Never has a day meant more to Central Section football than Friday. Not as far as state status is concerned.

With that big carrot dangling out there -- state bowl invitations -- not only the need to play intersectional games, but the need to succeed in them, is greater than ever.

And what an opportunity for the Central Section Friday with Edison playing Dominguez-Compton at Memorial, Clovis West opposing Servite-Anaheim at Buchanan, Clovis East going to Redlands, and Madera visiting Merced.

Only Madera has little hope in these games involving mostly state-ranked opposition: Merced is No. 20, Servite No. 36 and Dominguez No. 43. And Redlands finished No. 29 after going 12-1 in 2006.

This season, Edison is No. 10 and Clovis West No. 19.

Edison, Clovis West and Clovis East historically receive a lot of media attention, which isn't well received by many outside of their districts.

Some advice: Stand behind them this one time. The entire section can only benefit from their success.

It's been strange, following Buchanan football under coach Mike Vogt over the years.

He's 100-57-5 and a section title with the Bears in 14 years.

But the program has a "soft" reputation.

Really?

When is a reputation true or bogus?

I know Buchanan plays baseball and wrestles as tough as anybody. And the Bears do now in basketball under coach Eric Swain.

Soft?

I know Bears quarterback Jake Henderson last year was as tough and aggressive as any in the area.

I've never heard a bad word -- not personally -- about Vogt, who encourages his athletes to play multiple sports more than any coach I know.

Soft?

I'll take another look tonight in a super opener at Sanger.

Soft? Can't say I buy it.

Couple thoughts I've been getting up with lately as we near Friday's kickoffs:

** Can't imagine Edison, for all that talent, running the table and securing the section's No. 1 ranking wire to wire. The schedule's too strong (six losable games, actually) and question marks too glaring at QB and OL.

** Major pressure on Clovis West QB Jeff Tuel for several reasons: Replacing Beau Sweeney; taking over the position without having thrown a varsity pass; the status of having committed to Washington State; and a blistering schedule. Word has it he struggled mightily in the team's scrimmage.

** No surprise that RB/FS Alfonso Jackson's back at Bakersfield. The best athlete on campus -- even last year as a sophomore -- he got into so much trouble following last football season he was actually kicked out of school and placed elsewhere in the district. But he's a Driller once again -- predictably. The good ol' boy system in Kern County protects Bakersfield, the district's golden child. That applies to its attendance area, which winds randomly far away from the urban school and into affluent areas.