa County at Yosemite, 7 p.m.
Kingsburg at Paso Robles, 7 p.m.
Parlier at Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.
Garza at Mesa Verde, 7:15 p.m.
Exeter at Shafter, 7:15 p.m.
Dos Palos at Los Banos, 7 p.m.
Hoover at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
Golden Valley at Mendota, 7 p.m.
Sierra at Minarets, 7 p.m.
Mammoth at Desert, 7 p.m.
Rosamond at Eastside, 7 p.m.
Lompoc at Nipomo, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Boron, 7 p.m.
Oxnard at Mission Prep, 7 p.m.
Bishop Union at Fernley, 7 p.m.
Foothill at Morro Bay, 7 p.m.
Independence at Pioneer Valley, 7 p.m.
Bakersfield Christian at Faith Luterhan
Ridgeview at South, 7 p.m.
Liberty-Bakersfield at Mountain Vista, 7 p.m.
Santa Ynez at Dos Pueblos, 7 p.m.
Cuyama Valley at Frazier Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
North at Stockdale, 7:30 p.m.
Garces at Paraclete, 7:30 p.m.
Fresno at Reedley, 7:30 p.m.
Taft at Immanuel, 7:30 p.m.
Kerman at Torres, 7:30 p.m.
McFarland at Farmersville
Oak Ridge at Frontier, 7:30 p.m.
Lemoore at Monache, 7:30 p.m.
Kennedy at Hanford, 7:30 p.m.
San Joaquin Memorial at Clovis North, 7:30 p.m. (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Riverdale at Tranquillity, 7:30 p.m.
Buchanan at Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.
Lindsay at Arvin, 7:30 p.m.
Del Oro at Chavez, 7:30 p.m.
Arroyo Grande at Golden West, 7:30 p.m.
Edison at Templeton, 7:30 p.m.
Kern Valley at West, 7:30 p.m.
El Diamante at Tulare Western
San Luis Obispo at Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m.
Highland at East Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.
Mira Monte at Delano, 7:30 p.m.
Hanford West at Fowler, 7:30 p.m.
Porterville at Wasco, 7:30 p.m.
Burroughs at Tehachapi, 7:30 p.m
Strathmore at Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 7:30 p.m.
Orosi at Madera South, 7:30 p.m.
Redwood at Centennial, 7:30 p.m.
Bullard at Clovis East, 7:30 p.m. (Lamonica Stadium)
Aug. 23
Immanuel Christian at Valley Oaks Charter, 6 p.m.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
