Back To Basics
Monache-SHS should be an old school showdown PHS-Hanford also among this week's games
There shouldn’t be a lot of finesse when Monache and Strathmore football teams square off in the most anticipated showdown of the season so far in the Orange Belt.
Both teams have relied heavily on solid running attacks and defense as the two undefeated teams head into tonight’s clash at Spartan Stadium. Also on tap for tonight is another anticipated matchup as Porterville High will host Hanford at Rankin Stadium. The Gang Green Defense has also been stingy in the Panthers’ first two games of the season.
In other action tonightlindsay will host Fowler. The Granite Hills game at Coalinga has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday.
MONACHE (2-0) AT STRATHMORE (3-0), 7 P.M. TODAY
Monache has used a running back by committee approach led by such runners as Damien Espinoza and Tyler Ishida and a solid defense to get off to a 2-0 start on the season. The Marauders threw the ball just five times last week in their 28-20 win over Golden West in Visalia.
Meanwhile the Spartans have used more of a balanced attack, but still rely heavily on the run game, even without star running back Carlos Moreno. It’s hoped Moreno will be back for tonight’s game.
Jaylen Oats has been outstanding at quarterback for the Spartans with his top target being Manuel Andrade.
Adrian Sierra and Bernie Navarro has more than picked up the slack in Moreno’s absence to lead the running game. On the other side of the ball, the Spartan defense has just allowed 20 points in the first three games as SHS has gotten off to a 3-0 start.
HANFORD (0-0) AT PORTERVILLE (2-0), 7:30 P.M. TODAY, RANKIN STADIIUM
The Gang Green Defense has allowed just six points in its first two games, including a 14-0 shutout last week against Golden Valley. Hayden Scott has led the pass run for the Panthers.
The Panthers have been led offensively by Jacob Espinoza, who has scored three touchdowns this season. He scored all 14 points in the win against Golden Valley.
Hanford has had trouble getting onto — and staying on the field — this season as this will be the Bullpups for full game of the year. Hanford’s season opener against Memorial was canceled at halftime due to poor air quality. The Bullpups game against Washington Union scheduled for last week was canceled due to COVID protocols.
But if the half against Memorial is any indication, the Panthers should be in for a formidable test. Memorial, ranked No. 4 at the time by the Fresno Bee, was leading Hanford 8-7 at halftime when the game was called. At the time,
Hanford was ranked No. 14 in the Bee’s rankings.
GRANITE HILLS (1-2) AT COALINGA (2-0), 8 P.M. SATURDAY
The Grizzlies face a major test at Coalinga, who have two impressive wins, 38-16 over Caruthers and 27-6 over Templeton.
Jett Garcia has completed 20-of-35 of his passes for 412 yards and five touchdowns for the Horned Toads. Garcia has also rushed for 86 yards in two games.
Coalinga has a running back-by-committee approach with Devin Sanchez leading the way as he has gained 105 yards on 10 carries in two games.
Granite Hills has been led by quarterback Gage Snider and Daniel Ramirez. In Granite’s 38-6 win over Sierra earlier this season, Ramirez was a triple threat, running, receiving and throwing for touchdowns. Snider was 7-of-7 for 150 yards in that game and caught the touchdown pass from Ramirez.
FOWLER (1-2) AT LINDSAY (3-0), 7 P.M. TODAY
Lindsay continues its tough schedule as it hosts Fowler. While Fowler is 1-2 it has also played a tough schedule, losing 13-0 to Corcoran and 35-0 to Firebaugh before an impressive 20-6 win last week against Immanuel.
Samuel Reyes has thrown three touchdown passes so far this season for the Cardinals.