On Aug. 22, Bonita Vista Barons fell short of victory in a 21-0 “Boot Game” against the Eastlake Titans at home, an annual traditional football match between the two Southbay teams. This marked the ninth year in a row that BVH has remained bootless, while EHS remained the victor. Although the Barons were scoreless, it was no surprise that this would be one of the most intense matches against a prevalent rival. Wide receiver and junior, Nathan Lindquist (14), explained that despite tensions being high, Barons still persevered.
“We felt prepared before and during the game,” Lindquist said. “With the high amount of energy coming from the fans, we gave ourselves hope and came out on the field fast knowing that all eyes were on us.”
As the clock began, the crowds started with their usual rivalry chants at each other, with the Barons screaming “Cheeselake”, and the Titans jeering “Boot Bonita”. With a sold out crowd of approximately 1,800 fans from both EHS and BVH, both teams on the field did not settle for less. BVH quarterback and senior, Greyson Smith (10), described how the energy from the fans transferred to the players.
“The fans helped us play Eastlake at a really high level,” Smith said. “We fed that energy off [and] tried to give our 100% in all the four quarters we have played.”
The game started with a kickoff from EHS leaving BVH in possession. Within the first two minutes of the game, BVH lost possession after a fumble recovered by the Titans midfield. EHS attempted to drive down the field, but a flag was thrown at the 36-yard line for a 10 yard penalty bringing the line of scrimmage to the 46. Defensive line and junior, Edward Armenta (41), noted that while BVH benefitted from the penalty, the team needed to strengthen its defense.
“As a team, we have been doing great, but we need to improve on defense,” Armenta said. “We have been through wins [and] losses together. But, [the most important thing is] brotherhood, because we need to be supportive of each other.”
As BVH rivaled the Titans in the first quarter, there was no doubt that tensions were still rising. Knowing that the blunder almost cost them the quarter, momentum needed to be brought back on the field. The next play depicted this sentiment in its fruition, as Armenta and linebacker and senior, Aiden Cortes (4), both made an assisted sack on the quarterback resulting in EHS losing three yards. Cortes expressed how this specific play brought back the energy needed for the rest of the game.
“The sack was a great way to start back our momentum,” Cortes said. “It was not just the practices that encouraged me to make that play, but it was the fans and my team who maintained that same energy throughout.”
BVH eventually lost possession later on in the quarter, giving the ball back to Eastlake. Fortunately, a false start penalty pushed Eastlake five yards back, along with linebacker and senior, Kenneth Watson (9), sacking the quarterback resulting in another four yard loss. Not even a moment later, free safety and senior, Alexander Yepis (18), intercepted a pass giving back BVH possession. With these bang-bang defensive plays, all EHS could have done was put their hands on their head and watch as the Barons celebrated.
“I felt really hyped when I made the play,” Yepis said. “The adrenaline was pumping through my body and it just felt so electrifying seeing the crowd excited for the interception. It was a proud moment that got me really into the game.”
But this momentum was well short-lived. Eastlake struck late in the second quarter with their first touchdown, and two more in the third quarter resulting in a score of 21-0. BVH was simply frozen, as they could not put up a score on the board. As the clock approached zero in the fourth, the outcome became even clearer, resulting in a Baron defeat. Despite the loss, Smith expressed that Bonita will continue to stay committed to growth.
“Our team will improve in the future as we now know where we stand, and bring this kind of energy into every game we play,” Smith said. “We are a brotherhood, and we will continue to go through those hardships as we get better as one.”
