The Bakersfield College Renegades are running a new style of offense this season, but for Kevin Bryan, 19, the “option offense” is nothing new.

The 6’0″, 190-pound sophomore who prepped at Burroughs High in Ridgecrest said this is an opportunity to show the skills that he acquired while playing the option for the Burros in high school. Bryan executed the offense well at Burroughs High as he passed for 1,301 yards for 10 touchdowns and rushed for 1,067 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

Bryan has earned the starting position at BC this season after seeing limited action as a freshman. Bryan said that coaching is one of the reasons he chose BC.

“The coaching is great here,” he said. “If you need help in any way, the coaches will help you in the best way they can.”

Dallas Grider, head coach, said Bryan played well against a good Cerritos College team.

“Considering the size that he was up against, Bryan played well,” Grider said. “He made some good adjustments and made some things happen for us.”

Against Cerritos, Bryan combined some strong passing with some determined running to pick up crucial first downs when the ‘Gades needed them the most. He also threw a timely 55-yard touchdown strike to Sammy Moore that gave BC the lead early in the game. Despite his efforts, the ‘Gades lost.

“It was a tough loss,” Bryan said. “I wish we could have capitalized on plays in certain situations and won the game. I just wish we hadn’t turned over the ball on key drives.”

Bryan credited the speed of BC receiver Sammy Moore for some of his passing success.

“It’s great to have a receiver like Sammy, I can just throw the ball and he will go get it. We just need to all play together as a team,” he said.

Kyle Rivers, sophomore offensive lineman for the ‘Gades, is Bryan’s roommate. Rivers, who also prepped at Burroughs High as an offensive lineman, has great confidence in Bryan’s ability to lead the team.

“He’s exciting to watch,” Rivers said. “He has the ability to lead the offense and make things happen. We just need to get our plays down as a unit and we will become more effective.”

The defense also appreciates Bryan’s capability as a leader.

“He’s pretty good,” said defensive back James McGill. “As the season goes along, he’ll get even better. We will all get better as a team.”

When Bryan, isn’t on the football field, he enjoys playing video games with his friends or drawing, sketching cartoon characters and pictures. He maintains a 2.7 GPA in academics, but is undecided as far as his major.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to play for BC,” Bryan said. “It feels great to come from a small school like Burroughs and start for a program for BC. I would like to go to a Division I school in California, but I will go where I can play and get my education.”