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PRESEASON FOOTBALL IN FULL SWING |
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9/12/2002 |
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By Staff |
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Monterey Bay Prep Report |
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| Game
Time: |
7:00 |
Location:
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Watsonville
High
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Last
Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Related
Link |
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AAA
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
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Notes
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| The
Mission Bears, members of the San Francisco
Academic Athletic Association, are coming off of a
2-6 season via wins over 0-8 Lincoln (SF) and 1-7
Marshall (SF). With a student body of 750, the
Bear's new coach this season becomes their 4th in
the last 5 years. With
an enrollment well over 3000 (2nd largest in the
CCS), Watsonville is coming off of a 9-2 campaign
and a 2001 CCS D1 playoff appearance. Mission is
led by transfer quarterback William Gamble, and
explosive skill position players Ray Bass (WR/LB),
Rob Ellenberg (WR/DB), and Wesley Jones (RB). Look
for senior quarterback Mel Martinez and Wildcat
running backs Efren Lomeli and Shawn Benjamin to
put up some big numbers against an overmatched and
undermanned Mission squad. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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The
"PIT"
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Notes
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| The
atmosphere at the PIT should reach a playoff
fever pitch as the Cowboys inaugurate a renovated
stadium and a season filled with huge expectations.
The defending CCS D2 champion Cowboys come into
this contest ranked #3 in the CCS by the San
Jose Mercury, and coach Ironsides has already
announced his intentions to petition into the D1
playoffs. With both teams possessing their fair share of speed at the skill positions, look for the
game to be won in the trenches; All-MTAL Seaside
guard David Guara vs. Salinas nose guard Johnny
Castillo is a battle
worth watching . Expect All-MBL
Cowboy defensive backs Andy Palacio and Christian
Taylor to both have big nights on offense and
defense. Seaside is young and talented, but the
depth and experience of the highly ranked Cowboys
should prove be too much. One to watch: Seaside
sophomore tight
end/linebacker Henry Utumpu. With his Junior Seau-like
physique and athleticism, Utumpu may already be the most physically gifted player on
the field Friday night. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Alisal
High
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Last
Year
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Clinging to a
14-12 lead in the 4th quarter, Alisal was in
position to snap its state-high 32 game losing
streak. Soledad kicker Joe Estrada booted a 27 yard
field goal early in the 4th quarter to give the Aztecs
a 15-14 lead. Driving for the game winning score,
Alisal's agony continued as Soledad intercepted a
pass deep in its own territory to preserve the lead
and victory. Aztec running backs Mike Ledesma and
Eric Salto combined for 196 yards rushing and two
touchdowns. Alisal standout Jose Solis, who was
tragically killed in car accident last spring,
returned the second half kickoff 98 yards for a
touchdown.
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Related
Link
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CCS
Football Playoff Facts
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Notes
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| With
their losing streak behind them, Alisal now turns
its attention to breaking another streak: the
Trojans are among a handful of teams that have never
qualified for the CCS football playoffs. An
established veteran quarterback, a taste of success,
participation in off-season camps, and the
realignment of the Monterey Bay League gives Alisal
its first legitimate shot at postseason play in
quite some time. The 1994 Trojans began the year
6-0, but an 0-4 tailspin dropped them out of playoff
contention. A very tough preseason schedule,
including CCS powerhouse Oak Grove and TCAL
heavyweights Live Oak and North Salinas, makes this
an important early game for Alisal. Soledad
graduated a strong core of players, including 2-time
All-MTAL and All-County running back Erik Salto, and
All-MTAL defensive lineman Rudy Canchola. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Hollister
High
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Last
Year
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The Haybaler
ground game was up to its usual tricks, as Steve
Saucedo (142 yards/1 TD) and Trent Young (117 yards
/1 TD) combined for 259 punishing yards in a 27-12
victory over Wilcox. Lee Osborne hauled in a 66 yard
touchdown pass from Nick Buzzetta to put Hollister
up 14-0 in the second quarter.
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Notes
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| Suffering
its first shutout since 1995, the Hollister football
program is looking to bounce back from the rare 38-0
whitewashing handed to them by Valley Christian. The
loss dropped Hollister to a #15 ranking in the San
Jose Mercury CCS coaches poll. While the Warriors established themselves as a
potential force in this year's WCAL title hunt, the
Balers showed they have their work cut out for
themselves if they plan on challenging Salinas,
Gilroy and Palma in the TCAL. Held to just 70
total yards of offense, the swarming Valley
Christian defense never allowed the Balers to get on
track. Wilcox is coming off of a 2nd place finish in
the Santa Clara Valley DeAnza Division (7-4
overall). Although the Chargers were beaten 47-0 by
Salinas High in the first round of the 2001 CCS D2
playoffs, a strong showing last Friday night in
their annual scrimmage with Palma indicates
Wilcox may be much improved this season. The Balers
will have to account for 6-4, 230 lb. TE/DE Chris
Fultcher on both sides of the ball. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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King
City High
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Last
Year
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Monte Vista
Christian blanked visiting King City 21-0. Monte
Vista's All-SCCAL running back David Leach ran wild,
racking up 161 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on
just 16 carries.
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Notes
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| David
Leach returns for his senior year at Monte Vista
Christian. Neither of these Mustangs have tasted
much recent success, but that could be changing down
in King City. Having suffered together through
a tough 2-7-1 record last season, King City returns
virtually its entire starting lineup in tact.
Running backs Clay Tully (829 yards, 7 TD's)
and JD Lisk (505 yards, 6 TD's) return along with
quarterback Cole Hudson (569 yards passing, 5 TD/5
INT) and All-County tight end Issac
Valladarez. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Live
Oak High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Related
Link
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SANTA
CLARA VALLEY DE ANZA DIVISION PREVIEW
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Notes
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| The
Milpitas Trojans begin the season ranked #12 in the
San Jose Mercury CCS coaches poll. Milpitas
gave Palma all it could handle in a close 26-22 loss
last year in the opening round of the CCS D1
playoffs. The Trojans seem to always have highly
recruited talent on their roster, recently
including Deltha ONeil (Denver Broncos), Tab Perry
(UCLA), and last season's PrepStar All-American
Jebias Brown (UCLA). DeAnza division Junior of the
Year Tristan Brown, Shawn Lepisi and Mike O'Leary
combined for 173 rushing yards against Palma last
year, and all return for their senior season. Live
Oak returns only 12 players from last year's 2-8
squad, and will be looking to replace the leadership
of standout linebacker Christian
Lilleland and two-way lineman Derek Durksen. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Terra
Nova High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Related
Link
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Notes
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| One
of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend,
featuring two of the top 15 teams in this weeks
San Jose Mercury CCS coaches poll. Terra Nova
(#14) shared the Peninsula
Athletic League - Bay Division title with Aragon last
season. Gilroy (#9) lost a heartbreaking first round
CCS D2 playoff game to Aragon, surrendering
a 26-6 halftime lead and eventually falling 27-26.
Terra Nova lost a hard fought 24-21 CCS D3 semifinal
game to San Lorenzo Valley. Both Gilroy and Terra Nova
are again considered contenders for their respective
league titles. Terra Nova senior quarterback Greg
Reynolds (6-6, 215) will test the Mustang secondary.
Terra Nova lost 10 defensive starters to graduation,
so look for highly touted Gilroy backs J.L. Mangono
and Isaiah Gonzalez to put up some big numbers against
an inexperienced defense. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Monterey
Peninsula College
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Notes
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| Monterey
running back Curtis Freeman may be the most underrated
player in the area. A physically imposing back,
Freeman (527 yards, 5 TD's, 6.5 yards per carry) was a
ray of sunshine on a squad that went 0-10 last year.
With some blocking up front, Freeman could do some
serious damage in the revamped MBL. Also
one to watch in the Monterey backfield is state
track and field 200m finalist Nick Cunningham. We are
still checking records, but last year's winless
campaign may have been the first in Monterey's storied
football history. The Dore's will get a boost
this year with a return to Friday night games played
under the lights at Monterey Peninsula College.
Monterey will have to account for massive Aptos
lineman Robert
Oberst, a massive 6-6 300 lb. All-SCCAL
two-way starter at center and defensive line who
is reportedly getting some D1 looks. All four of
Aptos losses (Alvarez, PG, SLV, Watsonville) last
season were to playoff teams. |
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| Game
Time: |
7:30 |
Location:
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Pacific
Grove High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Notes
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| For
the first time in school history, Pacific Grove will
be coming into a football game with the title of
"defending CCS champion". Heavily stripped
by graduation, the defending MTAL and CCS D4 champs
will be playing with a large bull's-eye on their chests
all season long. Santa Cruz has a recent penchant for
giving up big yards on the ground, which will likely
favor the Breakers in this opener for both squads.
Pacific Grove returns Thomas Garrity, the programs
leading rusher last season with 90 carries for 522
yards. Santa Cruz historically is a team not afraid to
put he ball in the air, and will likely test a Breaker
secondary that lost 3
All-MTAL players to graduation. The Cardinal air
attack will be led by senior quarterback Paul Croghan.
All-SCCAL
kicker Nick Boroughf gives the Cardinals another potent
offensive weapon. |
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| Game
Time: |
1:30 |
Location:
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San
Jose High
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Last
Year
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San Jose
quarterback Raul
Sandoval completed 11
of 15 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, and also
scored on a keeper late in the 3rd quarter to edge
Gonzales 12-7.
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Related
Link
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Notes
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| All-BVAL
running back Gene Kim (6 carries, 29 yards last year
vs. Gonzales) returns for the Bulldogs. Gonzales
counters with All-MTAL
defensive end Ricardo Rodriguez. With both
schools similar in size and depth, look for
another close contest. |
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| Game
Time: |
2:00 |
Location:
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Carmel
High
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Last
Year
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Making his
varsity debut as just a sophomore, Carmel
quarterback Pat Johnston hit on 14 of 17 passes for
189 yards and a touchdown in a 22-19 opening game
victory over Harbor. Carmel running back Toby McLeod
rushed for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns.
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Notes
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| After
years of futility on the football field, baseball
powerhouse Carmel broke through last season with a
7-3 campaign, a second place finish in the MTAL, and
a berth in the CCS D4 playoffs (their first since 1983, and only the second in school history).
Returning from last season's historic run is
All-County and Mission Trail Athletic League Lineman
of the Year Dylan
Roddick, as well as several other key defensive
starters. Junior quarterback Pat Johnston will
likely be the top signal caller in the MTAL this
year. Harbor is coming of a disappointing 2-8
campaign, just one year removed from a CCS D3
semifinal appearance. |
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| Game
Time: |
6:00 |
Location:
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Alhambra
High
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Last
Year
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Palma scored
early and often in a 47-7 season opening route of
Alhambra. Six different Chieftains scored
touchdowns, and a 34-0 halftime lead enabled 14
different Palma backs to get carries in the game.
Quarterback Luis Amaral was 10-14 passing for 138
yards and a touchdown.
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Related
Link
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DFAL
PREVIEW
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Notes
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| Palma
begins the season ranked #1 in the San Jose Mercury
CCS coaches poll. It
could be another tough opener for the Alhambra
Bulldogs, who lost every defensive starter to
graduation. On the positive side, the Alhambra JV
and freshmen squads gave the 20-0 Palma lower levels
two of their toughest games of the year. Heat could
be an early factor Saturday evening, as temperatures are
expected to reach the 90's in Martinez. Look for
Palma running backs Brandon Glazebrook, Luke
Lippincott and Ted Taylor to put up big numbers this
weekend. |
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| Game
Time: |
2:00 |
Location:
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Soquel
High
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Last
Year
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The NMC
defense posted a 18-0 shutout over visiting Soquel.
Tim Hennesey and Reginald
Doucet combined for 113 yards rushing and 3
touchdowns.
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Notes
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| Both
squads suffered through difficult seasons last year
- Soquel went 1-9; North Monterey County 3-7. Both
schools also have reason for optimism. Soquel returns 18
seniors and hired longtime area coach Ron Myers to
turn around the Knight program. The realignment of
the Monterey Bay League gives North Monterey
County a realistic shot at competing for a
league title this year. Senior Reginald Doucet (445
yards, 6 TD's) looks to have a breakout
season. If the Condors get ahead early, Soquel's
double-wing offense may have a difficult time
catching up. |
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| Game
Time: |
2:00 |
Location:
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Stevenson
High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Notes
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| Stevenson
lost starting quarterback Jack Britton for the
season after suffering a double separation and break
of his elbow in a 41-16 loss to Burlingame last
week. Scotts Valley quarterback Andrew Wick lit up
St. Anthony's of Maui for 205 yards passing and 4
touchdowns in a 21-16
victory over on the islands. Running back Matt
Anderson hooked up with Wick for three TD
receptions. Falcon receiver Brian Cosgrove was an
All-State selection as a sophomore. With their opener played 3 weeks ago, the
Falcons will have to readjust to game speed. |
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| Game
Time: |
2:00 |
Location:
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Alvarez
High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Related
Link
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WCAL
PREVIEW
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Notes
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| Alvarez
(#11) and Valley Christian (#5) both come into the
contest highly ranked in the San Jose Mercury CCS coaches
poll. The
Alvarez coaches must have some serious concerns
after watching film of Valley Christian's
38-0 spanking of Hollister last Friday night. Valley
Christian linebackers Ryan Abbot (MHAL
Defensive Player of the Year) and Jeff Ullom (11
tackles, INT return for a TD) wreaked havoc on
the Baler offense all night long, and the Warriors
served notice they will be a force to be reckoned
with in the CCS. The Eagles hope to counter the
explosive Warrior attack with a seasoned,
senior-laden defense featuring All-CCS
defensive lineman Charles Saguil. Alvarez
running backs Ricky Gebin and Manny Gutierrez
combined for 509 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns last
season. Having a game already under their belts
should be a big advantage for Valley Christian. |
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| Game
Time: |
2:00 |
Location:
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Selma
High
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Last Year
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Teams did
not play.
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Related
Link |
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Bears
hope to bounce back |
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Notes
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| The
Selma Bears, members of the Central Section's Central
Sequoia League, dropped their season opener 27-6 to
Corcoran. Located just south of Fresno along the
highway 99 corridor, Selma boasts an enrollment of
close to 1200 students. The Bears posted a 5-6
record last season, finishing in a tie for third
place in their 5-team league. Their season ended
with a close 21-18 playoff loss to Washington Union
of Fresno. The Bears suffered a mid-season 42-26
loss to Sanger, who finished the season ranked #10
in the state in Division II by Cal-Hi Sports. |
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