Bakersfield College (BC) Renegades continued their win streak with a final of 40-17 against Santa Barbara City College.
The Santa Barbara Vaqueros started off strong with a touchdown halfway through the first quarter of the game, bringing the score to 7-0. However, the Renegades quickly gained traction. Quarterback Malachi Statler (QB) threw a touchdown pass to Running back (RB) Ja’Daniels Nettles and brought the score to 7-6. The attempted field goal was a miss.
The Vaqueros held onto their lead in the second quarter with a 43-yard field goal, but The Renegades quickly countered that with a 1-yard rush from RB David Smith and a successful field goal kick from Kicker Carlos Villa. The score was 10-13.
The Renegades offense and defense continued to remain strong throughout the duration of the third and fourth quarters. RB Jalen Hankins secured a touchdown with a three-yard rush. Villa had another successful field goal attempt and brought the score to 10-13.
The fourth quarter was when things really started to pick up. Statler threw a completed pass to Wide Receiver (WR) Mekhi Smith for a 15-yard touchdown. Villas field goal brought the score to 10-27. They attempted a second field goal from Villa and scored 10-30.
The Vaqueros time on offense was short lived, as defensive back (DB) Nathaniel Wallace intercepted a pass from Santa Barbara, bringing The Renegades back to offense.
“It felt unreal,” said Wallace. “I made the play, and the whole crowd was cheering, I wanted to pass out.”
Because of Wallace’s interception, Hankins was able to secure another touchdown for the Renegades, bringing the score to 10-37 with Villas field goal. There was a second field goal attempt that brought the score to 10-40.
The Vaqueros were able to score one final touchdown with a completed pass and field goal, but The Renegades still secured their victory and their ticket to a bowl game.
“We started off slow, but once we started getting into a rhythm it really clicked for us,” said QB Statler.
Information regarding the bowl game has not been released yet.