Cal-Hi Sports rank Buchanan 12th in preseason rankings

Buchanan’s No. 4 Reece Bacon takes down Clovis North’s Derek Smith. The Bears ended the 2018 season 10-3 record. PHOTO BY EYE FOR IT ALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Valley football powerhouse and arguably the favorite to win the TRAC in 2019 Buchanan High received yet another vote of confidence Aug. 15 when it was ranked as the No. 12 team in California in Cal-Hi Sports’ preseason football rankings.

The Bears come into the 2019 season with question marks on the offensive side of the ball after recent University of Georgia running back commit Kendall Milton. Junior quarterback DJ Stevenson, son of former California Mr. Basketball and NBA player DeShawn Stevenson, will look to find his go-to receivers.

CalHi Sports cited that Stevenson’s pass catchers are new and unproven, so finding a familiarity sooner rather than later would be ideal.

The Bears return some key veterans on defense as well, including linebacker Matt Merritt, who has received an offer to play at the University of Arizona.

The Bears mettle will be put to the test from the get go, as the team will face L.A. City Section perennial powerhouse Narbonne from Harbor City in week one.

Buchanan sits just eight spots ahead of defending TRAC and CIF Central Section champion Central. Cal-Hi Sports reasoned that this is because of Buchanan’s opening week match up.

Michael graduated from Fresno State in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in print journalism. During his time at the university, he served as sports and managing editor for The Collegian, Fresno State’s student-run newspaper. In addition to the Clovis Roundup, Michael has written for The Fresno Bee, the Kingsburg Recorder and Selma Enterprise. He has a passion for sports and can be found on the sidelines at local games, bringing the citizens of Clovis the athletics news they deserve.