Inseparable duo continuing legacy as Renegades
| Saturday, Oct 24 2009 12:27 AM
Last Updated Saturday, Oct 24 2009 12:27 AM
BC at Glendale
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: Glendale College
Records: BC 6-1 (3-0 conference), Glendale 3-3 (0-2 conference)
Radio: KERN (1180 AM)
Directions: Highway 99 south to I-5 over the Grapevine. Go east on I-210 for 19 miles to State route 2 south toward Los Angeles. Take the Mountain Street exit. Turn right on E. Mountain Street, then turn right on No. Verdugo Road. The college is at 1500 N. Verdugo Rd.
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Felix Adamo / The Californian BC Linebackers Jacob Cross,left, and and Joseph Bertrand
Joseph Bertrand let out a quick chuckle when discussing his close friendship with Bakersfield College teammate Jacob Cross.
The laugh was in response to a comment that they almost seemed like a married couple.
"Yeah, people have said that," said Bertrand.
BC coach Jeff Chudy pointed out how close the sophomore inside linebackers from Centennial High are.
"They hang around together, attached at the hip," Chudy said. "They played high school together and I'm sure they played youth football together."
Yep. They were teammates on the Black Hawks in Jack Frost Football. They've known each other since they were in seventh grade.
They are part of a strong defensive unit that has keyed BC's 6-1 start this season. The Renegades travel to Glendale College (3-3) today for a 6 p.m. game.
Bertrand and Cross both say their knowledge of each other's style of play is a big advantage.
"You know his tendencies and what he's going to do," Bertrand said.
Said Cross: "We've known each other for so long we can say whatever we need to out there. I don't have to dance around things to say. He's somebody I know and I'm comfortable with."
Both have been big-time contributors to the BC defense, which has held five of its seven opponents to 14 or fewer points.
Bertrand is second on the team with 40 tackles and shares the team lead with 21 assisted tackles. He also has an interception he returned for a touchdown against Pasadena.
Cross is third on the team with 34 tackles and shares the team lead with 20 assisted tackles with freshman outside linebacker Tierney Yates.
Chudy was most impressed with how the pair prepared in the off-season for this year.
"They worked as hard as anyone on our team since the end of last season," Chudy said. "They compete extremely hard. They are extremely dedicated. The No. 1 thing they bring: work ethic."
Bertrand and Cross say they are the beneficiaries from the powerful defensive line the Renegades throw at opponents.
"We have a great front 5," Bertrand said. "They'll get double-teamed and that pulls the tackles off of us."
Said Cross: "Those guys are awesome the way they stop the run. And our pass defense is just as good. ... They have to double-team those guys and then we go in."
Cross said the way the Renegades are improving he expects a deep run in the Southern California playoffs.
"The season has been pretty awesome so far, from 4-6 (last season's final record) to 6-1," Cross said. "We're pretty strong on offense, and defensively we've been really solid."
