Clovis North runs, passes way to 31-21 win past Clovis East in NorCal high school football game of the week

In battle of 5-0 Central Section teams, top-ranked Broncos use 58-yard touchdown from Mario Cosma to Vincent Cordoba to cap big third quarter and tough TRAC-opening win

Chris Aguirre | Sep 29, 2023

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA — Two of the top three Central Section football teams put on a quite a show Friday at Lamonica Stadium on the campus of Clovis High School

Clovis North, ranked No. 1 in the section by SBLive/Sports Illustrated, and No. 3 Clovis East each entered 5-0 in both teams' Tri-River Athletic Conference opener.

In the end, the top-ranked Broncos used both its relentless ground game but also a late long touchdown pass, plus a rugged defense to defeat host Clovis East, 31-21.

Andrew Chavez (15 carries, 67 yards) and Vincent Cordoba (four catches, 98 yards) each scored scored two touchdowns for the Broncos, who finished with 214 yards rushing — down from their season average of nearly 260 — but did enough to secure the hard-earned victory.

Leading rusher Jackson Cinfel, who entered more than 640 yards while averaging better than 12 yards per carry, was held in check with 22 carries for 82 yards. But the Broncos were able to move the sticks and control the ball while the defense — led by Brayden Bitter's 10 tackles and interceptions from McKay Madsen and Trent Rogers — gave up a single tally in the second half.

Andrew Chavez (23) rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Photo: Bobby Medellin

“It’s a good win, Clovis North head coach Mike Jacot said. "Anytime you can get a win to start TRAC play off is big. I am proud of our guys and the way they came out and played the second half. Clovis East I think wanted it a little bit more than we did, we battled back in the second half, and I am just proud of our guys.”

Clovis East's high-powered offense was led by standout recievers Tommy Nix and Harold Duvall. Nix scored the first touchdown of the game, while Duvall finished with two touchdowns.

With the Broncos leading 31-21 with nine minutes left in the game, the Timberwolves drove the ball fown to the Broncos 10 yard line and looked like they were going to score. That's when Timberwolves quarterback Miller pass to the back of the end zone was intercepted by Broncos Trent Rogers.

This gave the Broncos the ball back at their own 20 yard line with 8:45 left in the game. The Broncos held the ball for the next eight minutes to seal the win.

“I thought we played physical," Clovis East coach Brandon Nagle said. "They are a good football team, and we made some mistakes that cost us. You must give it to them for capitalizing on the mistakes. I think if we clean those up, we are right in it. I am proud of my guys.”

Clovis East quarterback Ty Miller connected on two touchdown passes to Harold Duval. Photo: Bobby Medellin

Clovis East’s high-powered offense scored quick to open the game taking only 50 seconds to drive the ball 80 yards and score when Nix took a handoff from Miller and scored on a 38-yard touchdown run. That gave Clovis East an early 7-0 lead. Nix’s touchdown was set up by a 40-yard reception by Duvall.

The Broncos answered right back on the ensuing possession when Chavez scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with three minutes left in the first quarter. The touchdown capped a 12 play 55-yard drive.

Clovis North took a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter when Chavez scored his second touchdown from 1 yard out, capping a 10-play, 64-yard drive (all on the ground).

The score remained the same until Miller connected with Duvall on a 28-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to tie the score at 14-14.

The Broncos took the opening possession of the second half and chewed up over 7 minutes of the quarter before settling for a 34-yard field goal from Ryan Kobzeff to take a 17-14 lead with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

Clovis North’s McKay Madsen intercepted Clovis East’s Miller on the ensuing Timberwolves possession and ran it back to the Timberwolves' 5. Two plays later, Broncos’ Cordoba scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to extend the Broncos lead to 24-14 with 2:40 left in the third quarter.

“I think the interception that led to us having a 10-point lead was the changing point for us,” Jacot said. “Our guys played with a little more confidence in a sense that we are trying to win this game and just to not lose.”

Clovis North quarterback Mario Cosma (10) connected on a 59-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Cordoba late to seal the victory. Photo: Bobby Medellin

The Timberwolves did not go away and scored 28 seconds later when Miller connected with Duvall on a 68-yard touchdown. This cut the Broncos’ lead to 24-21 with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Duvall finished with three receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Clovis North wasn’t fazed and extended the lead back to 10 at 31-21 when quarterback Mario Cosma connected with Cordoba on a 59-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Broncos defense held Clovis East scoreless in the fourth quarter to earn the win.

“We prepared well all week," Cosma said. "Coach Jacot gave us a great gameplan. We knew this game was going to be a battle and came down to the last plays.

“This win says that our team has a lot of Grit. Our defense kept battling and got two key turnovers. Our offense just kept on pounding and pushing until we got the last first downs that we needed.”

Clovis North moves to 6-0, while Clovis East drops their first game and sits at 5-1. Clovis North plays Clovis next week while Clovis East looks to rebound when they face Clovis West.

Pregame: Clovis North has risen 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).

The upstart Timberwolves of Clovis East's rejuvenation is in full force after a 5-0 start and an impressive 42-21 win over Sanger. In his third season at quarterback, junior Ty Miller has passed for 1,395 yards and an 18-4 touchdown to interception ratio. Tommy Nix (24-509-7) and Harold Duvall (12-412-6) have been Miller’s top targets.

(All photos by Bobby Medellin)