Evans on Sports Blog

My Yahoo Print
Sunday, Oct 31 2010 12:32 AM

For BC, it was typical day at the office

By Evans On Sports

Bakersfield College kept on winning Saturday, this time 21-14 over an El Camino team that hasn't won a game since it was nailed for using an ineligible player and had to forfeit four victories.

This one wasn't pretty. BC had only 16 net rushing yards in the first half, then turned it around to compile 164 rushing yards in the second half. Andre Smith, who came into the game with 218 yards in seven games, had 165 yards (147 in the second half).

The defense continued with its bend-but-don't break play. Whenever the Gades looked like they were on the ropes, the defense stiffened. This has happened so often this season it must build confidence with the players, who have seen the team snatch victories from potential losses.

BC is down to its final two regular-season games, a toughie next Saturday at Cerritos, and the regular season finale at home vs. Canyons. At 7-1, BC has assured itself of a postseason appearance. The goal is to win the National Northern Conference which will guarantee a spot in the Southern California playoffs.

BC (No. 2 in SoCal) is now alone in first place in the NNC after Cerritos beat Canyons Saturday 31-24. Believe this: Cerritos is going to be a handful next week. It's 6-2 this season, a 28-24 loss to Saddleback and a 28-21 loss to Ventura the only blemishes.

The other SoCal score of note was top-ranked Mount SAC beating No. 3 Saddleback 33-31. Mount SAC (8-0) is the only team to beat BC this season, and BC has a 41-24 win at Saddleback in Week 2. City College of San Francisco (8-0) is the only other undefeated team in the state after a 33-0 win over San Mateo,  last year's NorCal champion and state runner-up. Fullerton improved to 7-1 with a 34-16 win over eighth-ranked Grossmont, which puts Fullerton solidly into the SoCal four-team playoff picture.

Fullerton will need to earn it, though. It travels to Mt. SAC next week and hosts Saddleback in its regular season finale on Nov. 13.

I don't know if BC can keep winning by coming from behind. With Cerritos and Canyons looming, the Gades have their hands full as they try to make it two straight unbeaten seasons in NNC play.

My Yahoo Print