Littlerock Falls Flat Against Bishop

Littlerock High’s winning streak came to a screeching halt Friday night as Bishop pounded the Lobos, 38-13, in a nonleague game.

Bishop, with an enrollment of about 1,250 less than Littlerock (3-1), rolled up 347 yards rushing, including 220 in the first half.

The Broncos (3-2), the Desert Inyo (Large) League runners-up, scored on their first three possessions and six of their first seven.

Ten different players carried the ball for Bishop, none of whom rushed for more than 100 yards. Bronco quarterback Daniel Jeff completed just two passes but both went for touchdowns, on throws of 51 and seven yards.

“We started off 3-0 and everyone is real excited about that situation, but the point is we started off when these kids were freshmen and this is a four-year process,” said Littlerock Coach Jim Bauer, whose team is playing its first varsity season.

“We’re only in the middle of that process. So this thing tonight is something we will have to build from.”

Littlerock kept it close in the first quarter, but by halftime the Broncos had pulled away, 25-7.

Trailing, 10-0, late in the first quarter, the Lobos resorted to a trick play to get back in the game.

John Venema returned a kickoff to the 20-yard line, then handed off to Mitch Casey cutting across the field.

Casey darted down the Bishop sideline before cutting back toward the middle to complete a 95-yard return and reduce Bishop’s lead to 10-7. But the Broncos answered with two touchdowns and a safety for a 25-7 lead.

After halftime, the Broncos showed no signs of letting up, driving 73 yards in three plays on their first possession of the second half for a 31-7 lead.

Bishop, ranked seventh in Division IX, went 65 yards in four plays on its first possession. Bishop’s Jeff threw a long pass a split second before he was tackled by a host of Lobos. The pass ended up in the hands of Thom Batchelder, who bobbled the ball before making a fingertip grab at his shins. Batchelder tucked the ball away and ran an additional 22 yards for a 51-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Venema’s two-yard touchdown capped the scoring.