Here’s some record updates and highlights of top players & teams from the recent week as reported to us from CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett of Fresno. Bob has done phenomenal work on behalf of CIF Central Section schools, athletes and coaches for more than 40 years.
FOOTBALL
Senior Cannon Eames of Yosemite High (Oakhurst) had a night to remember. He scored four different ways, a rare accomplishment for a high school player, in 40-14 win against Mariposa. Eames made two field goals that measured 23 yards each, made 3-of-4 PATs, caught three touchdown passes on six receptions for 184 yards, and had an interception return for a 40-yard touchdown. He accounted for 33 of his team’s 40 points.
Senior Joseph Garcia of Strathmore rushed for a season high of 286 yards on 12 carries and scored four touchdowns, one touchdown going for 88 yards, in a 35-13 win vs. Orosi. Based on last year, it probably won’t last as Joseph’s season high for long. He is averaging 17.5 yards per carry for the season.
Sophomore Kendall Milton of Buchanan put on a show by rushing for a career high of 248 yards on 17 carries and scored four touchdowns on runs of 19, 60, 47, 46 yards in a 34-28 win over visiting Liberty of Bakersfield.
Senior running back Gonzalo Rodriguez of Golden West (Visalia) rushed for a game high of 230 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns as the Trailblazers beat visiting Madera South 61-0.
Quarterback Braden Wingle of Bakersfield Christian passed for a season high of 386 yards on 27 of 42 and had four touchdowns as the Eagles beat Tehachapi 39-13. Wingle also will likely beat that total for this season later on.
Junior quarterback Trent Tompkins continues to lead the No. 1 team in the Central Section by passing for 338 yards on 17 of 23 and had three touchdowns as the Grizzlies beat visiting Ridgeview of Bakersfield 56-3. Senior running back Jevon Bigelow had a fine game as well by scoring three touchdowns on runs of 53, 7, & 6 yards and rushed for 105 yards on 10 carries.
Central plays at De La Salle (Concord) next Saturday night. Can they become the second team from the Central Section to defeat De La Salle on their home field as Clovis West did in 2004? That win over the Spartans came in the next game following the conclusion of the Spartans’ national record 151-game win streak at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Golden Eagles then hosted DLS in 2005 and won again, this time 7-0 as Chris Lewis scored on a 43 yard run in the fourth quarter in a 7-0 win. DLS has many wins over Central Section teams as well, including Bakersfield and Buchanan.
Speaking of Clovis West, QB Dante Chachere continues to settle in as the Golden Eagles’ replacement for injured big-time prospect Adrian Martinez. He led the Golden Eagles to an impressive 42-12 win over a Rocklin team that was 3-0 and earlier posted a win against perennial power Grant of Sacramento. Chachere ended a phenomenal 29 of 31 passing for 289 yards and one score.
Sophomore quarterback Ethan Natera of Hanford West set three school records by passing for 449 yards on 29 of 39 and had five touchdowns plus 51 yards rushing. Junior Jayron Jenkins led the ground game with 18 carries for 167 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 55-18 win over Sierra Pacific.
Junior quarterback Alex Trujillo led San Joaquin Memorial past Garces of Bakersfield in the Holy Bowl 49-42 as he went 17 of 24 for 329 yards and three touchdowns for the game. Jalen McMillan had eight receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown.
