On Oct. 27, the Bonita Vista High (BVH) Barons’ varsity football team walked into Southwestern College’s DeVore Stadium with aspirations of taking back “The Boot,” a coveted rivalry game trophy which can only be earned by defeating BVH’s rival team, the Eastlake High School (EHS) Titans on the gridiron. The boot has been in EHS’s possession for the last seven years, and the Barons hoped to take it back. A close game filled with various mistakes and shortcomings eventually forced the Barons to accept a 17-30 loss to end the game.
BVH’s “gold standard” defense was set to start the game. In the opening minutes of the matchup, the Barons’ defensive line, linebacker unit and secondary worked together to defend against the Titan’s ariel attack. BVH defensive back, wide receiver, kick returner, captain and senior Jayden Peterson (5) showed off his speed and dexterity in the first few minutes of the game by deflecting and nearly intercepting a swift pass by EHS quarterback and sophomore Tyler Balko (9).
“As a defense, we managed to defend the pass very well. EHS would end up running well on us, but we kept up as best we could,” senior and inside linebacker Nathan Sandoval (44) said.
The Barons’ defense would continue to hold up against the Titans’ offensive drive. The Barons managed to stop their rival at the 25 yard line, where EHS had to compromise their drive’s waning touchdown chances for a field goal. Down 0-3, the offense would enter the field with excellent field position and an odd situation at quarterback. Running back, inside linebacker, captain and senior Caden Ada-Tannehill (22) would line up under center, stepping into the role as a result of the team’s previous starting quarterback getting injured.
“We put a lot of trust in Ada-Tannehill. He is one of the key players on our team. He was our running back, but then our quarterback went down and he was the next man up. Considering what he has had to work with, he has been balling out,” Sandoval said.
Already backed up into their own territory, EHS would continue to put themselves at a disadvantage by receiving multiple penalties and backpedalling closer to their endzone. Despite the benefits that were given to them, the Barons’ offense remained cold and could not manage to make anything with the materials provided to them. Similar to the Titans, the Barons would attempt to settle for a field goal, but kicker, punter and junior Richie Rojas (33) would send the ball under the uprights, keeping the team’s score at a whopping zero. The night would only get worse for BVH as the defense gives up a rushing touchdown from midfield.
“Our defense kept giving up big chunk plays in the run game, and we could not capitalize on anything,” Sandoval said.
The opening quarter would end with Peterson carrying on his impressive senior night performance as he blocks the Titans’ point after touchdown kick and forces them to accept their nine point advantage over the Barons. In the second quarter it seemed as if the run game that carried the team throughout their season was finally being utilized. The Barons made their way up to the Titans’ redzone, where Ada-Tannehill would bash through defenders into the endzone. The hopes of the Baron crowd and sideline reached their apex, everyone believed there was a chance for BVH.
“[I knew that] we needed to keep our morale up in this game. I try my best as a senior and as a team leader to keep our team’s morale up,’” defensive tackle and senior Joseph Colmenero (55) said.
The third quarter showcased even more of the Barons’ offensive potential. The quarter began with Ada-Tannehill throwing to BVH wide receiver, defensive back and senior Julian Cota (25) for a 40 yard gain. After a quick field goal, the BVH defense displayed their on-the-field potential as well. Peterson would nearly get a deep ball interception, but miss by a hair. There was an obvious potential that repeatedly flashed in the offense and defense of BVH, but there was also a failure at binding those efforts to create a homogenous performance.
“We all did great at our jobs, but I realize that we did not execute well enough,” Colmenero said.
The cracks in the offense showed in the next drive. The team was completely unable to make use of what the defense was giving them, consistently failing to create progress. All the while, the defense played to their strengths and resisted EHS as best as they could. The idea of failed execution would riddle the team for the remainder of the game.
“I messed up on a couple of plays. We should have executed better,” running back and senior Carlos Ochoa (21) said.
Another failed offensive drive would result in BVH backed up to their own endzone, ready to punt. The punt needed to be effective in order for the Barons to have a fighting chance in the game. The ball was snapped, and a miraculous curse of miscommunication riddled the field as punter and holder Antonio Distefano (12) was hit in the head with the ball, fumbling it soon after. EHS would regain possession of the ball directly in the red zone, and although the home team’s sideline was boiling with rage, the team shared a strong belief in the defense.
“Our defense is really good, I love our defense. They hit really hard and they help our offense a lot. I love them a lot,” Ochoa said.
Eventually, the team would make do and force their way upfield in the final quarter of the game. The Barons were on a fourth down, having one last chance to get a touchdown. BVH, who had a run-heavy offense throughout the bulk of the game, passed the ball when it mattered most. Ada-Tannehill threw the ball to the far corner of the endzone, where wide receiver, defensive back and senior Julian Ramirez (18) snagged it for six. With a score of 17-23, the Barons sparked their playoff potential and had a glimmer of hope to win the game.
“Trust me, we are going to dominate playoffs. We are ready for these teams. We are going to go far, we are going to win it all,” Colmenero said.
All that the Barons needed to pull through and win the game was one touchdown and an extra point. There was an apparent light at the end of the tunnel when the BVH defense shut down the Titans. The offense had their chance to trudge across the field and get their senior night victory, but they simply could not make do. EHS’s defense shut BVH down, and eventually forced the Barons to turn over on their side of the field.
“We never gave up, and we wanted the boot back very bad, but we did not end up with outcome that we wanted,” Ochoa said.
The game was unofficially over once EHS managed to score one last time with a minute and thirty seconds left in the game. BVH knew that the game was lost, and chose to sub in their backups to end the match with a faulty offensive drive. Despite their loss, there is an eerie sense of hope that is present in the team.
“We are going to bounce back next week, we just need some practice and then we will come back better than ever,” Sandoval said.
The Barons hope to make their guaranteed playoff appearance worthwhile and effective. They have aspirations to look past their loss and thrive in the postseason, the team is willing to do whatever it takes.
“I am trying to win CIF, that is what I am trying,” Ochoa said. “I love this team, and we are going to try really hard to win CIF for BVH.”
