After a much needed bye on Oct. 7, the Bakersfield College football team, 4-1 and 3-0 in Western State Conference play, will be back in action against the Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
The bye came just in time for the ‘Gades to take a deep breath and get some healing time for injured players in key positions.
“The bye came at just the right time for the coaching staff as well as the players,” Jeff Chudy, BC head coach, said.
The Seahawks (2-3) will present a challenge for the Renegades defensively as they have scored a lot of points so far this season.
“L.A. Harbor is very explosive on offense and they have scored a lot of points,” Chudy said.
“Our challenge will be to play tough defense like we did the last two weeks before the bye.”
In the last contest, before the bye on Sept. 30, the ‘Gades traveled to Santa Clarita and knocked off the six-time defending WSC champion College of the Canyons, 33-22.
Even though the Cougars have lost a lot of players and possess a record of 1-4 overall, the road victory was still satisfying for BC because of the two losses to Canyons during the 2005 season.
It looked as though the Cougars were once again going to dominate the contest as they jumped out to a commanding 13-0 lead.
But the ‘Gades who played stellar defense in certain situations and showed their stuff in special teams play weren’t going to be denied the points when they had the opportunities to get them.
The first of those scoring opportunities came on the ensuing kickoff after the Cougars scored their 13th point. T. J. Lee, wide receiver/return specialist, took the ball and sprinted 99 yards to the end zone to notch six points, kicker Will Johnson added the extra point and the ‘Gades were on the scoreboard, 13-7.
Johnson, who kicked two field goals, was playing in his first game after being out with a hip injury.
“It felt good,” he said. “It was my first college game, and it kind of got the nerves out.”
The Cougars got on the scoreboard one more time in the first quarter; adding a 35-yard field goal to make the score 16-7, Canyons.
The second quarter scoring belonged to BC.
The ‘Gades added 10 more points on a 30-yard field goal by Johnson, a 15-yard touchdown strike from reserve quarterback Cody Stone to wide receiver Brandon Banks and an extra point by Johnson.
Stone, who came in for starting quarterback Daniel Hoff (who has battled injury) was impressive.
His ability to move and avoid the Cougars’ defensive pressure helped establish some offense for the ‘Gades.
He completed 9-of-16 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
“Cody Stone came in and did a great job for us,” Chudy said.
BC led Canyons at the half, 17-16.
The Cougars scored only once in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Whitcomb to add their final six points of the game.
The ‘Gades offense, however, was very productive in the final two quarters adding 16 more points to make the final score, 33-22.
The next game will be against the Seahawks of L.A.
Harbor on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Game time is at 7 p.m.