PAGMETER CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS 2024

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Championship Friday is dedicated to TREVYN MACKEY who passed away this week. Trevyn was a junior at Clovis West and was in a horrible car accident.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Mackey family, friends and to the Clovis West family.

STATE PLAYOFF NOTES
ONLY THE WINNERS GET TO PLAY IN THE STATE PLAYOFFS UNLESS THE CIF STATE NEEDS A TEAM TO FILL OUT A BRACKET.
SUNDAY, WE WILL FIND OUT ON THE STATE PLAYOFF BRACKETS

PAGMETER PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 590-82 (87%)

PAGMETER PLAYERS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS/SEMIFINALS WEEK
JOEL ARELLANO-MADERA COYOTES
Senior QB Joel Arellano had his best game ever rushing for 69 yards, scored 2 TDs, threw for 551 yards (4 yards shy of a school record) and 6 TD passes in leading the Coyotes in a huge win over Kennedy 56-49. With the score tied at 49-49, Joel hit Emanuel Soliz on a 65 yard TD pass with .25 seconds to go in one of the best games in Central Section History!

NATHAN GONZALES-MIRA MONTE LIONS
Junior Nathan Gonzales carried the ball 42 times for 334 yards rushing and scored 2 TDs. For the year, Nate has rushed for 2,369 yards and has scored 26 TDs.

MICAH PADEN-CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN CAVALIERS
Senior Micah Paden rushed for 202 yards and scored 3 TDs (3, 51 & 5 yard runs) in helping the Cavaliers beat Golden West 28-7. Micah has now rushedd for 1,123 yards and has scored 19 TDs on the year.

BRANDON SMITH-CENTRAL GRIZZLIES
Junior RB Brandon Smith rushed for 144 yards and scored 3 TDs including the back-breaking 65 yard TD run and the Central Grizzlies are the Central Section Champions.
Brandon broke the Central single season record for rushing with 1,637 yards and counting…

DIVISION 1 AA
CENTRAL GRIZZLIES 33 CLOVIS EAST T WOLVES 24
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CENTRAL GRIZZLIES
CENTRAL SECTION CHAMPIONS

DIVISION 1 A
FRONTIER TITANS 31 BAKERSFIELD DRILLERS 14

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT

DIVISION 2 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN CAVALIERS (8-5) at BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN EAGLES (11-2)
THE CHRISTIAN BOWL
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Cavaliers beat Golden West 28-7. The Cavaliers played their best game on both sides of the ball. CVC defense dominated the line of scrimmage. Caden Ritchie had an interception and the D with 4 sacks. The score easily could have been 49-7 but the Caves couldn’t finish drives with points. CVC also won the Visalia City award as the best team in 2024 and will be playing in their 7th straight Championship game.
Micah Paden rushed for 202 yards and scored 3 TDs (3, 51 & 5 yard runs). Josh Hilvers rushed for 111 yards and scored on a 1 yard TD run.
The Eagles beat Sunnyside 29-14. With Sunnyside leading at the half 14-10, Junior QB Lincoln Adame hit Andre Calderon on a TD pass in the 3rd quarter and it turned out to be the game winner. The Eagles defense stuffed the Wildcats in the 2nd half.
PAGMETER X FACTOR
This is a rematch from week 3 and the Eagles crushed the Cavaliers 49-28. Eagles QB Adame threw for 380 yards and 4 TDs. Talen Mathers rushed for 113 yards and scored 2 TDs. The Cavaliers rushed for 87 yards as a team.
Since week 3 after playing a death march schedule, the Cavaliers are a completely different team. CVC is the Tulare County Clovis North Broncos pounding the football with a very good O-line. What’s great about this CVC team is this was supposed to be a rebuilding year after graduating so many last year. The non league schedule almost killed them with so many injuries.
The Eagles have been getting better and better every week on both sides of the ball.
Can the Cavaliers slow down Adame and the Eagles outstanding offense? The Cavaliers must put pressure on Adame and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. CVC has done a very good job the last 2 weeks going against dual threat QBs.
Can the Eagles defense slow down the new and improved Cavaliers offense? The Cavaliers have to finish drives with points this week and can’t afford turnovers to win.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Cavaliers are the defending Division 2 Section Champions and State Champions. CVC also won the D5 title in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005. D4 in 2018, D3 in 2021.
The Eagles won a Championship D5 in 2007 & 2008. D4 in 2013, D3 in 2016 & 2019.
CVC vs BC IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
In 2019, BC beat CVC 28-14
In 2021, CVC beat BC 27-25
PAGMETER PREDICTION CAVALIERS 31 EAGLES 28
FINAL EAGLES 28 CAVALIERS 7

DIVISION 3 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
KERMAN LIONS (12-2) at MADERA COYOTES (8-5)
BATTLE FOR HIGHWAY 145
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Lions beat Porterville 27-24 in overtime. Kicker Eddie Hernandez nailed the game winning 35 yard field goal in overtime. Eddie also nailed a 35 yard field goal in the 4tth quarter to send the game into OT. Justin Molina scored on two rushing TDs of 1 yard each. Junior QB Adrian Torres went 22-35 passing for 254 yards and hit Isaiah Quinto on a 25 yard TD pass.
The Coyotes beat Kennedy 56-49. Senior QB Joel Arellano had his best game ever rushing for 69 yards, scored 2 TDs, threw for 551 yards (4 yards shy of a school record) and 6 TD passes. With the score tied at 49-49, Joel hit Emanuel Soliz on a 65 yard TD pass with .25 seconds to go.
On defense, Josue “Peanut” Madriqales made 15 tackles including 2 crushing big tackles that changed the game, 1 sack, and caused a fumble.
PAGMETER X FACTOR
This is a great match up with two big fan bases. Kerman nation will head up north on highway 145 and the town of Madera will pack the big side. This will be the last game at Lee Da Silva Field at Memorial Stadium that was built in 1947 because the stadium will get a completely new face lift. The Coyotes will share Toro and Stallions Stadium for at least 2 years.
This has the makings to be a high scoring game.
Can the Lions slow down red hot QB Arellano? The Lions must contain Arellano and keep him in the pocket because he is so good at making things happen and extending the play.
Can the Coyotes slow down the Lions running attack and junior QB Adrian Torres? The Lions must slow the game down with long drives with points.
Which defense can make the big stops and force huge turnovers?
Two outstanding Coaching staffs with Damon Jenkings with the Lions and the Italian Stallion Kenny Paolinelli with the Coyotes will battle and someone will be winning their first Section Championship in school history.
This game could come down to the final dive.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Kerman played in the Division 3 Section Championship last year losing to Mission Oak.
Madera played in the Division 3 Championship game in 2014 losing to Hanford.
PAGMETER PREDICTION COYOTES 39 LIONS 33
FINAL LIONS 42 COYOTES 28

DIVISION 4 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
COALINGA HORNED TOADS (14-0) at SHAFTER GENERALS (11-2)
From the start, these were the two best teams in division 4.
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Toads beat Roosevelt 49-0. The Toads had a 42-0 lead at the half and shut it down in the 2nd half. The Toads defense stuffed the Riders attack all night long causing 7 fumbles, 5 sacks and Masai Richard picked off a pass and scored a TD when he recovered a fumble in the endzone.
Senior QB Noah Tasi went 12-15 passing for 162 yards and 3 TDs. Gavin Watson caught 8 footballs for 77 yards and caught a 4 yard TD pass. Dylan Teixeira caught 2 TD passes of 31 & 29 yards and he returned a 35 yard punt for a TD. Tyson Alvardo scored on a 50 yard TD run. Julius Borjas scored on a 1 yard TD run.
The Generals beat Immanuel 31-22. The Generals were hit with the flu bug and could barely practice during the week with only walk-throughs and zero contact. QB Ez Osborne went 16-20 passing for 130 yards and 3 TDs. Tremelle Spain caught 6 passes for 57 yards and 2 TDs (3 & 20 yds). Alex Reyna caught 4 passes for 49 yards and caught a 29 yard TD pass. Chris Espinoza scored on a 5 yard TD run.
Eagles Tyler Romo scored on a 45 yard TD run. QB Vincent Rosander threw a 4 yard TD pass to Julian Ornelas and Jackson Leibee rushed for 125 yards and scored on a 9 yard TD run.
PAGMETER X FACTOR
This will be a tremendous match up of two dangerous offenses that can score on any play.
Can the Generals slow down senior QB Tasi and his WRs of Teixeira and Watson?
Can the Toads slow down EZ and the Generals offense?
Which defense can put pressure on the passing attack?
The real big X factor is the Generals have one of the most dangerous players in the state with RB/WR Mariyon Sloan. The Generals will do everything they can to get the ball to Sloan.
Both teams can’t afford to give up the big play on punt and kickoff returns. Special teams could be huge in this game. This has the makings to be a high scoring game but both defenses are really good.
The Generals are semi banged up but should be fully recovered from the bad flu week.
The Generals will be very good again in 2025 but for the Toads, this is their magic year with so many seniors playing.
It was great to meet one of the Horned Toads chain-gang crew members who works in all the Coalinga home games at dinner on Sunday. Tony and his lovely wife Lupe, say a HUGE crowd of Horned Toad fans will be making the trip to shafter. This should be a great game of two of the best teams in a packed stadium.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Toads last won a Championship in 1991
The Generals won a Championship in 1949, 1955, and 2022
PAGMETER PREDICTION GENERALS 31 TOADS 28
TOADS 34 GENERALS 33

DIVISION 5 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
SELMA BEARS (9-5) at MORRO BAY PIRATES (7-7)
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Bears beat Delano 14-6. The Bears defense controlled the line of scrimmage.
Kayden Berry scored a TD and Jacob Hernandez scored a TD along with a big interception at the end of the game to seal the win.
The Pirates beat Bishop Union 28-20. Junior QB Sands Dougherty rushed for 55 yards, went 25-32 passing for 324 yards and 4 TD passes. Efrain Hernandez caught 7 passes for 67 yards, 2 TDs and had a big interception. Colton Janovec caught 4 passes for 83 yards and a TD. John Myers caught a TD pass. The Pirates defense made some big plays at the right time winning a big game very far away from home. It’s never easy to win in Bishop.
Broncos Carlos Sualez with a 30 yard Pick-6. .Elijah Reynolds scored on a rushing TD. Junior QB Emory Dondero threw a TD pass to little brother Dom.
PAGMETER X FACTOR
It’s the Bears running attack vs the Pirates passing attack. The HUGE X factor is which defense can adjust and make the big plays.
The Pirates might have the edge because the Pirates have gone against run heavy teams this year and the Bears have not faced a passing attack like the Pirates. Dougherty is the top leading QB in the state in passing yards, ranked 2nd in TD passes with 46, ranked 4th in the country in total yards with 4,915 yards. (4,108 passing & 807 rushing).
Can the Pirates control the line of scrimmage and slow down seniors Jacob Hernandez & Kayden Berry? The Bears love to pound the football.
Can the Bears defense put pressure on the Pirates passing attack and contain Dougherty?
The Bears can’t win in a shootout and will need to milk the clock with long drives.
First year Bears Head Coach Mtich Francis and his staff have done such a tremendous job.
Former Mt Whitney, COS and Boston College QB Robert Dougherty and his staff are also doing a tremendous job. Coaching your QB son has to be a special time for Robert.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Bears won a Championship in 1915, 1954 and 2016 and 2019
The Pirates won a Championship in 2021
PAGMETER PREDICTION PIRATES 33 BEARS 27
FINAL BEARS 32 PIRATES 28

DIVISION 6 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
MIRA MONTE LIONS (7-7) at LINDSAY CARDINALS (9-5)
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Lions beat Minarets 24-22. Lions kicker Angel Zarate nails a 30-yard Walk-off Field goal. Junior Nathan Gonzales carried the ball 42 times for 334 yards rushing and scored 2 TDs. Junior QB Fabian Carrillo threw a 74 yard TD pass to Cordae Fulmer.
The Cardinals beat Corcoran 42-2. The Panthers were beaten up with plenty of injuries and didn’t tell anybody. The Panthers tried to hide their injuries but it wouldn’t have mattered. The Cardinals were the better team this year beating Corcoran twice.
The Cardinals had a 28-0 lead at the half and a 42-0 lead in the 3rd quarter before the Cardinals shut it down. Senior QB Uriah Guerrero ran for 3 TDs and threw a TD pass to JJ Guerreca. Jose Cortes scored on a rushing TD and Adam Salinas had a Pick-6.
PAGMETER X FACTOR
Both teams love to pound the football. Which team can avoid the big turnover, big penalities and finish drives with points.
Can the Lions slow down Jose Cortes and the Cardinals running game?
Can the Cardinals slow down Nathan Gonzales?
Whichever defense plays better, can force some big turnovers and be more physical will be the Division 6 Champions.
Both teams are playing their best football at the right time.
Lions Head Coach Christian Johnson, is building a very good football program and the Lions never won a playoff game in school history until this year and is now on a 3 game playoff winning streak.
Cardinals Head Coach, Marcus Alonzo has the Cardinals in the championship game in his first year of coaching and doing a tremendous job.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Lions are playing in their first Section Championship game ever.
The Cardinals won a Championship in 1952, 1988 and 2001.
PAGMETER PREDICTION LIONS 30 CARDINALS 28
FINAL CARDINALS 28 LIONS 0