SBLive's Central Section Fab 15 football rankings: Clovis West remains firm at No. 1

Clovis West continued its mighty turnaround, defeating previously undefeated Clovis East 42-30 to improve to 7-0 on the season. The Golden Eagles, a season after going 4-8, are in control of their own destiny for the final three games of the regular season.

The talk of the section this coming week — and, to be honest, all year — is the matchup between No. 5 Central Valley Christian and No. 6 Kingsburg.

Just how big is this game?

Well, a newly-erected billboard on Highway 99 bills it as the “High School Game of the Year.”

We agree it’s a whopper.

Six teams remain undefeated in the section, five of those with 7-0 records — Clovis West, Central Valley Christian, Kingsburg, Liberty-Madera, Centennial. The sixth team, Bishop from the High Desert League, is 6-0.

Central Section's Fab 15 (records through Oct. 8)

1. Clovis West-Fresno (7-0)
Last week rank: No. 1
Last week result: Defeated Clovis East 42-30
Next game: Friday vs Clovis North
The Golden Eagles hold onto the No. 1 ranking behind the strong play of senior QB Ryan Markarian and junior receiver Marshel Sanders, coming from behind before holding off a solid Clovis East team 42-30. Markarian passed for 370 yards and five TDs, three to Sanders. Landon Wright totaled 179 receiving yards and two TD catches and Aiden Fortenberry rushed for 79 and one score. Clovis West takes on Clovis North, who defeated Clovis 38-35.

2. Buchanan-Fresno (6-1)
Last week rank: No. 2
Last week result: Defeated Central 49-41
Next game: Friday vs Clovis
Running back Michael Runnels ran for scores of 59, 11, 4 and 6 yards and caught a 59-yard TD pass from senior Jayden Mandal as the Bears held off rival Central on the road. Buchanan held a 49-28 lead in the 4th quarter and after the Grizzlies cut the lead to 49-41 the Bears defense stopped Central on 4th down to seal the victory. Buchanan plays Clovis, 39-35 losers to Clovis.

3. San Joaquin Memorial (5-2)
Last week rank: No. 3
Last week result: Defeated Madera 56-0
Next game: Friday vs Bullard
Brandon Ramirez ran for scores of 49, 24 and 62 yards and the Panthers scored early and often in a 56-0 win at Madera. Senior QB Carson Dean tossed TD passes to Joe Delana, Jayden Enriquez and Tommy Nix and Donavon Harris ran a 34-yard score. This Friday is the big one in CMAC play as San Joaquin Memorial play rival Bullard at home.

4. Liberty-Bakersfield (5-2)
Last week rank: No. 4
Last week result: Defeated Stockdale 42-0
Next game: Friday vs Centennial
The Patriots’ Jaden Hawkins rushed for two scores as Liberty bolted to a 35-0 halftime lead in smothering Stockdale 42-0. Xander Chisholm scooped up a fumble and returned it 25 yards for a score in the first half. Liberty faces Centennial, 21-7 winners over Highland.

5. Central Valley Christian-Visalia (7-0)
Last week rank: No. 6
Last week result: Defeated Selma 64-13
Next game: Friday at Kingsburg
A week after his Cavaliers' debut netted him 261 rushing yards on just six carries, Bryson Donelson rushed for 172 yards on 13 carries and three TDs and added 114 receiving yards and a score in a lopsided win at Selma. Senior quarterback Max Bakker completed 11 of 14 passes for 200 and three scores.

6. Kingsburg (7-0)
Last week rank: No. 7
Last week result: Defeated Kerman 28-0
Next game: Friday vs CVC
The Vikings remain undefeated after shutting out Kerman on the road, setting up the big matchup this Friday when they welcome undefeated Central Valley Christian. Trace Jackson continued his stellar season with 173 yards on the ground and three scores and Kaleb Peterson scored on a 13-yard run in the 4th quarter. Kingsburg’s defense allows ten points per game and the Cavaliers average 43 per game.

7. Central-Fresno (4-3)
Last week rank: No. 5
Last week result: Lost to Buchanan 49-41
Next game: Friday vs Clovis East
Dayton Tafoya completed 32 of 53 passes for 415 yards and five TDs and rushed for 90 and a score but it wasn’t enough as the Grizzlies fell to Buchanan 49-41 at home. Ladian Streets (108 receiving yards, 1 TD) and Braylen Hall (103 yards, 1 TD) were his main targets. Central now turns their attention to Clovis East (6-1), who fell to No. 1 Clovis West 42-30.

8. St. Joseph-Santa Maria (6-1)
Last week rank: No. 8
Last week result: Defeated Paso Robles 38-10
Next game: Friday vs Righetti
The Knights rushed out to a 28-7 first quarter lead and never looked back in defeating Paso Robles 38-10. Senior QB Darian Mensah accounted for four touchdowns as St. Joseph improves to 6-1 on the season. This Friday they play 1-6 Righetti at home, who lost 28-7 to Arroyo Grande.

9. Clovis East (6-1)
Last week rank: No. 8
Last week result: Lost to Clovis West 42-30
Next game: Friday vs Central
The Timberwolves squandered a 20-7 lead late in the second half, falling to Clovis West 42-30 at home in a game sophomore QB Ty Miller rushed for 103 yards with two scores and passed for 165 and another. Clovis East got within 36-30 with 1:31 left and seemingly recovered an onside kick only to have an illegal procedure call negate the recovery. The Timberwolves play at home against Central who lost 49-41 to Buchanan.

10. Centennial-Bakersfield (7-0)
Last week rank: No. 10
Last week result: Defeated Highland 21-7
Next game: Friday at Liberty
The Golden Hawks fought off a pesky Highland team, needing a 1-yard TD run in the 4th quarter from QB Adam Corpus to seal the home win. Centennial has its toughest game of the season this Friday at Liberty.

11. Lemoore (6-1)
Last week rank: No. 11
Last week result: Defeated Mission Oak 45-0
Next game: Friday at Dinuba
Senior QB Ty Chambers threw three touchdowns to three different Tigers receivers as Lemoore rolled Mission Oak 45-0. Lemoore leads the Central Section in points, averaging 47 points per game. The Tigers play Friday at Dinuba, 42-7 winners over Tulare Western.

12. Redwood-Visalia (4-2)
Last week rank: No. 12
Last week result: Defeated Porterville 28-0
Next game: Thursday at Monache-Porterville
Jacob Perch rushed for 147 yards and two scores on only 9 carries and the Rangers held Porterville to 228 total yards of offense, shutting out previously unbeaten Porterville 28-0. After starting the season with two losses, Redwood has reeled off five in a row and takes on a 2-5 Monache team which beat El Diamante 26-7.

13. Clovis North (4-3)
Last week rank: No. 14
Last week result: Defeated Clovis 38-35
Next game: Friday vs Clovis West
The Broncos swap spots with Clovis after their 38-35 win over the Cougars. Mario Cosma completed 11-14 passes for 146 yards and a TD pass to Rasid Mansour who caught four passes for 115 yards. Jackson Sinfel rushed for two scores on 71 yards. This Friday Clovis North plays Clovis West with a chance to upset the No. 1 team in the Central Section.

14. Clovis (3-4)
Last week rank: No. 13
Last week result: Lost to Clovis North 38-35
Next game: Friday at Buchanan
For the second straight week the Cougars lost by one score, falling to Clovis North 38-35. The bright spot in the loss was freshman Deagan Rose, who passed for 308 yards and three TDs. Jacob Saldate (11-178, 1 TD) and Jaden Carillo (7-92, 1 TD) had standout games. It doesn’t get any easier as they play Buchanan on the road Friday, 49-41 winners over Central.

15. Hanford (5-2)
Last week rank: No. 15
Last week result: Defeated Tulare 49-6
Next game: Friday vs Tulare Western
The Bullups bounced back after their loss to Dinuba and rushed for six touchdowns - three from Dameian Hernandez — in a blowout win over Tulare Union. Senior QB Cayden Muir passed for 148 yard on 11-14 attempts and a score. This Friday Hanford plays Tulare Western, who lost 49-7 to Dinuba.