Central Section championships: Sophomore leads Central Valley Christian to title
After Bakersfield Christian High took a 25-24 lead Friday over Central Valley Christian with 53 seconds remaining, Cavaliers coach Mason Hughes turned to his sophomore kicker Trent Koetsier.
“I said, ‘You’re going to win the game for us, buddy,’” Hughes said. “ ‘Go have fun and we believe in you no matter what happens.’ ”
CVC moved the ball down to the Eagles’ 9-yard line and Hughes called a timeout with one second remaining.
Koetsier came onto the field and made a 27-yard field goal, giving the Cavaliers a 27-25 victory in the Central Section Division III football championship game in Visalia.
It is CVC’s sixth section title and the first since 2018, according to section historian Bob Barnett.
“It was unreal,” Hughes said. “I coached a long time and I never had a game-winning field goal that I can remember. Pretty unbelievable. Craziest game I’ve ever been in.”
Earlier in the game, play was stopped after a Bakersfield Christian player lost a tip of his finger after getting it caught in a face mask or sliced by a cleat.
Crews were searching for the tip of the finger and were unable to find it.
A second ambulance was brought in, Hughes said.
“It was gnarly,” Hughes said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Hughes said he believes the player will be fine.
“Our athletic director said he was totally in normal spirits,” Hughes said. “Just credit to the EMTs, trainers. Think we forget how important those people are and why it’s important for every high school athletic department to make sure they have a certified trainer on campus.”
D-IV: No. 6 Independence 28, No. 13 Mendota 21
In a close game, the Aztecs fell short of their first section title since 2016.
It was Independence’s first section title.
Devon Murphy scored two touchdown for the Aztecs on pass plays of 13 and 63 yards from Juan Ceja and Jacob Silva scored on a 1-yard run. The game was tied 21-21 at halftime.
Mendota had two fourth-quarter drives stopped by turnovers.
D-V: No. 3 Righetti 34, No. 8 Liberty-Madera Ranchos 7
The Hawks’ hope for a first section title since 2014 fell short as the Warriors mostly kept 1,200-yard rusher Dominic Castaneda in check.
Mitchell Whaley scored for Liberty in the fourth quarter.
Righetti won its first section title since joining in 2018.
D-VI: No. 2 Morro Bay 35, No. 1 Taft 33
The Pirates stopped a two-point try after the Wildcats scored a touchdown as time expired, ending Taft’s 27-point comeback.
