Jackson Price of the JV Broncs drops back to attempt a pass in Friday’s game versus Mission College Prep. Submitted photo.
The JV Broncs football squad went to the coast to try and complete the mission. But it was Mission College Prep that came away with the hard-fought victory. The game was played on Cal Poly’s football field.
This game saw two teams come to do battle. Neither team gave an inch and every yard was contested by the opposing defense. They battled to a scoreless tie after the opening quarter. Mission Prep took the opening kickoff, but stalled and was forced to punt. The punt hit a Kern Valley player and was recovered by the Royals. Mission Prep turned it right back over as Israel Padilla picked off the quarterback.
Sitting with excellent field position, Kern Valley took their first possession of the game. It was short lived as they turned the ball over on downs, despite completing a fourth down pass. The heavily dominated defensive game saw the first quarter end with the scoreboard blank. In the second Kern Valley thought they had a touchdown, when Jackson Price connected with Ryder Pappas for a 30-yard score, but it was called back on a holding call and the game remained 0-0. Both defenses refused to budge the rest of the way and the two teams went to the break with the score 0-0.
Kern Valley took the second half kickoff and went on a drive. They moved down the field covering 60 yards in 10 plays. Unfortunately, the Royals defense came up huge and stopped the drive and ended the scoring threat from the Broncs. The third-quarter possession by Kern Valley used most of the clock. They team went into the fourth with the score still sitting at 0-0.
The Royals struck first in the scoring department as they scored on a one-yard rush to take the lead 6-0. The PAT was unsuccessful. Kern Valley was stopped on another fourth down play and turned it back to Mission Prep. The Royals added to their lead with a15-yard touchdown to make it 12-0. The Broncs refused to quit and tried for the comeback. They took their next possession and drove down the field. The scoring drive was capped off when Price hooked up with Tye Humphers from 16 yards out to give Kern Valley a chance. The score was 12-6 late in the fourth quarter.
The Broncs lined up and attempted an onside kick in hopes of continuing the comeback. It did not go their way, despite getting the ball to bounce off an opposing player. After a fierce tug of war for the football, the Royals came away with it and ended the Broncs hopes on the night.
Price completed eight of 17 passes for 52 yards and the one scoring toss. He was also picked off once in the game. Humphers hauled in three passes, including the touchdown for 40 yards. Shiloh Galvan had two catches for five yards, while Zane Pappas grabbed one pass for five yards. R. Pappas was credited with two catches that went for two yards. Price rushed for 96 yards in the game on 14 carries. Galvan toted the ball six times for 24 yards.
On defense, the Broncs were led by Humphers with five tackles, including a sack. David Swan collected three tackles, while EJ Anderson finished with a pair of tackles, including a sack. Recording one tackle apiece for Kern Valley were Max Baughman, Troy Valenzuela, Padilla, Z. Pappas, Ethyn Henry, Ewan Shea, R. Pappas, Galvan, and Gavin Tippet. Besides Padilla having the one interception, Z. Pappas also intercepted a Royals pass.
Speaking on the game the Broncs head coach Bill Gallis said, “What a tremendous game, it wasn’t pretty at times, but it was physical, and I thought we matched up well. Both teams had some plays they wish they had back, but that’s how it goes in a tough fought contest. Proud of our boys we never gave up and we kept making plays to keep us in it. It was a great experience for our kids getting to play in a college stadium and I hope it’s something they can remember for the rest of their lives. I felt we got better today and that is the most important thing. We can take this upcoming bye week to clean up those mistakes and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Currently, the Broncs sit at 1-2 on the year as they will now go into their bye week. They will prepare to take the field again on Sept. 20, when they travel to Mia Monte.
