OLD FRIENDS MEET AGAIN A.V., BAKERSFIELD FOOTBALL RIVALRY STEEPED IN TRADITION.Byline: Ramona Shelburne Ramona Shelburne is an American sports journalist currently writing for the Los Angeles Daily News. Shelburne was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California where she was a class valedictorian. Staff Writer There isn't much about the football program at Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley High that coach Brent Newcomb can't remember. After all, he's been the coach for 26 years. But even he can't remember when the annual rivalry with Bakersfield High began. ``It's been going on for a long time,'' Newcomb said. ``I'm not sure when it started.'' That's because the rivalry between two of the oldest schools in California Here is a partial list of the oldest schools in California. 1847
In the 27 games between the two since then, Bakersfield has won 18, not surprising for the winningest program in state history. Though tonight's game will have no bearing on league standings or the Southern Section playoffs, it's one of the most heated rivalries in all of California, and the players involved are excited to be a part of it. ``They are the most winning program in California, and it's a big rivalry for us because it's Southern Section versus Central Section and there's some sectional pride involved,'' Antelope Valley senior running back Kreig Peters said. ``My sophomore year, they beat us 43-0 and that was embarrassing, but we got them back last year so I guess this will be the rubber match.'' Even Antelope Valley sophomore wide receiver Andre Crenshaw cren·shaw also cran·shaw n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] , who never has played in the varsity game against Bakersfield, seems to understand the tradition. ``It's all about bragging rights,'' he said. ``This is one of the biggest games we play all year.'' Second-year Bakersfield coach Jason Oliver played for the Drillers from 1987-90 before playing cornerback at USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. from 1991-94. During his time at Bakersfield High, the two schools didn't play, but the weight of the rivalry is not lost on him. ``A.V. always has a lot of talent,'' Oliver said. ``They always come to play.'' Though the Drillers had one of the worst seasons in school history last year (5-6), Oliver said he expects a crowd of around 5,000 for tonight's game at Griffith Stadium . That's what happens when you have one of the richest prep football traditions in the country. The Drillers have won a record 32 sectional championships and, from 1920 to 1927, seven state titles. Bakersfield athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Mike Ornelez likes to tell the story of how the Drillers used to compete against the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. football team in the 1920s. ``We'd beat 'em,'' he said. ``We beat a lot of the local colleges, too.'' Indeed, the Bakersfield alumni list is filled with NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga and college stars, the most famous of which is NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford Francis Newton Gifford (born August 16 1930 in Santa Monica, California) is a former American football player and one of the better-known American sports commentators in the latter part of the 20th century who made the transition from an athlete to broadcasting. , who played at the school in the late 1940s. Among the more recent standouts include Michael Stewart Michael Stewart may refer to:
``It's fun to be a part of this tradition,'' Peters said. ``I love going up there and playing in front of their crowd. People come from all over to their games, and I love playing in games like that.'' Ramona Shelburne, (818) 713-3617 ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com THE FACTS Antelope Valley at Bakersfield 7:30 p.m. Series: Bakersfield leads 18-9 TODAY'S GAMES PARACLETE (0-0) at HIGHLAND (0-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: James Florence, QB, Highland Florence was the goal-line QB last season and has worked with a coach all summer to prepare for his starting assignment. He more athletic than last season's starters Gary Rosales and Dan Oberly, and the Bulldogs will need him to make plays with the graduation of star RB Kris Theus. Key stat: 1,360 Yards gained by Theus last season, 83 percent of the team's total rushing yards. The Bulldogs will have to replace that production, and that will be up to seniors Blake Izaball and Charles Denham. Why Paraclete will win: The Spirits have everything to gain and nothing to lose in this small-school-vs.-large-school matchup and should play loose and with something to prove. Senior RB Jared Nelson scored 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,498 yards and will be eager to show he can compete against Highland's vaunted vaunt v. vaunt·ed, vaunt·ing, vaunts v.tr. To speak boastfully of; brag about. v.intr. To speak boastfully; brag. See Synonyms at boast1. n. 1. defense. He'll be running behind an experienced OL led by 6-foot-5, 280-pound Donny Thompson. Why Highland will win: The Bulldogs return all but two starters from last year's defense, which was among the best in the Southern Section. Senior LB John Keith is a two-time all-league selection who specializes in stopping the run and backs like Nelson. Perspective: Highland was one game away from a share of the Golden League title last season but graduated its top playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play in Theus. Paraclete didn't win a Southern Section title for the first time in six years. The Spirits have a new coach in Jeff Jambretz, so don't be surprised to see them gamble early on and try to make a statement with this game. Outlook: Though there are many questions about Highland's offense, its defense is still one of the best in the area. This game will be decided by how well the Bulldogs contain Paraclete's running game. If Nelson has a big game, Paraclete can pull off the upset. But if Keith & Co. shut him down, Highland should have enough on offense to win. QUARTZ HILL (0-0) at CRESPI (0-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Jason Burton, QB, Quartz Hill Though coach Pat Degnan hasn't settled on a full-time quarterback, Burton, last year's backup, will start over Ron Hamilton, who was promoted from the junior varsity after last season. Quartz Hill will need Burton to get them off to a good start and make their offense more balanced. If he struggles, the Celts' stingy stin·gy adj. stin·gi·er, stin·gi·est 1. Giving or spending reluctantly. 2. Scanty or meager: a stingy meal; stingy with details about the past. defense will key on stopping running back Quinn Porter and it could be a long night. Key stat: 51 Points scored last season by Crespi field-goal kicker Kicker A right, warrant, or some other feature added to a debt instrument to make it more desirable to potential investors. Notes: The ability to trade a bond or other debt instrument in for stock may entice investors, if they feel the stock will appreciate. Sean Sehnem, the most of anyone on the team. In last year's game, Sehnem hit a 51-yard field goal and is reportedly making 60-yarders in practice. Why Quartz Hill will win: Crespi of Encino is starting a converted WR - Kevin Vollmer - at QB and Quartz Hill's strength is defense. If all-league LBs Matt Servera and Ben Albaum can pressure Vollmer into mistakes, Quartz Hill will have a shot. Why Crespi will win: The Celts The following pages provide lists of nations or people of Celtic origin, arranged by branch of Celtic ethnicity or language grouping: Goidelic Celts
Perspective: Quartz Hill graduated its top threat - TE B.A. Harrell (21 catches, 337 yards) - from an offense that scored 12.7 points a game. Crespi blanked the Rebels 17-0 on the road last season and retains its best players from last year's 9-4 team. Outlook: Crespi has the edge on paper, but Quartz Hill feels momentum from its season-ending upset of Highland that cost the Bulldogs a share of the Golden League title. Though the Rebels are inexperienced at the skill positions, many of the newcomers started for the JV team that went 9-0 last season. If Quartz Hill's defense holds and the offense doesn't make costly mistakes, the Rebels have a chance. Otherwise, look for Crespi to prevail in a low-scoring defensive game. LITTLEROCK (0-0) at BURROUGHS (0-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Adrian Cross, WB, Littlerock The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder was a defensive starter last year and took only one snap on offense, but he'll be the key to new coach Lin Parker's fly offense this season. This year, as Cross goes, so goes Littlerock. Key stat: 102 Penalty yards assessed to Burroughs of Burbank in last year's game, won 19-17 by the Indians. Burroughs also lost two fumbles. Why Littlerock will win: The fly offense is distinctive and difficult for teams to prepare for. Cross and TB Byron Thomas have learned the offense well and will overwhelm a confused Burroughs defense. Why Burroughs will win: Littlerock QB Travis Calloway was the backup to Herb Dominguez last season but took few snaps and lacks experience. That could pose a problem for a team running a new and complicated offense. If Burroughs can exploit this weakness and force Calloway into mistakes, the Indians' running game can chew up time off the clock and score enough to win. Perspective: The Indians made the playoffs last season for the first time since 1996, and Littlerock has gone 4-16 over the past two seasons. Parker is trying to restore the team to prominence (the Lobos won the Golden League in 1998) after off-the-field incidents have created a negative impact on the program in recent years. Outlook: Burroughs has won 10 games over the past two seasons but has had to replace its QB, RB and WRs. If Littlerock executes its new offense well, look for the Lobos to win in a low-scoring ground game. NO. 2 CANYON at LANCASTER 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Nate Longshore Nate Longshore (born June 30, 1986 in Canyon Country, California, U.S.) is an American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. Longshore was an Elite-11 quarterback in high school and a 4-star recruit rated by Rivals.com and Scout.com."How Far ... , Canyon, QB Longshore long·shore adj. Occurring, living, or working along a seacoast. [Short for alongshore.] (6-foot-5, 228 pounds), coming off a 2,000-yard season, is considered the area's top college QB prospect. Key stat: 59 Number of receptions by Canyon's Sean Coen even though he was bothered by illness the first month of the season. He should be significantly more productive this season. Why Canyon will win: After going 10-2 and advancing to the Div. II quarterfinals last year - the only losses were to finalists Mission Viejo Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. and Hart - Canyon has returned most of its best players, and the team is considered among the state's best. Lancaster is in over its head. Why Lancaster will win: The team's only chance is if Canyon is overconfident o·ver·con·fi·dent adj. Excessively confident; presumptuous. o  ver·con and the Eagles force turnovers and avoid mistakes. One
positive figures to be the presence of new coach Jeff Cortez, formerly
of Paraclete of Lancaster. Cortez took over at Paraclete in 2000 and won
two section titles in three seasons, finishing 34-5 overall, including
9-4 last year.
Perspective: Since its first year at the varsity level in 1997, Lancaster has had just one winning season (9-3 in 1998). The team is 3-17 over the past two seasons. During the same span, Canyon has been above .500 four times, going 10-2 last year - its best season since 1990. Outlook: Canyon wasn't as sharp as expected during an opening scrimmage vs. Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. last week even though the team scored six touchdowns. With its combination of passing, running and effective defense - combined with Lancaster's lack of star power - Canyon should roll fairly easily. NO. 5 PALMDALE (0-0) at BARSTOW (0-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Rodney Trimm, QB, Palmdale Senior QB JaVonte Holmes has been suspended for this game for disciplinary reasons, and Trimm, the starting QB of the freshman team last season, will have the added pressure of starting the season opener. How he responds to the challenge will determine whether it's a happy or quiet bus ride home across the desert. Key stat: 133 Total offensive yards the Falcons held Barstow to in last year's game. Why Palmdale will win: Trimm is a capable backup and Palmdale has too much talent for the Aztecs. Coach Jeff Williams For the poker player, see . For the physician, see . For the astronaut, see . Jeff Williams (born June 6, 1972 in Canberra) is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. said up to seven seniors from this year's team will sign with Division I colleges, and most of those are two-way players. Why Barstow will win: Barstow plays an aggressive style of defense behind senior DE Kris Barron and likes to take gambles. That kind of pressure could overwhelm Palmdale's inexperienced OL, which looked shaky in a scrimmage against St. Bonaventure of Ventura last Friday, and cause Trimm to make mistakes. Perspective: Palmdale holds a 5-2 advantage in the series, including last year's 13-7 victory at home. ``Last year we didn't play very well and just got by on our talent,'' senior WR/DB Justin Shaw. ``This year we're going to be a lot more intense.'' Outlook: If Trimm handles the pressure of starting the season opener as a sophomore, look for Palmdale's talented seniors to take over and put the game away. GAME OF THE WEEK NO. 10 ANTELOPE VALLEY (0-0) at BAKERSFIELD(1-0) 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Kreig Peters, RB/LB, A.V. With two-time Golden League MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. Johnny Walker (14 TDs, 1,232 yards rushing, 736 yards passing) graduated, Peters (20 TDs, 1,151 yards) becomes the focal point focal point n. See focus. of the offense and Bakersfield knows it. Key stat: 5,000 Fans Bakersfield coach Jason Oliver expects to be in attendance for tonight's game at Griffith Field. Why Antelope Valley will win: Last year's win gave A.V. confidence it could beat Bakersfield, and the Antelopes will try to show it wasn't a fluke fluke, parasitic flatworm of the trematoda class, related to the tapeworm. Instead of the cilia, external sense organs, and epidermis of the free-living flatworms, adult flukes have sucking disks with which they cling to their hosts and an external cuticle that . Bakersfield will key on stopping Peters but will find out A.V. has more offensive weapons in big-play WRs Andre Crenshaw and Eric Wickliffe. Why Bakersfield will win: The Drillers will be looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. revenge after last season and have gotten their first-game mistakes out of the way last week against Stockdale. All-league LB Daniel Diaz leads the Drillers' speedy defense, and TB/CB Matt Mason Matt Mason is a poet based in Omaha, Nebraska. He has published eight chapbooks and one full-length work of poetry as well as two anthologies. Mason has written about relationship, religion and the Bible, and themes of Midwest and Great Plains life. is being recruited by almost the entire Pacific-10 Conference The Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I. Membership Full members . Last week: Bakersfield defeated Stockdale 26-7; Antelope Valley did not play Perspective: Bakersfield is the winningest program in state history and is 18-9 against Antelope Valley. But the Drillers had an off year last season, going 5-6 and losing in the first round of the Central Section playoffs. Antelope Valley won 30-10 last year, the first time it had had beaten the Drillers since 1995. Outlook: Last year was a rebuilding year for the Drillers, and A.V. coach Brent Newcomb said they look much improved after watching the Drillers' season opener last week. Bakersfield will be motivated to avenge a·venge tr.v. a·venged, a·veng·ing, a·veng·es 1. To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder. 2. last season's loss, and having the home-field advantage could give them the edge this season. Look for this to be a close game either way. LOOKING AHEAD San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. at Lancaster Sept. 19, 7 p.m. If tonight's game against second-ranked Canyon doesn't go well, new Lancaster coach Jeff Cortez will have to restore the confidence of his team. If it goes well, next week presents an opportunity to keep the momentum going against a once-dominant City Section school that struggled to a 4-6 finish last season. CAPTION(S): photo, 6 boxes Photo: Andre Crenshaw and the Antelope Valley High football team open the season tonight at rival Bakersfield. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: (1) THE FACTS (see text) (2) TODAY'S GAMES (see text) (3) GAME OF THE WEEK (see text) (4) LOOKING AHEAD (see text) (5) GAME DAY (6) LOGS |
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