HS notebook: Drillers add So. Section power Oaks Christian to football schedule
BY ZACH EWING Californian staff writer zewing@bakersfield.com
Bakersfield High's football team has added another big-name opponent to its 2013 schedule.
The Drillers on Wednesday finalized a contract to play a home-and-home series with Westlake Village-Oaks Christian, beginning Aug. 30 at Oaks Christian.
The Lions will return the trip to Bakersfield in 2014. They last played in Kern County in 2008 at Bakersfield Christian, when Will Smith, Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana all attended the game because their sons played for Oaks Christian.
The Lions were elevated last year to the Pac-5 Division, the top playoff division in the Southern Section. They had won section titles in smaller divisions seven times in the previous nine years, and they won the 2006 state bowl championship in Division III.
Bakersfield, which owns the most victories, most section championships and most state titles in state history, already has a home game scheduled with Pac-5 champion Long Beach-Poly in Week 3. The Drillers, who were 9-3 last fall with a road win over Poly, also will play at Garces in Week 2 and home against Clovis-Buchanan in Week 4. They need one more non-league game to complete their 2013 schedule.
Locals in hoops showcase
Three local boys basketball teams will compete against high-caliber opponents in the MLK Showcase on Jan. 21 at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.
The event begins at noon, with Mira Monte taking on Visalia-Redwood. East plays Visalia-Mount Whitney at 1:30, and Independence will play in the nightcap at 7:30 against Tulare Union.
In between, Tulare-Mission Oak will play Westminster at 3, Fresno-Central will play Sacramento-Capital Christian at 4:30 and Fresno-Edison will play Stockton-Weston Ranch at 6.
Ticket prices for the entire day are $7 for adults and $5 for students with ID.
Ex-Kingsburg QB to NFL
Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray, who played high school football at Kingsburg, will bypass his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
The university announced Bray's decision, along with those of junior wide receivers Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson and defensive end Darrington Sentimore, in a release Wednesday.
Bray threw for 3,612 yards and 34 touchdowns this year to rank second on Tennessee's single-season list in both categories, behind Peyton Manning's 3,819 yardss and 36 touchdown passes in 1997. Bray also threw 12 interceptions.
Rob Rang, a senior analyst for nfldraftscout.com, rates Bray as a second- or third-round pick.
"For Bray, it's going to be critical to wow teams at interviews and to get recommendations from his former coaching staff," Rang said. -- Associated Press
Hough to speak for BHS
Former major league pitcher Charlie Hough will be the guest speaker for this year's Bakersfield High Home Run Dinner, Feb. 9 at the Society for Disabled Children's Hall at 1819 Brundage Lane.
Hough was a knuckleball pitcher who played 25 seasons in the major leagues, winning 216 career games for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Marlins before retiring in 1994. The dinner will feature a social hour and silent auction starting at 6 p.m., with dinner provided by Cafe Med at 7.
The cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available from any member of the BHS baseball team, at Cafe Med or by calling Cecile Shanklin at (661) 319-3851.
Track coaches wanted
Bakersfield High is seeking two assistant track and field coaches, one specializing in throws and the other in distance running. Contact assistant principal Cheyenne Bell at (661) 324-9841.
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