Kerman quarterback Peyton Coleman throws deep against the Madera defense in the first half of their game at Madera South Stadium in Madera on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
CRAIG KOHLRUSS
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
In Week 5, The Fresno Bee went 18-3, as many teams were on byes.
In the key games, The Bee went 6-0. The Bee improved to 146-62 for the season.
Now comes the fun part: picking games during league play.
Predicting games is always tough, but picking league games is especially unpredictable.
Here are the predictions, beginning with the key games and the upset special.
Key games predictions
Kingsburg at Kerman (Game of the Week): This will be a dandy. Can the Lions continue their shutout streak? It will be difficult against a good Vikings team. Kerman 27, Kingsburg 23
Clovis at Buchanan: This is an interesting game. The Cougars started 0-1 and are now 4-1, much improved. Credit to Cougars coach Brandon Nagle. The Bears were pushed by Sanger. Is that the wake-up call they needed? Buchanan 47, Clovis 37
Immanuel at Washington Union: The Eagles are so good, but so are the Panthers. Immanuel should win. Immanuel 34, Washington Union 26
Dos Palos at Liberty-Madera Ranchos: The Hawks are undefeated at 5-0, but they face a Broncos team that knows how to win under coach Rob Calvert. Liberty-Madera Ranchos 43, Dos Palos 30
Clovis West at Clovis East: The Golden Eagles had lost two straight before winning their game before the bye week. Can that jump-start them? The Timberwolves hope not, but they have strung some wins together along the way, too. Clovis West 32, Clovis East 24
Upset special
Bullard at San Joaquin Memorial: The Knights are reeling, while the Panthers got their first win of the season under first-year coach Damon Jenkins. Sure, SJM is an underdog because of its 1-3 record, but this could be an upset. San Joaquin Memorial 24, Bullard 20
Week 6 predictions
Thursday
Central East at Clovis North, 7 p.m. (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Oct. 2
Mendota at Chowchilla, 7 p.m.
Clovis West at Clovis East, 7 p.m. (Lamonica Stadium)
Clovis at Buchanan, 7 p.m.
Madera South at Central, 7 p.m.
Alpaugh at Kings Christian, 7 p.m.
Avenal at Fresno Christian, 7 p.m.
Dos Palos at Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 7 p.m.
Immanuel at Washington Union, 7 p.m.
Minarets at Sierra, 7 p.m.
Riverdale at Farmersville, 7:15 p.m.
Granite Hills at Lindsay, 7:15 p.m.
Parlier at Orosi, 7:15 p.m.
Woodlake at Corcoran, 7:15 p.m.
Strathmore at Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.
Mission Oak at Monache, 7:30 p.m.
Reedley at Fowler, 7:30 p.m.
Golden West at Tulare Western, 7:30 p.m.
Fresno at Sanger West, 7:30 p.m.
McLane at Foothill, 7:30 p.m.
Edison at Sunnyside, 7:30 p.m.
Hanford at Central Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Bullard at San Joaquin Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
Lemoore at Porterville, 7:30 p.m.
Tulare Union at Redwood, 7:30 p.m.
Mt. Whitney at El Diamante, 7:30 p.m.
Firebaugh at Coalinga, 7:30 p.m.
Kingsburg at Kerman, 7:30 p.m.
Sierra Pacific at Caruthers, 7:30 p.m.
Torres at Hoover, 7:30 p.m.
Exeter at Dinuba, 7:30 p.m.
Sanger at Madera, 7:30 p.m.
Tranquillity at Yosemite, 7:30 p.m.
Selma at Hanford West, 7:30 p.m.
What’s on TV?
San Joaquin Memorial hosts Bullard on CW 59 for Friday Night Rivals.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Ralph Wood and Cam Worrell will call the game.
How about ESPN 1430?
ESPN 1430 will carry the Madera and Sanger game.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Phil Benotti and Paul Meadors will call the game.
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Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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