CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY FINALS
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High School Playoff dates
Championship Friday 7pm Kickoff
(DIVISION 6-AA STATE PLAYOFFS 7:30)
Dec 8 1st round state playoffs
Dec 15 State Championship night
The Pag Meter went 7-3 in last weeks playoff games. For the year 460-74 (86%)

 

CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY

940 ESPN RADIO will be broadcasting the Valley Championship
Buchanan Bears at Central Grizzlies

VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Buchanan Bears (10-3) at Central Grizzlies (12-1) 
Pag Meter line Central -16
Broadcasted on 940 ESPN Radio
This is a rematch from Oct 5 when the Grizzlies beat the Bears 28-27. Trent Tompkins hit Jacob Torrez on a 23 yard TD pass and the game winner with 20 seconds to go.
Valley Championship History
The Bears won their only Valley Championship in 2000 beating Bakersfield and Central is looking to win their 1st Valley Championship in school history.
Semifinal results
Buchanan 30 Clovis West 28
The Bears jumped out 27-0 and had to hang on. Kendall Milton started the scoring with a 64 yard TD run. Trevor Ervin with a 32-yard TD run to make the score 13-0. Trevor Irvin again and this time a 54 yard TD run and the Bears lead 20-0. It was Kendall’s turn with a 15 yard TD run and it was 27-0 Bears. Trevor Ervin rushed for 204 yards on 24 carries and sophomore Kendall Milton rushed for 225 on 26 carries. The Bears had a real smart game plan at running away from Dusty Schramm and it worked.
Central 35 Bakersfield 27
It’s like the Grizzlies toyed with the Drillers and this game looks close but this games was never in doubt. Trent Tompkins threw 4 TD passes, (Manuel Oliver-Davis for a 37 yards, Jeremiah Hunter 9 and 8 yards, and Avery Boyd 68 yards) Diotry Brewer scored on a 1 yard TD run. Trent Tompkins to Jeremiah Hunter for an 8-yd TD pass.. Trent Tompkins to Avery Boyd for a 68-yd TD pass.
The Scoop
I said it in week 1 that the Buchanan Bears were the only team that could match up with the Central Grizzlies and here we are. The Drillers hit some big plays throwing the football against the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies can be beat in the secondary against a good passing attack but the Bears can’t throw the ball.
In the 1st meeting the Bears had the game in the bag but a late fumble from a player that never touched the ball the entire game cost the Bears the win. Bad play call on the fly sweep. The Grizzlies had a horrible 3rd quarter… the Grizzlies defense never made the adjustments and Ervin/Milton ran all over the Grizzlies with 400 yards rushing.
Now let’s talk about the Valley Championship game on the fast turf.
I see the Grizzlies making the big adjustments and it will be in your face defense against the beat offensive line in the valley. I see the Grizzlies going man to man defense against a non throwing team with plenty of Grizzlies in the box. The Grizzlies probably watched the Edison-Buchanan game film and the Bears couldn’t complete a pass.
The X factor is the Grizzlies have Trent Tompkins and the Bears don’t. It’s that simple. The Bears are a one dimensional offense and if the Grizzlies wrap up with tackling, the Bears are in trouble.
For the Bears to pull the upset they have to slow the game down with long drives, work in quick passing with Brock Jones and Jack Wilkins. The Bears will have to complete some passes to win. The Bears didn’t have to complete a pass against Edison or Clovis West because both teams fell apart and all the Bears had to do was run the ball and play good defense. The Grizzlies defense is tough to run against but will give up the deep pass.
The Bears defense is real good and leading the way is Keenan Wolf, Toa Scanlan, Tanner Blount, Jack Wilkins, Trevor Ervin and Brock Jones. The Bears are such a smart team!
The Bears offense is all about the run game with Trevor Ervin who has rushed for 1,323 yards, and has scored 19 TD’s. Kendall Milton has rushed for 1,469 yards and has scored 23 TD’s. The Bears offensive line is by far the best in the valley and it’s not close.
The Grizzlies defense is also very good with Jacob Hollins and Tre Walker, Marcus Washington, Diotry Brewer and Jaden Williams.
The Grizzlies offense is electric with Trent Tompkins who has thrown for 3,127 with 33 TD passes, RB Jevon Bigelow has rushed for 1,331 with 14 TD’s, the wide receivers are outstanding with Jacob Torrez who has 64 receptions for 1,093 yards and 10 TDs, Avery Boyd, 33 catches, 472 yards and 9 TD’s, Jeremiah Hunter, 39 catches, 556 yards, 7 TD’s, and Tyrell Grayson, 27 catches, 375 yards and has scored 3 TD’s. It used to be that if you slowed down Torrez the Grizzlies might struggle but the other receivers have stepped up along with Bigelow to make the Grizzlies tough to stop.
The Bears have to avoid the big play and the Grizzlies have to control the line of scrimmage. The Stadium will be electric and if Trent plays his game, the Grizzlies will be celebrating their 1st valley championship in school history. With the game on TV, the stadium will not be packed. Many Bears fans will stay home. You can listen to Nick and Matt on 940 ESPN Radio and/or stream it online.
Pag Meter prediction Central 37 Buchanan 21

FINAL CENTRAL 29 BUCHANAN 7

The Grizzlies defense stuffed the one dimensional Bears offense. Trent Tompkins had a good game throwing and running. Trent went 12-20 for 142 yards passing and threw a 36 yard TD pass to Tryell Grayson and scored on a 2 yard TD run. Jevon Bigelow rushed for 115 yards and scored on 2 TD runs.

 

DIVISION 3 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

Memorial Panthers (10-3) vs Tulare Western Mustangs (11-2) 
Pag Meter line Memorial -9
This is the game we have all been waiting for since week 1. These teams have bad blood and it started in baseball a few years ago.
Section Championship History
The Mustangs are back in the Section Championship game and looking for their 1st Section Championship in school history. Memorial last won a Section Championship in 2003 beating Dos Palos 41-14 in division 4.
Semifinal Results
Memorial 49 Bakersfield Christian 7
This was a good old fashioned BEAT DOWN. The Panthers defense flat out beat up the Eagles. QB Alec Trujillo put on a show with 6 touchdowns passes, a touchdown run and 377 total yards from either his arm or legs. He had 6 completions of 30 yards or more. Nick DiCeglie scored on 2 TD passes for 136 yards. Jalen McMillan caught 3 TD passes.
Tulare Western 38 Tehachapi 7
Scoring, David Alcantar 65 yard TD run. Elijah Burrell 1 yard TD run . Tairyn Johnson 2 yard TD run. Damiran Patterson 66 yard TD run And Elijah Burrell hit Damiran Patterson on a 48 yard TD pass. For the Warriors they scored real late when Chris Garcia hit Connor Timm on a 13-yard TD pass.
The Scoop
This is the best matchup of all championship games. The outstanding Memorial offense vs the outstanding Tulare Western defense. TW defense has done a great job but couldn’t slow down Kazmeir Allen but then again who could.
The game is on the fast field turf and Memorial has only played one game on the field turf and this won’t be a factor because the Panthers have speed and loved it in Madera.
This has the makings to be a shootout because the Mustangs offense is also very good.
For Memorial it starts with junior quarterback Alec Trujillo who runs the spread attack so well and has thrown for 3,233 yards with 37 TD passes. Sophomore WR Jalen McMillan has caught 63 passes for 1,491 yards with 19 TD’s. Nick DiCeglie has stepped up and is a big part of the offense with 32 receptions for 589 yards and has scored 5 TD’s.
Leonard Glass has been quiet lately and could go off at any time.
The Mustangs offense is loaded with quarterback Elijah Burrell who might just be the best sophomore QB in the state throwing for 2,328 yards and 24 TD passes. Senior running back David Alcantar can do it all catching the football with 518 yards and 1,555 rushing yards and has scored 33 total TDs. Sophomore running back Tairyn Johnson has 796 rushing yards and has scored 9 TDs, junior receiver Keshon Butler with 56 receptions, 1,334 yards receiving, 13 TD’s. The Mustangs have a new weapon with senior slotback Damarin Patterson who is coming on strong.
For the Mustangs to win their 1st section championship in school history, they have to wear down the Panthers with a much bigger roster. The Panthers have played the much tougher schedule and that could be the difference.
The Panthers lost to Edison and Bullard. The Panthers will never beat Edison because it’s a bad matchup for Memorial but the Knights defense plays like Tulare Western defense. If the Mustangs can matchup on what the Knights did and try to be physical, then TW will be successful.
The X factor is the Panthers defense because you never know who will show up. Lately the Panthers defense has played fantastic. This game will come down to turnovers. Who can play clean and not give up the big play. Which defense can put pressure on the passing game. The Mustangs have the edge on defense.
Pag Meter Prediction (Upset) Tulare Western 41 Memorial 39

FINAL MEMORIAL 45 TULARE WESTERN 31

Alec Trujillo, went 22-of-25 passing for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns. Trujillo’s favorite target, sophomore receiver Jalen McMillan, caught 9 passes for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Memorial finished with 525 yards of total offense.

DIVISION 4 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

Central Valley Christian Cavaliers (10-3) at Golden West Trailblazers (11-2) 
Pag Meter line Golden West -10
Golden West beat CVC 42-24 last year in the quarterfinals. The battle on who is the best team in Visalia!
Section Championship History
The Cavaliers beat the Tranquility Tigers 31-0 in 2005 to win the division 5 Section Championship. The Blazers are looking to win their 1st Section Championship in school history.
Semifinal Results
CVC 57 North 16
The Cavaliers played the much tougher schedule and that was the difference. The Cavaliers scored 29 straight points (four touchdowns, a safety) to make it 29-0 with 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter. GAME OVER! the Cavaliers defense allowed just 99 yards rushing on 48 carries. QB JJ Lino went 10-15 for 181 yards and 3 TD passes. Gavin Salierno caught 6 passes for 99 yards and scored a TD, Brian Noel caught 3 passes for 40 yards and scores a TD, and Tanner Rocha caught a 40 yard TD pass.
Golden West 31 Kerman 19
The Blazers were much bigger than the Lions and the GW machine wore down the Lions. Gonzalo Rodriguez rushed for 174 yards on 30 carries and scored 2 touchdowns. Ben Davis rushed 105 yards and scored 2 touchdowns on 14 carries.
The Scoop
This is the game that the Pag Meter picked in week 1 and it’s the spread attack of CVC vs the powerful WING T of GW. Both offenses and both defenses are very good and peaking at the right time.
For CVC they have Quarterback JJ Lino who has thrown for 2,071 yards with 28 TD passes. JJ’s favorite receiver is senior Gavin Salierno who has 1,079 yards receiving yards and has scored 15 TD’s. Sophomore RB Jaalen Rening has rushed for 1,282 yards and has scored 12 TD’s.
For the Blazers they bring in a very good offensive line and running behind the big guys are senior Gonzalo Rodriguez, Christian Ortiz, Ben Davis, and QB Payton Allen.
The X factor is CVC hasn’t seen this type of up-tempo Wing T offense and you can’t match it at practice. Are the Cavaliers ready for a battle upfront on the defensive line because the Blazers will bring it.
The Blazers have played against a spread attack a bunch of times. For the Cavaliers to pull the upset, they can’t afford to be punting at all and will have to hold serve when they have the ball. GW is a true Division 2 team and is the heavy favorite with their size.
Pag Meter Prediction Golden West 38 CVC 28

FINAL GOLDEN WEST 27 CVC 21 in Overtime

Gonzalo Rodriguez scored the game winning 16 yard TD in overtime. Kai Caudell rushed for 185 yards including a huge 64 yard TD run on 4th and 3 to make the score 21-14.  Christian Ortiz rushed for 111 yards, and  Gonzalo Rodriguez rushed for 120 yards and scored 2 TD’s. CVC, Jaalen Rening rushed for 117 yards. QB JJ Lino threw for 240 yards with 3 TD passes. 

 

DIVISION 5 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

Firebaugh Eagles (10-3) at Caruthers Blue Raiders (12-0) 
Pag Meter line Caruthers -11

This is a rematch from Sept 22 when the Blue Raiders beat up the Eagles 42-7
Section Championship History
The Eagles lost in the Championship game last year to Mendota 50-22. The Eagles last won a Section Championship in 1994 winning the Sierra division.
The Blue Raiders won their last Section Championship in 2005 beating Firebaugh 44-8 in division 5.
The Semifinal Results
Fireabugh 35 Shafter 23
The Eagles played a much tougher game than the Generals. Firebaugh jumped out to a 21-0 lead under 6 minutes into the game. Jeshua Gutierrez hit Tylor Palmer for a 60-yard TD to put the Eagles ahead 7-0. Then Gutierrez hit Palmer again for a 30 yard TD pass. Gutierrez then hit Fernando Campa on a 62-yard TD pass.
Caruthers 39 Yosemite 24
Jared Gilmore threw 3 TD passes (Isaac Franco 22 yards and Renaldo Delgado 23 and 9 yards) . Imanol Arredondo scored on a 2 and 67 yard TD runs.
The Scoop
The 1st meeting was a bloodbath and it was all Blue Raiders. The Eagles are a much different team now but so are the Blue Raiders.
The X factor is the Eagles defense and what can they do to slow down the Blue Train?
The Eagles come in playing tremendous defense and they will need it against the speedy Blue Raiders. The Eagles are on fire on offense and this could be a shoot out?
If the Eagles pull off the win, this has to be one of the greatest turnarounds ever losing the first meeting 42-7

Pag Meter Prediction Caruthers 39 Firebaugh 28

FINAL CARUTHERS 49 FIREBAUGH 42

The Blue Raiders pull off a win in a great game that was even. Bobby Staley scores the game winning TD with 18 seconds to go. The Eagles are still not happy with a controversial fumble call that went against them that set up the winning TD. 

DIVISION 6-AA STATE PLAYOFFS
Strathmore Spartans (14-0) at Hilmar Yellowjackets (8-6) 
Pag Meter line Strathmore -3
Spartans are the Central Section division 6 champs beating Rosamond 42-32
Yellowjackets are the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 6 Champs beating Modesto Christian 42-13
Section Championship results
Strathmore 42 Rosamond 32
Joseph Garcia rushed for 170 yards, scored 3 TD’s and threw a 26 yard TD pass to Nick Salas. Salas threw 2 TD passes (Armando Rodriguez 45 yards, Andres Lara 31 yards) Roadrunners, Isiah Escobar rushed for 131 yards, scored on a 9 yard TD run, and threw 3 TD passes. (Tyler Gibson, 14, 23 yards and Mario Aparicio 46 yards)
Hilmar 42 Modesto Christian 13
Isaac Sharp rushed for 249 yards and scored 2 TD’s.
The Scoop
Strathmore will lead with Joseph Garcia who has rushed for 2,117 yards and has scored 36 touchdowns. Quarterback Nick Salas has thrown for 1,309 yards with 14 touchdowns passes.
Isaac Sharp leads the Yellowjackets rushing for 1,097 yards and has scored 10 TD’s.
The X factor is the Spartans are 13-0 and got screwed with traveling to Hilmar. The Spartans are a physical team and Hilmar has plenty of speed. After watching the Hilmar vs Modesto Christian game film, Modesto Christian might be the worst tackling team I’ve seen play all year. If the Spartans wrap up and tackle, they should have a great bus ride home.
Pag Meter Prediction Strathmore 38 Hilmar 35

FINAL STRATHMORE 53 HILMAR 52 in double overtime

QB Nick Salas scores a TD in double overtime, the Spartans went for 2 points and the win…Joseph Garcia scores on the 2 pointer and the game winner.