FFX: Semifinals of the 2022 CIF Central Section football playoff in Kern County

by: Jose Franco, Taylor Schaub, Chris Burton

Posted: Nov 18, 2022 / 07:02 PM PST

Updated: Nov 19, 2022 / 12:16 AM PST

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Five Kern County teams remain in the CIF Central Section football playoffs but Liberty’s Division I semifinal against Buchanan is getting the most attention.

The semifinal is a rematch of a game in September that ended in controversial fashion due to weather. Lightning forced the ending of the game that still had about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Liberty lost the game by 8 points, 35-27 on Sept. 9.

But now the rematch Friday night is not just a rematch for Liberty but it’s also a rematch for Buchanan. The Buchanan Bears are looking to avenge a loss to Liberty in last season’s semifinal.

Only one team will move on to the Valley championship game.

Division I, Semifinals

(4) San Joaquin Memorial 30 – (1) Clovis West 20, Final

(3) Liberty 28 – (2) Buchanan 20, Final

Division II, Semifinals

(4) Hanford 41 – (1) Central Valley Christian 50, Final

(7) Frontier 21 – (3) Lemoore 56, Final

Division III, Semifinals

(4) Kennedy 27 – (1) Mission Prep 14, Final

(15) Independence 23 – (11) Sunnyside 38, Final

Division IV, Semifinals

(8) Shafter 42 – (4) Matilda Torres 41, Final/OT