Central East keeps rolling, will face Clovis in Central Section football championship
Don’t offer up any congratulations to Central East football coach Kyle Biggs if it’s not for a Central Section championship.
“It means nothing unless you win it,” Biggs said following the top-seeded Bengals’ 53-31 victory over Buchanan in a Division I-AA semifinal game at Koligian Stadium on Friday night.
Central East surged ahead 14-0, including a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brandon Smith.
But the Bears scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-14 lead.
But, as usual, the Bengals responded in a big way when Jelani Dippel connected on a 41-yard pass to Smith. The extra-point try was missed to trail 21-20 in the first quarter.
Then another big play happened for Central East.
This time when Dippel found an open Bayon Harris for a 33-yard touchdown, giving the Bengals a 26-21 lead just before halftime.
It was all Central East after that.
The Bengals’ win means they will face Clovis for the second time, but this time for the section title.
In the first meeting Central East defeated the Cougars 61-49.
Clovis took care of business against Clovis West, rolling to a 48-7 victory.
Deagan Rose passed for five touchdowns and James Caruso ran for two scores and caught three.
Biggs knows what to expect in the rematch.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” he said. “They’re going to make adjustments and we’re going to make adjustments. Whoever makes the most plays is going to win.”
Division IV
McLane didn’t have any problems against Dos Palos.
It has been more of the same for the Highlanders, showing efficiency on offense and defense in a 53-7 victory over the Dos Palos.
Vernon Lacy passed for seven touchdowns.
Under head coach Andrew Panotti, McLane has improved each season.
No. 3 McLane will next face No. 2 Immanuel in the semifinals.
Prediction results
The Bee went 17-9 in its picks this week.
The Bee will look for continued success next week in picking division championships and semifinal games.
Heading into those games, The Bee is 120-49.
Central Section playoff schedule/scores
7 p.m. Friday unless noted
Division I-AA
No. 1 Central East 53, No. 4 Buchanan 31
No. 2 Clovis 48, No. 3 Clovis West 7
Championship
No. 2 Clovis at No. 1 Central East
Division I-A
No. 1 Bakersfield Christian 16, No. 4 Sanger 7
No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield 35, No. 2 Hanford 14
Championship
No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield at No. 1 Bakersfield Christian
Division II
No. 1 Tulare Union 56, No. 9 Kingsburg 21
No. 4 Arroyo Grande 42, No. 5 Garces 30
No. 3 Redwood 54, No. 11 San Luis Obispo 0
No. 2 Bakersfield 31, No. 7 Central Valley Christian 28
Semifinals
No. 4 Arroyo Grande at No. 1 Tulare Union
No. 3 Redwood at No. 2 Bakersfield
Division III
No. 8 Washington Union 42, No. 1 Shafter 27
No. 5 Kennedy 34, No. 4 Golden West 27
No. 6 Independence 44, No. 3 Porterville 21
No. 2 Wasco 28, No. 10 Kerman 27
Semifinals
No. 8 Washington Union at No. 5 Kennedy
No. 6 Independence at No. 2 Wasco
Division IV
No. 1 Templeton 40, No. 8 Coalinga 14
No. 4 North 40, No. 5 Roosevelt 32
No. 3 McLane 53, No. 11 Dos Palos 7
No. 2 Immanuel 32, No. 7 Nipomo 7
Semifinals
No. 4 North at No. 1 Templeton
No. 3 McLane at No. 2 Immanuel
Division V
No. 1 Liberty-Madera Ranchos 41, No. 9 Morro Bay 27
No. 4 Bishop Union 22, No. 5 Cabrillo 19
No. 6 Chowchilla 43, No. 3 West 22
No. 2 Woodlake 31, No. 10 Reedley 14
Semifinals
No. 4 Bishop Union at No. 1 Liberty-Madera Ranchos
No. 6 Chowchilla at No. 2 Woodlake
Division VI
No. 1 Minarets 31, No. 8 Mendota 21
No. 4 Boron 26, No. 5 Kern Valley 19
No. 6 Mira Monte 28, No. 3 Foothill 7
No. 2 Orosi 42, No. 7 Firebaugh 7
Semifinals
No. 4 Boron at No. 1 Minarets
No. 6 Mira Monte at No. 2 Orosi
8-Man
No. 1 Fresno Christian 42, No. 4 Laton 0
No. 2 Immanuel Christian 38, No. 3 Mammoth 33
Championship
No. 2 Immanuel Christian at No. Fresno Christian
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 10:31 AM.
