Bell-Jeff football plays to end against Lighthouse Christian
BURBANK — When it was announced that Bellarmine-Jefferson High would close at the end of the academic year, the Guards’ football season finale transformed into what would likely be the final game in the history of the school in its present incarnation.
Although the football program at Bell-Jeff would not go out with a win, the Guards fought to the end in a 50-28 loss to visiting Lighthouse Christian Saturday afternoon in Omega League play at Burroughs High’s Memorial Field that was more competitive than the final score indicated.
“These kids played 48 minutes of football after a week of adversity,” Bell-Jeff coach Fred Martinez said.
After holding an early lead, Bell-Jeff (1-6, 1-2 in league) trailed 26-14 at the half. The Guards twice sliced the Lighthouse Christian (2-5, 2-1) advantage to four in the third quarter, but could get no closer.
“The kids were finally able to release and I think we saw that in the second half.They were finally able to play a football game and they were happy,” Martinez said. “After all the distractions and adversity of this week, I take my hat off to these guys. They represented very well.”
Lighthouse Christian started the second half with the ball, but a Bell-Jeff sack caused a fumble that the Guards recovered. The home team made good on the opportunity when Christopher Antee took a direct snap and rumbled 12 yards for the score. A successful two-point conversion followed to cut the Saints’ lead to 26-22.
Lighthouse answered with a long touchdown run to push the advantage to 32-22, but Bell-Jeff came right back. Guard Canaan Williams capped the ensuing drive with an 11-yard touchdown run on fourth down to draw within 32-28 with 2:58 left in the third. However, it was not to be as the Saints scored the final 18 points of the contest to pull away for the win.
“I think all the guys can say they finished strong. They left it all out on the field. That is all coach asked of us,” Williams, a Bell-Jeff senior captain, said. “For this to be the last Bell-Jeff football game, it is just so much more important. Win or lose, we played our hearts out.”
Guard Adrian Machuca, playing in his second game since becoming eligible, led the way with 135 yards on 16 carries, including a 60-yard touchdown dash on the hosts’ third play of the contest for the game’s first points. Williams was next with 118 yards on 13 carries, including a 50-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter that put Bell-Jeff up 14-8. Antee had 14 carries for 67 yards.
“Once it ends, coach says all you have are memories,” Williams said. “I made some great memories with these guys and I love this program.”
Lighthouse Christian was led by a pair of sophomores. Marcus Scribner had 17 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Levi Photenhauer carried the ball four times for 61 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 100 yards and two scores.
“It’s historic, but it’s also happy,” Martinez said of the program’s final game. “Things are out of our control, but we also celebrate what we’ve accomplished in the past and also the present. Of course, our future is closing, but ... history will show that they are competitors and that is all you can ask from any kid.”