The JV Broncs football squad use their defense in picking up the non-league win over Lions. The final score saw Kern Valley grab the 15-0 shutout victory.
Both teams played well on defense as they did not want their opponents to score. On the Broncs first possession they were driving toward a score only to be stopped on a fourth and goal. Kern Valley’s defense put pressure on the Lions as they started deep in their own territory. On Mira Monte’s first play, Kern Valley got on the scoreboard with a safety. Jaadyn Cleveland of the Broncs pulled down the Lion ball carrier in the end zone for the safety and a 2-0 lead.
With the score at 2-0, the Kern Valley offense went back to work. They drove the ball to the 31-yard line. On the next play the Broncs quarterback, Jackson Price hooked up with Shiloh Galvan for the remaining 31 yards for the touchdown. Ewan Shea added the PAT to put the lead at 9-0.
The Lions tried to answer, but another great defensive play by the Broncs stopped the scoring chance. A forced fumble recovered by Gavin Tippet crushed the hopes of the Lion offense. This play also ended the first quarter of excitement.
To begin the second, Kern Valley took possession at their own 18-yard line. The Lions thought they had come up with a great play, only to see the Broncs stay focused and race 82 yards for the touchdown. Price went back to pass and tried to hit Galvan. The pass was deflected by the Mira Monte defender. However, Galvan plucked the deflection out of the air and raced the rest of the way to cross the goal line and give himself another touchdown. Kern Valley went for two, but were denied. It kept the score at 15-0.
Near the end of the half, Mira Monte was sitting with the ball at the Broncs five-yard line. Kern Valley’s defense stiffened and stopped the Lions on four straight plays go turn the ball back over to the Broncs. The half would end with Kern Valley holding the 15-0 edge.
In the second half, both defenses made it a point to not allow their opponents to score. The see saw possessions kept either team out of the end zone and when the horn sounded, the Broncs were victorious in shutting out the Mira Monte team.
Price ended the night 16-of-21 for 288 yards and the two touchdown tosses. He would also carry the ball seven times for 45 yards of rushing. Galvan totaled three catches for 125 yards and the two scores. Tye Humphers grabbed six passes for 97 yards, while Gabe Ross hauled in three passes for 33 yards. Ryder Pappas caught three for 28 yards, while Shea caught one pass for five yards. Pappas had seven touches that went for seven yards of rushing. Humphers carried once for two yards to cap the ground game for the Broncs.
Humphers led Kern Valley on defense as he finished with eight tackles. Cleveland and David Swan each recorded five tackles, while Israel Padilla was credited with four. Gavin Tippet had a pair of tackles and a fumble recovery, while Troy Valenzuela, Ross, Max Baughman, and EJ Anderson had two tackles apiece. Ethyn Henry had one tackle and one fumble recovery for the Broncs. Zane Pappas recorded one tackle and three pass defends. Rounding out the tackle were Joel Donohoe, Shea, and Aiden Smith who each had one tackle in the game.
The Broncs head coach Bill Gallis said, “What a terrific effort by our defense today. Mira Monte was big upfront and had a powerful running back. Our defense was tested all day and just kept coming up with stops and takeaways. Coach LaFarga really had our guys dialed in and swarming the ball. It was great to get that goose egg today and our defense definitely deserves a game ball. Offensively, we showed signs of continuity in the passing game. We had big plays all game and I liked how we got the ball out quickly. It was a good test for us coming off a bye and I was pleased everyone got playing time. We just need to keep improving in all facets of our game and continue to get our guys healthy. We have a huge opponent coming up this week in Lompoc, and it’s nice we will be playing at home for the first time this year.”
Th first home game of the year for the Broncs JV team will kick off at 4 p.m. This will be the final non-league game of the season.
JV football team gets defensive in win over Mira Monte
