Top 10 Central Section high school football playoff first-round games

Based on Calprep.com predictions, here are the tightest games not to miss

Mitch Stephens | Nov 8, 2024

Clovis High ready to snap the ball heading into the Central Section playoffs that get underway Friday when the Cougars travel to unbeaten Hanford. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

First-round high school playoff games tend to be a little lopsided, wonky and one-sided.

According to calpreps.com, that's not the case at all in the Central Section where of its 36 games (35 of them on Friday), only six should be decided by three touchdowns or greater.

CENTRAL SECTION: Football playoff brackets

In fact, five are projected to be decided by three points or less and 17 by 10 points or fewer. There are 13 more that should be decided between 11 and 20 points.

SCORES/UPDATES: California

The most common margin is between 11 and 19.

CALIFORNIA'S TOP TEAMS: Top 25 rankings (11/4/2024)

TOP 10 CENTRAL SECTION PROJECTED FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAMES

1. DIVISION 1: Clovis West 22, Arroyo Grande 21

GAME DETAILS/PICK 'EM CHALLENGE
The battle of Eagles. The visiting Eagles (4-6) have toughened up in one of the state's top leagues, the Tri-River Athletic Conference but will face a tough host Eagles (7-3), who are led by junior Zack Tayman (892 yards rushing 12 touchdowns. The teams have never met.

2. DIVISION 1-AA: Clovis 31, Hanford 28

GAME DETAILS/PICK 'EM CHALLENGE
The visiting Cougars (7-3), led by one of the state's top junior QBs Deagan Rose (Oregon State commit) get an unbeaten Bullpup squad (10-0) that is led by game-breaking RB Kourdey Glass, who's an equal threat as running (627 yards, 13 TDs) and receiver (14, 381). Another first-time matchup.

Clovis High School junior Deagan Rose has already accepted a scholarship to Oregon State. He's the top QB prospect from the Central Section heading into the 2024 season. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

3. DIVISION II: San Luis Obispo 24, Highland (Bakersfield) 19

GAME DETAILS/PICK 'EM CHALLENGE
The host Tigers (9-1) are led by senior QB Jace Gomes who is a bigger threat on the ground (944 rushing yards, 14 TDs) than passing. Another big running mate Colbin Garrison makes SLO tough to slow. Highland's sophomore QB Preston Mendez has thrown 15 touchdowns.