Top 15 Central Section high school football rankings (9/25/2023)

With all six teams in the rankings, the Tri-River Athletic Conference kicks off this week, led by a doozy: No. 1 Clovis North at No. 3 Clovis East

A light schedule this past Friday prepares the way for a heavy load of big-time matchups in the Central Section this coming Friday.

Notably, the Tri-River Athletic Conference begins this week with all six schools ranked in the top 11 spots in our Fab 15 rankings.

No. 4 Central hosts No. 8 Clovis and No. 11 Buchanan welcomes No. 5 Clovis West. And the headliner — how about a battle of undefeateds when No. 1 Clovis North clashes with No. 3 Clovis East.

The Southwest Yosemite River League — a 5-team league in Bakersfield — fields three teams ranked in the top 15: No. 2 Liberty, No. 5 Frontier and No. 12 Centennial.

Newcomer Arroyo Grande (4-1) enters the rankings after defeating previous No. 9 St. Joseph 28-10.

1. Clovis North (5-0)

Last week rank: 1

Last week: Bye

Next game: Friday at Clovis East

The undefeated Broncos rose to No. 15 in SBLive’s state rankings after handily defeating JSerra 23-7 on Sept. 15. The reason for Clovis North’s success? A massive offensive line (averages 280 pounds), a hard-nosed defense (allowed four TDs all season) and the running back duo of Jackson Cinfel (68-726-8) and McKay Madsen (26-397-8). They play No. 3 Clovis East to open up the Tri-River Athletic Conference.

Jackson Cinfel has rushed for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. Photo: Bobby Medellin

2. Liberty-Bakersfield (4-1)

Last week rank: 2

Last week: Bye

Next game: Friday home against Garces

The back-to-back D1 Central Section champs only blemish is a 34-14 home loss to Santa Margarita from the Trinity League. Senior quarterback Cole O’Brien has provided over 1,000 yards passing and rushing combined with 11 total TDs and Mehki Delouth averages 8.3 yards per carry with eight TDs.

Cole O'Brien has thrown for more than 1,000 yards. Photo: Joe Bergman

3 Clovis East (5-0)

Last week rank: 3

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday vs Clovis North

The upstart Timberwolves’ rejuvenation is in full force after a 5-0 start and have an impressive 42-21 win over No. 6 Sanger. They’ll be tested when they face No. 1 Clovis North this Friday. In his third season at quarterback, junior Ty Miller has passed for 1,395 yards and an 18:4 TD to INT ratio. Tommy Nix (24-509-7) and Harold Duvall (12-412-6) have been Miller’s top targets.

Ty Miller (7) is on pace to throw for nearly 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. Photo: Bobby Medellin

4. Central (4-1)

Last week rank: 4

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday vs. Clovis

The Grizzlies have played very well this season, theri lone loss a 35-14 setback at No. 2 Liberty. Junior quarterback Earl Riley has passed for 1,314 and 15 TDs and senior Braylen Hall has 32 receptions for 594 yards and a section leading nine touchdowns.

5. Frontier (5-0)

Last week rank: 5

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday vs. Ridgeview

A season after making the D2 semifinals last season, the Titans are undefeated and on pace to move into the D1 playoff bracket. Senior Malakhi Statler has passed for 1,428 yards and 17 TDs and sophomore Malcolm Watkins has 436 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

6. Clovis West (4-1)

Last week rank: 6

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday at Buchanan

After dropping their opener 38-28 at St. Mary’s, the Golden Eagles have won four straight, albeit it hasn’t been easy with two wins by a point. Senior Tyler Patrick has passed for 1,165 yards and 10 TDs and Landon Wright has 597 and five TD receptions. Fresno State commit Tytus Khajavi has been as good a linebacker as there is in the Central Section.

7. Sanger (4-1)

Last week rank: 7

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday home against Justin Garza

The Apaches had arguably the toughest non-league schedule of any Central Section team and they passed with flying colors–their only loss to No. 2 Clovis East, a game that was tied at 14 at half. They’ll pound the ball evidence by 212 rushing attempts compared to only 42 passing. Isaiah Robles leads with 474 rushing yards and seven TDs.

8. Clovis (4-1)

Last week rank: 8

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday at Central

Sophomore quarterback Deagan Rose–who holds offers from Utah, Pitt and Houston–has passed for 1,217 yards and 12 TDs on the season to lead the Cougars, whose only loss was 33-21 to No. 7 Sanger. Noah Luginbill averages 12.4 tackles per game from his linebacker position. They face No. 5 Central to open up the Tri-River Athletic Conference.

9. Central Valley Christian (4-1)

Last week rank: 10

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday at Mission Oak

In the Cavaliers' four wins they’ve averaged 56 points, their lone loss a 48-14 home setback to No. 1 Clovis North. Senior Bryson Donalson has amassed 1,217 rushing yards and 18 TDs to go along with a 17.8 yards per carry average. Brent Kroeze has thrown for 881 yards and 10 TDs.

10. Hanford (4-1)

Last week rank: 11

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday at Dinuba

Quarterback Daniel Gomez has passed for 1,416 yards with an amazing 15:0 TD to INT ratio to lead the up-tempo Bullpups. A rushing attack with Kourday Glass (30-177-6), Albert Richardson (29-172-5) and Gomez (32-172-2) help balance a team that averages 46.8 points. Their only loss was a 35-6 loss to No. 5 Frontier, a game several starters didn’t start due to suspensions.

11. Buchanan (2-3)

Last week rank: 13

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday home against Clovis West

Despite three losses the Bears are no pushover–one was a 35-30 home loss to No. 2 Liberty. Junior quarterback Logan Sanchez (1,070 yards and eight TDs), Garrett Menagh (374 rushing with six TDs) and Giovanni Chiaramonte (22-390-3) lead the offense. They open up league play hosting No. 6 Clovis West.

12. Centennial (3-2)

Last week rank: 14

Last week result: Bye

Next game: Friday at Stockdale

In the Golden Hawks two losses they were held to one touchdown but still have plenty of juice to compete. Senior Adam Copus has passed for 934 yards and seven TDs, Angel Lozano averaged 10 yards per carry and Jaxton Santiago–a Boston College commit–has 363 receiving yards and three scores.

13. Shafter (5-0)

Last week rank: 15

Last week: Defeated Taft 41-16

Next game: Sept. 22 at Taft

The smallest public school in our Fab 15, the Generals defeated Taft as sophomore Ezekiel Ozborne passed for 297 yards and four TDs. Ozborne, who led Shafter to a D4 title last season, has passed for 1,407 and 20 TDs this season.

14. Arroyo Grande (4-1)

Last week rank: Not ranked

Last week result: Defeated St. Joseph 28-10

Next game: Friday at Nipomo

The Eagles enter the rankings after they defeated previous No. 9 St. Josephs. Senior Drake Missamore completed 10-15 passes for 145 yards and a score and Ben Walz rushed for 105 yards and a TD. Their only loss was 35-7 to No. 3 Clovis East in a game they held the Timberwolves scoreless in the second half.

15. St. Joseph (3-2)

Last week rank: 9

Last week result: Lost to Arroyo Grande 28-10

Next game: Friday home against Santa Ynez

Nicholas Matautia rushed for a 1-yard score in the third quarter to pull within 9-14 but the Knights fell 28-10 to previously unranked Arroyo Grande.

Dropped out: No. 12 Kingsburg