Matt Martz
Special to the Sun

Brandon Vittoria ran for three touchdowns as the Kern Valley jayvee Broncs won their 2010 home opener 34-18 against McFarland on Friday.

The Broncs (1-0) rushed for a total of 339 yards, and 23 first downs in a repeat of last year’s meeting between the two schools that saw Kern Valley walk away with a 32-12 triumph.

Kern Valley’s Matt Reilly, No. 44, runs past a McFarland player in Friday’s home opener won 34-18 by the Broncs.

The Broncs opened the scoring on the first play of the game when Reilly broke out of the Back field and ripped off a 66-yard touchdown run putting Kern Valley into the lead 6-0.

McFarland answered by returning the ensuing kick off back for a touchdown, before Reilly lifted Kern Valley back into the lead with his second touchdown of the game, capping off a 13-play drive with a sweeping 28-yard run and successful 2-point conversion.

After a 37-yard kick return, the Cougars began their next possession from their own 46-yard line and once again would catch Kern Valley’s defense napping when on the very first play from scrimmage scored on a 54-yard touchdown reception bringing McFarland to within two.

Neither side scored in the second quarter as the Broncs headed into halftime with a slim 14-12 lead.

The Broncs would extend their lead by seven when Vittoria opened the second half scoring on a thundering 56-yard punt return touchdown, his first of the contest. But a determined McFarland wouldn’t go away quietly narrowing the deficit to three points, before Vittoria stuck again capping off a 12-play drive by smashing into the end zone from four yards out, giving the Broncs a 27-18 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Kern Valley defense held strong forcing the Cougars to a 3-and-out to begin the fourth when Alex Hurley blocked a punt that was recovered by the Broncs on the McFarland one yard line.

Vittoria took command and rammed his way in for the score, giving Kern Valley a comfortable 34-18 lead to end the contest.

“This was a big win for our team,” said head coach Jimmy Thompson, “Our O-line’s ability to block the traps made our offense go, and our backs finished it off by running hard.”

Just as instrumental in the win was the Broncs defense who held the Cougars to just 115 yards and was led by Hurley who finished with one blocked punt and a sack.