Bluebloods looking for section title, state title run

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After narrow losses on large stages last year, boys and girls teams from the Central and Sac-Jaoquin Sections are looking to accomplish their goals of section and, perhaps, state, titles. These are powerful programs where competing for these titles is what they aim for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clovis North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 26-win season a year ago, a Tri-Rivers League title, a Central Section title and a NorCal runner up finish, the Clovis North boys team is looking to win another section title and make a run again at a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clovis North has had to replace several key players and most of its goal-scoring from last season, but have found a way with a team that is bought in. They have fought through adversity, they have leaned into the strategy of getting goals from different players from all over the pitch, and they defend as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We have a tight-knit group," Clovis North coach Cameron Shahrokhi said. The boys feed off of each other and have great energy every day. We defend as a unit and have been creating good opportunities to score. We have faced a lot of adversity this season with injuries and have had the next man up mentality. Numerous players have stepped up to this point."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A deep, talented team, the Broncos are reliant on a variety of guys and have had several players step up this season, and in the playoffs. Attacking player Nixon Hansen has been a key, as have stellar central defenders Garik Mkrtchyan and Josh Gault. Jacob Davis has been outstanding as a keeper, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='146797' first='Brady' last='Downing'] has been a revelation as a No. 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clovis North will take on Ridgeview, the No. 6 seed, which has made a surprising run to Saturday's final after reaching the final a year ago, losing to CN by a 3-1 score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I know they are a technical side with skilled players,"Shahrokhi said. "Ridgeview is always a hard-working group. There will be a lot of emotions in this match because of last year. We are focusing and preparing ourselves."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":164339,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/Screen-Shot-2024-02-22-at-12.58.02-PM.png?w=957" alt="" class="wp-image-164339" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Michael Trask</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davis v. Del Oro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils are looking to push past last year's performance, which ended sourly as they lost only one game and it happened to be in the second around of the SJ Section playoffs to McClatchy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, Davis has only lost once, to Franklin which was the No. 1 seed in the SJ Section playoffs as the Blue Devils take on Del Oro on Saturday, seeking a DI title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If anything is going to lead them to victory, it may very well be the five players playing at the back. The back line is solid and versatile, with a lot of depth. Izzy Churchward and [player_tooltip player_id='19515' first='Isabella' last='Hazel'] are amongst those players that offer talent and depth on the backline and are forces. If, somehow, an attacker is able to beat them, which doesn't happen often, [player_tooltip player_id='19134' first='Aubrey' last='McLin'], a sophomore and one of the best keepers in California, is there to cover them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19970' first='Miya' last='Alamares'] is also a force for Davis, a versatile attacker who can play in the midfield and attacker, can score goals and is also very able and willing to track back and help the team defend. The team has only allowed one goal in its last five games, and only nine goals all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jesuit v. McClatchy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second of the two boys matches featured here, we have another surprising team in the Division I final, this time in the Sac-Joaquin Section as dark horse McClatchy will face traditional power Jesuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just because the Lions were the No. 7 seed, it does not mean they are not a talented team. They are. They won 21 matches, went 11-1 and won the Metro League and have great attacking players in Frank Thao, Reed Paskey and Nathaniel Ochoa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"They play a high pressure style of soccer. They obviously have good players who mostly play for the same club. If you make mistakes, they are ready to pounce," Jesuit coach Paul Rose said. "They play a 4-4-2. They high pressure defensively and come at you with high energy and commitment. I don't think they come down to one player to key on. We need to keep our shape and take advantage of their vulnerabilities."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One factor to consider is that Jesuit is dealing with a flu, but is hopeful to have everyone. And having everyone together is key as this team has had a cohesiveness to it and has fought through injuries and adversity together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We've just been playing well as a team," Rose said. "It is a very cohesive group. We have a different player step up every game."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of those players stepping up are stud keeper [player_tooltip player_id='41555' first='Jordan' last='Victor'] and defenders Charlie Black and Eric Jensen. Midfielders Talbot Carter, Jack Cazneaux and [player_tooltip player_id='8520' first='Renner' last='Smiley'] make up perhaps the best midfield in Sacramento, while they have dynamic attackers in [player_tooltip player_id='7816' first='James' last='Andrew'] and Kellen Jacot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty-Bakersfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots were a perfect 22-0 last season heading into the Central Section Division I title game, but lost to Clovis North in that championship match then entered the SoCal playoffs and lost to eventual state champion Santa Margarita to end the season with two straight losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty is looking to right the first wrong on Friday, facing Garces Memorial in the Central Section finals. The Pats have only lost once this year, compiling a 22-1-2 record on their way to another fantastic season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaiden Gore is a force as a goal scorer for Liberty, with 21 goals in 21 games, and is staying home to play at Cal State Bakersfield next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->