2023 Tri-County Conference High School Football Preview

Central Valley Christian Cavaliers

Head coach: Mason Hughes, 15th season

Roster size: 38

Base offense/defense: Spread/3-4

2022 record: 12-1 (lost to Lemoore in the Central Section Division II championship game)

Impact players: RB Bryson Donelson, OL Caleb Noeske, QB Brent Kroeze, LB Trent Greidanus, OL Tyler Hughes, WR Gunnar Piepgrass, DB Bryce Crook

Highlights: CVC is coming off a 12-win season and was the only Tulare County team to post double-digit victories last season. The Cavaliers return 18 players, eight of them starters, from a program that has won 23 combined games since 2021. Senior running back Bryson Donelson, a three-star prospect, is the most recruited player at his position in the Central Section. The Cavaliers are the defending Tri-County Conference Kings Canyon champions.

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Ripon Christian, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Edison, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Bakersfield Christian, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 8: Clovis North, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 15: at Mission Oak, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 29: at Kerman, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Selma, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 20: at Washington Union, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: at Immanuel, 7 p.m.

Exeter Monarchs

Head coach: Keirsten Lamb, seventh season

Roster size: 35

Base offense/defense: Spread/3-4

2022 record: 7-4 (lost to Coalinga in the Central Section Division IV first-round playoffs)

Impact players: OL/DL Jonathan Barraza, WR/DB Aidan Robertson, QB/LB Jacob Molina, WR/DB Ruben Ruiz, LB Wyatt Stockton, RB/LB Steven Sengprachanh, RB/DB Gunner Lentz, OL/LB Clayton Germaine

Highlights: Exeter won the Tri-County Conference Sequoia division championship last season — the program's first league title in 50 years. The Monarchs are returning four of their five starting offensive lineman, including Jonathan Barraza and Clayton Germaine. Also returning is quarterback Jacob Molina, receiver Aidan Robertson and Ruben Ruiz — the Tri-County Conference Sequoia's Defensive Player of the Year last season. "Our players worked really hard and continued to improve all summer long," Exeter head coach Keirsten Lamb said.

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Strathmore, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 25: at Woodlake, 7:15 p.m.

• Sept. 1: at Lindsay, 7:15 p.m.

• Sept. 8: at Granite Hills, 7:15 p.m.

• Sept. 22: Porterville, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 29: at Hanford West, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Washington Union, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 13: Immanuel, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 20: Sierra Pacific, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 27: at Reedley, 7:15 p.m.

Hanford West Huskies

Head coach: Michael Moore, first season

Roster size: 37

Base offense/defense: West coast/4-2-5

2022 record: 7-6 (lost to Mendota in the Central Section Division VI championship game)

Impact players: QB Dom Alvidrez, RB/LB James Hernandez, RB/DB Eric Gonzalez, TE/DE Emmanuel "Chunk" Jackson IV, WR/DB Tyrik Jackson, WR Robert Steadman, LB Dom Vargas, DL/RB Julius Andrews, OL/DL Andrew Marsac, OL/DL Khairee Harris, OL Yandel Beccara

Highlights: Michael Moore takes over at his alma mater for his first season as the Huskies' new coach. He previously served as an assistant at Central Valley Christian, coaching the quarterbacks. Dom Alvidrez returns to start at quarterback after throwing for nearly 1,500 yards last season. Defensive end Emmanuel Jackson IV led the team with 10 sacks in 2022.

Schedule

• Aug. 19: Woodlake, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Strathmore, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: at Corcoran, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 8: Hoover, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 15: at Avenal, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 28: Exeter, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Reedley, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: at Kerman, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 20: at Immanuel, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 26: at Sierra Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

More: Tulare County football: Find out everything you need to know for the 2023 season

Immanuel Eagles

Head coach: Josh Henderson, third season (25th overall)

Roster size: 35

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/3-4

2021 record: 3-8 (lost to Riverdale in the Central Section Division VI first-round playoffs)

Returning Impact players: QB Jake Horn, WR/DB Trey Romo, OL/DL Charles Going, LB/TE Justin Percival, RB/LB Nic Coleman, OL/DL Lecka Takapu, OL/DL Nate Crumpleman, OL/DL Daniel Ontando, S/RB Jackson Leibee, S/RB Seth Hutchinson, LB Tyler Romo

Highlights: Immanuel posted wins over Mendota, Reedley and Sierra Pacific last season and aims to build off that success. The Eagles should be competitive this season. Jake Horn is a returning starter at quarterback. "I am pleased with this group's offseason and summer efforts," Immanuel head coach Josh Henderson said. "Their commitment, efforts, and unity will create good opportunities if we continue on this path."

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Justin Garza, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Fowler, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 7: at McLane, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 15: Firebaugh, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 22: at Mendota, 7 p.m.

• Sept: 29: at Reedley, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Sierra Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: at Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 20: Hanford West, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: Central Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Kerman Lions

Head coach: Damon Jenkins, second season

Roster size: 50

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/Hybrid (4-3/3-4)

2022 record: 7-5 (lost to Kennedy-Delano in the Central Section Division III quarterfinals)

Impact players: WR/DB Adam Delgado, OL/DL Nathaniel Villegas, OL/DL Raymond Sanchez, OL/DL Harrison Garewal, OL/DL Adam Ortiz, WR/DB Nicholas Grewal, WR/DB C.J. Velez, WR/DB Dario Zavala, RB/DB Julien Velez, RB/DB Joseph Tellez, WR/DB Donaven Munoz, TE/DL Dustin Gutierrez, TE/DL Arjun Sran, WR/DB Dalton Stefano, WR/DB Jayden Cardenas, RB/LB Tony Ramirez

Highlights: Kerman's strength this year is in the trenches. Those units will be anchored by linemen Nathaniel Villegas, Raymond Sanchez, Harrison Garewal and Adam Ortiz. The Lions saw immediate success under new coach and former Fresno State defensive back Damon Jenkins last season as the program posted a winning record for the first time in four years.

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Chowchilla, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Torres-Madera, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: at Madera, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 8: at Sunnyside, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 15: at Clovis East, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 29: CVC, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: at Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: Hanford West, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 20: at Selma, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: Washington Union, 7 p.m.

Kingsburg Vikings

Head coach: David Wilson, ninth season

Roster: 51

Offense: Multiple/4-3

2022: 9-2 (lost to Frontier in the Central Section Division II quarterfinals)

Impact players: QB Max Warkentin, RB Kaleb Pederson, RB Ryan Martinez, WR Wyatt Boyd, WR/DB Chris Browe, TE/LB Houston Hirschkorn, WR/DB Holden Hirschkorn, LB Bodhi Verners, DB/WR Gavin Jensen, WR/RB/DB Kenyon Simpson, OL/DL Aaron Garcia, LB/RB Dennis Gagnon, OL/DL John Peterson

Highlights: Kingsburg's two losses last season came by four total points. The Vikings fell 27-26 to CVC and lost to Frontier 38-35 in the playoffs. Head coach David Wilson's squad returns nine starters on a defense that posted three shutouts in 2022. That side of the ball is led by Bohdi Verners, Gavin Jensen, Kenyon Simpson and Dennis Gagnon. Offensively, Max Warkentin will take over as the team's starting quarterback. In 2021, Warkentin led the program to six straight wins and a semifinal appearance in the Division II postseason. Top offensive players to watch are Wyatt Boyd, Chris Browe, Ryan Martinez and Kaleb Pederson. “This group could, arguably, be the most athletic group I have had here at KHS," Wilson said. "Very excited to see what is in store for these young men.”

Schedule

• Aug. 18: at Paso Robles, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Sunnyside, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Dinuba, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 8: Golden West, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 22: at Tulare Union, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 29: at Washington Union, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Kerman, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: at CVC, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 20: Reedley, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: at Selma, 7:30 p.m.

More: Ranking Tulare County's top five active winningest football coaches

Reedley Pirates

Head coach: Tony Gates, fifth season

Roster size: 45

Base offense/defense: Spread offense/3-4

2022 record: 6-5 (lost to Matilda Torres in the Central Section Division IV first-round playoffs)

Impact players: OL Sal Gonzales, OL John Greenwood, RB Demetrius Vargas, WR Mason Cisneros, LB Isaiah Torres, DL Chris Alvarez

Highlights: Reedley's trenches will headline the team this season. Four of five offensive linemen return from last year's six-win team, including Sal Gonzalez and John Greenwood. Every starter on the line squats more than 500 pounds. "This may be Reedley High's best offensive and defensive line since the dominating teams of the '70s," Reedley head coach Tony Gates said. Sophomore quarterback Will Bacon begins a new era at the position. Mason Cisneros is set to lead the receivers. Defensively, the Tigers' top players are defensive lineman Chris Alvarez, senior linebacker Isaiah Torres and defensive back Izaac Olivas.

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Firebaugh, 7 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Roosevelt, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 8: at Coalinga, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 15: at Selma, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 22: Mt. Whitney, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 29: Immanuel, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: at Hanford West, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 14: Sierra Paciifc, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 20: at Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

Selma Bears

Head coach: Art Francis, second season

Roster size: 34

Base offense/defense: Multiple/4-3

2022 record: 1-9

Impact players: RB/WR Drew Cerda, RB/WR Noah Lopez, QB Hugo Lopez, DL Pablo Luna, RB/WR Irvin Prieto

Highlights: Selma posted its only win last season in a 27-24 overtime victory over Sierra Pacific. Running back/receiver Drew Cerda is one of the team's top playmakers after throwing for 582 yards and rushing for a team-high 822 yards. He scored 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022. ”Our expectations are to be much improved, to be much more disciplined and to have a better command of the playbook,” Selma head coach Art Francis said.

Schedule

• Aug. 18: at Lemoore, 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 24: at Madera, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Coalinga, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 8: at Dinuba, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 15: Reedley, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 29: at Sierra Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: at CVC, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 13: at Washington Union, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 20: Kerman, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

Washington Union Panthers

Head coach: Paul Holland, fourth season

Roster size: 33

Base offense/defensive schemes: Spread/4-3

2022 record: 8-4 (lost to Lemoore in the Central Section Division II quarterfinals)

Impact players: LB Kado Felder, LB/WR Ryan Brown, WR/DB Davien Potts, DB/WR Paul Holland, WR Marcus Watkin, WR/RB Tayven Holland, RB/LB Decurtis Stroud, OL/DE Jayden Sweazy, OL/DL Kristopher Maldonado, RB/S Joseph Stevenson

Highlights: Senior linebacker Kado Felder is Washington Union's star player. The 6-foot, 215-pounder Felder is rated as a three-star college prospect and has a reported scholarship offer from Campbell University — an NCAA Division I program that competes at the Football Championship Subdivision. Felder led the team last season with 172 tackles and will team up with fellow linebacker Ryan Brown to lead one of the conference's top defenses. "This team is deep with fast skill guys and two of the best linebackers in the state," Washington Union head coach Paul Holland said. "We should be a good team with a good balance of seniors and underclassmen."

Schedule

• Aug. 18: Fresno, 7 p.m.

• Aug. 25: at Lemoore, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Torres-Madera, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 15: Dinuba, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 22: at Coalinga, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 29: Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 6: at Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

• Oct. 13: Selma, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 20: Central Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 27: at Kerman, 7:30 p.m.

Editor's note: Sierra Pacific is also a member of the Tri-County Conference. The Golden Bears did not respond to the Times-Delta's media information request by press time.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2023 Tri-County Conference Football Preview