Madera Likes Being Number One

Chris Terrence

David and Goliath, Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston, the New York Jets and the Baltimore Colts, and the 2006 Madera Coyotes and Central Section high school football. All of the formers small in stature underdogs, all of the latters humbled by the formers. Who are these Coyotes of Coach Randy Blankenship's? Well, there the one's that just beat the Buchanan Bears, 46-20, at the BEC, to improve to 6-0 on the season, while celebrating their being named #1 in the Div I of the Bee's football rankings. Who would have thunk it six weeks ago? (OK, besides the Coyotes.)

Coming into this prep football season, many thought "Rough year ahead for the coach and the team.", and who could blame any "expert" for thinking that? After all, with the graduation class of 2005, Madera High School gave diplomas and handshakes to star quarterback (and a hard hitting defensive stud and team leader) Nick Bates, star running back Chris Jackson, outstanding defensive back DeAndre Whitney, bruising linebacker Junior Mora, and tough guy offensive and defensive lineman Cameron Henderson, among others. All of them all-stars and all of them well over 180 pounds. Enter the 2006 Coyotes and when you see them at first you think maybe they should be called the Coyote Puppies. And that's just the defensive line!! There's only one of the front five, so to speak, that is 6 feet tall. But folks, that old saying about "It ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog", really rings true here. Let's take, for example, 5 foot, eight inch, 158 pound Vincente Verduzco. His is the NOSE GUARD! You can believe that Vincente was all over the field Friday night, making tackles, fighting off blocks, and making big stops on big plays. The Madera defense is small, but they are of brave heart. Michael Flores, Jordan Gallegos (5'6" 148 lb LINEBACKER), Brandon Roach (5'9", 156), and friends. You get the picture. They were everywhere. Small? Yes, but also yes to quick, strong, tenacious, and courageous. The cornerbacks are among the best we have seen this year with the likes of Brandon Henderson, and the big guy, 5'6", 125 lb, Tony DeLaGarza, who not only covered the Bears bigger receivers, but covered them like the like bark on an oak tree.

This Madera team is fun to watch and Randy Blankenship and his staff have a lot to be proud of this season. They've had some big wins in the preseason, knocking off big powers like McClymonds up in Oakland, and Nevada state champs, Las Vegas, and then beat Hill Prep in San Jose 40-12, after Hill had not yet given up a point in their two previous games in San Jose.

The Buchanan team had been on a roll as well. The beat Edison and North Bakersfield in the previous two game and came into the Madera game at 3-2 and steadily improving. Many have thought of Buchanan as he sleeper in the mighty Tri River AC. The Bears of Mike Vogt have their weapons as well. Lampford Mark is a soon to be Division One running back, and he showed why that fact is true by running for 194 years against the Coyotes. Marcus Russell is excellent all-purpose player for the Bears, and quarterback Trevor Smith shows he is a leader and an outstanding passer for Buchanan.

The game got away from the Bears in the second half and into the fourth quarter. It was a fun game to watch and a big night for the students who put on a great half-time show, as it was Homecoming for Buchanan. They had a great time except for the loss, and the spirit was high.

The Madera side of the field was pretty packed as well as they brought along their band and many enthusiastic fans. The caravan must have been a long one on 99.

Notes: No doubt that Madera will remain number one in the Bee rankings. The Tri-River AC, with all it's powerful teams, will sure be exciting to watch from here on out, through the playoffs............. This new number one, with it's habit of putting up a lot of points on the board with its fun to watch Wing Tee offense, and hard hitting, stingy defense, could go all the way. Then again, it's the Tri-River........ Our half-time guests were computer and marketing whiz Fredo Martin (check out workingarts.com), and the GM of the Fresno Falcons, John Tull (fresnofalcons.com). Falcons season starts next week at the Save Mart Center, and their games can be seen on KJEO TV ch 32 Sports. Have a great week......

Chris Terrence