Clovis West quarterback Jamar (JJ) Howard, right, looks to throw while getting pressure from an Edison defender in the first half of their game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.
CRAIG KOHLRUSS
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Less than a week before the 2026 high school football season begins and The Fresno Bee is continuing to unveil its Top 25 rankings in segments.
Earlier this week, the teams in the Nos. 16-20 and 21-25 spots were announced. On Friday, Nos. 11-15 were revealed.
Now it’s time for Nos. 6-10. The final rankings will publish Sunday.
The first batch of games kicks off Aug. 20-21, marking the beginning of another high school football season in the central San Joaquin Valley.
6. Clovis West Golden Eagles
2025 record: 8-4
Head coach: Lucas Gingold
Why this ranking: QB JJ Howard is the engineer on offense. He’s improved tremendously since bursting on the circuit two seasons ago. He gets some weapons in WRs AJ Williams, Julyen Scott and Golden West transfer Cadillac Pina. Scott, however, will have to sit out the first five games due to transfer rules, the Central Section office ruled. Williams is under review. Still, Clovis West still has weapons in RB/DB Major Lee and WR/DB Julius Sanders. The Golden Eagles’ defense will be strong, led by linebacker Kamakana Corpuz.
7. Tulare Union Tribe
2025 record: 9-3
Head coach: Darren Bennett
Why this ranking: Fresno State commit Demaje Riley is back, and he’ll give the Tribe an advantage at WR because of his versatility and quickness. It helps, too, that the team returns their entire offensive line. Tulare has a weapon in WR Frankee Allen, the cousin of Kazmier Allen. Tulare returns their entire secondary, a pair of defensive linemen and a linebacker. Expected to start at QB is Kylan Henderson.
8. Sanger Apaches
2025 record: 8-4
Head coach: Matt Logue
Why this ranking: Plenty of experience returns for the Apaches, led by QB Cenzo Calandra, but so is RB Kendale McGrew, the returning County/Metro Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player. On defense, Sanger is looking solid behind Joaquin Neri who plays linebacker; and junior linebacker Leo Quiroz also returns. He’s been starting at that position since his freshman year. DE Miguel Salazar will see time as a running back. Sanger added transfer OL/DL Corry Harper, who played at Edison-Stockton.
9. Arroyo Grande Eagles
2025 record: 10-5
Head coach: Stephen Field
Why this ranking: Like other schools, the Eagles lose some key players due to graduation, but they also welcome back some players who made them successful last season. But they will have to do it with a new signal caller. It could be either 6-foot-3 Perrett Ford or Boness Asher, both juniors. They will be without Caleb Clark who ran for 17 scores.
10. Redwood Rangers
Head coach: Curtis Allen
2025 record: 9-2
Why this ranking: Allen has high hopes for his team, as he should be after a strong 2025 season. He noted that the offensive line and defensive line will be their strength. Some of the players he mentioned are OL/DE Landon Guenter, OL/DT Ziggie Utumapu, OL/DT Yain Cervantes and OT/DE Kane Romero. He said QB Michael Garcia will get the start and will be steady at the position.
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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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