|
|
|
UPDATED, 10:46 p.m.: With Derek Carr watching from the sideline, Arend Bos threw for one more touchdown to pull BCHS within 28-19. But there was some confusion on the Eagles' sideline as to whether coaches wanted to go for one or two, and by the time kicker Darian Azemika sprinted out onto the...
|
Comments [0] - Views [244]
|
|
|
|
UPDATED, 12:30 a.m.: As advertised, it was a great night of high school football. Bakersfield's heart-thumping comeback against Stockdale probably tops the list, but there's plenty of action to recap. The complete scorelist is below (and it will continue to be updated as I get scores), but let's...
|
Comments [16] - Views [936]
|
|
|
|
A quick note on this podcast — Todd and I mention that Shafter will visit Independence on Saturday because the Falcons don't yet have lights. I've since found out that instead, the game will be moved to Stockdale and played Friday night. So make that mental correction. I've also...
|
Comments [2] - Views [400]
|
|
|
|
I had an interesting breaking news story to do Tuesday night. The Porterville Recorder ran a story in its Tuesday edition based on a letter it received from Rick McIntire, who's the father of Porterville senior Jordan McIntire.
You can read the Recorder's initial report here, and my full report...
|
Comments [8] - Views [867]
|
|
|
|
One of the difficult things about doing these rankings early in the season is that many Central Section teams are playing out-of-section games. Should a win against the Central Coast, Sac-Joaquin or Southern Section be worth as much as a win against another top Central Section team? Should a...
|
Comments [6] - Views [469]
|
|
|
|
Another weekend of high school football in the books, and another weekend of blowouts. It seems like the good teams are really asserting themselves early this season — is that a mirage, or do we really already know the haves and have-nots?
Here's what I took from Week 1:
— You...
|
Comments [8] - Views [324]
|
|
|
|
UPDATED, 12:31 a.m.: It was statement night in high school football around Kern County tonight. Check out the list below for the scores we've compiled for Week 1 (and a note, especially to you South/Golden Valley folks: If you have a score we're missing, please drop a comment below. We had a...
|
Comments [5] - Views [586]
|
|
|
|
Sorry about the delay; here's your Week 1 high school football podcast. One note: Early on, Todd and I are talking about the new Garces quarterback and I spit out the name Byron Campbell. That ain't right. Byron graduated from Liberty two years ago; it's his brother Blake who will start at...
|
Comments [0] - Views [232]
|
|
|
|
A quick note on the local girls tennis scene, seeing as I was out at my first dual match of the year last night. The best teams in town might be Bakersfield Christian and Garces. The Eagles are typically loaded, but this year's team is especially so, with the Cooke sisters at the top. Garces...
|
Comments [7] - Views [1003]
|
|
|
|
So between watching my alma mater, Missouri, destroy a rival in its first game and spending an evening figuring out how good Fresno State is — it's impossible to tell, by the way, with a 51-0 beatdown of a clearly overmatched UC Davis team — I spent Sunday with my wife and Monday...
|
Comments [2] - Views [452]
|
|
|
|
This is the final feature we'll post on the blog each week, a sort of recap of what you should take away from that week of action, plus a brief look-ahead to next week.
Before we get started, I'll post one more update on Fresno State's game against UC Davis last night: Bakersfield Christian...
|
Comments [1] - Views [296]
|
|
|
|
UPDATE, 9:29 p.m.: Forget the redshirt idea. It was far-fetched anyway, and Carr comes out for the second series of the second half. He immediately completed two swing passes that totaled 37 yards, then handed a ball off to Robbie Rouse and gave way to Feathers for the next play. Now Carr's...
|
Comments [31] - Views [385]
|
|
|
|
UPDATE, 11:39 p.m.: Back in teh hotel room here in Fresno, now gearing up for Fresno State's home game against UC Davis tomorrow night, the return of a healthy Ryan Mathews and possibly Derek Carr's collegiate debut. But in the meantime, let's rehash what we saw on the first high school football...
|
Comments [1] - Views [468]
|
|
|
|
TWO QUICK UPDATES: One, if you haven't done so already, pick up a Thursday Californian. It has the 2009 High School Football Preview magazine inside. Pick up a Friday and Saturday edition for all the weekend's high school football coverage. Or you could, you know, just subscribe. Save newspapers!...
|
Comments [0] - Views [273]
|
|
|
|
It's that time of year again, football fans. Time for me to put my pride on the line and be wrong about multiple game results each week!
Seriously, though, these predictions are meant more like brief game previews than betting advice or anything. Any prediction I give, especially early in...
|
Comments [10] - Views [1063]
|
|
|
|
I've got quite the exciting week planned here, not only waiting for the football season to start but also catching some early-season Kern County volleyball. Tonight, it'll be the first varsity event in Independence's gym — and the Falcons get to welcome volleyball power Bakersfield in. It's...
|
Comments [0] - Views [390]
|
|
|
|
Our countdown to Week 0 games continues below, but this is officially the week that high school football in the Central Section starts. It's finally here, so let's have a look at the divisions most fans will be talking about.
Remember, Central Section rankings up tomorrow. And don't forget to...
|
Comments [2] - Views [529]
|
|
|
|
Now done with all of our team previews (you can find a complete index below), it's time to widen the view a little bit and look at the Central Section as a whole and where some Kern County teams fit in.
Today we'll take a look at the smaller divisions. Tomorrow will be a look at the top three...
|
Comments [8] - Views [383]
|
|
|
|
UPDATE: By the way, Bakersfield High grad Bhavik Patel lost his semifinal match at the U.S. Amateur this morning, ending his dream of winning one of golf's most prestigious events — at least for this year.
ORIGINAL POST: Here it is, ladies and gents, boys and girls: The final...
|
Comments [5] - Views [475]
|
|
|
|
A quick respite from football coverage to let you in on what Californian assistant sports editor Ross Priest says could turn into (and I tend to agree with him) the biggest sports story of the year in Kern County.
Bakersfield High graduate Bhavik Patel, now a Fresno State sophomore, is in...
|
Comments [1] - Views [352]
|
|
|
|
I have a fantasy football draft Saturday, which seems really early. I guess football season has snuck up on me a little bit, which is strange because I've been doing a countdown to high school football on the blog for the past two weeks.
What I mean to say is that I'm about tired of...
|
Comments [1] - Views [371]
|
|
|
|
About to go on the radio, 1230 AM, if you read this in time. It'll run from about 3:10 till about 4. Otherwise, enjoy today's preview.
Countdown to Week 0 in famous jersey numbers: The late Sonny Jurgensen or the late Steve McNair
SOUTH REBELS
Coach: John Wren (fourth year)
2008 record:...
|
Comments [0] - Views [333]
|
|
|
|
Don't mean to divert too much attention from football, but I ran across a great track note the other day: As you may know, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, i.e. the fastest man on Earth, re-broke the world record by running 100 meters in 9.58 seconds a couple of weekends ago at the world...
|
Comments [3] - Views [658]
|
|
|
|
Happy first day of (public) school, everybody! Not as exciting for the students and teachers out there, probably, though the first day is always fresh and new even if it means more work to do.
Speaking of fresh and new, I'm going to add another layer to our multimedia coverage of high school...
|
Comments [0] - Views [469]
|
|
|
|
Went to the Dodgers game today, which was fine until we started to head back and were stuck on the grapevine for two hours. Drive carefully up there, people.
We move into the SWYL in the previews today.
Countdown to Week 0, in famous jersey numbers: Roger Staubach
RIDGEVIEW WOLF PACK...
|
Comments [6] - Views [439]
|
|
|
|
Since it is now exactly two weeks until the start of college football season (in California, high schools reached that point yesterday), I thought I'd pass along what I know about the college football team of primary interest here, Fresno State. Not only are the Bulldogs the most local...
|
Comments [1] - Views [879]
|
|
|
|
This is the first team preview of a Division I team in the Central Section, and it's one that was closer than you think to winning a Valley title last year. The Patriots gave Clovis West more of a battle than any of the Golden Eagles' other playoff opponents. But, as you'll see, they'll have to...
|
Comments [2] - Views [735]
|
|
|
|
Hello. My name's Zach. This is my blog.
No need for introductions, I guess, but it feels like I've been gone for more than just two weeks. I had a fabulous vacation/wedding/honeymoon and am now excited to be back and talking high school football again. Thanks to Californian assistant sports...
|
Comments [2] - Views [675]
|
|
|
|
Countdown to Week 0: 16 days
GOLDEN VALLEY BULLDOGS
Coach: Erich Smith (third year)
2008 record: 6-5 (3-3 Southeast Yosemite League, 4-2 home)
Average points: 25.6
Average points allowed: 28.8
*Average rush yards: 180.5
*Average rush yards allowed: 232.2
*Average pass yards:...
|
Comments [12] - Views [438]
|
|
|
|
Countdown to Week 0: 17 days
FOOTHILL TROJANS
Coach: Mike Gregg (first year)
2008 record: 6-6 (2-4 Southeast Yosemite League, 3-3 home)
Average points: 23.5
Average points allowed: 23.3
*Average rush yards: 183.8
*Average rush yards allowed: 186.3
*Average pass yards: 147.3...
|
Comments [0] - Views [399]
|
|
|
|
Countdown to Week 0: 18 days
HIGHLAND SCOTS
Coach: Tim Hartnett (third year)
2008 record: 6-5 (2-4 Southeast Yosemite League, 2-3 home)
Average points: 14.2
Average points allowed: 15.5
*Average rush yards: 143.1
*Average rush yards allowed: 142.9
*Average pass yards: 75.1...
|
Comments [0] - Views [457]
|
|
|
|
Countdown to Week 0: 20 days
EAST BLADES
Coach: Jerald Pierucci (second year)
2008 record: 1-9 (0-6 Southeast Yosemite League, 0-5 home)
Average points: 10.8
Average points allowed: 32.2
*Average rush yards: 44.4
*Average rush yards allowed: 236.5
*Average pass yards: 138.2...
|
Comments [0] - Views [458]
|
|
|
|
Coutdown to Week 0: 21 days
INDEPENDENCE FALCONS
Coach: Sean McKeown (first varsity season)
2008 JV record: 8-2
League: Freeway (will join a yet-unnamed league with Bakersfield, Centennial, Frontier, Liberty and Stockdale in 2010)
Key players: Braylon Lejander, soph, OL/DL; Louis...
|
Comments [0] - Views [433]
|
|
|
|
Countdown to Week 0: 22 days
TEHACHAPI WARRIORS
Coach: Steve Denman (28th year)
2008 record: 10-4 (4-1 South Sequoia League, 5-1 home)
Average points: 32.9
Average points allowed: 19.6
*Average rush yards: 318.3
*Average rush yards allowed: 139.6
*Average pass yards: 64.8...
|
Comments [3] - Views [420]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Leaving for his honeymoon — sorry, this is where the updates stop ;)
BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Coach: Matt Love (first year)
2008 record: 12-1 (5-0 South Sequoia League, 5-1 home)
Average points: 43.9
Average points allowed: 18.5
*Average rush yards:...
|
Comments [0] - Views [611]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Sleeping in, taking photos with my new bride
TAFT WILDCATS
Coach: Steve Sprague (sixth year)
2008 record: 7-4 (3-2 South Sequoia League, 3-2 home)
Average points: 25.9
Average points allowed: 18.7
*Average rush yards: 230.4
*Average rush yards allowed: 187.5...
|
Comments [2] - Views [655]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Getting married, aka becoming a real man, accepting the ball-n-chain, tying the knot, etc.
ARVIN BEARS
Coach: Edgar Mares (ninth year)
2008 record: 5-7 (2-3 South Sequoia League, 3-3 home)
Average points: 20.5
Average points allowed: 21.4
*Average rush yards:...
|
Comments [0] - Views [636]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Attending a football game — that's English football mind you — with his groomsmen. One day till wedded bliss.
WASCO TIGERS
Coach: Russ Prado (third year)
2008 record: 4-6 (1-4 South Sequoia League, 3-2 home)
Average points: 25.3
Average points...
|
Comments [2] - Views [595]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Wedding rehearsal! Sounds like fun, right? Then, um, bachelor party. boring
SHAFTER GENERALS
Coach: Ben Ansolabehere (first year)
2008 record: 1-9 (0-5 South Sequoia League, 1-4 home)
Average points: 9.6
Average points allowed: 37.7
*Average rush yards: 87.4...
|
Comments [1] - Views [416]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing: Landing in London, meeting up with family, trying to stay awake until it's nighttime in England
CESAR CHAVEZ TITANS
Coach: Sergio Barajas (first year)
2008 record: 3-7 (2-4 East Yosemite League, 1-4 home)
Average points: 20.8
Average points allowed: 32.0
*Average...
|
Comments [0] - Views [202]
|
|
|
|
What Zach's doing (come on, you know you care): Flying east, hopefully sleeping to beat the inevitable jetlag
DELANO TIGERS
Coaches: Steve Brown/Mario Millan (co-head coaches, second year)
2008 record: 8-4 (4-2 East Yosemite League, 4-2 home)
Average points: 29.3
Average points...
|
Comments [0] - Views [142]
|
|
|
|
Football season is approaching ever closer, and we're into the Central Section on our team-by-team season previews here at School House Zach.
If you missed it, I profiled a couple of interesting city teams for the first day of practice yesterday.
Also, a housecleaning note — I will be out...
|
Comments [1] - Views [432]
|
|
|
|
Check Tuesday morning's Californian for a report on the first official day of football practice in the Kern High School District. I just finished making my rounds to Bakersfield, Independence and Ridgeview. Saw quite a few athletes out there.
Among my observations:
— Brian Burrell looks...
|
Comments [0] - Views [271]
|
|
|
|
Holy cow, it's 9:30, and I'm late with this post again.
In my defense, it's my day off. And there won't be a season preview tomorrow, so this one will serve for Sunday as well. It's a look at two closer-to-Bakersfield-than-you-think schools, Kern Valley and Frazier Mountain. Both will play their...
|
Comments [0] - Views [363]
|
|
|
|
Late again. Sorry. I'll do better, I promise.
Today's preview takes us into the High Desert League, which is always a good race between some evenly matched schools. You rarely see the mismatches here that you do in the Yosemite Leagues around the Central Section, so it can be kind of fun to keep...
|
Comments [0] - Views [224]
|
|
|
|
Sorry this is a bit late tonight — just got off the phone with Boron coach Todd Fink a few minutes ago and have been gathering some more info.
We started high school football season previews yesterday with Kern County's 8-man schools, and now it's time to move on to the full squads....
|
Comments [0] - Views [226]
|
|
|
|
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is that time again.
I told you last year that I considered my birthday the unofficial Time-To-Talk-Football Day, so here we are again. I'm a year older and the kids are five days away from putting on pads (in the Central Section, anyway) and about...
|
Comments [0] - Views [575]
|
|
|
|
Before we get to the daily Year in Review, I've got some interesting news from the Fresno area: Clovis West coach Gary Kinne, who led the Golden Eagles to a Central Section Division I championship in his first season there, is gone back to Texas as suddenly as he arrived.
Kinne, a former...
|
Comments [1] - Views [243]
|
|
|
|
Here it is folks, your first installment of the 2008-09 Year in Reviews. Today we're taking a look at the most popular high school sport of all.
We'll do one sport a day over the next three weeks or so, following about the same format for each: A quick overview, followed by a glimpse at the...
|
Comments [4] - Views [512]
|
|
|
|
Just dropping a quick line to let you know that School House Zach hasn't forgotten where he came from — ugh. Too weird talking about myself in the third person.
Anyway, I'm swamped this week with finishing up The Californian's All-Area coverage, so I just wanted to let everyone know...
|
Comments [3] - Views [241]
|
|
|
