Peter Mitchell, wearing a size small jersey for the Drillers, but the Superman cape and the Superman heart he showed were size extra large, especially in the 4th quarter of the huge win before the hometown crowd. Mitchell passed (17 for 26, 185 yds 0 int), directed the offense, and kicked four field goals, the last one of 44 yards was the game winner. The Eagles came back and almost tied the game, but all-star Nick Rolf’s 42 yard attempt went wide to the left and the game was Bakersfield’s. The team had overcome a season of adversity and came up a whisker short of another Valley title and they finished the season with a whole lot to be proud of. Players and coaches.

Division II - El Diamante 63, Tulare 14

I don’t know. You tell me. When was the last time a team won a Valley Championship, coming into the title game as the #1 seed, playing against the #2 seed (that came into the game UNDEFEATED), and won by such a lopsided score as this. Amazing, really. Mr. Rhodes certainly proved he was the Duke of Earl, with his 250 yards rushing and his five touchdowns, but hey, there is a great supporting cast to boot on the Miner team. This team was strong in most every category, all year. Props to coach Mark Rogers, Rhodes and QB Tanner Sneed leading the offense, and Nate Ware and Daniel Ibarra leading the defense.

Division III - Tehachapi 33, Foothill 24

They grow em pretty tough up thar in them hills in Tehachapi, and the first seeded Warriors got the job done over the second seeded Trojans of Foothill. The Trojans might have left a little on the field in their previous week victory over Washington and Ebahn Feathers. Kelley Lorenz led the way for the Warriors again.

Division IV - Taft 28, Corcoran 14

1930 was a long time ago. Heck, that’s way before Fred Clark was even born! Babe Ruth was still with the Yankees, and on the 17th of November of that year, Bob Mathias was born in Tulare. It was also the last time Taft won a football championship. Kyle Taylor, with a great run, dragging several Corcoran players with him, just would not be stopped until he was in the end zone, to break a tie game and put the Wildcats in the lead. Coach Steve Sprague, a winner wherever he has gone in his career, was happy and proud of his team. “It was our turn”, the coach told a reporter. I guess.

Division V - Bakersfield Christian 35, Fowler 34

What a game! In overtime, after BC had scored and added the extra point, the Redcats scored and decided to go for the two. Had to admire them for that, but the Kenny Corona's pass to the glory was swatted down by Kody Carr of Eagles and the truly great season of Fowler went immediately quiet in Fowler Stadium. There went the Valley championship and the undefeated season for the Redcats. Leading 28-6 at the half, the Redcats had a dreadful second half, as the Eagles came back strong behind the running of Christian Taylor who rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns. Surely a rough way to end the season of a terrific team, the Fowler Redcats.