WEEK ZERO GOLD MINES

Romello Harris picked up from where he left out last season, as one of the top rushers in the Central Section toppled El Diamante (Visalia) with 333 rushing yards and five touchdowns (photo credit: The Fresno Bee). 

This week’s Gold mines from week zero:

SEAN KUENZINGER, QUARTERBACK, CLOVIS

The senior entered the game without his top running back (Samir Allen) and with zero scholarship offers. But he got CGM’s attention by sailing four touchdown passes against Paso Robles, a state playoff qualifier from one year ago.

TYLER COLLIER, OFFENSIVE GUARD, CLOVIS

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound junior spent his entire night dishing out more pancakes than Denny’s. Collier drove his blocking assignments to the ground and brought a nasty streak to a Cougar offensive line that gave up zero sacks to Paso.

ROMELLO HARRIS, RUNNING BACK, TULARE

If anyone lives in Tulare and gets bored on a Friday night, head out to Bob Mathias Stadium for a TUHS home game and watch Harris play. The illustrious Harris could go down as one of the greatest players the Central Section has ever seen, and he was off and running with 333 yards and five touchdowns against El Diamante on Thursday, Aug. 27.

LOGAN FOGG, LINEBACKER, BUCHANAN (CLOVIS) 

The “Fogg” rolled in and disrupted Edison’s game on Friday, Aug. 28, at Sunnyside High School. The linebacker – who rarely gets recognized because of the stellar play of fellow ‘backer Bryson Young – swooped up two fumbles and rumbled 60 yards for the touchdown on one recovery in the 16-14 stunner of the Tigers, the reigning Central Section D-I champs.

ELIJAH BENHAM, RUNNING BACK, DINUBA

Benham had to wait his turn at Dinuba as Michael Wright chased the school rushing record during an outstanding four-year varsity career. But on Aug. 28, the backfield role belonged to Benham, and the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder thundered to 146 yards in the Emperors’ road win over Mission Oak (Tulare).

JOE GUZMAN, RUNNING BACK, ST. JOSEPH (SANTA MARIA)

Guzman and the Knights traveled down to Santa Fe and stomped on the Chiefs. Guzman rushed for 200 yards on 20 carries and added a 95-yard kickoff return.

JAKE CONSTANTINE, QUARTERBACK, CAMARILLO

Constantine dropped five touchdown passes and added one rushing touchdown against rival Rio Mesa (Oxnard), which had national recruit Jay Lenard on the opposite side of the field.

J.J. TAYLOR, RUNNING BACK, CENTENNIAL (CORONA)

The Arizona commit blazed to 136 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns, as the heavily hyped Huskies walloped Utah powerhouse East High School (Salt Lake City).

JU’WUANE HUGHES, ATHLETE, HANFORD

Hughes proved why he’s one of the most dangerous athletes in the Central Valley, as he had two long kickoff returns, one interception, and 79 yards of total offense in the Bullpups’ Aug. 27 rout of Kingsburg.

ADRIAN MARTINEZ, QUARTERBACK, CLOVIS WEST

He’s only a sophomore, plus he’s playing on a team with two national recruits in wide receiver Darian Owens and linebacker/tight end Caleb Kelly. But Martinez stole the show at Merced on Aug. 28, combining for 306 yards throwing and rushing and had four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in the Golden Eagles’ opening victory against Merced High.

CHARLES WILLIAMS, RUNNING BACK, BULLARD

There’s no better way to celebrate your birthday than rushing for 249 yards and five touchdowns, which was what Williams did against Hoover. 

STONE SMARTT, QUARTERBACK, DEL ORO (LOOMIS)

Smartt threw three touchdowns - from 40, 39 and 65 yards - against Pleasant Grove, the No. 3 ranked team in the state of Utah.

ANTOINE CUSTER, RUNNING BACK, DE LA SALLE (CONCORD)

Despite the loss in the Lonestar state, Custer showed his versatility against Texas kingpin Trinity (Euless), as he scored on a 79-yard touchdown pass and added a late 81-yard scoring run.