Shafter Gladiator Colby Miller representing

Golden Empire Youth Tackle Football

on the National Stage with USA Football.

We are proud of you Colby…

Former GEYF Players Go Pro

Former Baylor Bear Garces Ram and Irish youth football stand out Grant Campbell signs a free agent contract with the Pittsburg Steelers as a

middle line backer.

Kyrie Wilson (Fresno State) former GEYF Wolverine Player Signed with the Oakland Raiders.

Jared Norris former GEYF Falcon Player Signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Ban youth tackle football in Kern County? Not so fast…

After reading Clay Farr’s Feb. 10 Community Voices article, “Ban youth tackle football and keep our kids CTE-free,” I felt compelled to separate fact from fiction for readers.

For well over 50 years now, youth tackle football has been a cornerstone of Kern County athletics. It’s steeped in rich tradition and local history and it positively impacts the lives of thousands of young athletes.

On the heels of the recently released movie “Concussion,” and through personal anecdotal experience, Farr was quick to criticize youth tackle football coaches and to point out his concern for the safety of our children by referencing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Although I share his concern for the overall safety of all youth athletes who participate in contact sports, I was a bit taken aback by his assertion that players under the age of 13 years should simply not be allowed to participate in youth tackle football, and our community should take steps to “ban it.”

In fact, The American Academy of Pediatrics, representing over 64,000 primary care physicians and other health care professionals, sets no limits as to when our children should begin playing tackle football and realizing its rewards, so long as important standards are in place.

It is clear that there is an inherent risk of injury in all types of physical activity such as bike riding, cheerleading, soccer, lacrosse, and yes, flag and tackle football, among many others.

Regardless of the activity, proper teaching of safe and proven fundamentals is paramount to injury prevention and safety as a whole.

Over the past five years, there has been tremendous growth in the number of local youth tackle football coaches certified through USA Football’s Heads-Up Tackling Program, and our community is seeing that benefit come to fruition.

USA Football and its local affiliates have really helped reshape our local youth tackle football landscape through their comprehensive, progressive instruction and certification model.

In addition, research from the Datalys Center published in the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine in July 2015 found young football players are less likely to be injured or sustain a head injury when their coaches are trained in teaching proper tackling fundamentals.

Leagues that took part in Heads-Up Football had a 76 percent reduction in juries. Furthermore, leagues that adopted the Heads-Up Football program had a 34 percent reduction in concussions during practices and a 29 percent reduction of concussions during games.

In 2015 nearly 6,500 youth tackle football leagues around the country registered through USA Football’s Heads-Up program, a number that equates to about 70 percent of all U.S. youth tackle football leagues.

Farr’s polarizing attempt to somehow draw a connection between what he may have seen on the Esquire Channel’s “Friday Night Tykes” vs. what actually occurs in the majority of youth tackle football settings is a bit reckless and inaccurate, and it detracts from what progress has been made in the sport both locally and on the national level.

Inflammatory generalizations can discredit individuals who generously give their time to benefit children in a wide range of sports.

To be fair, there are obviously youth coaches in all sports that have no business serving as mentors to our children and, quite frankly, give coaching a bad name at all levels.

What is often underreported is how the sport of football, regardless of age, positively impacts and changes lives, instills self confidence and citizenship and promotes physical and mental fitness.

With the continuing advancement in protective equipment, injury prevention and early recognition, as well as consistent, proper teaching techniques, combined with continued coaching education, it is my belief that youth tackle football is safer now than it has ever been.

Ron White is the Executive Director of Golden Empire Youth Tackle Football. He has more than 30 year experience in this field as a coach, administrator, league president and board member. White is a former youth, high school, and junior college tackle football coach and former player.

 

 

 

GEYF supports one of our own, Jen Ramirez (Ravens Area Rep), who’s gone under the Gridiron to play Women’s Football for the

“Bakersfield Bombers”.

Empowering women is nothing new for Brittany Rivera and her mother, Arlene Anion.

 

Long before the idea of brining a semi-professional women’s football team to Bakersfield occurred to them, the ambitious duo created the Women’s Empowering Network, a local organization dedicated to assisting local female entrepreneurs pursue their passions and dreams.

 

While Rivera was raised playing football in Bakersfield, she had her first tackle football experience in the Independent Women’s Football League while a student in Sacramento. She played receiver and defensive back.

 

But it was only after returning to Bakersfield when she knew that something needed to change.

 

“I moved back to Bakersfield after living in Sacramento and I just knew I had to play again,” Rivera said.

 

Although it took a lot of thinking, Rivera and her mother decided to purchase a franchise from the IWFL earlier this year, and they have self-financed the entire enterprise.

Having come from a strong military family, toughness comes natural for Rivera. Anion and her husband are U.S. Army veterans, and Rivera’s sister is actively serving. Though Rivera is co-owner of the team, her intention is to try out and earn her spot.

 

The Bakersfield Bombers will have a roster comprised of team members who live in the Kern County area, each with a different range of football experience.

 

But deciding to own a women’s team in a sport that is male dominated has invited much criticism. Some robustly argue that if a professional men’s team cannot be maintained – referring to the Bakersfield Blitz, which dismantled in 2007 – then a women’s league shouldn’t be expected to flourish.

 

Rivera is skeptical.

 

“They didn’t hit the right demographic,” she said. “They couldn’t cover their own expenses. But the Bombers are going to play on a high school field. It’s going to be family oriented, and we’re going to have affordable prices.”

 

As a member of the IWFL, which is distinct from the Legends League, the Bakersfield Bombers will be fully dressed and padded. The tentative kickoff date is sometime in April, but Rivera and Anion will meet with the league in Texas in November to determine next year’s schedule.

 

The IWFL is a nonprofit women’s tackle football league founded in 2000. It consists of 36 teams across North America and has more than 1,600 female athletes.

 

If you’re interested in supporting the Bakersfield Bombers or seeking more information, contact Rivera at 330-9143 or visit bakersfieldbombersfootball.com.

 

 

Our Town: Golden Empire Youth Football

By Gregory D. CookPhotos by David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography

Bakersfield Life Magazine

 

 

 

 

GEYF in the News

2015 BY TREVOR HORN Californian staff writer thorn@bakersfield.com

Eight years ago, in the Golden Empire Youth Football league, there was a feeling that there was something special going on.

There was a handful of running backs making cuts and running over and around the rest of the competition. The future seemed bright.

Those little tikes are now closing out their high school careers this fall, and as impressive as they were as 10-year-olds, they’re even more of a sight to see now.

Those “little guys” — Sheldon Croney, Marcus Bruce, Anthony Mariscal, Isaiah Sharp and Matt Smith — now are the leaders of what is one of the best overall running back classes in Kern County history.

“It’s been a while since we have seen that many come through at one time,” East coach David Fanucchi said. “This is really a special time here for the fans.”

Yes, there have been fantastic individual seasons: Steve Wofford at Bakersfield, the county’s leader in career rushing yards with 7,100 from 1992-1994; Ryan Mathews with his incredible 3,396-yard, 34-touchdown performance as a senior at West in 2006; and most recently, Cody Shirreffs’ 2,317 yards for Taft in 2009.

But this group, diverse and deep, is special, and the players are enjoying the end of their impressive run here at home.

“Growing up, we all knew each other and have been around each other playing Golden Empire,” Bakersfield Christian senior Matt Smith said. “We knew we were going to be that group.”

Smith, an imposing presence at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, has rushed for at least 1,300 yards in each of his three seasons for the Eagles, including 1,694 yards and 24 total touchdowns as BCHS went to the CIF Division IV state championship game a year ago.

Sheldon Croney, now at Ridgeview, has the best overall season of the group after rushing for 2,377 yards and 28 scores for Garces last fall.

A transfer brought Croney back to his neighborhood school for his last prep season. Looking back at the years playing against his fellow seniors, Croney said it has been a blast to be a part of this impressive group.

“We all knew at a young age that we were all talented,” Croney said. “We knew it could pay off in the end.”

Isaiah Sharp was an all-state performer as a sophomore for Wasco in 2012. His 2,317-yard, 34-touchdown performance helped lead the Tigers to a 13-0 record. Injuries kept Sharp off the field for half of last season, but he still managed 889 yards in six games on an out-of-this-world 16.94 yard-per-carry average.

Sharp transferred to Frontier in the offseason. Titans coach Rich Cornford was at the helm at West during Mathews’ career when the San Diego Chargers running back shined, and Cornford says Sharp is “the best back I’ve coached since Ryan.”

“Sharp has a lot of the same attributes as Ryan,” Cornford said. “He doesn’t waste time. He’s a really good all-around player and a very well-rounded young man.”

Bruce’s numbers at Bakersfield aren’t as shining as the other seniors around the city, but his leadership and athleticism has made him a third-year starter for the Drillers.

Teamed up fellow senior Lameshio Hill, Bruce likes the fact that the two get to battle it out daily in practice together for the defending D-I state champions.

“Me and Lameshio, we get to go against each other every day in practice,” Bruce said. “Every play, it’s either him or me. We compete every day.”

Mariscal, the only one of the bunch so far that has verbally committed to play college football, might very well be the fastest of the bunch, too.

Headed to Arizona as defensive back, Mariscal led Liberty a year ago with 1,089 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The toughness and selfishness that Mariscal plays with was evident in the final game last season. In a playoff loss to Clovis, Mariscal couldn’t play offense after dislocating his elbow. But he still made an impact on defense, intercepting a pass, and, with his left arm dangling to his side, zooming past the Cougars for the score.

Healthy now, Mariscal sees a future for this group of backs: To finish out their stellar prep careers and shine on the big stage at Division I college programs.

“I know we were all going to play in college,” Mariscal said. “We have always had the spotlight on us. This class is becoming the name out of Bakersfield. We have some talent that no one has seen. We are all capable of great things.”

Smith and Croney have both been on the radar of many colleges, with Smith pulling in offers from Colorado State, Utah State and UC Davis while Croney has a Pac-12 offer from Oregon State to go along with seven other offers.

As all of Kern County football fields still boast the old-school grass fields that the rest of California has stopped using in the last decade, it makes sense that the offenses here are geared around a three-yard burst and a cloud of dust.

Or, thanks to the unreal talent of these backs, it’s more like a 20-yard scamper with a juke, a stiff-arm and defenses left in the rearview mirror.

“You have running backs that defenses have to try and stop before they go another 70 yards,” Bakersfield coach Paul Golla said. “Those are things you can’t coach.”

 

 

 

 

Golden Empire Alumni continue to Shine

at the next level including:

• ALL AREA Player of the Year – Liberty High Anthony Mariscal (Far West Freedom Alumni)
• ALL AREA Offensive Player of the Year – Ridgview High Sheldon Croney (South East Wolverines/Southern Ravens Alumni
• All Area Defensive Player of the Year – Bakersfield High Marcus Bruce (Southwest & Far West Freedom Alumni)

And many, many , more…

We are all very proud of you!

2014 BVarsity All-Area Football Team

By The Bakersfield Californian

2014 BVarsity Player of the Year

RB/DB * 6-0, 192 * senior

A workhorse running back who averaged 7.6 yards per carry to amass 1,252 yards and 19 touchdowns, the Arizona recruit was even more valuable on defense, where he scared offenses away from him and still had 74 tackles, two forced fumbles and a team-leading eight passes defended.

Offensive Player of the Year

 

Sheldon Croney * Ridgeview

RB * 6-1, 210 * senior

After three historic years at Garces, Croney had his best season yet, rushing for 2,269 yards (second in the Central Section, according to MaxPreps) and 31 touchdowns (tied for first), and helping the Wolf Pack to the second section championship in school history.

 

Marcus Bruce * Bakersfield

RB/LB * 5-10, 200 * senior

One of the most versatile players in the county, Bruce makes the most impact on defense as a linebacker who racked up 120 tackles, including 5 for loss. Bruce, who has scholarship offers from San Jose State and UNLV, also ran for 1,194 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught two TD passes and even threw for one.

First-team offense

Brandon Jones * Bakersfield Christian

QB * 6-3, 200 * senior

A year after tying the Central Section record for touchdown passes, Jones had quite an encore, throwing for 3,522 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and leading BCHS to a share of the SSL title and to the Division III semifinals.

Gabriel Cabezuela * Wasco

RB * 5-11, 185 * senior

The transfer from rival Shafter shined in his one year as a Tiger, running for a county-leading 2,376 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging more than 8 yards per carry. He surpassed the 200-yard mark in seven of Wasco’s 11 games.

Curtis Threlkeld * North

RB * 5-11, 170 * junior

The big-play running back averaged 8.2 yards per carry and led North back to the playoffs by rushing for more than 200 yards in three games, including a 270-yard effort in a playoff win over Wasco. Threlkeld finished with 1,645 yards and 21 touchdowns.

R.J. Oliver * Bakersfield Christian

WR/TE * 6-3, 230 * senior

His receiving totals of 1,131 yards and 14 touchdowns were easily tops in the city. The tall transfer from Stockton-Brookside Christian became Brandon Jones’ go-to outlet for big plays. Will play football at Yale.

Braylin Scott * Liberty

WR * 6-3, 188 * senior

Previously known more for his basketball prowess, Scott exploded onto the D-I recruiting scene with a highlight-filled season that included 37 catches for 902 yards and 9 touchdowns. His leaping ability and speed made him a tough cover for all but the very best cornerbacks.

Fred Weaver * Independence

WR * 5-11, 180 * junior

Speedy wide receiver was Jordan Wiley’s favorite target in the Falcons’ high-flying offense, catching 43 passes for 808 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had four games with more than 100 yards receiving, plus a 135-yard rushing day against East High.

Blake Bryant * Liberty

OL * 6-2, 276 * junior

An anchor for Liberty’s offensive line, which was the backbone for one of the section’s most balanced offenses: 2,227 passing yards and 2,442 rushing yards for the SWYL champions and D-I section finalists.

Ruben Guerra * Liberty

OL * 6-5, 290 * senior

A senior leader and captain for the best Patriots team in school history, Guerra was one bookend for an offensive line that sprung the likes of Anthony Mariscal, Jordan Love and Quincy Jountti.

Dylan Guillermo * Bakersfield

OL * 6-0, 255 * senior

A prototypical Drillers road-paver, Guillermo was smaller than the average lineman but faster than almost all of them. He helped a team that didn’t have the luxury of a passing attack rush for 3,182 yards anyway.

Jestyn James * Ridgeview

OL * 6-1, 310 * senior

One of the emotional leaders of the Wolf Pack, James, a three-year starter, also was a physical force, paving the way for the powerful rushing attack and pitching in on defense when needed, too.

Chris Martinez * Ridgeview

OL * 5-11, 270 * senior

Another of the Wolf Pack’s three-year starters on the offensive line, Martinez helped Ridgeview rush for 4,482 yards against what was easily the best schedule in school history.

Lameshio Hill * Bakersfield

Util * 5-10, 208 * senior

The rare full-time wildcat quarterback, Hill rushed for 1,151 yards and 16 touchdowns and threw for 384 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Hill also caught six passes, the most of any Driller.

Lawrence White * Ridgeview

Util * 6-0, 165 * junior

The sparkplug for Ridgeview’s offense, White threw for 1,228 yards with 14 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, and he ran for 1,033 yards and 11 more touchdowns. Oh, and he also caught a 30-yard touchdown pass and pitched in on defense when the Wolf Pack needed an ace cornerback.

Jefferson Escobar * South

K * 5-7, 135 * junior

As consistent as they come in the kicking game. Converted four of five field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards and was successful on 94.5 percent of PATs (35 of 37).

First-team defense

Nigel Brooks * Bakersfield

DL * 6-3, 300 * senior

The spearhead of the Drillers’ dynamite defense, Brooks lived in the backfield despite frequent double-teams, racking up 60 tackles, including 9 for loss, during the regular season. He has six D-I scholarship offers, including from Pac-12 schools Arizona and Colorado.

Darryl Clark * South

DL * 6-2, 200 * senior

A bruising force for the Rebels defense that gave up just 8 points per game in Southeast Yosemite League play. Had 25 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and four batted passes.

Hugo Martinez * Chavez

DL * 5-11, 210 * junior

This defensive end’s numbers are simply eye-popping: 135 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 5 forced fumbles. In one game vs. Taft, he had four sacks and six quarterback hurries.

Peyton Solf * Liberty

DL * 6-2, 230 * senior

One of the area’s best pass-rushers, Solf blew up the backfield repeatedly for the 10-3 Patriots, accumulating 12 sacks and 9 tackles for loss among his 66 stops.

Frank Zavaleta * Ridgeview

DL * 5-11, 200 * senior

A lack of size didn’t bother Zavaleta, who could power over offensive lineman or zip around them. His array of moves resulted in 7.5 sacks and 4 additional tackles for loss.

Krys Barnes * Liberty

LB * 6-2, 220 * junior

An active sideline-to-sideline linebacker, Barnes had 130 tackles — by far the best on his team and the top total in the SWYL. Barnes, who has an early scholarship offer from Boise State, also forced five fumbles and an interception he returned 71 yards for a touchdown in a playoff game against Clovis West.

Ethan Cullifer * Stockdale

LB * 5-10, 205 * senior

Despite missing three games because of injury, Cullifer racked up 88 tackles, 6 for loss, in seven games. The returning first-team All-Area player also made an interception, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

Jaccob Lopez * Ridgeview

LB * 5-10, 215 * senior

Forced to move full-time to linebacker when Croney arrived to play running back, Lopez shined, ranking second on the team in tackles and making three interceptions, including the one that sealed a Division II section championship victory against Dinuba.

Mario Solorio * Chavez

LB * 5-11, 205 * junior

Second in the area in tackling with 153, including a whopping 44 tackles for loss, Solorio was the South Sequoia League defensive MVP and the linchpin of a defensive unit that carried the Titans to their first SSL championship.

Alex Fulmer * Bakersfield

DB * 5-7, 140 * junior

Physical safety was one of the Drillers’ leading tacklers and key cogs in a run defense that keyed many of Bakersfield’s nine victories with 28 forced turnovers.

Curtis Hampton * Bakersfield

DB * 5-8, 155 * senior

Twice in SWYL play, Hampton returned a fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown to seal a Drillers’ victory. He made four interceptions in all to go with a 24.6-yard kickoff-return average, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

Stavros Katsantonis * Liberty

DB * 5-10, 172 * senior

With Mariscal, he formed the area’s most fearsome safety combination. Katsantonis was consistently disruptive, making 72 tackles and four interceptions, deflecting six passes, forcing a fumble and recovering two, including one he returned for a touchdown to key Liberty’s huge win at Mission Viejo.

Mason Saba * Centennial

DB * 6-1, 190 * senior

One of the area’s best on-ball defensive backs, Saba made two interceptions among his 10 passes defended. He also was a physical presence in the running game and was a big reason why the Golden Hawks defense rarely gave up a big play.

Tyler Watters * Golden Valley

P * 6-3, 225 * junior

An impressive quarterback, Watters was even better as a punter. He dropped 16 of his 33 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and averaged 39.9 yards per punt. As a QB, Watters completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 1,574 yards, 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Second-team offense

QB: Dalton Gallis, Kern Valley (6-3, 180, sr)

QB: Jordan Love, Liberty (6-3, 170, jr)

RB: Rolando Arrona, Kennedy (6-1, 191, sr)

RB: Quincy Jountti, Liberty (5-11, 210, jr)

RB: Isaiah Sharp, Frontier (6-0, 205, sr)

WR: Zach Balfanz, Bakersfield Christian (5-8, 175, sr)

WR: Chad Gleason, Desert (5-9, 175, sr)

WR: Jachi Harrell, Golden Valley (5-9, 180, sr)

OL: Mason Grantz, Centennial (6-4, 265, sr)

OL: Lino Medrano, South (6-0, 235, sr)

OL: Blake Pierce, Frontier (6-5, 275, sr)

OL: Rocky Radcliff, Tehachapi (6-1, 210, sr)

OL: Oscar Rosette, Wasco (5-10, 300, sr)

OL: Daniel Schoene, Bakersfield (6-6, 290, soph)

Util: Andrew Hansen, Centennial (6-1, 190, sr)

Util: Ja’mar Moya, Ridgeview (5-10, 160, soph)

Util: Jordan Wiley, Independence (6-4, 190, sr)

K: Coleman Olivas, Bakersfield (5-10, 170, sr)

Second-team defense

DL: Kurtis Brown, Liberty (6-2, 250, soph)

DL: Juan Garcia, South (5-11, 170, sr)

DL: Maxx Garris, Centennial (6-2, 265, jr)

DL: Angel Garcia, Tehachapi (5-11, 245, jr)

LB: Parker Holbrook, Centennial (6-0, 170, jr)

LB: Matt Hubble, Liberty (6-0, 195, jr)

LB: Brennen Medley, Kern Valley (6-4, 185, sr)

LB: Steve Rodriguez, Chavez (6-0, 175, sr)

LB: Joe Rogers, North (5-9, 200, jr)

LB: Eddie Sanchez, Bakersfield (5-8, 170, sr)

DB: Josh Boyd, West (6-3, 175, jr)

DB: Cristion Brown, Ridgeview (5-9, 160, jr)

DB: Daylyn Jackson, Frontier (6-2, 164, jr)

DB: Chris Reyes, South (5-8, 160, sr)

DB: Jaron Stewart, Ridgeview (6-0, 155, jr)

P: Alex Galland, Liberty (6-2, 175, sr)

Honorable mention

Arvin: Derek Adams

Bakersfield: Dymon Ford, Deion Nobles, Jakell Tomlin, Robert Trujillo

Bakersfield Christian: Nathan DeJager, Stephen Figures, Tyler Lozano, Josh Mantle, Matt Smith

Boron: Laron Cherry

Burroughs: Adan Pena

California City: Daville Walker

Centennial: Matthew Clendenen, Cole Duey, Cole Hennen, Cole Nelson, Brandon Stout, Andrew Straw

Chavez: Damin Avila, John Cabico, Mike Cervantes, Eduardo Hernandez, Malcolm Jordan, Michael Nava, Alex Tapia

Delano: Cameron Dimas, Robert Rivera

Desert: Scott Bonham, Ed Escobar

East: Ben Flores

Foothill: Jaffee Ward

Frontier: Tui Atuitasi, Dominic DeMarco, Joseph Duncan, Brady Serda, Jarrod Snyder

Garces: Tanner Henderson, Cameron Roberson

Golden Valley: Juan Curiel, Omar Medellin, Nimrod Quintanilla, Dimas Reza

Highland: Carlo Balmet, Breaker Brannan, Chance Cooper, Bryan Lopez, Michael Sanchez

Independence: Ben Ochoa, Gilbert Varela, Ty Williams

Kennedy: John Estrada, Julio Galvan, Josh Lee, Eusebio Martinez, David Zepeda

Kern Valley: Zach Bushling, Braeden Grimsby, Shane Hawk, Dillon Kirby

Liberty: Sean McCullum, Jake Seaney, Colby Sheridan

Mira Monte: Carlos Picasso

North: Logan Creel, Raymond Rios, Julio Rodriguez, Nick Tuck, Steven Twiss

Ridgeview: Dayvon Johnson, Ricky Leung-Wei, Byron Mendoza, Jaleyn Prevost, Darius Smith

Shafter: Johnny Balderas

South: Isaiah Carr, Tommy Castellon, Alec Gutierrez, Aries Harris, Kahari Johnson, P.J. Jones, Devin McCord, Isaiah Mireles

Stockdale: Zach Burden, Brayden Davenport, DeAndre Henderson, Dawson Putney, Jacob Sanchez, Henry Song, Kenny Torrence, Luke Tovar

Taft: Gage Gonzales, Jamil Iakopo, Joseph Sanchez

Tehachapi: Abraham Katona, Chris Rhodes, Nick Steele, Willy Urciel, Daniel Wight

Wasco: Marcus Darden, Deonte Henderson, Caleb Morin

West: Kyzelle Franklin-Carr, Evan Quiroz, Terry Stephens

 

 

 

GEYF in the News

BY TREVOR HORN Californian staff writer thorn@bakersfield.com

Eight years ago, in the Golden Empire Youth Football league, there was a feeling that there was something special going on.

There was a handful of running backs making cuts and running over and around the rest of the competition. The future seemed bright.

Those little tikes are now closing out their high school careers this fall, and as impressive as they were as 10-year-olds, they’re even more of a sight to see now.

Those “little guys” — Sheldon Croney, Marcus Bruce, Anthony Mariscal, Isaiah Sharp and Matt Smith — now are the leaders of what is one of the best overall running back classes in Kern County history.

“It’s been a while since we have seen that many come through at one time,” East coach David Fanucchi said. “This is really a special time here for the fans.”

Yes, there have been fantastic individual seasons: Steve Wofford at Bakersfield, the county’s leader in career rushing yards with 7,100 from 1992-1994; Ryan Mathews with his incredible 3,396-yard, 34-touchdown performance as a senior at West in 2006; and most recently, Cody Shirreffs’ 2,317 yards for Taft in 2009.

But this group, diverse and deep, is special, and the players are enjoying the end of their impressive run here at home.

“Growing up, we all knew each other and have been around each other playing Golden Empire,” Bakersfield Christian senior Matt Smith said. “We knew we were going to be that group.”

Smith, an imposing presence at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, has rushed for at least 1,300 yards in each of his three seasons for the Eagles, including 1,694 yards and 24 total touchdowns as BCHS went to the CIF Division IV state championship game a year ago.

Sheldon Croney, now at Ridgeview, has the best overall season of the group after rushing for 2,377 yards and 28 scores for Garces last fall.

A transfer brought Croney back to his neighborhood school for his last prep season. Looking back at the years playing against his fellow seniors, Croney said it has been a blast to be a part of this impressive group.

“We all knew at a young age that we were all talented,” Croney said. “We knew it could pay off in the end.”

Isaiah Sharp was an all-state performer as a sophomore for Wasco in 2012. His 2,317-yard, 34-touchdown performance helped lead the Tigers to a 13-0 record. Injuries kept Sharp off the field for half of last season, but he still managed 889 yards in six games on an out-of-this-world 16.94 yard-per-carry average.

Sharp transferred to Frontier in the offseason. Titans coach Rich Cornford was at the helm at West during Mathews’ career when the San Diego Chargers running back shined, and Cornford says Sharp is “the best back I’ve coached since Ryan.”

“Sharp has a lot of the same attributes as Ryan,” Cornford said. “He doesn’t waste time. He’s a really good all-around player and a very well-rounded young man.”

Bruce’s numbers at Bakersfield aren’t as shining as the other seniors around the city, but his leadership and athleticism has made him a third-year starter for the Drillers.

Teamed up fellow senior Lameshio Hill, Bruce likes the fact that the two get to battle it out daily in practice together for the defending D-I state champions.

“Me and Lameshio, we get to go against each other every day in practice,” Bruce said. “Every play, it’s either him or me. We compete every day.”

Mariscal, the only one of the bunch so far that has verbally committed to play college football, might very well be the fastest of the bunch, too.

Headed to Arizona as defensive back, Mariscal led Liberty a year ago with 1,089 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The toughness and selfishness that Mariscal plays with was evident in the final game last season. In a playoff loss to Clovis, Mariscal couldn’t play offense after dislocating his elbow. But he still made an impact on defense, intercepting a pass, and, with his left arm dangling to his side, zooming past the Cougars for the score.

Healthy now, Mariscal sees a future for this group of backs: To finish out their stellar prep careers and shine on the big stage at Division I college programs.

“I know we were all going to play in college,” Mariscal said. “We have always had the spotlight on us. This class is becoming the name out of Bakersfield. We have some talent that no one has seen. We are all capable of great things.”

Smith and Croney have both been on the radar of many colleges, with Smith pulling in offers from Colorado State, Utah State and UC Davis while Croney has a Pac-12 offer from Oregon State to go along with seven other offers.

As all of Kern County football fields still boast the old-school grass fields that the rest of California has stopped using in the last decade, it makes sense that the offenses here are geared around a three-yard burst and a cloud of dust.

Or, thanks to the unreal talent of these backs, it’s more like a 20-yard scamper with a juke, a stiff-arm and defenses left in the rearview mirror.

“You have running backs that defenses have to try and stop before they go another 70 yards,” Bakersfield coach Paul Golla said. “Those are things you can’t coach.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEYF’s version of Shrine Potato Bowl has been a winner for all involved

BY ESTEBAN RAMIREZ Special to The Californian

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to play at the collegiate level, it all starts here…

Kamari Cotton, Keoni Taylor, Cole Mazza, Corbin Jounti, DJ Martin all played for GEYF and are now going on to the collegiate level. See story below…

  

National Signing Day is Wednesday

BY ZACH EWING Californian staff writer zewing@bakersfield.com

 

 

By Shelby Mack / The Californian

Ridgeview quarterback Kamari Cotton-moya runs with the ball during the game at Liberty 

For many fans of high school football and college football, following recruiting has become a way of life, and the first Wednesday in February has become Christmas morning.

That’s tomorrow: National Signing Day, the first day of the period in which high school football players can sign binding national letters of intent to attend a specific college. For many of the top recruits around the country, it’s a day of drama, with different hats on tables and hidden T-shirts and even pets and tattoos.

Garces offensive lineman Keoni Taylor (75) is expected to sign Wednesday with San Jose State as part of National Signing Day. In all, six Kern County football players are expected to sign with Division I schools Wednesday.

Here in Kern County, though, National Signing Day has been less theatrical and more ceremonial. Even when a recruit changes his mind – like Ridgeview DB Shannon Edwards did last year, moving from UCLA to Fresno State – news is out before signing day. The most heralded recruit to come out of Bakersfield in the past decade was QB Cody Kessler, and he had to come back from USC to join his Centennial teammates at a “signing” party.

That doesn’t mean tomorrow is insignificant, of course; it’s just that we know what to expect. Four schools are holding signing ceremonies tomorrow, and all of them include at least one Division I football player. In addition, talented Stockdale running back D.J. Martin is expected to sign with Eastern Washington tomorrow, though Stockdale typically honors all of its Division I athletes at the end of the school year in one event.

Here are the Division I football signees expected to sign tomorrow:

Ridgeview DB Kamari Cotton-Moya, Iowa State
Centennial WR Andrew Daughtery, Air Force
Liberty RB Corbin Jountti, Northern Arizona
Stockdale RB D.J. Martin, Eastern Washington
Liberty OL/LS Cole Mazza, Alabama
Garces OL Keoni Taylor, San Jose State

In addition, several former Kern County prep athletes signed with teams out of junior colleges: QB Brian Burrell (Fresno State), TE Mike Dunn (Fresno State) and DB Mercy Maston (Boise State) out of Bakersfield College; and QB Tyler Ferguson (Penn State) out of College of the Sequoias.

 

 

 

 

Jacob Stephen Varner of the United States celebrates during the victory ceremony after winning the gold medal in 96-kg freestyle wrestling at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

 

 

On Top of the World: Varner captures Olympic gold

BY ED KLAJMAN Special to The Californian

LONDON — Bakersfield’s Jake Varner is an Olympic wrestling champion..

Drillers’ Nacita wins Mayor’s Trophy

BY ZACH EWING Californian staff writer zewing@bakersfield.com

Michael Lopez / Special to The Californian

Bakersfield High quarterback Chris Hannible is The Bakersfield Californian Football Player of the Year.

Pressure, Chris Hannible has discovered, is nothing when mixed with talent and a lot of preperation..

Sure, Hannible had the unenviable task of replacing three-year starter Brian Burrell as Bakersfield High’s quarterback. But it didn’t take him long to realize he could make it work.

“Yeah, there was a little pressure, coming in with a team so young, first year starting at quarterback,” Hannible said. “But it’s been a dream of mine to live up to those big standards, and I was very excited to take charge.”

Did he ever. In Bakersfield’s triple-option offense, Hannible threw for 1,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, and he ran for 1,239 yards and 22 touchdowns. Most important, he led the Drillers to a 13-0 season — the legendary program’s first unbeaten run since 2001 — and their record 35th Central Section championship.

For that, Hannible is The Californian’s All-Area Football Player of the Year.

“He did an unbelievable job of managing the game when it needed to be managed,” Bakersfield coach Paul Golla said. “For a first-year starter, that’s pretty special.”

Of course, Golla had more than an inkling his offense would be OK with Hannible taking over. Rewind back to the 2010 section playoffs, when Hannible would stay after practice and zip around passes for the scout team, doing a passable impersonation of Centennial’s All-American quarterback, Cody Kessler.

“He’s explosive, he’s strong, he works hard in the weightroom,” Golla said. “He’s really developed himself in those areas. But he’s always been a team guy. You tell him to play whatever position, and he’ll do it. He just wants to compete. Even as a scout-team quarterback, he’s yelling at our guys. He’s special in that way.”

And the Drillers needed that quality during several sticky spots during their unbeaten run. First, at Frontier, the host Titans erased a big deficit to tie the game 35-35 late. Bakersfield’s Kevin Elijah — The Californian’s Defensive Player of the Year — made an interception with less than two minutes left, and Hannible did the rest, running the ball in for the winning touchdown.

More notably, with Bakersfield facing a 42-21 deficit and the premature end of its season in the section quarterfinals against Centennial, Hannible went to work.

He was 6-of-7 for 154 yards and two passing TDs and ran the ball six times for 42 yards and a touchown in Bakersfield’s frantic comeback, including two perfectly placed deep balls to Kevin Hayes for the tying and winning touchdowns in a 49-42 victory.

“We just said, ‘Heck yeah,’ which to us means not to get down, just go forward, stay calm and do your technique,” Hannible said. “That was a huge down, but we had to keep our heads up.”

Hannible was more of a game manager in a semifinal victory against Clovis — the Cougars took away his lane to run in the option, so he handed off to fullback Silas Nacita 16 times for 153 yards — but he was back to his explosive self against Bullard, throwing for 154 yards and running for 98.

“It was crazy how it’s all worked out,” said Hannible, who started on defense as a sophomore and junior. “My sophomore year we lost in the semifinals. Last year, we lost in Valley, and my senior year we made it back and won it. All in order.”

Hannible, who has moved around Bakersfield with relatives because of an unstable family situation, is waiting on first-semester grades to come in before he’s certain he’ll qualify academically to play in Division I college ball.

“Football has been everything to me,” Hannible said. “I’ve played since I was 8 years old, and it helps me a lot.

If Hannible does continue his career at a four-year school, there is plenty of interest from Fresno State (as a safety) and Nevada (possibly as a quarterback). If that route doesn’t work, he’ll likely play at a junior college near you.

“It really doesn’t matter; I’ll play anywhere,” Hannible said.

Wherever he lands, be assured that Hannible plans on making an impact.

“He wants to compete, and when he understands what he’s supposed to do, he’s going to get it done,” Golla said. “He’s a lot like (Fresno State standout safety and former Driller) Phillip Thomas. He’s extremely intelligent and he understands the game.

“He’s a gift.”

 

 

 

 

Featured Team of the Week: Golden Empire Youth Football & Cheer

With Golden Empire Youth Football & Cheer, Athletes Excel On and Off the Field.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (CSD) – Golden Empire Youth Football and Cheer is a home-grown organization. And has it ever grown!

The program was launched in 1998 by current Executive Director Ron White and 14 other board members, and it now includes 2,300 football players and cheerleaders, plus 400 coaches and countless volunteers.

“We’re one of the largest high school feeder programs in the state,” said White, a former East Bakersfield High School player who went on to play at Porterville Junior College. “High school coaches see us as a huge benefit for them because we develop these young men and women, and use the high school’s philosophies, fundamentals and techniques.

“When a 7-year-old starts in our program, by the time he gets to the high school level, he already has seven years of experience in the same system that his high school football program uses. Golden Empire uses the same play-calling systems as many of the local high schools, but modified to meet the age and ability of youth football players.”

Golden Empire Youth Football games are played on local regulation high school and collegiate fields. Currently, the organization has 15 geographic programs inclusive of four divisions: freshman level (ages 7-9), sophomore (10-12), junior varsity (11-13) and varsity (12-14), with rosters of approximately 30 players each.

Each team plays a minimum of seven regular-season games, followed by playoffs that are similar to the structure used by the NFL.

“We’ve had some great young athletes advance through our program, and some have gone on to play at colleges including USC, UCLA, Nebraska, Colorado State and Fresno State,” White said. “And last month, Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, who played in our organization, was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 12th overall pick.”

In recent years, Golden Empire Youth Football and Cheer has been represented by 10 teams that have earned championships, including three last year, at the National Youth Football Championships in Las Vegas.

White said that Golden Empire Youth Football and Cheer would not exist were it not for the tireless work done by volunteers.

“The strength of our organization is volunteer coaches,” White said. “We also have 22 men and women on our board who are professionals in the community, and they give much of their time to make this work, including some as coaches. We coach a lot of at-risk kids and give them the type of structure they need in their lives. And for families that are struggling financially, we offer the Community Athletic Scholarship Program.

“First and foremost with our group is sportsmanship. What we teach goes way beyond the X’s and O’s of football. We train these young people in how to conduct themselves, how to display sportsmanship and how to provide community service.”

Tryouts are held in early March and full-contact practices begin in July. The season runs from early September through mid-November.

Those interested in learning more about Golden Empire Youth Football & Cheer may visit www.geyf.org or call 661-837-GEYF.

FORMER GOLDEN EMPIRE PLAYER

POISED TO TAKE OVER FOR L.T.

Former GEYF Tomahawk player and West High Grad Ryan Mathews was recently selected by the San Diego Chargers in the First Round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Ryan is poised to take over for future NFL Hall of Fame Running Back& Ladanian Tomlinson. Ryan is a perfect example of what hard work and dedication can bring to those who dream of one day playing football at its highest level.

We are all very proud of Ryan as well as the GEYF Tomahawk coaching staff that helped develop such a fine young man.

“IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE”

“2009 GEYF Freedom Players will compete

on a “National Stage”

Colton Foster, Anthony Mariscal, and Justin Nieto have been selected to represent Golden Empire’s Far west Freedom Football Program in  the 2009 FBU U.S. ARMY YOUTH ALL AMERICAN BOWL. The game will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas on Sunday January 10, 2010.

Colton, Anthony, and Justin were selected as three of the top youth football players in the nation.It is quite an honor to have these three fine young men represent not only Golden Empire Youth Tackle Football, but our Bakersfield Community as a whole.

The following Photos of the U.S. ARMY ALL AMERICAN SELECTIONS, GEYF Board Members, and Coaches.were taken during the U.S. ARMY BOWL SELECTION PRESENTATION Press Conference held at Kern Security on Tuesday 12,15,2009.

( Photos taken by Action Digital Photography )

Congratulations to all who made this possible, and a special thanks to our Community for the continuing support of Golden Empire Youth Tackle Football and Cheer…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Golden Empire Southeast Varsity Wolverine, Steven Roberson, represents the United States in the Global Callenge Bowl held in Kawasaki, Japan

Every once in awhile a player comes along that is destined for greatness, both as an athlete and a human being.  That individual is Steven Roberson.  I had the distinct pleasure of coaching Steven as a member of the 2005 Golden Empire Varsity Wolverine Conference Championship Team.  To be honest I’m sure I actually learned more from Steven than I was ever able to teach him.  As an extremely humble, unassuming and hard working player, I could think of no one better to not only represent Golden Empire, but the United States in this international competition.

Sincerely,

Ron L White

Former Southeast Varsity Wolverine Head Coach

1999 to 2006

Former Golden Empire Southeast Varsity Wolverines Players

(Christian Taylor and Jake Peterson)

Help bring home a Valley Title

Jake Peterson and Christian Taylor are outstanding young men both on and off the football field. It was really a blessing to have the opportunity to coach and help mold these young athletes. Both Jake and Christian led the 2004 Varsity Wolverines to the Conference Championship Game and went on to help bring Bakersfield Christian High a Valley Championship. Jake and Christian proudly represents not only Golden Empire and Bakersfield Christian, but the whole Kern County Community. We look forward to big things from both these young men in the near future.

Ron L. White

Southeast Varsity Wolverine Head Coach

1998 to 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Forrest – Ex-Fighting Irish Player

Oak Grove football standouts Mark Forrest and Aaron Huck made oral commitments to attend Nevada on Wednesday night.

The pair have been friends since before grade school – their fathers Mark Forrest and Rick Huck, an Oak Grove assistant coach, played football together at San Jose State.

“At the beginning of the season we talked and said ‘Whoever is recruiting us – we have to tell them it’s a package deal,'” said Forrest, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound linebacker, who is expected to move to defensive line in college.

Right tackle Huck took his recruiting trip to the Reno campus last weekend with his father.

“I just thought it was a good fit. Nevada has a great young quarterback with freshman Colin Kaepernick. And the linemen are older, so I should get a chance to play soon,” said the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Huck, who paved the way for a pair of 2,000-yard rushing seasons by Eagles running back Nevin Gardiner. “The team has been to Bowl games for three years in a row, it’s a program on the rise.”

Forrest, who is also a standout basketball player, underwent two knee surgeries during his sophomore year and decided football was his best bet in college. He also received scholarship offers from Fresno State and Wyoming.

“My knees just couldn’t handle all the jumping in basketball, so football was actually easier on them,” said Forrest, who had 13 sacks and 65 tackles this year.

Huck and Forrest were both key in the Eagles’ run to the Open Division title this year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Shafter Honors the Gladiators with
a display in the Town Plaza

 

 

Ten years in, Golden Empire Youth Football one of state’s largest leagues

 The Bakersfield Californian | Monday, Jun 23 2008 9:43 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Jun 25 2008 9:27 AM

The Golden Empire Youth Football League, which has grown to 1,700 players on 56 teams with 350 coaches and 500 cheer participants — one of the largest independent youth football and cheer organizations in the state and will be celebrating its 10th season this year.

Although tryouts were in March, many teams are still accepting players. The season will get jump-started in August with the “Kickoff Classic,” festive, carnival-like day at Garces High that will include team scrimmages.

The following is an informational background of Golden Empire Youth Football League, which was founded in 1998.

Age groups/divisions

Freshmen Division — Ages 7-9

Sophomore Division — Ages 10-11

Junior Varsity Division — Ages 12-13

Varsity Division — Ages 13-14

Membership areas — Arvin, Bakersfield, Shafter, Tehachapi, Wasco

Timeline

Team tryouts – March

(Some teams are still accepting players)

Instructional football camp — June

Kick Off Classic (all-day carnival-type event, with scrimmages) — August

Regular season — September-November

Postseason — November

Financial aid — GEYF offers the Community Athletic Scholarship Program. Participants who need assistance to participate in the league may apply for help with registration costs. Golden Empire never turns a player away in need of financial assistance.

* GEYF mission: To provide a competitive youth tackle football and non-competitive youth cheer program for local elementary and junior high school students. The primary goal of this organization is to provide a training ground for the basic fundamentals of youth football and cheer, to develop sound mind, body, and character and first and foremost to have fun.

* Executive director Ron White says: “One of the reasons we opened this league … is that we saw a need for a more competitve football organization. There was really no venue or forum for a competitive league with multiple levels.”

* Structure — GEYF is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of 22 local men and women.

Awards — GEYF just received a 10 year Commitment To Youth Award from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

Gladiator Honored by Shafter Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of the Shafter Press/ Reed Print Inc.

 

 

 

Shafter Youth Football program was the recipient of the Youth Development Award at the 60^th Annual Shafter Chamber of  Commerce Awards dinner.

This award was given in part for the positive impact that this program has had in the community.  Operating on program fees and donations, over 115 young people are given the opportunity to play football yearly.  The countless hours of volunteer time put in by the Board and Coaches was recognized also.