Kern Valley’s Bryce Smoot No. 4 tries to break away from the would-be Lions tackler. Submitted photos.
High-scoring contest gets Lions share of points
Kern Valley began it’s CIF playoff run at home versus a team they beat 20-17 earlier in the season. This time the offenses exploded to score a combined 95 points.
The scoring came early and often as the two teams were looking to move on in the playoffs. The Broncs opened the scoring as they took the opening kickoff and used just four plays to find the end zone. Carson Parks took the hand off at the Kern Valley 43-yard line. He raced the 53 yards to cross the goal line and give the Broncs the early lead. Tristan Beckham added the extra-point to make it 7-0. Mira Monte would answer with a 10-play drive to even the score at 7-7 with 4:09 left in the first quarter. Neither team would find the end zone the rest of the quarter to keep the scoreboard knotted at 7-7.
After the Broncs turned the ball over on downs early on the second, Mira Monte used a methodical drive to put them into the lead. The score was sitting at 14-7 when the Kern Valley team responded. They passed their way down the field that ended with a 14-yard scoring toss from Zane Carver to Bryce Smoot. Lining up for the PAT, the snap was missed and the play was stopped to make the score 14-13 for the Lions. This is the way the half ended and both teams knew they were in a battle.
The Broncs kicked off to begin the second half. The Lions returner, grabbed the ball at the 20-yard line and rumbled his way for the 8- yards to push the Mira Monte margin to 21-13. Once again Kern Valley had an answer as they used the running game to get into scoring position. They capped off the drive with Carver finding Joey Galvan for the 13-yard touchdown to close the gap to 21-19. They tried for the two-point conversion only to be stopped.
Mira Monte went on another march that ended with another score. They pushed the score to 28-19 and never looked back. Kern Valley tried to make a comeback as they closed to within three points. It took just five plays to get close in the scoring. Carver scampered in from four yards away to put the score at 28-25. The PAT was no good. The Lions went up by 10 points as they continued to find the goal line. On the ensuing kickoff the Lions pounced on a loose ball that put them in good field position. The score was sitting at 35-25 as the third quarter came to an end and Mira Monte in possession of the ball. They pounded the ball into the end zone to increase the cushion to 42-25.
The Broncs though they had inched closer as Parks returned the kickoff 70 yards for an apparent touchdown. The play was called back for a penalty. This did not stop Kern Valley from getting closer once more. Six plays later Carver scored from five yards out and then hooked up with Daniel Hinkey for the two-point conversion to make the score 42-33. The Broncs tried for the onside kick, but it was recovered by the Mira Monte squad. They would make their way down the field and fine the end zone for the seventh time, The PAT was good and the score stood at 49-33 with just 4:29 left in the game.
Kern Valley turned the ball over on downs, but got it right back as they recovered a Lions fumble. The first play with the new life, Carver hooked up with Smoot for the 29-yard touchdown. Another failed two-point play left the score at 49-39 with 3:30 left. The Lions sealed the deal as they scored another touchdown to make it 56-39 with 2:10 left in the contest. They took a page from the Broncs and recovered their own onside kick. They went into victory formation and the Kern Valley football season came to an end.
In the game, the Broncs totaled 409 yards of offense. The ground game picked up 133 yards on 21 carries and the three TD’s. Carver threw for 276 yards on a 12-22 night and three touchdowns. Five different Broncs caught passes from Carver. Hinkey led the receivers with four grabs for 116 yards. Smoot gathered in three passes for 74 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Aiden Madden hauled in three passes for 58 yards, while Deegan Lee had one catch for 15 yards. Wrapping up the passing game. Galvan grabbed the one scoring toss for 13 yards.
Note: No defensive stats were made available for this game.
