The opening week of high school football in the Central Section delivered a slate of games that kept fans on the edge of their seats, with Thursday night matchups setting the tone for the season and Friday night contests promising more excitement.
Thursday Night Recap
Atascadero opened with a 33‑14 victory over Delano, while Bullard edged Reno 34‑33 in a nail‑biter. Selma also secured a 20‑14 win against Sunnyside, and the action continued with Coalinga topping Roosevelt 31‑14, Fowler dispatching Granite Hills 27‑14, and McFarland overwhelming Santa Monica 36‑21.
Washington Union posted a 20‑7 triumph over Sanger West, and Bakersfield narrowly defeated Clovis 17‑14, underscoring the competitive balance early in the schedule.
Friday Night Preview
Friday’s schedule kicks off at 6 p.m. with a series of high‑stakes matchups, including Trona taking on Kings Christian and Madera facing Garza at Koligian Stadium, while other contests across the region promise further drama.
All of this coverage is filtered through the lens of veteran journalist Anthony Galaviz, a mainstay at The Fresno Bee who has reported on everything from the Las Vegas Raiders to high school sports, boxing, MMA and junior‑college athletics since joining the staff in 1997.
Galaviz’s reporting blends a deep knowledge of the game with a criminology minor background, having graduated from Fresno State after a stint at Fresno City College, and his work continues to shape how the Central Valley community follows its teams.
The Fresno Bee, the state’s oldest newspaper, remains a central hub for sports news, providing live updates, analysis and the stories that connect players, coaches and fans across the region.