The 2026 high school football season in Tulare County opened with a mix of controversy and excitement. Golden West High School's Week 1 win over Buchanan was later forfeited after an ineligible student‑athlete was discovered, leaving the team as the sole winner among the county's nine programs with a recorded victory.
Week 1 Aftermath
Buchanan's loss was underscored by a nine‑touchdown outburst that included four scoring passes from quarterback Tommy Devany. The forfeited result added Central Valley Christian to the list of teams yet to register a win, while Tulare Union, Alpaugh, Orosi, Exeter, Redwood, Tulare Western, Monache and Lindsay joined Golden West as the only squads with a win on the books.
Key Players to Watch
Among the standout athletes, four‑star recruit Tommy Devany continues to attract attention from a suite of Division I programs, including Arizona State, Cal, Cincinnati, Utah, Fresno State, Oregon State, Washington State, Tulane and others. Receiver Demaje Riley, already the top‑rated college prospect for the Class of 2027, erupted in his senior debut with three touchdowns. Golden West's senior quarterback Jayden Najera also impressed, throwing three touchdowns and adding a rushing score while amassing 407 yards of total offense.
Week 2 Predictions
The Times‑Delta’s forecasts favor Tulare Union, Redwood and Golden West in their upcoming contests. Tulare Union is projected to edge out Kennedy‑Delano 35‑34, Redwood to dominate Kingsburg 31‑20, and Golden West to defeat Righetti‑Santa Maria 35‑27. Tulare Western, fresh off a 51‑7 victory over El Diamante in which Juju Hernandez threw seven touchdowns, is expected to roll past Mt. Whitney 42‑21.
Looking Ahead
With the schedule still unfolding, coaches and fans alike are watching how the early predictions hold up against the realities of the field. The upcoming games will test the depth of talent displayed so far, especially as teams like Redwood rely on dual‑quarterback sets featuring Michael Garcia and Nash McElree, who combined for a 42‑14 win over Dinuba in Week 1.