Bakersfield, CA - The Renegade football team hosted East LA College in a wild homecoming match-up that ended with the game being called at the beginning of the 4th quarter and BC coming away with a big 58-17 win.
BC found themselves down a touchdown mid-way through the first quarter when East LA scored on a 10 play, 85 yard drive to go ahead 7-0. On the very next offensive possession the Renegades evened the score when Chance Cooper came down with a 27 yard pass from Jacob Irby. On the ensuing kickoff BC recovered the East LA fumble and a few plays later Elisha Ortiz found the endzone on a 2 yard run to go ahead 14-7. BC extended the lead on a Nathan De Jager field goal before East LA came back on the next drive to score a TD and pull to within three points at 17-14. Before the half Jacob Irby connected with Shane Jones for a 69 yard TD pass to go up 24-14. East LA drove within field goal range and were able to tack on a 41 yard kick to go into halftime only 7 points down.
In what seemed like a third quarter that wouldn't end, the Renegades scored 28 unanswered points with two more Elisha Ortiz rushing touchdowns, a Cam Roberson 80-yard punt return for a touchdown and an Isaiah Martin rushing touchdown the score become 52-17. However, within the 3rd quarter multiple BC and East LA players were ejected from the game for various penalties. It wasn't until the beginning of the 4th quarter, on the extra point attempt after another Isaiah Martin rushing touchdown, that things took a turn with four players being ejected due to various penalties. Leaders of both athletic departments agreed to call the game to ensure player safety.
BC out-gained East LA on offense going for 399 yards compared to the Huskies 224 yards. Jacob Irby went 8/12 passing for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. Elisha Ortiz led the ground attack rushing 29 times for 104 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Renegade special teams unit continued their dominance with Nathan De Jager keeping his perfect field goal streak alive going 1/1 on field goals (27 yards) and 7/7 on extra point attempts. On the season he is 13/13 on field goals and 27/28 on PAT's. Carson Olivas had 4 punts for a 44.8 yard average and a long of 56 with East LA losing -2 yards in total punt returns on the evening.
At halftime of the game, the 1988 Junior College National Champion football team was honored for the 30 year anniversary of their 11-0 season. 40-50 players and coaches from the original 1988 roster were in attendance at the game. Coach Carl Bowser, who also tossed the coin to begin the game, was elated to reconnect with his former staff and players.
The Renegades will stay at home for their next game against Moorpark College on Saturday, November 3rd at 6pm in Memorial Stadium. The game will feature a salute to veterans of our nations military and any current or former military members will be admitted free with their military ID.
