The Bakersfield College football team will travel to Van Nuys on Saturday to play the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs in what should be an intriguing matchup.
Even though LA Valley is 0-3, Carl Dean, BC offensive coordinator, said the Monarchs will present some problems on defense.
“They play pressure defense with a defensive front like Saddleback College,” Dean said. “They blitz their linebackers and they have athletes that can run and make plays. So we will have to have some big plays to beat them.”
Big plays are exactly what the Renegades used when they pounded the Los Angeles Pierce Brahmas 49-3 Sept. 17 in the first of two consecutive road games.
The victory over the Brahmas (0-3) was especially sweet because the ‘Gades dominated from start to finish in all phases of the game and some back-up players saw action for the first time this season on the road.
“We executed our game plan offensively, 496 total yards, scored a lot of points (49) and came away with a big win on the road,” said Jeff Chudy, BC head coach. “Thomas Peregrin (BC starting quarterback) had five touchdowns and Jeff Crosby (backup quarterback) went 5-for-5 for 37 yards and put points on the board. We are just real pleased with the way the team executed the game plan, and we are excited about the season.”
BC running back J.R. Rogers didn’t waste any time executing his part of the game plan as he scored BC’s first six points on a 6-yard run midway through the first quarter. Kicker Jose Martinez kicked the extra point, and the ‘Gades led 7-0. Rogers had 93 yards on 13 carries establishing a running game for BC. The running game, which netted 203 yards, opened up a passing attack for Peregrin, who had an overall stellar performance. The sophomore quarterback connected on 13 of 16 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
The first touchdown strike came just seconds after Rogers scored as Peregrin connected on a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Tajiddin Smith. With the extra point from Martinez, the ‘Gades took a two touchdown lead 14-0.
“We are all on the same page as far as passing and receiving,” Smith said. “They (the Brahmas) didn’t know exactly what we were doing. We were doing well with the running game, so I just kept running hard. When they tried to stop the run, we hit them with the pass.” Smith had four catches for 122 yards.
The only score in the game for the Brahmas came with 1:33 left in the first quarter when kicker Aaron Richards nailed a 37-yard field goal to make the score 14-3.
The ‘Gades controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in the second quarter. The offensive line gave Peregrin time to continue his aerial assault on Pierce which included touchdown passes to tight end Jeff Fielder for 21 yards, wide receiver Jonathan Nunez for 65 yards and Smith for 63 yards.
“We opened the game up with a balanced attack,” Peregrin said. “They had to put eight guys in the box (up front) to stop the run, that opened up the pass and they couldn’t keep up with our receivers.”
The ‘Gades led 35-3 at the half.
With the game well in hand 42-3 early in the third quarter, after a Peregrin touchdown toss to freshman tight end John Wise and a Martinez conversion, Crosby entered the game to run the offense.
The ‘Gades got a consolation touchdown early in the fourth quarter when freshman running back Eric Velez scored from 12 yards out.
On the defensive side of the ball, the ‘Gades came up with three interceptions and a fumble.
Special teams also were a factor for BC as they blocked a field goal attempt and blocked a punt.
The ‘Gades are on a two game winning streak and will travel to LA Valley on Saturday. Game time is at 7 p.m.
“This season should be exciting,” Chudy said. “We play one of the toughest preseason schedules in the state.”