BHS starts fast, rolls over Scots
| Saturday, Nov 14 2009 12:07 AM
Last Updated Saturday, Nov 14 2009 12:07 AM
If this happens to be the last game at Griffith Field this season, at least Bakersfield High gave its seniors something to remember Friday night.
The Drillers scored on six of their first seven possessions, built a 48-point lead and then cleared the bench in a 48-7 rout of Highland in the Southeast Yosemite League finale.
"We told the kids 'this is it,' this is more than likely our last home game to get ready for that we've prepared for and that's the playoffs," BHS coach Paul Golla said.
Junior quarterback Brian Burrell rushed for two scores and threw for two more, the final of which gave BHS (8-2, 5-1) a 41-0 lead when he found Alfonso Jackson in the back of the end zone from 27 yards out just before the half. Earlier, he threw a 4-yard scoring pass to sophomore Silas Nacita.
Burrell finished an efficient night, completing 7-of-9 passes for 128 yards and also rushed for 74 yards on seven carries.
The Drillers' defense was equally impressive, sacking the Scots five times and holding them to just 17 yards from scrimmage in the first half.
Bakersfield linebacker Peter Welsh returned an interception 20 yards for a score for a 21-0 Driller lead with 6:51 left in the first quarter. He then capped a 6-play, 76-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge to make it 28-0 on BHS' opening drive of the second quarter.
Stephen Schroeter led the Drillers in rushing with 82 yards on four carries. He sprinted 56 yards to set up his own 5-yard TD run to give Bakersfield a 48-0 lead with 10:54 left in the third quarter.
Highland (2-9, 0-6) finally broke the shutout when Mat Prasser completed a 74-yard scoring pass to Jordan Tune with 7:17 left in the game. Prasser, one of three quarterbacks used by the Scots, was 7-of-15 passing for 103 yards.
Bakersfield nearly scored again in the final minute when Michael Norwood picked up a fumble six yards deep in the end zone and returned it 106 yards for an apparent score. But a penalty nullified the TD and BHS just ran out the clock.
"I love this team; I love the leadership on this team," Golla said. "We've gotten better every week and it's fun. I'd hate for this to end. This is a really special year with a special group of kids.
