The Fresno Bee's No. 18 team, the Yosemite Badgers recorded its second shutout at home this season, beating Liberty (Madera Ranchos) 44-0 Friday to help celebrate Homecoming in Badger Stadium.

The Badgers (3-3, 1-2 NSL) forced three turnovers setting up all three for touchdowns.

"We came out focused on what we needed to do and with the defense being aggressive and the secondary picking off passes, our offense really clicked," said Jesse Lownsbury, who threw for three touchdowns before making way for Jackson Glines and James Derickson in the fourth quarter.

Yosemite recorded a 9-0 victory over San Joaquin Memorial on September 12. and has consecutive shutouts at home for the first time in seven years.

The Badgers last held two opponents scoreless was in 2001 when the team opened the season with a 30-0 win over Mendota then followed that four weeks later with a 34-0 victory against Granite Hills and then defeated Selma 30-0. ,

Through its first six games, the defense has more than held its own with Yosemite losing three games by a total of 20 points, that's less than a touchdown a game.

Lownsbury finished 10-for-17 for 230 yards with one interception including a 70-yard pass to Jon McNamara who had five catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns and 60-yards to Detri Dunn for another.

Jeffrey Shackleford ran 35 yards for one score and Jayme Lee ran for a one-yard touchdown.

"We have a great combination of receivers," Yosemite coach Aaron Eames said. "Our defense came up with the big play and picked off three passes."

Lee ran 13 times for 76 yards and Shackleford was eight carries for 67 yards. Defensively the Badgers recorded three sacks for 30 yards to go with the three interceptions. Liberty finished with 129 yards of offense.

PREVIEW

Kerman Lions (5-1, 2-1 NSL) vs. Yosemite (3-3, 1-2 NSL)

This is Coach Marty Martin's first year at Kerman.

In 2008 Martin coached at Clovis West leading the team to a 9-4-1 record in the Tri-River-Conference (TRAC) before losing the section championship game to Bakersfield 19-16.

Coach Martin believes the Kerman Lions will improve over last year.

Kerman also has a new offensive coordinator new assistant coaches and have added a new fitness center.

Players to watch:

Running back Alex Ramirez (Sr. 5-foot-9-inches, 190 pounds) had 15 carries, 159 yards including a 62-yard touchdown run.

Quarterback Juan Carillo (Sr. 6-foot-0-inches, 180 pounds) threw was 1-9-0, 25 yards and ran five times for eight yards.

Kicking specialist Jose Magana (Sr. 6-foot-1-inches, 160 pounds) was 2-2 on field goals (38 and 30 yards) and may be the deciding factor in a close game.

Ted Furnish (Sr. 5-foot-11-inches, 245 pounds) had 12 carries for 79 yards vs. Chowchilla and scored two TDs versus Liberty.

On the season, Magana has 17 points kicking (three field goals, 8 PATs) while Juan Carillo is 17-41-6, 303 yards.

Prince York is the Lion's favorite receiver with five touchdowns for over 200 yards.

Linebacker Alphoso Zavala (Sr. 5-foot-9-inches, 175 pounds) leads the team in tackles with 10 plus per game.

Ramirez plays linebacker and also averages 10 tackles per game.

Coach Martin will rely on team size and strength, and will focus on offsetting player inexperience.

Kerman lost to Chowchilla 42-16 but has shutout McLane, 49-0 and Liberty Madera Ranchos 31-0.

In its last game the Lions soundly defeated Dos Palos at DP 22-6.