BC whips Canyons, captures conference championship
| Saturday, Nov 14 2009 11:15 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Nov 14 2009 11:30 PM
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Bakersfield quarterback Logan Kilgore, who piloted the Renegades to a big first half against Canyons Saturday night, takes off on a run in the first quarter.
Bakersfield's Will Randle beats Canyons defender Arron Fisher and hauls in a 75-yard touchdown pass in the first half Saturday, his first of two long TD receptons in the half.
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Bakersfield's Vincent Van Horne gets flipped by Cantons defensive back Arron Fisher after making this catch in the second quarter at Cantons Saturda night.
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Will Randle hauls in his second touchdown of the first half for Bakersfield at Canyons Saturday night.
Bakersfield lineacker Tierney Yates (53) tries to fight off a bock as he pursues Canyons ball carrier Nick Hale in the first half at Canyons in Santa Clarita Saturday night.
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Bakersfield College defensive back Eddie Coronado wraps up Canyons ball carrier D.J. Stephens in the first half at Canyons in Santa Clarita Saturday night.
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SANTA CLARITA -- Chalk up part of Bakersfield College's goal for this season: an outright National Northern Conference championship.
The Renegades used 306 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Logan Kilgore and another typical strong defensive effort in beating College of the Canyons Saturday night, 24-9.
BC (9-1 overall, 6-0 NNC) had already clinched a spot in the Southern California eight-team playoffs prior to kickoff. But this win ensures the Renegades will host a first-round game in next Saturday's Golden Empire Bowl in Memorial Stadium.
The opponent and all playoff matchups will be announced today.
Kilgore hit Rishard Matthews with an 11-yard TD pass to open the scoring, then found William Randle on two huge yardage TD plays in the second quarter, covering 75 and 71 yards. Randle finished with three catches for 193 yards.
Kilgore was 10-of-20 for 206 yards, giving him 2,124 yards this season. He joins Thomas Peregrin and Jacob Bower as only the third quarterback in BC's history to top 2,000 yards in a season.
"We wanted to win our conference," Kilgore said. "That was one of three goals. The first was doing well in preseason, then winning the conference. Now it's our third goal, the playoffs."
BC had difficulty running the ball, particularly over the final three quarters. Ben Estill, who banged up his right knee with 6:51 left in the third quarter, led the way with 87 yards on 18 carries.
That was one of several injuries that flared up, particularly in the second half.
Starting cornerback Chika Madu was on crutches in the fourth quarter after suffering what he said was a high right ankle sprain.
Defensive end Brache Hayes hobbled off the field after getting clipped in the fourth quarter. And defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford suffered an apparent left ankle sprain that knocked him out of the game. Also banged up and held out for several plays was cornerback Yul Hawkins, although he returned to action late in the game.
Their status for next Saturday is unknown, coach Jeff Chudy said after the game.
"We're concerned with the health of some of our guys," Chudy said. "I'm proud of how we got it done."
Winning the championship "is a tribute to our players and coaches," Chudy said. "Our guys have worked extremely hard the last 11 months. ...
"This wasn't our best performance. We had too many turnovers in the first half (a pair of Kilgore interceptions). But everything is gravy from here on out. We're playing in the Golden Empire Bowl. It's a great atmosphere for our guys."
BC also had a 34-yard field goal by Josh Gallington in the third quarter - the Renegades' only second-half points.
Canyons had a 21-yard TD pass from Eric Brown to D.J. Stephens in the fourth quarter. But the Renegades' defense stiffened to keep the Cougars out of the end zone after that despite Canyons' ability to move the ball.
