Bakersfield Stymies Carrillo, Moorpark

Adjustments.

Successful football teams recognize flaws and react, stopping threats by making modifications.

That’s what Bakersfield College did Saturday night, turning a three-point deficit at the half into a 28-17 victory over Moorpark in a Western State Conference interdivisional game at Griffin Stadium.

The Renegades (5-0, 4-0 in conference play) stopped running back Gil Carrillo in the second half and made several key plays to avert an upset. Bakersfield is ranked fifth in the state; Moorpark is ranked 15th.

Carrillo gained 124 of his game-high 137 yards rushing in the first half, including blasts of 47 and 32 yards that helped sustain scoring drives. But Bakersfield stopped him cold in the second half.

“We finally found a spot to run, but they took it away,” Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said.

The key play came as time ran out in the third quarter when Bakersfield’s Keith Rivera blocked a 28-yard field-goal attempt. The ball was recovered by Acie George, who scampered 55 yards for a touchdown to increase the Renegade cushion to 28-17.

The Raiders (3-2, 3-1) took advantage of a fumble by Bakersfield quarterback Carl Dean to score their first touchdown.

Linebacker Jeffery Maxey recovered and two plays later Moorpark quarterback Todd Preston hooked up with tight end John Fenger on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 11 minutes 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

Bakersfield drove 95 yards in 15 plays on the ensuing possession to tie the score, 7-7, on an 11-yard run by Aaron McDonald.

It was the first points allowed by Moorpark in the first quarter this season.

After a 26-yard run by Jermaine Davis gave Bakersfield the lead, 14-7, Moorpark answered with a 37-yard field goal by Steve Prchal midway through the second period.

Carrillo then went to work, carrying seven times in an eight-play drive and scoring on a one-yard run 50 seconds before the half to give the Raiders a 17-14 edge.

Bakersfield running back George Jones made it 21-17 on a two-yard run late in the third quarter.