Central Section Division I playoffs: Clovis West, Sanger, Clovis, Central pick up wins
There were a lot of expectations for the Clovis West High football team this season.
It didn’t go exactly the way it would have liked in the Tri-River Athletic Conference, but in the Central Section playoffs?
It is a whole new season.
Just ask Golden Eagles coach Eric Brown.
Eighth-seeded Clovis West (6-5) jumped to a 36-0 lead and defeated No. 9 Hanford 42-30 in a Division I first-round high school playoff game at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
“That’s an explosive football team right there,” Brown said. “For us to do what we did in the first half was really an impressive feat by that defense and a really good job by the offense of taking advantage of the explosive plays.”
The Bullpups, however, didn’t go away quietly.
After halftime, Hanford regrouped and fired off touchdown after touchdown while outscoring Clovis West 24-6.
The Golden Eagles clamped down and didn’t allow any more TDs and held on for the win.
Clovis West had two interceptions in the fourth quarter.
“Everyone’s saying we’re not a very good team,” Brown said. “We’ve had the lead in the fourth quarter a lot of times. We showed tonight we can finish.”
The Golden Eagles will face top seed Clovis North at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 9 in a quarterfinal game.
Sanger, Clovis, Central move on
No. 5 Sanger’s defense overmatched No. 12 Garces.
The Apaches’ offense helped, too.
Sanger rolled past Garces 35-0.
It was the Apaches’ first Division I playoff win since 2006.
Marquis Cooper led off the scoring with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Israel Robles had two rushing touchdowns and Conner Bohlken also ran for a score. Jaden Chanthalangsy completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Carlos Young in the second quarter.
The Apaches will face No. 4 Clovis East in a rematch at Lamonica Stadium.
Earlier in the season, the Timberwolves defeated Sanger 42-21 for its lone loss.
▪ No. 6 Clovis was too much for No. 11 St. Joseph.
Noah Luginbill and Deagan Rose’s touchdown runs led off the scoring for the Cougars in the first quarter of a 42-7 victory at Lamonica Stadium.
Clovis will visit No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield.
▪ No. 7 Central took care of business by defeating No. 10 Arroyo Grande 42-14.
The Grizzlies will face No. 2 Ridgeview.
