Bakersfield strikes first. On their first possession, they moved the ball 63 yards in ten plays for three points. The most notable play of the drive was a 22 yard pass from Logan Kilgore to Rishar Matthews. Josh Gallington capped off the drive with a 22 yard field goal.

Alan Hancock answered. After picking up a first down, Gunne Jesperson rips a 20 yard run to the Bakersfield 38. Tyrone Crawford made the tackle for Bakersfield. Hancock continued the drive by chipping away with short runs until they got to the two yard line. Then on second and goal, Ryan Aglin punches it in for six points and the lead. Nate Stein completed the point after giving Hancock a 7-3 lead. The defenses on both teams took over and the quarter ended with no further scoring.

With just under six minutes left in the second quarter, Matthews returned a 39 yard Mike Trujillo punt 67 yards to the Hancock three yard line. It was the biggest play of the game. On first and goal, Matthew Estill rushes for three yards and six points. The point after was good and Bakersfield took a 10-7 lead.

Hancock responded again. From the Bakersfield 46, Gunne Jespersen sprinted 24 yards to the Bakersfield 22, but Hancock is penalized for holding. The Hancock offense settles down and begins to whittle away at the Bakersfield defense until they reach the five yard line. With only 36 seconds left on the play clock, Gunne Jespersen battled it in for the touchdown and Hancock ends the half leading 14-10.

The battle of the defenses continued into the third quarter. Bakersfield started the drive from their 41 yard line. With a series of less-than ten yard pick-ups, they reach their 27. On a third and nine from the Hancock 27 Logan connects with Mathews for a six yard gain. Hancock’s defense stops the drive cold and Bakersfield had to settle for three. The score inches closer;14-13 in favor of Hancock.

Then Hancock literally went to work. It took them 15 plays, seven minutes and 19 seconds to move the ball 62 yards for the ensuing touchdown. The biggest gain was a Dan Kekoanui run for 15 yards. The rest of the drive was comprised of two to five yard gains. Befittingly, the drive is capped off with a Jespersen two yard touchdown. With a nine point lead and only 3:55 left in the third period, it appeared that an upset was brewing.

Then both offenses stalled. Eight minutes would be eaten off the clock in the fourth quarter before either team neared the red zone. Then Hancock’s Nate Stein missed a field goal wide left from the 19 yard line.

Down 21-13, on first play of the ensuing Bakersfield drive, Estill rushed for a 15 yard gain – add 15 yards for a personal foul and Bakersfield has a first down at midfield. Logan nails a 22 yard pass to Mathews followed by a 28 yard touchdown pass to Van Horne and they are down by two points. Logan again passes to Van Horn for the two point conversion and the game is knotted at 21 points apiece with 6:14 on the clock.

Bakersfield’s Avi Castro kicks a respectable 52 yarder; Matt Macanas returned it 20 yards and Hancock opens the drive on their 38. Ryan Anglin rushed 13 yards on the subsequent play netting a first and ten on the Bakersfield 49. Then they go three and out. Mike Trujillo punts the ball 39 yards but Matthews returned it 44 yards to the Bakersfield 48.

The last Bakersfield drive is a textbook example of clock management. With 3:27 left to play in the game, Estill rushed for a ten yard gain. On second and ten, he does it again, but this time for 15 yards. Three plays later Bakersfield has the ball on the Hancock five yard line with two ticks left on the clock. Josh Gallington splits the uprights, and as they say, this one is in the bag.

Bakersfield is headed to Walnut for a date with Mt. SAC this Saturday.

Final score: Bakersfield 24, Alan Hancock 21.