High school football: What Bullard players said after win in first game without Don Arax
Former Bullard High football coach Don Arax was on the minds of the Knights players Friday night in Madera.
It was a County/Metro Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
A new season, one that the Knights hope they can build off after a 7-6 victory over the Coyotes.
Dominick Gonzalez’s touchdown run with 9 minutes remaining, an extra point by Preston Clarke and a tough defense was enough for the Knights, who all gathered in a huddle and said “For Arax.”
“We weren’t at our best tonight, but a win is a win,” Bullard interim coach Brandon Gilbert told the team. “You guys deserve this win.”
Arax was let go as the head coach Sept 22 for unknown reasons.
Fresno Unified released a statement saying “Bullard High School’s head football coach Don Arax has been released from his role with the team. We cannot provide details on personnel matters, but would like to clarify, he has not been fired, and will retain his teaching position,” the school district wrote in a press release.
“It’s been a tough week for everybody,” Gilbert said. “Just lending any helping hand I can. The assistant coaches and the players are really the ones working their butts off.”
Game balls
Alex Asparuhov, San Joaquin Memorial: His field goal late in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers a 22-21 victory over Edison.
Tomas Barajas, Sanger: His 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown set the tone for the Apaches in a 41-14 victory over Garza.
Andrew Camarillo, Orosi: He had three touchdowns to give the Cardinals a 28-7 victory over Strathmore.
Vincent Cordoba, Clovis North: He scored twice to guide the Broncos to a 31-21 victory over Clovis East.
Jacob Cunha, Sierra Pacific: His 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter gave the Golden Bears a 16-13 victory over Selma.
Elijah Daley, Lemoore: He ran for 134 yards and a score to help the Tigers to a 32-21 victory over Tulare Union.
Dammarea Farris, Fresno: He rushed for three touchdowns, including a 55-yarder to lead the Warriors to a 27-6 victory over Madera South in a North Yosemite League game.
Andre Flores, Dos Palos: He rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown to lead the Broncos to a 35-0 victory over Avenal.
Danny Gonzalez, Mission Oak: Rushed for two touchdowns and threw for 207 yards in the Hawks’ 33-20 victory over Tulare Western.
Seth Hutchison, Immanuel: He carried the ball five times for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 47-28 win over Reedley.
Brent Kroeze, Central Valley Christian: Passed for four touchdowns to help the Cavaliers to a 52-12 victory over Kerman.
Palmer Johnson, Clovis: His batted pass on a two-point try gave the Cougars a 38-37 victory over Central in overtime.
TJ McMillan III, McLane: He had touchdown runs of 8 and 56 yards in the Highlanders’ 24-12 victory over Roosevelt.
Jacob Molina, Exeter: He led the Monarchs with five touchdown passes in a 52-12 victory over Hanford West. He also ran for a score.
Donnie Munoz, Mendota: He had two touchdown runs, including a 23-yarder that started the scoring in the first quarter, in a 49-14 victory over Tranquillity.
Saul Rodriguez, Woodlake: His 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Tigers a 26-20 victory over Orange Cove in overtime.
Luke Sanchez, Redwood: His two touchdown passes were enough in the Rangers’ 14-7 win over El Diamante.
Logan Stotts, Fresno Christian: Completed 16 of 27 for 214 yards and six touchdowns in the Eagles’ 64-0 victory over Alpaugh.
Landon Wright, Clovis West: He had three touchdowns in a win over Buchanan.
The Bee’s predictions
It wasn’t a good prediction week for The Bee.
The only wins came from Clovis North and Clovis West, while The Bee incorrectly predicted that Central, Madera and Tulare Union would win their games.
As a result, The Bee’s record for the season is now 23-12.
Top 25 fared
1. Clovis North (6-0) defeated Clovis East 31-21
2. Liberty-Bakersfield (5-1) defeated Garces 41-13
3. Clovis East (5-1) lost to Clovis North 31-21
4. Clovis West (5-1) defeated Buchanan 33-7
5. Sanger (5-1) defeated Garza 41-14
6. Frontier (6-0) defeated Ridgeview 51-12
7. Central (4-2) lost to Clovis 38-37 (OT)
8. Centennial (4-2) defeated Stockdale 31-7
9. Clovis (5-1) defeated Central 38-37 (OT)
10. Lemoore (3-2) defeated Tulare Union 32-21
11. Hanford (5-1) defeated Dinuba 47-6
12. Buchanan (2-4) lost to Clovis West 33-7
13. Central Valley Christian (5-1) defeated Kerman 58-14
14. Kennedy (6-1) defeated Wasco 42-0
15. Shafter (7-0) defeated McFarland 49-0
16. Arroyo Grande (5-1) defeated Nipomo 38-8
17. Sunnyside (5-1) defeated Hoover 58-6
18. Bakersfield (3-3) lost to Bakersfield Christian 34-32
19. Tulare Union (4-2) lost to Lemoore 32-21
20. St. Joseph (4-2) defeated Santa Ynez 42-10
21. Kingsburg (5-1) defeated Washington Union 13-6
22. Garces (2-4) lost to Liberty-Bakersfield 41-13
23. Stockdale (3-3) lost to Centennial 31-7
24. Exeter (6-0) defeated Hanford West 52-12
25. Porterville (4-2) lost to Mt. Whitney 35-28
