Ray Conner
Sports Editor

In an emotion packed contest the Broncs can’t hold on.

Kern Valley built up a 35-22 lead only to see the Bobcats roar back and grab the win with two late touchdowns.

Under the watchful eye of the referee the Broncs Tyler Gibson picks up extra yardage despite the Boron would be tackler in Friday’s home game. On this night the Bobcats would come from behind to beat Kern Valley 36-35.

The game for Boron was played with a heavy heart as they had lost a teammate earlier in the week.

In honor of Boron’s Vinnie Rodriguez who tragically passed away Kern Valley wrote a large No. 2, Rodriguez’s jersey number, next to a large V on the 50-yard line on both sides of the field.

The game was first class all the way as the two teams played hard and wanted the win.

Boron jumped out in front on a 45 yard touchdown run to go up 6-0 early in the first. The Broncs answered right back as Mark Eisenhauer zigged and zagged his way 75 yards for the score on the ensuing kick off.

Logan Campbell kicked the PAT and the Broncs led 7-6 still in the first.

The Bobcats counter-punched and used just four plays to cross the goal line. With the two-point PAT the Bobcats took a 14-7 lead.

The Broncs continued to answer as they went 66 yards in 11 plays as Kyler Emery busted in from 12 yards out. Campbell was successful on the extra-point and the game was tied at 14-14.

To begin the second quarter, Kern Valley had gained possession and were driving down the field. Eisenhauer capped off the long drive with a seven yard scamper into the end zone. The PAT was good and the Broncs held a 21-14 margin heading into half time.

Neither team scored in the third quarter and then things got interesting in the final quarter of play.

Boron scored real early in the fourth to make it a tie game at 21-21.

The Broncs scored consecutive touchdowns, Tyler Gibson from one yard and from three yards out gave the Broncs a 35-22 cushion.

Boron used 10 plays to find the end zone to close the gap to 35-29.

After a Kern Valley fumble, the Bobcats were in business and wasted little time as they scored from one yard out with under a minute to play. The PAT was good and the Bobcats led 36-35.

Kern Valley had one more chance to give them the dramatic win, but it was not to be as they would line up for a last-second 38-yard field goal attempt. The kick was no good.

Boron had a total of 391 yards of offense as they rushed for 292 and threw for 99 yards. The Broncs gained 283 yards of offense with 233 on the ground and 50 through the air.

Eisenhauer was the leading rusher for Kern Valley with 90 yards on nine carries. Emery gained 77 yards on eight rushes, while Gibson gained 65 yards on 12 rushes. Ethan Kennedy picked up two yards on one carry, while Kevin Rendon had a minus one yard with one rush.

Emery was 5-of-8 passing for the 50 yards. Warren Pappas hauled in three catches for 35 yards. Kyler Robinson had one reception for 10 yards and David Heitman had one catch for five yards.

Defensively, Kern Valley was led by Heitman with 15 tackles, including four unassisted. Kennedy collected 12 tackles with four unassisted, while Rendon also had 12 with five unassisted. Pappas had 11 tackles, three unassisted, while Mark Driskell finished with nine tackles, four unassisted. Bo Hurley had six tackles, Eisenhauer and Gibson each had four tackles.

Head coach Ben Goffinet said, “This was the most heartbreaking loss. Our mistakes were the reason we lost. We are two special teams plays from being 3-0. This was the best offensive game since I have been the head coach.” Commenting on the emotion, Goffinet said, “It’s difficult. You want to win, but you are rooting for them.”

Kern Valley travels to Mammoth on Friday.