A blog about Sports & Recreation.
Real Name: Zach Ewing Address: 1707 Eye St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 Date of Birth: July 29, 1984 Member Since: December 19, 2007 Last Signed In: March 11, 2010 Profile Views: 3892 Blog Views: 214617 I'm tweeting live from Ridgeview at Gardena-Serra Ridgeview's comeback highlights state basketball action Section basketball finals scores CIF State Wrestling Championships, live blog, state finals CIF State Wrestling Championships, live blog, Day 2 Central Section basketball championship scores CIF State Wrestling Championships, live blog, Day 1 Girls basketball semifinal scores Boys basketball semifinal scores Big-time basketball night, with a soccer appetizer December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 December 09 January 10 February 10 March 10 
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HS football previews: Central Section overview (Divisions IV, V, VI)
Now done with all of our team previews (you can find a complete index below), it's time to widen the view a little bit and look at the Central Section as a whole and where some Kern County teams fit in. Today we'll take a look at the smaller divisions. Tomorrow will be a look at the top three divisions before we get into our weekly rituals at School House Zach with my first Central Section rankings on Tuesday. Countdown to Week 0 in famous jersey numbers: Paul Hornung (also Joe Montana in college?) DIVISION VI Defending champ: Tranquillity Overview: I'll be the first to admit I'm not very knowledgeable at this level. This is by far the smallest division in the section, with only nine teams — all from either the East Sierra League, West Sierra League or (one, Strathmore) the East Sequoia League. So, zeroing on those leagues, look at defending section champ Tranquillity or co-defending West Sierra League champ Mendota (which also had a 9-1 JV record last year), plus maybe Orange Cove from the ESiL, and you've got a list to keep an eye on. Where Kern County fits in: Only with McFarland, which looks to be improved this year under second-year coach Andy Dunn. The Cougars play in the weaker of the two Sierra leagues (you decide if that's good or bad), and might be better than you think. Surefire championship contenders: Mendota, Tranquillity, Orange Cove A break or two away: Strathmore, Avenal, McFarland Maybe next year: Farmersville, Lemoore-Kings Christian, Laton Key games: Bakersfield Christian at Avenal, Sept. 4; Avenal at Strathmore, Sept. 25; Strathmore at Orange Cove, Oct. 2; McFarland at Orange Cove, Nov. 6; Tranquillity at Mendota, Nov. 6; Mendota at Firebaugh, Nov. 13; Orange Cove at SLO-Mission Prep, Nov. 13 DIVISION V Defending champ: Bakersfield Christian Overview: There will be no Division I-led juggernaut in this division, which Derek Carr and BCHS flattened last year on their way to a second straight title. With the rest of the section able to breathe, look for last year's runner-up Corcoran to flourish along with 2007 runner-up Fowler and perhaps East Sierra League champ SLO-Mission Prep. But don't forget abou the Eagles, either; it won't be easy this year, but BCHS is a factor, too. Where Kern County fits in: Again, with just one team, BCHS. If the Eagles can make it three championships in a row, you can call this a dynasty (or even a team that belongs in Division IV.) Surefire championship contenders: Corcoran, Fowler, Bakersfield Christian, SLO-Mission Prep A break or two away: Madera Ranchos-Liberty, Parlier, Firebaugh Maybe next year: Woodlake, Lindsay, Caruthers, Riverdale, Cambria-Coast Union, Fresno Christian, Orosi Key games: Firebaugh at Fowler, Sept. 11; Visalia-Central Valley Christian at Bakersfield Christian, Sept. 19; Madera Ranchos-Liberty at Fowler, Sept. 25; Corcoran at Kingsburg, Sept. 25; Temecula-Linfield Christian at Mission Prep, Oct. 2; Fowler at Corcoran, Oct. 9; Fowler at Parlier, Oct. 16; Taft at Bakersfiield Chriatian, Nov. 13 DIVISION IV Overview: There's a pretty clear-cut top five here, though it's a little tough to differentiate once you get there. Defending champion Chowchilla will again be a factor, but the Redskins have just two returning offensive starters and seven overall, so an 8-2 JV team will have to step in quickly. The other four at the top are last year's runner-up, Kingsburg; the 2007 champ, Taft; last year's No. 1 seed, Visalia-Central Valley Christian; and Chowchilla's main North Sequoia League challenger, Fresno-Washington Union. Where Kern County fits in: Taft will be the main threat, but don't lose sight of Wasco, which should make the playoffs and be a sleeper, a factor for the first time in many years. Arvin is an annual playoff team, but the Bears are young. Shafter would love just to get into the field. Surefire championship contenders: Kingsburg, Taft, Central Valley Christian, Chowchilla, Washington Union A break or two away: Exeter, Kerman, Selma, Wasco Maybe next year: Tollhouse-Sierra, Dos Palos, Fresno-Roosevelt, Porterville-Granite Hills, Arvin, Coalinga, Shafter, Reedley-Immanuel, Fresno-McLane Key games: Kingsburg at Fresno-Washington Union, Sept. 18; Exeter at Taft, Sept. 18; Central Valley Christian at Bakesfield Christian, Sept. 19; Frontier at Exeter, Sept. 25; Chowchilla at Oakhurst-Yosemite, Oct. 2; Fresno-Washington Union at Selma, Oct. 2; Chowchilla at Kerman, Oct. 9; CVC at Chowchilla, Oct. 16; Kingsburg at CVC, Oct. 23; Taft at Wasco, Oct. 23; Exeter at Selma, Oct. 23; Taft at Tehachapi, Oct. 30; Fresno-Washington Union at Chowchilla, Oct. 30; Chowchilla at Madera Ranchos-Liberty, Nov. 6
HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX TOMORROW: Central Section glance, big schools 8 comments from 4 users
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posted by
hotandfoggy
on Aug 31, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Are you going to talk about other high school sports? Or just football? I hated high school. They always put guy athletes on pedestals. I guess this newspaper does to.
posted by
zewing
on Aug 31, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Whoa. Check out the blog a bit before you make accusations. We talk about all high school sports here — football just happens to be by far the most popular, especially in the summer and fall. As far as putting athletes on a pedestal, this is a SPORTS blog. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to read (or listen to podcasts, pick up the section or follow me on Twitter! how's that for advertising?). Kids who don't perform in society or in the classroom can't compete, and we don't cover them. See? No pedestal. posted by
hotandfoggy
on Sep 1, 2009 at 09:58 AM
zewing, Every single blog you did in August was about football. Girls also play sports. Guys also run cross country. When I was in high school there were guys who barely graduated from high school, who were on the cover of the sports page once a week. Other straight A athletes didn't get any recognition from the paper. Thank goodness for Title IX. If it wasn't for that, then female collegiate athletes would still have to pay for their own expenses. Besides, covering "news" stories, a newspaper should also promote discussion among its readers. I'm sorry if my feedback offended you and you aren't open to suggestions. posted by
goldilox
on Sep 1, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Q ~ (for hot n foggy) Are the high schools participating in athletics in August? When do they start? I know they have practice, but do they actually compete? Or does that begin in September? I havent looked at the schedules personally, just wondering. posted by
hotandfoggy
on Sep 1, 2009 at 12:24 PM
goldilox, I'm sure other sports were doing conditioning during the summer. It was that way when I was in high school. I'll talk to some students to be 100% sure. zewing, My apologies and nothing personal. This dicsussion has been occuring before you started working for the Californian. posted by
zewing
on Sep 1, 2009 at 03:04 PM
No offense taken, and please don't think I'm not open to discussion. But I don't see the logic behind your argument. We do cover the other sports, probably much more so than most newspapers of our size in the country. Is priority put on football? Absolutely. Look at the number of views each blog gets. Anything football gets four to five times as many as any other sport. We'll continue to cover it like this, but we'll also continue to cover other sports as time allows — I'm headed to volleyball matches both tonight and tomorrow. posted by
hotandfoggy
on Sep 2, 2009 at 08:12 AM
Nice article on the volleyball match. If I would have been taller, I would have loved to play volleyball. :) posted by
pin4win
on Sep 10, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Zach, could you do a write-up about froggy? Seems she is a bit bent about her HS career.....lol
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