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No one expected Bakersfield to defeat Mt. SAC. I predicted that they would give them a better game than L. A. Pierce. At first it appeared that I totally missed the call on this game. Mt. SAC scored 20 unanswered points before Bakersfield came to life. Then Bakersfield scored 14 unanswered points and it looked like it would be a game because a 20-14 lead is anything but a comfortable lead – especially for a team like Mt. SAC who usually enjoys at 20+ point lead going into the lockers for the midgame break.

The third quarter belonged to both defenses. Bakersfield threatened to score several times but was thwarted each time. MT. SAC didn't do much better by scoring only three points, however it did extend their lead to 23-14. Again, this was not an insurmountable lead for Bakersfield to overcome.

But alas, Mt. SAC did what they have done all year the fourth quarter – they scored again, and again. Mt. SAC outscored Bakersfield 16-3 in the fourth quarter, and with the win, will meet Palomar for the right to play for the state championship

Both teams had notable plays.

For Bakersfield, Rishar Matthews returned a 46 yard kickoff. Logan Kilgore hooked up with Mathews by completing a 78 yard pass to the Mt. SAC one yard line which set up Bakersfield’s first score of the game. Then Mathews, as quarterback this time, connected with Montreal Harris for 40 yards which lead to three points for Bakersfield. Mathew Estill gained 99 net yards on the ground.

For Mt. SAC, quarterback Matt Faulkner connected with Jesse Canada for a 66 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Jeremy Brown completed a 43 yd field goal. With Bakersfield threatening to score, Malcolm Murray intercepted a Logan Kilgore pass on the 12 and ran it back 88 yards for a touchdown. On Bakersfield’s next possession, Austin Daniels did the same thing except the run back was for 55 yards and the touchdown.

The back-to-back interceptions for touchdowns at the end of the game most likely indicate that Bakersfield panicked and tried to force plays that were not there. Nevertheless, the final score was Mt. SAC 39, Bakersfield 17.

Mt. SAC will host Palomar Saturday, December 5, 2009 in at Hilmer Lodge Stadium at 3:00 p.m. The game is for the Southern California Championship.