Now is the time to reveal Nos 1-5.<\/p>\n
Starting the preseason rankings is never easy, as other teams were worthy of making the top 25. The Bee will explain why those teams didn\u2019t make the rankings on Monday.<\/p>\n
Here are the rankings Nos. 1-5:<\/p>\n
1. Central East Bengals<\/p>\n
2025 record: 14-1<\/p>\n
Head coach: Kyle Biggs<\/p>\n
Why this ranking: The Bengals virtually return most of their offensive starters, led by QB Jelani Dippel. He\u2019ll have plenty of targets to spread the ball around, including Fresno State commits Bayon Harris and Relando Jefferson, both wide receivers. If one goes down to injury, other WRs would still give the Bengals an advantage. Central East also has San Diego State commit Xavior Jones, who can score at any given time because of good hands and speed. There is talent all over the field for the Bengals.<\/p>\n
2. Bakersfield Christian Eagles<\/p>\n
2025 record: 13-2<\/p>\n
Head coach: Darren Carr<\/p>\n
Why this ranking: The Eagles improved significantly by adding transfers such as QB Colton Michael from Tehachapi, WR\/DB RJ Shehee from Bakersfield High, and RB Dennis Perry from Liberty-Bakersfield. They give the offense a jolt, mixed in with returning RBs Darriyon Page (10 TDs) and Richlyn Gooden (5 TDs) and LB David Aguirre, who will lead the defense.<\/p>\n
3. Garces Rams<\/p>\n
2025 record: 7-4<\/p>\n
Head coach: Grant Campbell<\/p>\n
Why this ranking: The Rams picked up a huge transfer in Carter Hanson from Liberty-Bakersfield. The four-star recruit immediately gives Garces a big weapon. At WR, Treson Wallace is back after finishing 2025 with 10 touchdowns and 882 yards. Brooks Wright and Mark Gomez are battling at QB, but whoever wins the job gives the Rams another threat there. On defense, Garces brings in Jackson Parker, a transfer from Olathe North-Kansas. Speaking of transfers, the Rams added RB Bryce Hanson from Liberty-Bakersfield and OL Carsten Campbell from Frontier. He committed to Fresno State.<\/p>\n
4. Buchanan Bears<\/p>\n
2025 record: 8-4<\/p>\n
Head coach: Ross Wood<\/p>\n
Why this ranking: High expectations for the Bears this year. The Bears return QB Thomas Devany, who threw for 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. Helping Devany will be RBs Gannon Sever, who ran for nine TDs, and Carvell Wafer, who added four TDs. On defense, the Bears still look strong, led by LB Grant Moser. Wood said they have multiple safeties that played impactful minutes in 2025.<\/p>\n
5. St. Joseph Knights<\/p>\n
2025 record: 8-3<\/p>\n
Head coach: Pepe Villasenor<\/p>\n
Why this ranking: QB Jack Heaslet is back, with Dominic Rucobo and Voshay Azziz at wideouts. The Knights will do well offensively, and even on defense in the secondary, led by Nicky Romero and Dominic Oropeza. St. Joseph loses a key piece on defense with Miles Martinez graduating. You can never overlook Villasenor\u2019s team.<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0
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