HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Bishop Amat Rolls at Bakersfield

Yes, it might be nice to have a state high school football playoff, but in 1994, it might not be necessary--not as long as La Puente Bishop Amat High is part of California.

The Lancers, led by running back Daylon McCutcheon’s 221 yards and four touchdowns, dismantled highly touted Bakersfield, 34-3, Saturday night before a record crowd of 23,701 at Bakersfield College.

“I knew there was no doubt we were the best team in the state,” McCutcheon said after Bishop Amat, ranked No. 1 in The Times’ Top 20 poll, improved its record to 4-0, while dropping Bakersfield to 3-1. “I have confidence in my team and confidence in myself. When we play our game, there’s no one that can touch us.”

The Drillers, regarded as the Central Section’s top team, managed only 35 yards in offense. Bakersfield running back Steve Wofford, who had rushed for more than 500 yards in the Drillers’ first three games, was held to 17 yards in nine attempts. The Lancers, meanwhile, rolled up 370 yards.

“If there’s anyone else out there rated No. 1, I sure don’t want to schedule them,” Bakersfield Coach Pat Preston said. “They’re an awesome football team.”

Said Bishop Amat Coach Tom Salter: “Everything just went our way tonight. We were real scared of their offense going in, but our defense did a great job.

“Our offensive line dominated the game and we wore them down in the second half.”

McCutcheon, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior, scored on runs of 17, 55, 26 and 12 yards, showing what has made him one of the most sought-after players in the country.

“All the hype for this game really pumped us up,” McCutcheon said. “We knew we were going to back up our No. 1 ranking.”

The loss halted Bakersfield’s 24-game regular-season winning streak. Bishop Amat, meanwhile, won its 24th consecutive regular-season game.

Salter isn’t ready to call his team the best in the state.

“You can’t call us that yet,” Salter said. “We have a lot of tough games left. The only one that really matters is the last one of the year.”

McCutcheon rolled up 154 total yards in the first half, including 128 rushing, and two touchdowns. He also intercepted a first-quarter pass to set up his 17-yard scoring run.

McCutcheon’s second touchdown came on a 55-yard explosion up the middle, giving the Lancers a 14-0 lead at the half.