CIF Central Section 2024 football playoff updated brackets, roundup, predictions (11-18-2024)

Clovis East, Central impressive in decisive semifinal wins, to meet for D1-AA title Friday; Frontier, Bakersfield collide for D1-A title; 10 other semifinal games this week

Bakersfield 2026 QB Elijah Cavazos has passed for 1,714 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first 12 games of 2024, leading the Drillers into the CIF Central Section Division 1-A championship game. / Photo: David Dennis

The CIF Central high school football playoffs continue Friday with semifinal and quarterfinal rounds and championship games just a week away.

Click on all the big blue division links below to see the entire brackets and below that our our predictions and calpreps.com. Let us know what you think on the Pick 'Em Challenge that can be found on the Details portion of each game (clock on the game link). Or you can let me know on Twitter at @MitchBookLive or email mitch@scorebooklive.com

• CALIFORNIA SCOREBOARD: Games Nov. 21-23

Champions in all divisions (other than 8-man) advance to the CIF Northern California Bowl series, with the winners of those games, advancing to state championship contests against Southern California champions.

FOOTBALL BRACKETS/SCORES CENTRAL SECTION

DIVISION 1-AA

No. 5 Clovis (8-3) at No. 1 Clovis East (11-0)
FINAL: Clovis East 47, Clovis 13
Tyus Miller completed 13 of 16 for 227 yards and four touchdowns, two going to Harold Duvall (four catches, 145 yards), while Taemell Horton rushed 13 times for 115 yards as the top seed left no doubt, racing to a 40-7 halftime lead.

Calpreps prediction: Clovis East 42, Clovis 28
Mitch Stephens pick: Clovis East 35, Clovis 34

Clovis East line up on defense vs Grant Union on Sept. 17 2024 . The Timberwolves will need to play at their best to keep up with the speedy Grizzlies of Clovis in Friday's CS championship game. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

No. 2 Clovis North (8-3) at No. 3 Central (9-2)
FINAL: Central 27, Clovis North 10

The young Grizzlies have grown up with a decisive win over the defending champions as Brandon Smith rushed 19 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore QB Jelani Dippel completed 18 of 30 for 229 yards and one score, and rushed seven times for 78 yards and another score. Smith also had seven tackles from his cornerback spot.

Calpreps prediction: Central 28, Clovis North 27
MS pick: Central 24, Clovis North 23

Linebacker Aidan Chavez is by far Central's leading tackler with 148 — the next highest is 87. He'll have his hands full, hopefully for him and the Grizzlies, full of Clovis East jersey, in Friday's championship game at Lamonica Stadium. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: No. 1 Clovis East (12-0) vs. No. 3 Central (10-2) at Lamonica Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday

DIVISION 1-A

No. 4 Arroyo Grande (9-2) at No. 1 Bakersfield (10-1)
FINAL: Bakersfield 24, Arroyo Grande 21

Jack Hopkins kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to break a 21-21 tie and send the Drillers into an all-Bakersfield final. The potent 1-2 rushing attack of Brenton Brown and Brison Abbott combined for 156 yards rushing in 24 carries but it was BJ Veasey who rushed for a TD. Quarterbacks Elijah Cavazos and Markis Gomez combined to complete 10 of 15 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown to David Olson. Sam Wulff completed just nine passes but for 220 yards and a touchdown to Caleb Clark (5 catches, 144 yards) for Arroyo Grande.
Calpreps pick: Bakersfield 28, Arroyo Grande 24
MS pick: Bakersfield 42, Arroyo Grande 28

Bakersfield game-breaking RB Brison Abbott, who has 1,572 rushing yards in 12 games of 2024 with 19 touchdowns. Abbott and the Drillers host Frontier in the Central Section Division 1-A championship game Friday. / Photo: David Dennis

No. 7 Centennial (7-4) at No. 3 Frontier (7-4)
FINAL: Frontier 21, Centennial 14

RJ Green's second touchdown run of the night, a 9-yarder later in the third quarter broke a 14-14 tie to give the home team the win. Frontier Brady Campbell gave his team a 7-0 lead on a 13-yard TD pass to Nsong Ginyui. Centennial took a 14-7 lead on a 1-yard TD run by Jadyn Henrandez late in the first half. Frontier's defense took over from there before Green's two touchdowns.

CalPreps pick: Frontier 26, Centennial 17
MS pick: Frontier 28, Centennial 24

Friday's championship: No. 3 Fronter (8-4) at No. 1 Bakersfield (11-1), 7 p.m.

DIVISION 2

No. 9 St. Joseph (6-5) at No. 1 Bakersfield Christian (8-2)
FINAL: Bakersfield Christian 21, St. Joseph 9
After St. Joseph took a 3-0 lead after the first quarter, the top-seeded Eagles scored touchdowns in each of the next three quarters to move into the semifinals against Sunnyside. Bakersfield Christian has won six straight and nine of 10.

CalPreps pick: Bakersfield Christian 35, St. Joseph 14
MS pick: Bakersfield Christian 24, St. Joseph 21

No. 5 Tulare Western (7-3) at No. 4 Sunnyside (6-4)
FINAL: Sunnyside 43, Tulare Western 8

The visiting Wildcats outscored Tulare Western 19-0 in the second half to win going away. It was the seventh straight win for the Wildcats, who started 1-4 with four forfeit losses. They won each game on the field. Senior Tanner Wilson entered the game with more than 2,800 total yards and 38 touchdowns.


CalPreps pick: Sunnyside 31, Tulare Western 21
MS pick: Sunnyside 38, Tulare Western 28

No. 6 San Luis Obispo (10-1) at No. 3 Central Valley Christian (6-4)
FINAL: Central Valley Christian 21, San Luis Obispo 14

The defending state champions used a 10-yard touchdown run by Micah Paden — his second rushing TD of the game — this in the final minute, lifting the Cavaliers to the nerve-racking win. Paden had earlier scored on a 29-yard run after teammate Nathan Peters connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Piedpgraa. Jace Gomes (28 yards) and Colbin Garrison (2 yards) rushed for TDs for San Luisi Obispo.

CalPreps pick: Central Valley Christian 21, SLO 14
MS pick: SLO 21, Central Valley Christian 14

No. 2 Golden West (9-1) at No. 7 Kingsburg (7-4)
FINAL: Golden West 35, Kingsburg 34

Jayden Najera completed 20 of 26 for 271 yards and a touchdown and Case Anders rushed 20 times for 106 yards and the game-winning TD to help the host Trailblazers to the improbable victory. According to Kason Clark of the Mid-Valley Times, Golden West had to travel 70 yards in the final 27.8 seconds to win it, on an Anders 1-yard dive into the end zone as the clock ran out. A 39-yard completion and facemask put the ball at the 11, a screen pass from Najera to Anders placed it at the 1, where the Trailblazers barely beat the clock to tie the game at 34. Matthew Garza then kicked the extra point for the win. Rowen Collins and Marcus Garcia combined on 23 tackles for the Golden West defense.


CalPreps pick: Golden West 31, Kingsburg 19
MS pick: Kingsburg 21, Golden West 20

SEMIFINAL GAMES
No. 5 Sunnyside (7-4) at No. 1 Bakersfield Christian (8-2)
No. 3 Central Valley Christian (7-4) vs. No. 2 Golden West (10-1)

DIVISION 3

No. 8 Monache (7-4) at No. 1 Porterville (8-2)
FINAL: Porterville 35, Monache 0
The Panthers recorded their second shutout of the year and continued to get strong QB play from Ethan Enriquez, who entered the game with 2,381 yards passing and 27 touchdowns (30 counting rushes). He's thrown largely all season to Jonathan Ruiz and Izaya Welsh, who have combined for 74 receptions and 13 touchdowns.

CalPreps pick: Porterville 28, Monache 14
MS pick: Porterville 35, Monach 17

No. 4 Justin Garza (4-6) at No. 5 Kerman (9-2)
FINAL: Kerman 35, Garza 34

Julien Valez scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter and the extra point was good lifting Kerman to the hard-fought win. Adrian Torres, a junior QB, completed 25 of 32 for 369 yards and three touchdowns and Valez rushed 19 times for 114 yards and two scores. Lee Williams rushed for three TDs for Garza.

CalPreps pick: Kerman 35, Garza 22
MS pick: Kerman 42, Kerman 21

No. 6 Kennedy (7-4) at No. 3 Righetti (7-3)
FINAL: Kennedy 56, Righetti 32

Jace Demacabalin rushed 27 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns and Jamison Membreve rushed 10 times for 115 yards and three scores leading the Thunderbirds, who finished with 507 total yards, including 435 on the ground.

CalPreps pick: Righetti 31, Kennedy 30
MS pick: Righetti 42, Kennedy 35

No. 2 Madera (6-4) at No. 10 Nipomo (6-4)
FINAL: Madera 35, Nipomo 21

The Coyotes scored 14 uanswered points in the second half to win on the road and advance to next week's semifinals against Kennedy. Evan Doll had 18 tackles and Juan Zarate 17 for Madrea, which also got two interceptions from Trevor Oxley.

CalPreps pick: Madera 35, Nipomo 22
MS pick: Nipomo 28, Madera 28

SEMIFINAL GAMES
No. 5 Kerman (10-2) at No. 1 Porterville (9-2)
No. 6 Kennedy (8-4) at No. 2 Madera (7-4)

DIVISION 4

No. 8 North (6-5) at No. 1 Shafter (9-1)

FINAL: Shafter 56, North 7

Mariyon Sloan rushed 11 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns and junior QB Ezekiel Osborne completed 12 of 18 for 167 yards and four touchdowns, two going to sophomore Alex Reyna (4 catches, 73 yards).

No. 4 McLane (10-0) at No. 5 Immanuel (9-3)

FINAL: Immanuel 22, McLane 21

Jackson Leibee rushed 24 times and 116 yards and two touchdowns and added a two-point conversion run which proved the difference in this big win. Tyler Romo added a whopping 16 tackles on defense.

No. 6 Chowchilla (10-1) at No. 3 Coalinga (11-0)

FINAL: Coalinga 35, Chowchilla 7

Joah Tasi completed 21 of 26 for 231 touchdowns and two touchdowns and Jaden Pena, Gavin Watson and Julius Borjas added TD runs for the Horned Toads who scored touchdowns in each of the last three quarters without giving up a point to win goal away. Pena rushed for 71 yards and caught eight passes for 110 yards and scored twice.

No. 15 Roosevelt (8-3) at No. 10 South (8-3)

FINAL: Roosevelt 33, South 27

A 66-yard touchdown run by Ehis Idoni put Roosevelt up for good. Jerry Thomas added a touchdown catch and a TD run for the Roughriders.

SEMIFINAL GAMES
No. 5 Immanuel (10-3) at No. 1 Shafter (10-1)
No. 15 Roosevelt (9-3) at Coalinga (12-0)

DIVISION 5

No. 8 Santa Ynez (4-7) at No. 1 Bishop Union (9-2)

FINAL: Bishop Union 14, Santa Ynez 7

Junior QB Emory Dondero completed 13 of 19 for 209 yards and two touchdowns and Elijay Reynolds rushed for 72 yards leading the Broncos to the tough win over the Pirates, who got a combined 218 yards and a touchdown by junior QB Jude Pritchard.

No. 4 Morro Bay (5-6) at No. 5 Atascadero (6-5)

FINAL: Morro Bay 42, Atascadero 14

Sands Dougherty was remarkable once more, completing 23 of 27 for 387 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing 11 times for 85 yards and another score leading the Pirates to the lopsided win. Ryder Busch added 165 yards receiving on five catches and three TDs.

No. 6 Delano (7-4) at No. 3 Strathmore (9-2)

FINAL: Delano 38, Strathmore 16

The visiting Tigers piled up 420 yards, 326 coming on the ground including 218 on 16 carries from Robert Garcia. Sophomore QB DJ Huizar was outstanding passing for three touchdowns and rushing 10 times for 84 yards and another score. Noah Pavone rushed for 103 yards and a TD for Strathmore, the defending state champion.

No. 15 Hoover (4-7) at No. 7 Selma (5-6)

FINAL: Selma 43, Hoover 20

It was a run-a-thon for the Bears who got two rushing touchdowns from Aaron Ramirez and one each by Jacob Hernandez (66 yards), Dallas Luna (3), Daniel Armendez (11) and Kayden Berry (4). All of Hoover's TDs were also rushing, by Cam Mobley, Chris Swain and Lamarion Perry.

SEMIFINAL GAMES
No. 4 Morro Bay (6-6) at No. 1 Bishop Union (10-2)
No. 7 Selma (6-6) at No. 6 Delano (8-4)

DIVISION 6

No. 8 Boron (6-5) at No. 1 Minarets (9-2)

FINAL: Minarets 49, Boron 12

Junior QB Torin Wolf completed 18 of 22 for 163 yards and he accounted for four touchdowns in the big home win over Boron, which got 234 yards passing and a touchdown by Jalen York and 97 yards rushing and a TD from Isaiah Morgan. Andrew Garcia had eight catches for 161 yards and a score for the Bobcats. Caden Larsen had nine catches for 126 yards and two TDs for Minarets.

No. 4 Firebaugh (5-8) at No. 12 Mira Monte (5-6)

FINAL: Mira Monte 21, Firebaugh 14

Nathan Gonzales rushed 35 times for 231 yards and three touchdowns for the visiting Lions, who got interceptions from Angel Zarate and Johnny Castro. Firebaugh's Isaac Ceja rushed 14 times for 100 yards and a touchdown.

No. 11 Rriverdale (6-5) at No. 3 Lindsay (5-5)

FINAL: Lindsay 24, Riverdale 13

The host Cardinals scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to record the comeback win over the Cowbosy who got 103 yards rushing from Merwan Hussein.

No. 2 Corcoran (7-3) at No. 9 Granite Hills (6-5)

FINAL: Corcoran 46, Granite Hills 29

Senior QB Tony Alvarez completed 14 of 23 for 317 yards and four touchdowns, two going to Julian Fernandez and one each to Daniel Cardiel and Brennan Botill, a freshman, a 63-yarder. A 17-3 run in the second quarter proved decisive for the Panthers, who overcame 138 yards rushing and two touchdowns by Tyson Vinson. Rhyan Vinson, a sophomore QB, threw for 160 yards and a TD to Diego Garay (two catches, 97 yards).

SEMIFINAL GAMES
No. 12 Mira Monte (6-6) at No. 1 Minarets (10-2)
No. 3 Lindsay (6-5) at No. 2 Corcoran (8-3)

EIGHT MAN

No. 4 Orcutt Academy (6-3) at No. 1 Mammoth (8-1)

FINAL: Mammoth 40, Orcutt Academy 0

After a scoreless first quarter, the Huskies exploded for 27 points in the second to win going away. The game was played under snowy conditions.

No. 2 Fresno Christian (6-4) at No. 3 Laton (10-0)

FINAL: Fresno Christian 52, Laton 8

Sophomore Alex Asatrian rushed eight times for 102 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles breezed. Junior QB Tycen Ramirez completed 11 of 20 for 171 yards and TDs to Bryce Smith and Joshua Kubota.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. Fresno Christian (7-4) at No. 1 Mammoth (9-1)