CIF Central Section Top 15 football rankings, presented by SBLive/Sports Illustrated, 9/18/23

Clovis North solidifies its spot at the top after convincing win over Southern Section power JSerra Catholic

Clovis North certainly solidified its move to the Central Section’s top spot last week by crushing state No. 10 JSerra 23-7 at home. The Broncos’ ground attack (averaging 300 yards per game) and swarming defense (four touchdowns allowed in five games) have been exceptional all season.

No. 2 Liberty once again proved their toughness at home, beating No. 4 Central soundly 35-14 and No. 3 Clovis East rolled past Kerman 55-20.

Overall, it was a good week for SBLive’s Fab 15 as every team won except for No. 14 Centennial-Bakersfield, who fell 21-7 at No. 7 Sanger and Central.

Most schools in the Central Section have a bye week this week before heading in league play, including the Tri-River Athletic Conference who boasts all six of its teams in the Fab 15.

And what a whopper Sept. 29 will be featuring No. 1 Clovis North hosting No. 3 Clovis East.

1. Clovis North (5-0)

Last week rank: 1

Last week: Defeated JSerra 23-7

Next game: Sept 29 at Clovis East

The Broncos dominated SBLive’s No. 10 team JSerra from the Trinity League 23-7, allowing only a TD late in the fourth quarter. Jackson Cinfel rushed for 181 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown and McKay Madsen added 83 yards on eight carries and a score. Mario Cosma tossed a 49-yard TD to Vincent Cordoba in the second quarter and Andrew Chavez had two interceptions. The Clovis North defense allowed 38 rushing yards, 138 yards below JSerra’s average and will take on No. 3 Clovis East at home on Sept. 29.

Andrew Chavez (23) not only had two interceptions but he also added a fumble recovery for Clovis North in Friday's 23-7 win over JSerra Catholic. Photo: Bobby Medellin

2. Liberty-Bakersfield (4-1)

Last week rank: 2

Last week: Defeated Central 35-14

Next game: Sept. 29 home against Garces

In a battle of the schools that have won the last five Central Section D1 titles, Cole O’Brien threw two TDs and ran for one more as the Patriots scored 28 unanswered against Central to topple No. 4 Central at home 35-14. Tre Fulton caught two TDs and Mekhi Deluth and Jaylen Murphy added touchdowns on the ground.

3 Clovis East (5-0)

Last week rank: 3

Last week result: Defeated Kerman 55-20

Next game: Sept 29 home vs Clovis North

Tommy Nix caught two TDs through the air, one on the ground, and had an interception return for another as the Timberwolves overwhelmed Kerman at home 55-20. Ty Miller threw for 165 yards and three touchdowns. A colossal matchup awaits on Sept. 29 as Clovis East takes on No. 1 Clovis North at Daryle Lamonica Stadium to begin Tri-River Athletic Conference play.

4. Central (4-1)

Last week rank: 4

Last week result: Lost to Liberty-Bakersfield 35-14

Next game: Sept. 29 home against Clovis

In a battle between two schools with recent state titles–Central in 2019 and Liberty in 2022–the Grizzlies allowed 28 straight points to Liberty on the road before falling 35-14. Senior receiver Braylen Hall added two touchdown receptions and now has a Central Section-leading nine on the season. Junior quarterback Earl Riley completed 15-24 passes for 205 yards.

5. Frontier (5-0)

Last week rank: 5

Last week result: Defeated Independence 49-13

Next game: Sept. 29 home against Ridgeview

Malakhi Statler passed for 292 yards and five touchdowns–three to Malcom Watkins–as the Titans cruised past Independence 49-13. Donte Moreci rushed for 86 yards and two TDs on just three carries and Watkins totaled 133 receiving yards.

6. Clovis West (4-1)

Last week rank: 6

Last week result: Defeated Edison 35-6

Next game: Sept. 29 at Buchanan

Tyler Patrick threw four touchdowns in the first half as the Golden Eagles cruised to a 35-0 halftime lead in a game the offense only ran five plays in the second half. Jordan Pierro caught three TDs–one from sophomore Tyler Franklin–and Marshel Sanders and Landon Wright each caught one.

7. Sanger (4-1)

Last week rank: 7

Last week result: Defeated Centennial 21-7

Next game: Sept. 29 home against Justin Garza

Isaiah Robles rushed for two touchdowns and Jaden Chanthalangsy threw a 20-yard TD pass to Bryson Baker as the Apaches defense shutout Centennial in the second half. Sanger forced three first half turnovers.

8. Clovis (4-1)

Last week rank: 8

Last week result: Defeated Bullard 35-28

Next game: Sept. 29 at Central

Roman Moreno’s 3-yard TD run broke a 28-28 tie in the 4th quarter and the Cougars’ defense held on to beat Bullard 35-28. After the Knights scored to make 28-21 late in the third quarter Tyler Cheney took a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore Deagan Rose threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

9. St. Joseph (3-1)

Last week rank: 9

Last week result: Defeated Nipomo 47-0

Next game:Friday at Arroyo Grande

The Knights exploded for 40 points in the first half, cruising to a 47-0 win on the road at Nipomo. Nicholas Matautia threw three TD passes–two to running back Carter Vargas–and Fred Jordan rushed for two touchdowns.

10. Central Valley Christian (4-1)

Last week rank: 10

Last week result: Defeated Mission Oak 64-38

Next game: Friday at Mission Oak

Bryson Donelson accounted for six touchdowns, rushing for 365 yards on 23 carries as the Cavaliers beat Mission Oak 64-38. Senior quarterback Brett Kroeze completed 8-13 passes for 189 and three touchdowns, including one to Donelson who has rushed for 1,160 yards and 18 TDs on the season.

11. Hanford (4-1)

Last week rank: 13

Last week result: Defeated Redwood 47-28

Next game: Sept. 29 at Dinuba

Junior Daniel Gomez completed 28 of 32 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns and the Bullpups responded after suffering its first loss of the season. Jordan Black had six catches for 108 and two TDs and Kourdey Glass rushed for three touchdowns and caught one.

12. Kingsburg (4-0)

Last week rank: 11

Last week result: Did not play

Next game: Friday at Tulare Union

The Vikings did not play and take on a talented Tulare Union squad this week that features sophomore quarterback Jordan Crisp, who is averaging 340 passing yards per game.

13. Buchanan (2-3)

Last week rank: 14

Last week result: Defeated San Joaquin Memorial 31-3

Next game: Sept. 29 home against Clovis West

Garrett Menagh rushed for three touchdowns and Logan Sanchez passed for 217 yards and a score as the Bears cruised to a 31-3 win over San Joaquin Memorial. They’ll face Clovis West to open up Tri-River Athletic Conference play.

14. Centennial (3-2)

Last week rank: 12

Last week result: Lost to Sanger 21-7

Next game: Sept. 29 at Stockdale

In a matchup between two Top 15 teams, the Golden Hawks fell 21-7 at Sanger. Angel Lozano scored the only Centennial touchdown of the game, a 33-yard run early in the second quarter.

15. Shafter (5-0)

Last week rank: 15

Last week: Defeated Chavez 33-7

Next game: Sept. 22 at Taft

Chris Espinosa rushed for 125 yards and a score and Ezekiel Osborne passed for two TD and 149 yards in a 33-7 win at Chavez. Jesus Figuoa caught ten passes for 114 yards and a TD.