Game Recap: Bakersfield Panthers at Valley Trojans

Saturday, July 12th, 2008, Eagle Rock, CA - The anticipation of the 2008 season has been great. The Valley Trojans have used the spring to get ready it; including playing two well put together team in the pre-season. With a 1-1 record to show for those games, the Trojans have worked on the holes that were exposed, and built upon the successes. And it was now time to take the field in season play, against a division opponent, the Bakersfield Panthers. Usually, you do not have playoff implications in week one, but since each division winner gets and automatic bid to the playoffs, that is precisely what was in store.



The weather was near perfect. The Trojans were unveiling their new home at Ribet Academy, and wanted to open up with a bang! For the fans that traveled to San Diego and Las Vegas, to watch the pre-season games, were in for a pleasant surprise as the Trojans took to the field to warm up. Due to long travel in the pre-season games, the Trojans only suited about 25 players in each game. But, on this day, the team was out in full force with close to fifty players. The home crowd was piled in as well, as the bleachers would eventually fill up as the game kicked off. The Panthers on the other hand were experiencing the same traveling issues the Trojans were faced with before, as they only had about twenty-five players suited for action. But we all know that the number of players does not mean you will win or lose the game! And the Panthers were out to prove that point!



The Trojans would receive the ball to open the game. And in their first offensive series were forced to go three and out, as they failed to complete a third and short play. But, the Trojans defense is force in and of itself, so little was to be worried about at this point. The defense would hold, and force a fourth down that the Panthers would attempt to convert; the attempt was unsuccessful, and the Trojans offense would take over with great field position getting the ball on the Panthers 30 yard line. Two plays later, Mike Carlstrom (QB #17) would hit a wide open Fred Alexander (WR #8) on a post route for the touchdown. Chris Guardado (K #14) would make the extra point making the score 7-0.



The following drive, the Panthers would be forced into a fourth and long situation again, but would opt to punt the ball this time. The snap went off the punters hands, and rolled around as he tried to get on it, but as the defense got to him, they knock it loose again, and Marcus Kelly (SS #5) would scoop it up and take it a few yards to the end zone for another TD. With the XP made, the score was 14-0.

The defense of the Trojans would yet again get the ball back to the offense on the next drive; and again, with great field position. This time, Carlstrom would hit Anthony Celestine (WR #4) on a quick slant. Celestine would do the rest as he spun out of two tackles and sprinted 19 yards to the end zone. The score would go up to 21-0 with the XP. Now with 7:30 left in the first quarter, the Panthers were backed into a hole. But, their luck would change slightly as the Trojans offense would go cold for the entire second quarter. In four straight series, the Trojans offense would fumble the ball away to the Panthers. And, on the fourth, it was in the end zone. The Panthers would recover it and get on the board. The XP was no good, putting the score at 21-6.



During the four turnovers, the Panthers would have the ball in great field position, once at the ten yard line. They drove it down to the two on the first play. Then a defensive penalty made it the one yard line. With their backs against the wall, the Trojans defense did what they do so well... buckle down and makes plays! And with the Panthers QB #25, this was not the easiest of tasks. When facing a QB that can run the ball as well as him, you need discipline! And with the ball at the one, it seemed inevitable that we would find a way into the end zone. It was second and goal from the one, the ball was handed off to the RB, but he was met by a host of Trojans in the back field and dropped for a lost. On third and three, the Panthers were called for holding, so they were pushed ten yards back. Now, on third and goal from the thirteen, the Nathan Bosinger would get into the back field and sack the QB for an 8 yard loss, making it fourth and twenty-one. The Panthers decided to go for it. The QB dropped back, was flushed to the left, and then decided his best option was to run it. He had some day light, but was met at the ten yard line by a host of defenders. The defense was pushed to the limits, and came out victorious!



In the second half, the Trojans would add more points when Carlstrom hit Brandon Wright (TE #18) in the end zone. Carlstrom was flushed from the pocket, and running to his right when he located Wright who broke off his route to come back inside and find a whole in the defense for the thirteen yard TD. The XP was no good, and the score was now 27-6.



Cesar Parra (QB #12) would come into the game and on his first pass attempt; he hit Celestine on a streak route for thirty-seven yards. Celestine made another one of his patented high flying, acrobatic catches, as he leaped over the defender and caught the ball before the he had a chance to intercept it. Celestine would land at the five yard line, and the Trojans offense was poised to score again. On first down, the RB was stuffed and could only gain a yard. On second down, Parra would throw for Powell in the end zone, but a Panthers defender would jump the pass and intercept it. With no one in front of him, it was a foot race. Powell almost tracked him down, but could not and he would score. The two point conversion was no good, and the score was now 27-12.



Parra would make up for the pick however. He hit Marquis Powell (WR #6) on an out route. Powell broke a tackle, and then out ran the rest of the defense to thirty-seven yards to the end zone. The XP was good, and the score was now 34-12.



The Panthers would add one more score late in the game to make if 34-18, as the two point conversion attempt was no good again.



It was a hard fought game, and mistakes on both sides lead to points for the other. But, in the end, the Trojans would take the win! Now, with a 1-0 record, they prepare for the next week. And, if you have been following the team for the previous two seasons, then you will understand the importance of the upcoming match up with the California Longhorns. Not only a fellow "Valley" team, they are one of the three teams in the "Battle for the Valley" with the Trojans, and they are also another division opponent! Stay tuned for the game preview on this one!



Notable Stats:



Offensive:

Mike Carlstrom (QB #17) - 7-12, 97 yards, 3TD's

Anthony Celestine (WR #4) - 3 Rec, 79 yards, 1 TD

Marquis Powell (WR #6) - 2 Rec, 41 yards, 1 TD

Fred Alexander (WR #8) - 2 Rec, 38 yards, 1 TD

Brandon Wright (TE #18) - 2 Rec, 22 yards, 1 TD



Defensive:

Nathan Bosinger (LB #44) - 6 Tackles, 3 Sacks

Julian Mims (LB/DL #57) - 3 Sacks

Marcus Kelly (SS #5) - 3 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Fum Rec, 1 TD