Sports Editor
For the third time this season, Kern Valley (7-1, 3-0 HDL) had to overcome a deficit and forced overtime.
The game against Bishop in Bishop proved this is becoming the norm instead of the exception.
 Kern Valley’s, Mark Eisenhauer takes the hand off from Kyler Emery as he watches the lineman throw initial blocks to open the hole in a recent home game. In an amazing comeback, The Broncs (7-1, 3-0 HDL) battled back from an 11-point deficit to win in overtime in Bishop on Friday. |
Kern Valley returned the ensuing kick off to their own 42 yards line. Kyler Emery hooked up with Jordan Lawson for 44 yards to put the ball at the 18 yard line of Bishop. Two incomplete passes later and the Broncs were facing a fourth down.
They too went for the field goal. Lawson booted the 35 yarder through the posts to close the gap to 35-27.
An on-side kick recovery gave the Broncs a shot. The ball rested at the 43-yard line of Bishop.
They used all of one play to find the end zone. Warren Pappas grabbed an Emery pass and blasted his way across the goal line to make the score 35-33.
Needing the two-point conversion to force the tie, Pappas was up to the task as he punched it into the end zone for the tie ball game.
Headed to overtime, Bishop had the ball first. They used their three plays and were stopped on a fourth down attempt.
The Broncs taking their turn in the OT drove the ball down to the nine yard line. They set up for a field goal try to win it, but Bishop jumped off sides. With the ball at the four, Pappas completed the cardiac comeback as he plunged over the goal line to give the Broncs the victory.
The Broncos of Bishop led at the half 19-3 as the offense for Kern Valley struggled to find its rhythm. They would find it in the second half as they scored 32 points.
The Broncs offense racked up a total of 424 yards in the contest.
Pappas would rush for 199 yards on 21 carries to lead the Broncs ground game. Scoring two touchdowns including the game-winner.
Mark Eisenhauer rushed for 54 yards on 18 carries, while Lawson had 51 yards on four rushes and a score.
Dakota Claude’ picked up 29 yards on eight carries.
Emery was credited with a minus one yard in rushing and one touchdown
Emery went 4-of-13 in the passing game for 93 yards. Pappas caught two for 45, including the cardiac comeback touchdown.
Lawson had one catch for 44 yards and Claude’ had one grab for four yards.
The Kern Valley defense, allowed the Broncos 314 total yards. They rushed for 141 and threw for 164 yards.
Defensively for the Broncs Lawson, Dylan Maxwell and Kevin Mixon shared the team lead in tackles with seven.
Pappas collected six tackles, while Ronnie Grannan had five tackles. Aaron LaFarga and Emery each had four tackles, while Josh Stuart, Travis Gibson, and Colton Hurley each had three tackles for the Broncs.
Goffinet commenting on his team said, “This was such an important victory for the program. To beat Bishop in Bishop during Homecoming will be something the kids will never forget. I feel truly blessed to have such an amazing coaching staff and team. Coach Deckard, Kaufman and Mixon did a great job preparing the players and the players played with more heart than any group I’ve had. We also owe the fans thanks for sticking around when we were losing and supporting the team to the end.”
With their third win in the high Desert League, the Broncs will play Rosamond at home on Senior Night, while Frazier Mountain also 3-0 in the HDL will take on Bishop.
The following week, the Broncs travel to Frazier Mountain.
The following scenarios could play out. If Bishop and Kern Valley win this week, the Broncs are assured of at least a tie for the title.
If Frazier Mountain and Kern Valley both win it sets up two 4-0 teams heading to the league championship game to be decided.
If Bishop knocks off Frazier Mountain and the Falcons somehow trip up Kern Valley, then it would be tri-champs in the HDL with coin flips deciding CIF playoff positions.
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