Can't Believe We Are Halfway Through the Regular Season Already. Let the Leagues Begin!

Chris Terrence

The grand opening of the Deran Koligian Stadium was a grand night indeed, especially if you are a Central High fan. First of all, the new palace of Valley Footballdom was in great shape. It was a long wait for Grizzlies fans, but it was well worth it. The game was sold out and the stadium looked beautiful on this beautiful night. The evening got underway with the presentation of the game football by members of the Deran Koligian family at the 50 yard line. The field and stadium were in terrific shape, and the weather couldn't have been better. The spirit was sky high for the home crowd and Central High took the opening kickoff and on their first series of plays in their new digs, they scored the first touchdown as quick running back Rakim Dawkins went up the middle of the Bullard line untouched into the end zone. The play was set up by a 48 yard pass play on an option pass play from London Batts to Deshante Smallwood. It looked like it was going to be another hard day's night for the Knights. But nooooooooooo, the Knights came right back with a similar pass option play from Brandon Williams to Nick Griffin, followed by a three yard touchdown by Chris Nelson. It turned out to be a good game as the never say die Knights regained some confidence by playing a very good Central team tough. Central won 28-19 in the last game for both teams in the preseason.

So let's review this shall we? For all you trivia fans for future questions: At Central High's Deran Koligian Stadium, a packed stadium crowd saw the first 40+ yard pass play completion from Batts to Smallwood; the first TD scored by Dawkins, and the first extra point kicked by Eric Becerra, the first score by an opponent, Bullard's Chris Nelson, and the first cheeseless pizza eaten in the press box, was by Fred Clark. ............... Yes a great night indeed, but you have to think it was awesome for the Deran Koligian family. Not only were the late Fresno County Supervisor and well loved Fresno businessman and farmer's relatives on hand but one of them, son Wayne Koligian is the head coach of the Grizzlies; another one, grandson Paul Koligian, was one of the assistant coaches, another one, another grandson, John Koligian was the starting center for the Griz..............A great night for Valley high school football, two good programs in a brand new stadium, in front of a sold-out and enthusiastic crowd, on a perfect night for football........

Yes we are half way through the regular season, and we have already seen some excellent games on the KJEO network, with plenty more to come. The Tri River AC had a great preseason with a 24-4 record......Also, the way things are shaping up, the County/Metro AC championship is going to be up for grabs as Edison, Hoover, Reedley, and dark horse Sanger, have all played tough games in the preseason......Our game this week features a very strong Madera team, fresh off their huge win over powerful McClymonds of Oakland, as the Coyotes will take the short bus ride up 99 to play the Buchanan Bears who last week whacked the North Bakersfield Stars, after a gutty win over the Edison Tigers the previous week...........It's going to be a great weekend as all the leagues get into league play.....Question, who do you think are going to be the last two teams standing for the Valley Championship game? Tough call, eh?

Chris Terrence