Photos by Henry Barrios
BY ADAM WAYBRIGHT
Richie Bolin stepped into the head coaching role earlier this week for the North Stars and came into Friday night with hopes of getting a homecoming win in his debut with his alma mater.
North grabbed Bolin’s first career head coaching win as well as their first win in Southeast Yosemite League play in a 35-34 overtime thriller against East Bakersfield High School.
The Stars shined right out of the gate with a dominant first-quarter performance.
EBHS received the ball to start the game but quickly had it taken away after a fumble on the opening kickoff left North with the ball on the Blades’ 38-yard line.
On North’s first play from scrimmage, Brian Dean received the toss and threw it 38 yards down the field to connect with Waltravon Lenoir to put the Stars up 7-0 just 20 seconds into the game.
However, Lenoir wasn’t done there.
After an EBHS four and out, Lenoir received a punt from the North 28 yard line and returned it 72 yards for the score.
The Blades looked to respond two drives later when they found themselves in the red zone but North had other plans.
On 3rd and 15, the Blades had a pass picked off by Junior Alex Ruvalcaba who would return it 97 yards for another North score to make it 21-0 with 1:20 left to play in the 1st quarter.
“I made my reads correctly and the ball was there,” Ruvalcaba said. “I just ran my butt off.”
EBHS would finally answer with a William Ball 13-yard touchdown to Keyshawn Nelson midway through the 2nd quarter to get on the board, 21-7.
The next NHS drive would feature Alex Ruvalcaba taking a handoff from the backfield to go 63 yards for the score.
Despite being down 28-7 with 1:51 left in the half, EBHS refused to let off the gas.
East would put six more on the board after an incredible catch by Jobi Denni in the end zone made it 28-13 giving the Blades some momentum going into halftime.
The momentum shift was in full effect when EBHS’s Nate Martinez crossed the goal line for a 10-yard score that was followed up a couple of drives later by a perfect William Ball pass that landed Michael Rodriguez in the end zone to tie the game at 28-28.
Both teams failed to put points on the board in the final 8 minutes of regulation which resulted in overtime.
North received the ball to start overtime and capped their opening drive off with a 3-yard touchdown run from Alex Ruvalcaba to add to his spectacular night.
With North leading 35-28, the Blades’ Nate Martinez took the first play of the drive 25 yards to the house to make it 35-34.
East elected to go for 2 and the win but came up short after a sack by North’s Javier Ocampo ended the game and handed North their first win in SEYL play.
“It’s emotional, it’s exciting, but I’d say the biggest thing is just pride,” Coach Richie Bolin said. “I’m so proud of everyone involved in this situation.”
Alex Ruvalcaba, who finished with 2 rushing touchdowns and a 97-yard pick-six, spoke on the homecoming win.
“I think we came through a lot of adversity tonight. Our loss to Foothill had a lot of us back but we’ve got to move forward with our new coach (Bolin).”
The North Stars move to 5-3 on the season (1-2 in SEYL) and will visit Mira Monte next week.
East Bakersfield will look to bounce back from their first loss in SEYL play when they face Foothill next Friday.
Scoring Summary:
NHS 21 7 0 0 7 - 35
EBHS 0 13 7 8 6 - 34
1st Quarter:
NHS - Brian Dean to Waltravon Lenoir for 38-yard touchdown (PAT good)
NHS - Waltravon Lenoir 72-yard punt return for touchdown (PAT good)
NHS - Alex Ruvalcaba 97-yard interception return for touchdown (PAT good)
2nd Quarter:
EBHS - William Ball to Keyshawn Nelson for 13-yard touchdown (PAT good)
NHS - Alex Ruvalcaba 63-yard touchdown run (PAT good)
EBHS - William Ball to Jobi Denni for 11-yard touchdown (PAT no good)
3rd Quarter:
EBHS - Nate Martinez 10-yard touchdown run (PAT good)
4th Quarter:
EBHS - William Ball to Michael Rodriguez for 20-yard touchdown (2 pt conversion good)
Overtime:
NHS - Alex Ruvalcaba 3-yard touchdown run (PAT good)
EBHS - Nate Martinez 25-yard touchdown run (2 pt conversion no good)
