All-out Blitz: The Bee’s guide to Valley playoff football

DIVISION I

NO. 4 CENTRAL (11-2) AT NO. 2 CLOVIS NORTH (11-1)

Section titles: Grizzlies, 0; Broncos, 1 (2011)

How they got here: Grizzlies, third in Tri-River Athletic Conference (3-2); defeated No. 13 Tulare 42-28, No. 5 Bakersfield 42-28, No. 8 Liberty-Bakersfield 35-14. Broncos, second in TRAC (4-1); defeated No. 10 Bullard 35-7, No. 6 Edison 37-34.

Ticket sellers: Grizzlies — Are 5-0, averaging 44.2 points, since QB L.J. Moore took over the pistol offense following a 50-7 loss to Clovis North. RB Nick Wilson (1,555 yards, 15 TDs) has been slowed with a shoulder injury, but Rasean Jones busted for 188 yards and 3 TDs vs. Liberty. WR/kick returner Michiah Quick (12 TDs) is electric. LB Tramell Johnson has had a terrific season, and CB Johnny Johnson has been sensational in the playoffs. Broncos — QB Christian Rossi (2,313 yards, 24 TDs), RBs Carson Guzman (1,585-18) and Bolu Olorunfunmi (856-14), WRs Tymon Locklin (33-624-6) and Marcus Rose (25-511-4) and TE David Wells (42-763-10) power section’s most complete offense. OG/DE Isaiah Duran has been dominant both ways.

Burning question: Will this game’s winner receive CIF State bowl invitation? Very possible, particularly for Clovis North.

DIVISION II

NO. 2 SANGER (10-2) AT NO. 1 GARCES (11-1)

Section titles: Apaches, 7 (1951, ’56, ’68, ’76, ’98, 2001, ’03); Rams, 9 (1953, ’71, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’96, 2002, ’06).

How they got here: Apaches, tie for first in County/Metro Athletic Conference (4-1); defeated No. 7 Redwood 17-14, No. 11 West 41-7. Rams, first in Southeast Yosemite League (5-0); defeated No. 8 Kingsburg 73-14, No. 5 Sunnyside 61-33.

Ticket sellers: Apaches — It begins on the sideline with coach Chuck Shidan, who may have delivered the best of his 23 seasons with a no-star cast. Rams — Longtime wing-T program is letting it fly through the air in a spread attack behind school record-setting QB Cruise Adams (2,699-34). And RB Sheldon Croney (1,219-23) can’t be ignored.

Burning question: Sanger has given up only six TDs in its past six games, but how to slow Garces and its 47.3 scoring average?

DIVISION III

NO. 2 DINUBA (11-1) AT NO. 1 RIDGEVIEW (10-2

)

Section titles: Emperors, 4 (1919, ’69, ’73, ’09); Wolf Pack, 0

How they got here: Emperors, first in Central Sequoia League (4-0); defeated No. 7 Madera 55-28, No. 6 Porterville 35-21. Wolf Pack, first in South Yosemite League (4-0); defeated No. 8 Delano 56-35, No. 4 Independence 30-28.

Ticket sellers: Emperors — QB Marcus McMaryion (3,261-41, 1 interception) and WR Aaron Taylor (61-1,278-21) are section’s premier aerial tandem. But not to forget junior RB Omar Duarte, who torched Porterville for 225 rushing yards and two TDs. Wolf Pack — QB Kamari Cotton-Moya (1,218-11 passing, 1,984-27 rushing) has exploded since taking over the position midseason.

Bottom line: Can McMaryion stage one more night of magic?

DIVISION IV

NO. 3 BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN (10-2) AT NO. 1 WASCO (12-0)

Section titles: Eagles, 2 (2007, ’08); Tigers, 1 (1952);

How they got here: Eagles, second in South Sequoia League (5-1); defeated No. 6 Fowler 34-26, No. 2 Mission Oak 7-0. Tigers, first in SSL (6-0); defeated No. 8 Arvin 56-28, No. 5 Chowchilla 63-13.

Ticket sellers: Eagles — QB Jake Thompson (1,470-19) and RB Matt Smith (1,567-14). Tigers — RB Isaiah Sharp (2,317-34) and massive OL in wing-T offense for team whose average margin of victory is 44.1.

Burning question: Have Eagles improved by 50 points in seven weeks? They lost 49-0 to Wasco Oct. 12.

DIVISION V

NO. 6 CORCORAN (7-5) AT NO. 1 LIBERTY-M.R. (11-1)

Section titles: Panthers, 3 (1989, ’95, ’09); Hawks, 0

How they got here: Panthers, 2nd in East Sequoia League (4-1); defeated No. 3 Shafter 21-18, No. 7 Woodlake 24-0. Hawks, tie for 1st in North Sequoia League (4-1); defeated No. 9 Immanuel 67-14, No. 4 Lindsay 34-17.

Ticket sellers: Panthers — Sophomore QB Nico Portillo operates the split veer triple option with RBs Kaleb Toone (1,287-10) and Paul Johnson (1,024-9) motoring behind an excellent offensive line featuring tackle Enrique Carranza and guard Alexis Aguilar. And LBs Abraham Mares and Patrick Viveros have led a defense that has pitched three shutouts in the past five games. Hawks — They’ll match Corcoran’s pair of 1,000-yard RBs with two of their own in A.J. Leon (1,100-14) and Wade Wallace (1,008-14). And LB Cody Sanders (107 tackles) and safety Logan Doss (65 tackles, 3 interceptions) lead a defense that has five shutouts and has given up 20 or more points only twice.

Burning question:Who’s improved the most since Round 1 was won 13-10 by Liberty-Madera Ranchos at Corcoran?

By Andy Boogaard