Soccer Team Takes Divisional Championship

On Feb. 23 the Kerman varsity soccer team beat Kingsburg for the Central Section Division IV Championship.

This was the first time a Kerman High soccer team, coached by Alfonso Pacheco, has won the title.

In addition to the team award, individuals won honors in the North Sequoia League: Christian Hernandez, Noe Solorio and Cesar Sandoval made first team; Fran Paation and Oracio Diaz made second team; David Diaz was voted Most Valuable Player in the NSL.

Kerman Varsity Baseball Starts Season Undefeated

By Vincent Vital

KERMAN (Mar. 5) - The Kerman varsity baseball season has begun. The Lions were in action this past week against three different opponents in the Immanuel tournament. This is Kerman’s first tournament until the league games begin.

On Thursday Kerman played its first game against Lindsay. Kerman won 8 to 0. Juan Montalvo pitched a complete game one hitter. He had 16 strikeouts in six innings. On Saturday Kerman had a double-header against Woodlake and Central Valley Christian (CVC). In game one the Lions rolled to a 10 to 0 victory against Woodlake. In the second game it was more the same. The Lions jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. The Lions won 12 to 0 and the game was stopped in the 5^th inning because of the mercy-rule. Gabe Perez pitched a no-hitter against Woodlake. Kevin Richards also pitched a no hitter against CVC.

The Lion’s offense has been lead by seniors Jared Coleman, Gibby Gonzales, Manuel Rodrigues, Chris Briseno and juniors Vince Vital and Jacob Verwey. Kerman is now 3 and 0 and will play against Immanuel in Reedley on Tuesday. Kerman’s next game in the tournament is Saturday in Kingsburg against McFarland. If the Lions win both games they will play in the championship game at Reedley College on Saturday evening.

Pictured: Firebaugh High Schools head wrestling Coach Bill Magnusson (right) congratulates Dos Palos head coach Frank Lemos for the Broncos 2006 Valley Championship Performance. The Eagles were Valley Champions in 2005, so the plaque stays on Highway 33!

EAGLE WRESTLERS WRAP SEASON

The 2006 varsity wrestling team at Firebaugh High School finished with a flurry of action in their own gym last Friday & Saturday (Feb. 17 & 18). The team was led by senior captain Jayson Martinez who is also an F.C.A. Captain at F.H.S. and senior Ricky Martinez. The line-up featured Jacob Flores (25-12), at 112 lbs, Michag Perez (16-10) at 119 lbs, Geo Res Resondiz (14-12) at 125 lbs, Jaime Contreras (19-18), at 130 lbs, Manuel Pena (22-20) at 135 lbs, Ricky Martinez (28-6) at 140 lbs, Moises Gallegos (11-18) at 145lbs, Guillermo Cuen (27-12) at 152 lbs, Fernando Rodriguez (17-14) at 160 lbs, Johnny Cervantes (26-11) at 171 lbs, Jayson Martinez (17-13) at 189 lbs, Salvador Agredano (16-14) at 215 lbs, and Big Jorge Martinez (7-7) at heavy weight. Senior stand out Ricky Martinez placed 2nd, junior thrower Johnny Cervantes placed 4th and freshman Phenom Guillermo Cuen placed 4th. All 3 wrestlers qualified for this Saturdays Masters Tournament at East Bakersfield H.S.

More Championship News

Place Winners Listed

Eagle Team Members - Esteban Lopez, Jose Melendez, Eric Antunez, Juan Rocha, Sergio Ruiz, Rene Ruiz, Luis Santillan Coach Martinez  Middle row Jorge Magana, Remigio Gamino, Adan Herrera, Max Callejas, Leo, Nava, Sergio Cortez, Fernando Magana, Bottom Row Gustavo Arreola, Juan Sandoval, Juan Lozano, Paul Llamas, Mauricio Santillan, Jose Gutierrez not pictured Rafael Arreola, Gildardo Villarruel

Eagles Win West Sierra League Championship

FIREBAUGH (Feb. 14) - The high flying Firebaugh High Eagles overcame a mid season slump to finish strong, winning their first WSL soccer title in 12 years.  The team finished with a league record of 10-2-2 defeating Tranquillity 2-1 and Mendota 3-0 on their final two games of the regular season to seal the championship.

“This is a very strong team, very close friends that care for each other. They work hard, never complain, and are dependable,” said Pete Martinez.  From the start of the season the team set out to win The WSL and make a statement in the playoffs.  The Eagles began to show signs of dominance and resolve after placing second at the Fowler tournament defeating Kingsburg 1-0 in the semifinals and losing only to this years division four number one seed Kerman.  At the Corcoran tournament the team came back with a third place finish defeating Corcoran and Buchanan.  “It is very rewarding to win a championship, however the best reward comes when you see these young men become good sons, good students and productive citizens," he said.

 Next up for the Eagles are the playoffs.  As the number two seed in division five, the team will have a home game this Thursday against the winner between McFarland and Riverdale and possibly next Tuesday should the eagles advance. Games are set for 6:00 rain or shine.  

Firebaugh Hosts annual Wrestling Tourney

FIREBAUGH (Feb. 13) - The 25th Annual Westside Invitational Wrestling Tournament west off with a "slam Boom Bang" .

On Saturday January 14 21 high school wrestling teams packed the Firebaugh High School Gymnasium to battle it out. When the dust settled the Los Banos Tigers claimed this years Westside title with 2 champions (Brian Souza 160 Lbs. & Jasbir Singh 189 lbs.) and 5 place winners. Veteran Mat coach Dan Roton credits a strong summer strength program, wrestling campos, free style, for the rise in the Los Banos wrestling program

Merced High placed 2nd with 134 points 2 champions (Phonsouk Phavongxai 145 and heavy weight Michael Chambers). The Coalinga horned toads had 3 champions and 129 points (Alfjandro Bautista 160 lbs, Sergio Macias 125 lbs and Pete Escanoun 119 lbs.)

The host Firebaugh Eagles finished in 6th place with 89 points. The highlights for the Eagles included 3 finalists and 1 champion. Super Sophomore Jaime Contreras was crowned the champion at 130 lbs. He defeated the #2 and #3 seeded wrestlers from Mendota and Clovis West.

Senior Co-Captain Ricky Martinez overcame a knee injury and won 3 straight matches to make the finals where he lost a 5-3 decision to #1 ranked Alfonso Sanchez of McClane. Senior Co-Captain Jayson Martinez continued his improvement as he defeated 2 seeded wrestlers to make his 1st ever finals where he lost a close 5-3decision of Jasbir Singh of Los Banos

Alfonso Sanchez of McClane and Vince Lopez of Clovis High were named the outstanding wrestlers of the tournament.

The Firebaugh Varsity wrestling team was represented by Jacob Flores 112lbs, Geo Resendiz 119lbs, Choy Garcia 125 lbs, Jaime Contreras 130 lbs (1st), Manuel Pena 135lbs, Ricky Martinez 140 lbs (2nd), Guillermo Goen 152 lbs, (5th), Fernando Rodriguez 160 lbs, Jayson Martinez 189lbs (2nd), Sal Agredano 215lbs, and Jorge Martinez 275lbs.

It takes a lot of help to run this size and scale of a tournament. A big Eagle thank you goes out to the Firebaugh Mendota Rotary Club (pancake breakfast), Gary Barragan & Chris Olabue weigh in masters, Gracie Olague & her crew in the concession stand, Danny Valdez & Joe Rubio pitboss, staging, tournament committee members Esperanza Coronado, Maria Lopez, Hilda Valadez, Brady Jenkins, Danny Valdez & Danny Jr., Sable Navarro, Gracie Olague Firechief John Borboa, Bear, Norma, Erik, and Leo our emergency crew (EMTs). Maria Lopez Coaches lunch.

Announcers George Delgado, Rax Guerra, and Rick Martinez.

Tournament directors team of Marcelino Gonzales, Alfrgo Sanchez, Diane Moreno, and Debbie Magnusson.

Weight 103

1st Juan Gonzales Kerman 4-0; 2nd Eric Gomez, Madera 2-1; 3rd Stephen Meredith, Buchanan 3-1; 4th Brighton Gray, Clovis West 3-2

Weight 112: 1st Nick Alvarado Fowler 3-0; 2nd Chris Vrauizo Merced 3-1; 3rd Andrew Souto Los Banos; 3rd Amarjit Masuta Madera

Weight; 119: 1st Pete Escondon, Coalinga 4-0; 2nd Josh Amaro Los Banos 2-1; Renn Bone Buchanan; 3rd Charles Chatman Edison

Weight 125: 1st Sergio Macias, Coalinga 4-0; 2nd Anthony Waters Buchanan 3-1; 3rd Jonathan Arreola Edison; 3rd Cameron Kelly Clovis High

Weight: 130: 1st Jaime Contreras Firebaugh 4-0; 2nd Fabian Perez, Caruthers 3-0; 3rd Jordon Erickson Los Bano; 3rd Art Baylon Buchanan

Weight: 135: 1st Shawn Wagemann Hanford 4-0; 2nd Mario Rocha Mendota 2-1; 3rd Ricardo Hernandez Madera 4-1; 4th Justin Gaskins, Coalinga 3-2

Weight 140: 1st Alfonso Sanchez McLane 4-0; 2nd Ricky Martinez Firebaugh 3-1; 3rd Drew Bolin, Clovis West; 3rd Anthony Beliew, Caruthers

Weight 145: 1st Phounsouk Phavongxai, Merced 4-0; 2nd Eddie Barajas, Mendota 3-1; 3rd Andrew Garcia Los Banos; 3rd Jordan Gallegos Madera

Weight: 152: 1st Frank Montes McLane 4-0; Carl Acost Merced 3-1; 3rd James Colber Edison; 3rd Cisco Rivera, Central

Weight; 160: 1st Alejandro Bautista, Coalinga 3-0; 2nd Anthony Aguilar Edison 3-1; 3rd Derek Sanchez, Hanford; 3rd Juan Ochoa McLane

Weight 171: 1st Brian Souza, Los Banos 3-0; 2nd Anthony Agular, Edison 3-1; 3rd Derek Sanchez Hanford, 3rd Juan Ochoa McLane

Weight 171: 1st Brian Souza, Los Banos 3-0; 2nd Dusting Allison, Madera 2-1; 3rd Andriv Hati Central; 3rd Nick Eaton Mariposa

Weight 189: 1st Jasbir Singh, Los Banos 4-0; 2nd Jayson martinez Firebaugh 3-1; 3rd orlando Lopez, Coalinga 4-1; 4th Zach Shaver Clovis High 3-2;

Weight 215: Vincent Lopez Clovis High 4-0; 2nd Chris Ramirez Los Banos 3-1; 3rd Andrew Lopez, Parlier 4-1; 3rd Anthony sias Hanford 4-2

Weight: 275: 1st Michael Chambers Merced 4-0; 2nd Ryan Rose McLane 3-1; 3rd Jonathen Zamora, Clovis High 4-1; 4th Andrew Agular Coalinga 3-2

Scores: Los Banos 155; Merced 134; Coalinga 129; McLane 112; Madera 111.50; Firebaugh 89; Clovis High 87.50; Edison 85; Hanford 83.50; Buchanan 83.50; Mendota 81; Clovis West 65.50; Central 55; Caruthers 54; Fowler 45.50; Kerman 45; Parlier 26; Mariposa 25; Chowchilla 14; Roosevelt 12; Tranquillity 5.50

Former Fresno State All-American Jamie Southern held a pitching clinic Jan. 16, at Kerman High School. Over 25 young girls participated in the event, which was sponsored by the Kerman Girls Softball League.