Clovis showdowns as Tri-Rivers League, Central Section flexes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Central Section in California used to get looked over when it came to considering where the top teams in the state came from, but that isn't the case any longer. Clovis North reached the Northern California final last year and the depth in the section has just gotten better year-in and year-out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, the section is even deeper with two teams in the Top 11 in the state rankings, and several more just on the outside. Fresno, Clovis, Bakersfield and the surrounding areas have seen growth in experienced coaches, eager coaches and player development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Soccer here has gotten a lot better," Clovis North coach Cameron Shahrokhi said. "The coaching has got a lot better, we have young club coaches coming in with new ideas and energy, the talent is improving and our teams are competitive now."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tri-Rivers League, specifically, has become quite the competitive league with excellent teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It was a young league last year, other than us," Shahrokhi said. "We graduated most of our team, while the rest of the league returns a lot of top players."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That has equaled a more competitive league this season. Every team is over .500 overall, and the combined record of the six teams is 59-16-12 entering Tuesday. You have a team like Buchanan that had two wins all year last year, now with 11 wins already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And what a big week of games it is, featuring perhaps the three best teams in the league, including two teams ranked highly in the state and ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the section. Clovis North takes on a very good Clovis East team on the road on Tuesday, and then North hosts Clovis in a huge showdown on Friday as it is a big week for the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From those three teams, here are a number of players to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob Davis, Keeper, Clovis North, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is a fearless keeper who will sacrifice himself and put his body on the line for his team. He is a great shot stopper, a leader and has seven clean sheets in 11 matches, and has allowed just five goals. Davis should be playing college soccer next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":158646,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/Brady-Downing-crop-742x487-1704769466.jpg?w=741" alt="" class="wp-image-158646" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rob Hansen</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146797' first='Brady' last='Downing'], Defensive Midfielder, Clovis North, Class of 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Downing returns to Clovis after being down in Los Angeles and playing for the Galaxy Academy. He is a precocious young player as the freshman No. 6 pulls all the strings for the Broncos. He does everything and more you want from a holding mid. He can play touchline to touchline, he is a ball winner, he facilitates the ball well and on top of that he is very technical and tactical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah Farfan, Attacking Midfielder, Clovis East, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farfan was an all-league player a year ago, and mostly plays the No. 10 but can play forward. He is a tall and lanky player who is deceptively quick, is crafty and is tactically sound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josh Gault, Central Defender, Clovis North, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gault is finally healthy and ready to log some minutes for the Broncos. He is very much a center back in that he is a big, strong ball-winner. He is a dynamic player, with exceptional talent. He is very athletic, very technical, can work well with the ball at his feet and understands the game on a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":158648,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/Nixon-Hansen-crop-760x499-1704769531.jpg?w=759" alt="" class="wp-image-158648" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rob Hansen</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='168063' first='Nixon' last='Hansen'], Forward, Clovis North, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hansen, a sophomore, has been a top player for the Broncos. He plays as an outside forward and after gaining some experience as a freshman, he's a key player this year as he rarely comes off the pitch. He loves to attack and get up the line, and is very good in 1v1 situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony Hernandes, Forward, Clovis, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandes is a fast, physical forward who pairs with Aaron Huerta in a two-forward system. Hernandes is the one who likes to make runs and get in behind. He is fast, physical and has a very high work-rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Huerta, Forward, Clovis, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huerta is a true goal scorer. He has a nose for it and that's what he loves to do. He plays as a No. 9, and is a player who can use both feet, is very fast and in addition is strong and good in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>David Kabamba, Winger/Outside Defender, Clovis East, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kabamba is very much a wide player, and is left-footed all the way so he will play outside defender on the left, and for the Timberwolves he plays the No. 11 quite a lot. He is a very talented player, and plays for the Fuego USL Academy team. He is very fast and very technical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":158650,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/Javier-Moran-crop-605x397-1704770699.jpg?w=604" alt="" class="wp-image-158650" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rob Hansen</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Javier Moran, Attacking Midfielder, Clovis North, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moran has really helped the Broncos survive losing so much offensive firepower as he has been an engine in the midfield. He is a No. 10 that can use both feet, he shows great vision and can really distribute. He is quick and crafty, and is a very technical player who thrives with set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah Naranjo, Forward, Clovis East, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team's leading scorer, Naranjo is a force for Clovis East. He is a big forward, one who can hit the ball with both feet. He is a crafty, creative player who plays club with Crossfire, playing up a year on the 2007 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander Rodriguez, Midfielder, Clovis, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez is far and away the most talented player in the Tri-Rivers League, and has potential to go very far in this game. He can play as a No. 10 and a No. 8 and has a Lionel Messi quality to him. Not only because he's a smaller midfielder, but because he doesn't lose the ball. He can go box-to-box and shows great quickness, he's a great passer and a very crafty left-footed player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->