By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
A pair of Central Section showdowns highlight this week's Top 10 Games to Watch.
Clovis West vs. Clovis East
At the beginning of the season, this contest figured to be a battle for Tri-River League, and Central Section, supremacy. Instead, the Golden Eagles have struggled, dropping three of their last four games, including a 28-25 loss last week to Buchanan. Clovis East, considered the class of the Central Section at the beginning of the year, hasn't had quite as bumpy a road as its counterparts to the West. The Timberwolves lost to Alta of Sandy, Utah, and also fell to surprising Bullard 26-20. Since that loss, however, Clovis East has run off three straight wins, including a 35-14 win over Central and a 63-13 win over Clovis. Beau Sweeney of Clovis West was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the section at the beginning of the season. He has thrown for 691 yards on the season, including 194 yards in his last outing against Buchanan. The Golden Eagles have also been hurt by the absence of league MVP Matt Jelmini, who sat out several games with an injury. He has 484 yards rushing on the season. Clovis East attacks a team with a number of different weapons. Taylor Scott is calling the signals now for the Timberwolves. He helped CE rack up 636 yards of total offense in the win over Clovis. Stanley Yabrough in the team's leading rusher with 785 yards.
Bullard vs. Edison
Instead of Clovis West and Clovis East battling for the top spot in the Central Section this week, the honor goes to Bullard and Edison, who are currently ranked No. 1 and 2 respectively by the Fresno Bee. Edison's Jerry Davis ranks as one of the section's top passers with 1,396 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season. Meanwhile his Bullard counterpart, Phillip Brandt, has thrown for 963 yards and nine scores. Bullard also has the electric Clifton Rogers, who has rambled for 929 yards and 14 scores. Meanwhile Edison has one of the top receivers in Rolando Jefferson, who has caught 18 passes for a whopping 482 yards and seven touchdowns.
Manteca vs. Oakdale
The Buffaloes face their toughest test of the season to date when they meet the Oakdale Mustangs tonight. Manteca, winners of 26 straight games and owners of the longest winning streak in the state, face an Oakdale team whose only loss came against Cardinal Newman, 42-39. The Mustangs average close to 46 points a game and are led by quarterback Devin Combs, who has thrown for 992 yards on the season. His favorite target is Rodney Pereira with 28 catches for 518 yards and nine touchdowns. The Mustangs can also run the ball with Nick Batteate gaining 807 yards on the ground, according to the Modesto Bee. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes have two of the top defenders in the Sac Joaquin Section in linebacker Nick Ortiz and safety Beau Fryer.
River Valley vs. Inderkum
If there is a surprise team in the Sac Joaquin Section this year, it's the River Valley Falcons. The surprise is not necessarily that they are 6-0, although that's a big part of it, the surprise is how they have gotten to this point. At the start of the season, River Valley coach John Scott was let go as head coach for a violation of school rules. Junior varsity coach Troy Alexander was thrust into the head position and life hasn't been the same for the Falcons. A 1-9 team last year that had no seniors, River Valley is 6-0 with its first ever senior class. Inderkum is a new school in its own right, fielding a varsity team for only the past few years. The Tigers only loss came at the beginning of the season with a loss to Rodriguez of Fairfield 31-13. Since then, Inderkum has rattled off five straight wins, including a 69-0 victory over West Campus and a 44-90 win over Woodland last week. The Falcons are led by quarterback Josh Hudson, a transfer from Yuba City, who is averaging 175 yards per game. Inderkum likes to keep the ball on the ground with Domian Williams, who is averaging 122 yards per game.
Oceanside vs. Rancho Buena Vista
The Pirates' big win over Carlsbad last week thrust Oceanside into the top spot in the San Diego Section rankings according to MaxPreps. They get a big test this week when they face the Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns, who are 5-1 on the year. RBV has run off four straight wins since losing to Otay Ranch in week 2. The Longhorns rely heavily on the running game and Ian Sluss is one of the section's best with 955 yards on the season. He had 250 yards on 17 carries in a 49-21 win over Fallbrook last week. Armani Taylor leads the Pirate ground attack, rushing for 754 yards on the year with four touchdowns in last week's win over Carlsbad. The Pirates can also throw the ball, however, with junior quarterback Jordan Wynn on of the section's leading passes with 1,488 yards on the year.
Vista Murietta vs. Temescal Canyon
In a battle for top dog on the east side of the Southern Section, unbeaten Vista Murietta and all-purpose threat Kavon Seaton, meet 5-1 Temescal Canyon and all-purpose threat Jonathan Warzeka. Seaton is a bit more explosive. He averages a team-best 70 yards rushing per game while also throwing for 140 yards an outing. Meanwhile Warzeka also leads his team in rushing and passing, averaging 95 yards on the ground and 55 through the air. Temescal Canyon's only loss came against Santiago, 14-7, in a nonleague game.
Lutheran vs. Servite
Every game is a big game in the Trinity League and this week's matchup between Servite and Lutheran is no different. The Lancers have won 15 games in a row dating back to a 28-21 loss against, you guessed it, Servite. The Friars handed Lutheran its only loss during its Division 2 bowl championship season. Servite has one loss on its resume this year, a 17-9 loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago. Servite bounced back with a 32-15 win over Santa Margarita last week. Servite's DJ Shoemate is one of the leading scorers in Orange County with 14 touchdowns on the season. Lutheran quarterback Blake Hyepock has thrown for 1,031 yards while Servite's Johnny McEntee has thrown for 832.
Notre Dame vs. Chaminade
Two of the top quarterbacks in the Southern Section face off when 5-1 Notre Dame and 5-1 Chaminade face off this week. The Knights, led by Dayne Crist, have won three straight since falling to Birmingham, including a 33-6 win last week over St. Francis of LaCanada. Chaminade, meanwhile, lost its first game of the season last week to Loyola, 17-7. The only common opponent for the two teams is Canyon of Canyon Country, which Notre Dame defeated 17-7 and Chaminade topped 24-21. Chaminade's Ryan Griffin, has thrown for 1,265 yards on the season including a season-best 273 yards last week. Crist, meanwhile, has thrown for 1,413 yards. He had a season-high four touchdown passes against St. Francis last week.
Esperanza vs. Newport Harbor
A pair of McDonald's will be in the spotlight tonight when unbeaten Esperanza (6-0) meets once beaten Newport Harbor (5-1). Sean McDonald calls the signals for the Aztecs while Andrew McDonald guides the Sailors. The latter McDonald takes to the air on a regular basis, averaging 136 yards an outing. Sean McDonald averages just 27 yards passing, preferring instead to hand off to either Reid Williams (597 yards) or Jared Moore (444 yards). McDonald might also keep it himself, having rushed for 181 yards on the year. Newport Harbor's only loss is to Long Beach Poly.
Banning vs. Narbonne
In a Marine League showdown, Banning puts its undefeated record on the line against a tough Narbonne team that has lost just once (5-1). Josh Limosnero leads the way for the Pilots, rushing for 5-4 yards on just 43 carries with nine touchdowns. Meanwhile Josh Moten leads the Gauchos attack with a season best 184 yards on just 11 carries in a win over Mira Costa. Narbonne's one loss came last week in a 35-31 thriller against Carson. Banning posted its biggest win of the season two weeks ago when it upset Venice 21-19.