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PLAYERS ASTRO WHERE NEW

TO WATCH TURF ARE THEY NOW COACHES
 BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE'S NEW TURF:
AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD
For years, the grass was greener
on the other team’s side, but not
anymore. The Bakersfield College
Renegades scored a new artificial
turf field over the summer, giving
the football team the opportunity to
practice and play on the same
state of the art surface their
opponents do.
"The decision to go to FieldTurf is a
way to make sure that we have the
best playing surface for our student
athletes day in and day out," said
Sandi Taylor, Bakersfield College's
Athletic Director.
By: Emma Goss
The decision to change from
grass to turf was a decade in the
making. The benefits are easy to
notice from an athletic point of
view. Turf fields are generally
easier to run on, allowing athletes
to run at faster speeds. They are
also made to look like the
healthiest, greenest, well-trimmed
grass money can buy. Still, there
were early concerns that the fields
were unsafe for players, especially
in Kern County's brutally hot
climate.
"The research is showing that the
new version of turf actually has
fewer injuries," Taylor said.
The American Journal of Sports
Medicine published a study in
2010, evaluating 24 universities
over three football seasons for
injury incidences while playing on
FieldTurf. Compared to football
injuries incurring on natural grass
fields, the study found there were
31% fewer ligament tears, and
11% fewer concussions. The
three-year study yielded results
that are now prominent on the
FieldTurf official website.
"It’s going to be the safest surface
around from a player safety
standpoint," said Jeff Chudy, BC's
head football coach, adding that
most games are played in the
evening, when temperatures
aren't at their peak.
Water cannons underneath the
field will also help cool things off.
"They come out of the ground,"
Chudy said, remarking on the
technological abilities this field is
capable of. “The cannons come
out for intermittent watering of
the field, but still end up saving
the college many gallons of
water that would normally go into
maintaining a grass field,” Chudy
added.
The upfront cost for the field was
upward of $750,000. While the
cost is significant, the school isn’t
footing the bill. Instead, the field
is paid for by the Kern Community
College District's Measure J
bond, designated for college
campus upgrades like this one.
"You're not looking at it as a one
year investment, you're looking at 9/26 -12/5
it as hopefully a seven to ten-year
investment," Chudy said, adding Thursday Nights
that the cost of replacement turf
down the road won't be nearly as
on
high as the initial installation cost.
"It's going to be good for
Bakersfield College," Chudy said, Following Football
"It'll be good for our community."
By: Jonathan Singh - Eyewitness News Sports Anchor

A new school, a familiar face, but the

same goal...WIN. “It’s a new adventure, a new program. It’s
been exciting rethinking everything and
It’s a skill that Paul Golla developed getting into something brand new. I haven’t
during his 14 years coaching at Bakersfield done that in 14 years,” Golla said.
High School and he’s taking that skill
across town. And as he heads to Garces this season, he
won’t be making the trip alone. Shelly
Golla will start a new chapter of his Golla, Paul’s wife, will also be joining him,
coaching career this football season as the but not from the stands as one would think.
Mrs. Golla will be a new teacher on “From the very beginning he’s preached
head coach of Garces Memorial High positive energy by always keeping people
School. He’ll take the reins from A.J. Gass, campus and Coach Golla couldn’t be more
thrilled to make this a family affair. up and motivated. He’s also implemented
the former Rams head coach, who is now a way for the guys to be excited to go to
back in Canada continuing his success in practice and go to work every day,”
the Canadian Football League as a Special “I think the opportunity for my wife to get a Campbell said.
Team’s Coordiator.
Team full-time job and work there on campus with
me is a big deal for our family, it’s really
incredible,” Golla said. If you flip the script, it’s
it the same mentality
“Having competed against Paul over the on the coaching end.
past four seasons and knowing the suc-
cess he’s had in his career, I fully expect So, with Shelly in the classroom educating
Garces football to take a giant step toward students, Coach Golla will be getting work “The kids have been great. They work hard
being an elite program,” Gass said. done on the gridiron...They’re definitely a and understand what needs to be done.
one-two punch! They get up early, work hard in the weight
Coach Golla heads to Garces with 128 room, and pay attention in meetings,”
wins on his resume, all stemming from his “We are a great team...we have always Golla said.
time at Bakersfield High School, which also been a great team. I lean on her for a lot of
includes a CIF State D-1 Championship in things,” Golla said, when referring to his The Rams will face BHS on October 11th
2013. wife. at Sam Tobias Field.
“There are some really good athletes in the As for the players, they were unsure who “It’s one of those things when you move to
senior, junior, and sophomore classes that their next head coach would be, but when a new school, and then play your old
should thrive under Paul and his staff,” they found out Golla was going to be a school. It may be a little awkward at first,
Gass said. Ram, they knew it was a perfect fit. because there are kids there that I love
and still care about,” Golla said.
Golla hasn’t looked for a job in quite some “I really couldn’t believe it at first, but I was
time, there was never a need to. ready to get to work with him,” Joseph Until that time comes, Garces Football will
Campbell said, who enters his senior continue to grow under their new head
season as the Rams quarterback. coach.
 By: Greg Kerr - Sports Director
Entering his first year
as head coach at BHS,
Michael Stewart spent
two years as the
assistant head coach at
Bishop Alemmany High
School in Mission Hills,
CA; having spent the
previous eight years as a financial consultant.
A graduate of BHS, Stewart was a two sport
star who would take his talents in football and
baseball to Bakersfield College.
He would earn a scholarship to continue his
college education at Fresno State. After being
drafted three different times by Major League
Baseball, Michael opted for a career in football
playing for the Los Angeles Rams (1987-1993)
and the Miami Dolphins (1994-1996).
He was widely known for his hard hitting and
aggressive style of play at Safety.
Michael is a member of the BHS Hall of Fame,
the Fresno State Hall of Fame and the Bob
Elias County Sports Hall of Fame.
Michael and his wife, Nina, have six children.
Two daughters, Shayla and Clara and four
sons, Michael Jr., Andru, Payton, and Tyler.
They are also the proud grandparents of one
granddaughter, Taila, and two grandsons,
Cabel and Caden.
Although his playing days are over, you can be
sure to see his style out there on the field when
you look at the athletes he’ll be shaping this
year.
RICH
CORNFORD
 2019
HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH YOSEMITE LEAGUE SOUTHEAST YOSEMITE LEAGUE

BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL RIDGEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P vs. GARCES 8/23 7:30P @ STOCKDALE 8/23 7:30P @ KENNEDY 8/23 7:30P @ CENTENNIAL
8/30 7:15P vs. CENTRAL V. CHRISTIAN 8/30 7:30P vs. LIBERTY 8/30 7:30P vs. ARVIN 8/30 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY
9/13 7:00P @. ST. JOSEPH 9/06 7:30P vs. FRONTIER 9/06 7:00P @ CALIFORNIA CITY 9/6 7:30P @ SHAFTER
9/20 6:30P vs. FAITH LUTHERAN 9/13 7:30P @ BHS 9/13 7:30P vs. WEST 9/13 7:30P vs. WASCO
10/4 7:30P @ WEST 9/20 7:00P vs. CLOVIS NORTH 9/20 7:30P @ DELANO 9/20 7:30P @ WEST
10/11 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI 10/4 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY 10/4 7:30P @ SOUTH 10/4 7:30P vs. HIGHLAND
10/18 7:30P @ RIDGEVIEW 10/11 7:30P @ WEST 10/11 7:30P vs. NORTH 10/11 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL
10/25 7:30P vs. INDEPENDENCE 10/18 7:30P vs. BCHS 10/18 7:30P @ HIGHLAND 10/18 7:30P vs. EAST
11/1 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY 10/25 7:30P @ TEHACHAPI 10/25 7:30P @ EAST 10/25 7:30P @ MIRA MONTE
11/1 7:30P vs. INDEPENDENCE 11/1 7:30P vs. MIRA MONTE 11/1 7:30P vs. SOUTH

GOLDEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TEHACHAPI HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P vs. EAST 8/23 7:30P @ WASCO 8/23 7:30P vs. ARVIN 8/23 7:30P vs. INDEPENDENCE
8/30 7:30P @ NORTH 8/30 7:30P vs. BHS 8/30 7:30P @ SHAFTER 8/30 7:30P vs. DELANO
9/06 7:30P @ SOUTH 9/06 7:30P @ TAFT 9/6 7:30P @ KENNEDY 9/6 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY
9/13 7:00P @ SANTA MARIA 9/13 7:30P @ HIGHLAND 9/13 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI 9/27 7:30P @ WEST
9/20 7:30P vs. HIGHLAND 9/20 7:30P vs. GARCES 9/20 7:30P @ GOLDEN VALLEY 10/4 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL
10/4 7:30P @ RIDGEVIEW 10/4 7:30P @ INDEPENDENCE 10/4 7:30P @ NORTH 10/11 7:30P @ EAST
10/11 7:30P vs. INDEPENDENCE 10/11 7:30P @ BCHS 10/11 7:30P vs. MIRA MONTE 10/18 7:30P @ MIRA MONTE
10/18 7:30P @ TEHACHAPI 10/18 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY 10/18 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 10/25 7:30P vs. HIGHLAND
10/25 7:30P vs. WEST 10/25 7:30P vs. RIDGEVIEW 10/25 7:30P @ SOUTH 11/1 7:30P @ NORTH
11/1 7:30P @ BCHS 11/1 7:30P @ WEST 11/1 7:30P vs. EAST

INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL WEST HIGH SCHOOL MIRA MONTE HIGH SCHOOL EAST HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P @ SOUTH 8/22 7:00P vs. MISSION OAK 8/23 7:30P vs. SHAFTER 8/23 7:30P @ GOLDEN VALLEY
8/30 7:30P @ SELMA 8/30 7:30P @ EAST 8/30 7:30P vs. KENNEDY 8/30 7:30P vs. WEST
9/6 7:30P vs. ARROYO GRANDE 9/13 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 9/13 7:30P @ ARVIN 9/6 7:30P @ DELANO
9/13 7:30P vs. STOCKDALE 9/20 7:30P vs. NORTH 9/20 7:30P vs. KERN VALLEY 9/13 7:30P vs. CHAVEZ
9/20 7:30P vs. FRONTIER 9/27 7:30P vs. SOUTH 9/27 7:00P @ MORRO BAY 9/20 7:30P vs. MONACHE
9/27 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI 10/4 7:30P vs. BCHS 10/4 7:30P @ EAST 10/4 7:30P vs. MIRA MONTE
10/11 7:30P @ GOLDEN VALLEY 10/11 7:30P vs. RIDGEVIEW 10/11 7:30P @ HIGHLAND 10/11 7:30P vs. SOUTH
10/18 7:30P @ WEST 10/18 7:30P @ INDEPENDENCE 10/18 7:30P vs. SOUTH 10/18 7:30P @ NORTH
10/25 7:30P @ BCHS 10/25 7:30P @ GOLDEN VALLEY 10/25 7:30P vs. NORTH 10/25 7:30P VS. FOOTHILL
11/1 7:30P @ RIDGEVIEW 11/1 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI 11/1 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 11/1 7:30P @ HIGHLAND
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SOUTHWEST YOSEMITE LEAGUE

BAKERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GARCES MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:00p @ CALABASAS 8/23 7:30P @ BCHS

8/30 7:30P @ TEHACHAPI 8/30 7:00P vs. ST. JOSEPH
9/06 7:30P vs. PARAMOUNT 9/14 7:30P @ SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL
9/13 7:30P vs. RIDGEVIEW 9/20 7:30P @ TEHACHAPI
9/27 7:00P @ SIERRA CANYON 9/27 7:30P vs. PIONEER VALLEY
10/4 7:30P vs. STOCKDALE 10/4 7:30P @ FRONTIER
10/11 7:30P @ GARCES 10/11 7:30P vs. BHS
10/18 7:30P @ FRONTIER 10/18 7:30P @ CENTENNIAL
10/25 7:30P vs. CENTENNIAL 10/25 7:30P vs. LIBERTY
11/1 7:30P @ LIBERTY 11/1 7:30P vs. STOCKDALE

CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P vs. NORTH 8/23 7:00P @ PASO ROBLES

8/30 7:00P @ ARROYO GRANDE 8/30 7:30P @ RIDGEVIEW
9/06 7:30P vs. GOLDEN VALLEY (MERCED) 9/06 7:00P @ CLOVIS WEST
9/13 7:00P @ RIGHETTI 9/12 7:30P @ BUCHANAN
9/20 7:30P vs. ST. JOSEPH 9/20 7:30P vs. CLOVIS
10/4 7:30P vs. LIBERTY 10/4 7:30P @ CENTENNIAL
10/11 7:30P @ STOCKDALE 10/11 7:30P vs. FRONTIER
10/18 7:30P vs. GARCES 10/18 7:30P vs. STOCKDALE
10/25 7:30P @ BHS 10/25 7:30P @ GARCES
11/1 7:30P @ FRONTIER 11/1 7:30P vs. BHS

FRONTIER HIGH SCHOOL STOCKDALE HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:00P vs. ST. BONAVENTURE 8/23 7:30P vs. RIDGEVIEW
8/30 7:00P vs. PASO ROBLES 9/06 7:30P vs. ATASCADERO
9/06 7:30P @ RIDGEVIEW 9/13 7:30P @ INDEPENDENCE
9/13 7:30P vs. ATASCADERO 9/20 7:30P vs. SUNNYSIDE
9/20 7:30P @ INDEPENDENCE 10/4 7:30P @ BHS
10/4 7:30P vs. GARCES 10/11 7:30P vs. CENTENNIAL
10/11 7:30P @ LIBERTY 10/18 7:30P @ LIBERTY
10/18 7:30P vs. BHS 10/25 7:30P vs. FRONTIER
10/25 7:30P @ STOCKDALE 11/1 7:30P @ GARCES
11/1 7:30P vs. CENTENNIAL

*GAME TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

SCHEDULES CONTINUED
SOUTH SEQUOIA LEAGUE

ARVIN HIGH SCHOOL ROBERT F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL WASCO UNION HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P @ HIGHLAND 8/23 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 8/23 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI
8/30 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 8/30 7:30P @ MIRA MONTE 9/06 7:30P @ MADERA SOUTH
9/06 7:30P vs. ROSAMOND 9/06 7:30P vs. HIGHLAND 9/13 7:30P @ NORTH
9/13 7:30P vs. MIRA MONTE 9/13 7:00P @ LIBERTY 9/20 7:30P vs. MCFARLAND
9/27 7:30P vs. KENNEDY 9/20 7:30P vs. TAFT 9/27 7:30P @ DELANO
10/4 7:30P @ CHAVEZ 9/27 7:30P @ ARVIN 10/4 7:30P @ KENNEDY
10/11 7:30P @ SHAFTER 10/4 7:30P vs. WASCO 10/11 7:30P vs. CHAVEZ
10/18 7:30P vs. WASCO 10/18 7:30P @ MCFARLAND 10/18 7:30P @ ARVIN
10/25 7:30P vs. MCFARLAND 10/25 7:30P vs. SHAFTER 10/25 7:30P vs. TAFT
11/1 7:30P @ TAFT 11/1 7:30P @ CHAVEZ 11/1 7:30P @ SHAFTER

TAFT UNION HIGH SCHOOL SHAFTER HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:00P @ KERN VALLEY 8/23 7:30P @ MIRA MONTE

8/30 7:00P vs. CALIFORNIA CITY 8/30 7:30P vs. HIGHLAND
9/06 7:30P vs. TEHACHAPI 9/06 7:30P vs. NORTH
9/14 5:30P @ CABRILLO 9/13 7:30P @ ATASCADERO
9/20 7:30P @ KENNEDY 9/20 7:30P @ CHAVEZ

9/27 7:30P vs. SHAFTER 9/27 7:30P @ TAFT

10/11 7:30P @ MCFARLAND 10/4 7:30P vs. MCFARLAND
10/18 7:30P vs. CHAVEZ 10/11 7:30P vs. ARVIN
10/25 7:30P @ WASCO 10/25 7:30P @ KENNEDY
11/1 7:30P vs. ARVIN 11/1 7:30P vs. WASCO

CESAR E. CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P @ DELANO

8/29 7:00P @ MONACHE
9/06 7:00P vs. LIBERTY
9/13 7:30P @ EAST
9/20 7:30P vs. SHAFTER
9/27 7:30P @ MCFARLAND
10/4 7:30P vs. ARVIN
10/11 7:30P @ WASCO
10/18 7:30P @ TAFT
11/1 7:30P vs. KENNEDY

*GAME TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 SOUTH SEQUOIA LEAGUE

MCFARLAND HIGH SCHOOL KERN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL MARICOPA HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P @ AVENAL 8/23 7:00P vs. TAFT 9/6 3:00P @ BLAIR
9/6 7:30P @ COALINGA 9/6 7:00P vs. MISSION PREP 10/4 7:00P @ CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN
9/13 7:30P vs. KERN VALLEY 9/13 7:30P @ MCFARLAND 10/11 7:00P vs. COAST UNION
9/20 7:30P @ WASCO 9/20 7:30P @ MIRA MONTE 10/18 7:00P vs. VALLEY CHRISTIAN
9/27 7:30P vs. CHAVEZ 9/27 7:00P vs. STRATHMORE 10/25 7:00P @ CUYAMA VALLEY
10/4
9/28 7:30P VS.
@ SHAFTER
SHAFTER 10/4 7:00P @ CALIFORNIA CITY
10/11 7:30P vs. TAFT 10/11 7:00P @ BISHOP UNION
10/18 7:30P vs. KENNEDY 10/18 7:00P vs. BORON
10/25 7:30P @ ARVIN 10/25 7:00P @ DESERT
11/1 7:30P vs. IMMANUEL 11/1 7:00P vs. ROSAMOND

DELANO HIGH SCHOOL PORTERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FRAZIER MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:30P vs. CHAVEZ 8/23 7:00P @ DINUBA 8/30 7:00P @ CUYAMA VALLEY
8/30 7:30P @ SOUTH 8/30 7:00P @ GRANITE HILLS 9/06 7:00P vs. VALLEY CHRISTAIN
9/6 7:30P vs. EAST 9/13 7:30P vs. HANFORD 9/27 7:00P @ COAST UNION
9/20 7:30P vs. FOOTHILL 9/20 7:30P @ GOLDEN WEST 10/11 7:00P @ ORCUTT ACADEMY
9/27 7:30P vs. WASCO 9/27 7:30P vs. REDWOOD
10/4 7:30P vs. TULARE WESTERN 10/4 7:00P vs. MISSION OAK
10/11 7:30P @ TULARE UNION 10/10 7:30P vs. TULARE WESTERN
10/18 7:00P vs. MONACHE 10/18 7:00P vs. TULARE UNION
10/24 7:00P @ PORTERVILLE 10/24 7:00P vs. DELANO
11/1 7:30P vs. MISSION OAK 11/1 7:00P @ MONACHE

BORON HIGH SCHOOL MONACHE HIGH SCHOOL

DATE TIME/OPPONENT DATE TIME/OPPONENT

8/23 7:00P @ SILVER VALLEY 8/23 7:30P @ GOLDEN WEST
8/30 7:00P @ STRATHMORE 8/29 7:00P vs. CHAVEZ
9/6 7:00P @ RIM OF THE WORLD 9/6 7:30P @ KINGSBURG
9/13 7:00P vs. RIO HONDO PREP 9/12 7:30P vs. HOOVER
9/27 7:00P vs. BIG BEAR 9/20 7:00P vs. EAST
10/4 7:00P vs. ROSAMOND 10/3 7:00P @ TULARE UNION
10/11 7:00P vs. CALIFORNIA CITY 10/10 7:00P vs. MISSION OAK HIGH SCHOOL
10/18 7:00P @ KERN VALLEY 10/18 7:00P @ DELANO FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS
10/25 7:00P @ BISHOP UNION 10/25 7:00P vs. TULARE WESTERN with Greg Kerr & Jonathan Singh
11/1 7:00P vs. DESERT 11/1 7:00P vs. PORTERVILLE
Friday Nights @ 11:15PM on
 &

LA CHARGERS VS. LA RAMS VS. DALLAS VS.

08/08 ARIZONA 08/10 OAKLAND 08/10 SAN FRANCISCO
7:00PM 5:00PM 6:00PM

DALLAS VS. NEW ORLEANS VS. SEATTLE VS.

08/17 LA RAMS 08/18 LA CHARGERS 08/18 MINNESOTA
7:00PM 1:00PM 5:00PM
JACKSONVILLE VS. BUFFALO VS. DENVER VS.
08/22 MIAMI 08/23 DETROIT 08/24 LA RAMS
5:00PM 5:00PM 6:00PM

SEATTLE VS. LA RAMS VS. LA CHARGERS VS.

08/24 LA CHARGERS 08/29 HOUSTON 08/29 SAN FRANCISCO
7:00PM 5:00PM 7:00PM
“YOU NEED TO WORK HARD FOR THINGS TO BECOME SECOND NATURE.”
D.J. REED – WHATEVER IT TAKES
By: Jonathan Singh - Eyewitness News Sports Anchor

Reed knew that Cerritos College was his last chance to

make a bigger name for himself.

“I told myself that if this doesn’t work out, then this can
be it,” said Reed, when asked about the stress from tran-
sitioning from Division 1 to the Junior
College level.

“I learned a lot in community college, it is very

humbling. People always gave me a bad vibe about JuCo
football. I always heard that JuCo was for kids who didn’t
handle their business in high school,” Reed added.

That was the spark that Reed needed, physically and

mentally, to boost himself up to where he wanted to be;
playing football at the Division 1 level.

“Community College was kind of the last straw for me,

and it kind of gave me new life in my football career,” said
Reed.

After playing 11 games at Cerritos College, Reed, would

go on to play a cornerback and returner in the BIG 12 for
the Kansas State Wildcats for two seasons 2016 and
2017. He finished with a 32.2-yard career kickoff-return
average, which ranks second in Kansas State history.
“I feel like Bakersfield is under the radar
compared to a lot of places,” Reed said, when
comparing Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County
communities to schools in Southern California.

He advises all the youngsters who have dreams to play

football at the next level - whether it be
community college, division one, two or three,
or even NFL - to keep training, especially during the
off-season.

“There are very few people who can avoid the weight
room and go out on the field, strap on the helmet and
pads, and be highly productive. For me personally, I take
my workouts very seriously. The way you train says a lot
about the way you perform. If you are not going hard
during training, then you are doing something wrong.”

From Independence High School to the San

Francisco 49ers, D.J. Reed continues to grow as
a student of the game. “You need to work hard for things
to become second nature,” he said.

Reed and the 49ers open their season against the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8th, 2019.
 Social Media has become one of the
world’s biggest resources in terms of
connecting people to what’s going on in
society. We live in an era where our phones
have become an impactful part of our lives.
Many are dependent on their phone
because it’s
it an item that’s always there
when you need it. It’s a device that can
answer any question with the simple click
of a button. All you have to do is open your
web browser, type or say something (i.e.
“hey google…”) and BOOM…. there it is, a
plethora of answers, right at your fingertips.
Instagram – Social media in sports is a
platform used daily by millions of people
around the world. Think about it! How
many times have you scrolled through
Instagram and saw “breaking news” from
a media outlet that you follow? ESPN
seems to be a popular source that fans
follow for their sporting news via image or
video. ESPN breaks stories on Instagram,
daily. It’s amazing how a picture or video
with a small caption can grab a user’s
attention and go viral within seconds.
@HometownBAK
Twitter – Now, let’s not forget about
Twitter! Twitter is an amazing resource that
many rely on for scores, player updates,
breaking news, and the list goes on. It’s
crazy how quickly breaking news about a
blockbuster trade within the NFL, MLB,
NBA, and NHL can be announced to
millions globally,
globall with a quick and simple
tweet.
Most sports fans I’ve interacted with, not
only follow their team on Twitter; they
follow their favorite players, the teams fan
page…they even follow the team’s beat
reporters. I mean, let’s
let face it, fans want to
be kept in the loop and in the know when it
comes to the world of sports. Twitter is
such a great resource for the “experts” you
rely on. For instance, if you follow football,
then Adam Schefter may be one of the
best credible sources to follow.
follo This dude
knows everything from starting lineups, to
fantasy insight, and he may even tell you
what a player ate for dinner the night
before a game.
 FRESNO STATE PREVIEW By: Greg Kerr - Sports Director
Ever since Jeff Tedford arrived at Fresno State, all
he has done is win. The Bulldogs were 12-2 last
season, a program best, and had back-to-back ten
win seasons for the first time in over 30 years. Not
bad for a guy who inherited a 1-11 team a few years
ago.
Job one for Tedford is finding a new quarterback
to replace Marcus McMaryion, who threw for 6,355
yards over the past two seasons. The back field looks
strong with most everyone returning. Led by Ronnie
Rivers, the receiving corp is led by KeeSean Johnson
(95 catches last year) and Oklahoma transfer (and
local Fresno product) Micah Quick. The Bulldogs
return two starters on the offensive line.
On defense, the Dogs bring experience with 7 of
their top 8 linemen returning. The rest of the defense
takes a hit, three starters are gone at linebacker, and
two more in the secondary. The Bulldogs will be hard
pressed to match last year’s defense, which allowed
just 14 points per game.
The special teams will be led by returning punter
Blake Cusick (42.2 yard average), but will have to
revamp their return game since losing 4 of their top
5 in the return game.
Overall, the Bulldogs return 3 starters on offense
and 6 on defense. They will be tested right away
opening their season at USC, followed by home
games against Minnesota and Sacramento State.
Their final non-conference game will be on the road
at New Mexico State.
The Dogs will then begin defense of their Mountain
West Conference title, opening at Air Force before
playing back-to-back home games against UNLV and
Colorado State.
A trip to Hawaii follows with the final four games
home to Utah State, at San Diego State, home to
Nevada, and closing out their regular season at San
Jose State.
 BC PREVIEW
By: Greg Kerr - Sports Director
A new season, a new turf. As Memorial
Stadium undergoes a step-by-step facelift, the
blue-collar brand of football at Bakersfield
College will remain the same.
Veteran head coach Jeff Chudy acknowledges
games are not won in the summer but he says,
“The outlook is bright. We have had a great
off-season, we just need to keep plugging away
one day at a time.”
The Renegades will be greeted
g by what Chudy
calls “a tough preseason schedule.” He also
offers a reason to be optimistic in 2019, “We
expect to compete for a Conference Champion,
we have the best depth, we have had on the
offensive line in a long, long time.”
The Renegades also bring a strong group at
receiver and will have the ability to run inside
and off the edge. As usual, the Renegades will
have a spirited competition at quarterback.
Chudy says the largest hole to fill will be on
special teams, “It will be a challenge to replace
placekicker Nathan DeJager and punter Carson
Olivas, but our specialists are working extremely
hard and we expect to continue to be at the top
of our return game.”
Defensively, Chudy says his Renegades will be
Defensivel
strong in numbers, “Our defense should have
good depth in our front seven, our
secondary will be led by Justin Harrington.”
Coming off a 6-5 season, last season saw the
Renegades average 38 points per game in their
six wins, while allowing just 9.3 points on
defense. By comparison, in their five losses
(including their bowl game against Saddleback)
the Renegades scored 20.6 points per game
while surrendering 31.4.
The Renegades will play five home games at
Memorial Stadium hosting Golden West, Ventura,
Long Beach, Canyons and their season opener
against Mt. Sac. on September 7th.
 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
OVER 33 YEARS OF HOMETOWN SPORTS, THESE ARE THE 13 SPORTCASTERS ( IN ORDER ) THAT GREG KERR HAS TEAMED UP WITH...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Frontier did it in 2012. It is the
last time a school other than
BHS or Liberty won the
Southwest Yosemite League
football championship. In fact,
since the league’s inception in
2007, the Drillers and Patriots
have combined to win 10 of 12
league titles. (Centennial
claimed the title in 2009).
Former BHS coach Paul Golla,
(now entering his first year as
head coach at Garces) says, “It’s
the two best teams going at it
ever year. BHS doesn’t have a
true rival anymore, just the next
best team, and Liberty became
that team.” Teams taking their
best shot at the Drillers isn’t
anything new, “They were the
gold standard when I played
high school football [at Shafter],”
says Liberty head coach Bryan
Nixon.
The rivalry, like most, has This rivalry has seen it all,
become one of mutual respect, from shootouts, to last year’s
“Liberty is a well-coached 7-0 Liberty win. Golla
disciplined team that plays remembers the ups and downs
hard and with confidence. of the 2014 season, “They beat
They don’t turn the ball over,” us in the regular season and
says Golla. Nixon knows what then we defeated them in the
to expect from the Drillers, “They playoffs and went on to win the
playo
are athletic, relentless and fast valley.” To their credit, Nixon
on defense, and can go the and the Patriots have won four
distance on any given play. You of the last five league titles.
cannot take a down off against
those guys.” The numbers over the past
few years show just how much
“I have tremendous respect for this rivalry has thrived. Of their
him.” Golla says. Nixon ten combined SWYL titles,
counters, “He’s been highly each school has had a share
or outright championship six
successful since he came to
town and rebuilt the BHS brand, times.
that’s a high profile job that
comes with a certain amount of
pressure and expectations.”
(Footnote: Nixon took over the
head coaching job at Liberty in
2013, after a previous stint at
Centennial High School.)

2019 has seen a shift in the

landscape of the SWYL, Golla
moving from BHS to Garces,
with Michael Stewart stepping
in as the new head coach of
the Drillers. Nixon meanwhile,
enters his seventh season at
Liberty, despite the coaching
Libert
change, BHS is stil BHS. “BHS
week is more tense. You don’t
want it to be, but everyone
knows what it is about; a
championship and for seeding,”
says Nixon.

Let the games begin!

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 TO PLAY, OR NOT TO PLAY?
THAT IS THE QUESTION
By: Brian Gutiérrez - News Producer & Stephen Jones - Assignment Editor

Is tackle football safe for our kids?

It’s a question parents are having to ask themselves as
concerns of brain damage (CTE) from repeated
concussions in the NFL trickles all the way down to the
youth level.
As we embark on the 2019 season the futurefutu of the sport,
at least in California, looks promising. Last year the Safe
Youth Football Act threatened to wipe out youth tackle
football, but failed. Yet, the threat sparked action.
Most parents agree. Monica Davis’ son is preparing for
his fifth season playing tackle football for Golden Empire
Youth Tackle Football.
Like most parents,
pa her main concern is her son’s safety
on the field. She says, “Due to tackle football being a
contact sport I wanted to make sure he was properly
trained in technique and that coaches were trained in
safety.”

At the forefront of the fight is the California Youth Football Football has been a cornerstone of communities across
Alliance, an organization formed by youth football trainers, America and for players like Monica Davis’ son, landing
advocates and doctors wanting to make football the safest a spot on a high school varsity team is a goal to work
sport in the state. towards, and that work starts now.

“We decided to self-scout and work on a common-sense
piece to enact safety standards to protect athletes,” says
Ron White, the Executive Director of Golden Empire Youth
Tackle Football and a board member of the California
Youth Football Alliance.
This year the group
g introduced the California Youth
Football Act, or AB 1, to the state legislature. The proposal a word of advice. “Be an informed consumer. Take a
puts the safety standards for youth football in line with
those already in place for middle and high school football.
It is critical now, more than ever, to work to safely
advance the game for future generations. That is a
message that has echoed its way to the halls of the
state capitol.
So if you’re
you’ one of the parents pondering the thought of
signing your child up for tackle football, Ron White has
look at how the sport has evolved.”

If it passes, starting in 2021, youth football teams in our

state may be limited to no more than two full-contact
practices a week during the season, and no full-contact
practices during the offseason, in an effort to cut down on
the amount of concussions and head injuries.
It would also require programs to meet certain
requirements relating to safety equipment (helmets, pads,
cleats, etc.).Youth football coaches would also need to be
certified in tackling and blocking first aid and CPR as well.
“It is not a right to coach, it is a privilege,” says White.
The proposed law follows recent suggestions made by
the American Academy of Pediatrics, which found:
“Most injuries sustained during participation in youth
football are minor, including injuries to the head and neck.
The incidences of severe injuries, catastrophic injuries,
and concussion, however,
howeve are higher in football than most
other team sports and appear to increase with age.”
Since the concerns over CTE began, many youth tackle
football leagues across the nation have seen a decline in
player participation.
Some parents with concerns over their child's safety
have resorted to flag football instead, an alternative which
some argue doesn’t compare.
“Those skills from flag [football] are simply not
transferable to tackle,” says White.
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