After smashing the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros 55-7 on their home field, the Bakersfield College Renegades will return to Memorial Stadium on Saturday to play the Raiders of Moorpark College in the 2006 Homecoming game. Moorpark will be a tough test for BC as the Raiders boast an unbeaten, untied record of 7-0.
“We have a heck of a task ahead of us against Moorpark,” Jeff Chudy, BC head coach said. “They are first in the state and No. 1 in the nation. Moorpark is fast offensively, they have a great quarterback and two fast receivers, and we will have to play fast on defense.” The ‘Gades will also have to have some offensive production like they’ve had in the last two contests, as they have outscored opponents, 99-28.
BC’s first possession looked as if the ‘Gades were going to self-destruct when Brandon Banks, wide receiver, took the opening kickoff and fumbled giving the Vaqueros good field position.
However, the BC defense forced Santa Barbara to punt and Banks redeemed himself, racing 95 yards for a touchdown, Will Johnson added the extra point and the ‘Gades led, 7-0. The Vaqueros came right back on the next play from scrimmage as Ernie Pierce, wide receiver scored on a 70-yard run, kicker Zach Criswell kicked the extra point and the score was tied, 7-7.
The 70-yard run would be all the scoring the Vaqueros would do on this night as the rest of the scoring lit up the Bakersfield side of the scoreboard. The ‘Gades scored five more times in the first half. Running back Patrick Patterson led off the scoring attack with 2:02 left in the first quarter as he scored from 2-yards out; Johnson added the extra point and BC led, 14-0. The next score for BC came on the defensive side of the ball as defensive lineman Daniel Calvin knocked the ball out of Santa Barbara quarterback Nicholas Acciani’s hand, middle linebacker Curtis Cornelson scooped the ball up and darted 55 yards into the end zone, Johnson added the conversion, making the score 21-7.
“Daniel knocked the ball loose, and I was in the right place at the right time,” Cornelson said. “Daron Mackey, inside linebacker, made a nice block for me down field and I just picked the ball up and ran to the end zone.
Johnson, BC kicker, added the next three points for the ‘Gades as he booted a 28-yard field goal to put the ‘Gades up 24-7. The next two scores for BC came on a 26-yard run by quarterback Cody Stone and a 55-yard strike from Stone to wide receiver T.J. Lee. Johnson added both extra points and BC led at the half, 38-7.
The ‘Gades scored three more times in the contest. In the third quarter, Johnson kicked a 40-yard field goal and quarterback Dustin Powell, who alternated possessions with Stone, scored on a 12-yard run. The PATs were good by Johnson to make the score 48-7 going into the fourth quarter. The final score of the game came on a 32-yard interception return by defensive back, Dustin Bell.
On Oct. 15, the ‘Gades beat the visiting Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks, 44-21. In this contest, the Renegade offense, led by running back J.R. Rogers, got its ground game going. Rogers carried 16 times for 115 yards and a 12-yard touchdown.
BC running back Patterson was also effective as he scored three times on two 1-yard runs and a 6-yard run. Stone tossed two touchdown passes — a 52-yard strike to wide receiver Attrail Snipes and an 11-yarder to Snipes. Johnson converted on five extra point attempts and nailed a 30-yard field goal.
The next contest on Saturday won’t be easy for the ‘Gades even though it is Homecoming. BC (6-1, 4-0 WSC) will face the No. 1 team in the country, Moorpark College.
“We’re going to need everybody flying to the ball,” Jose Gonzales, defensive back, said. “We have to play together and execute the game plan.” Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.