Redwoods’ Playoff Joy-Ride Gets Crushed In Heartbreaking Fashion against Bakersfield

On Friday, November 21st, the Rangers traveled to Bakersfield to face off against the Drillers in the Central Section Semi-finals, which ended in heartbreak.

By Fabian Anguiano

The game did not start the way Coach Allen would want it, as Bakersfield would return the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Though Redwood would respond after some short yardage plays, quarterback Luke Sanchez ‘26 would fake a screen pass and hit the corner to take it all the way to the house for a touchdown. This would tie up the game 7-7.

The Drillers would march up the field again, as running back Damir Lomax ‘28 would carry the ball with a 26-yard run, setting up quarterback Elijah Cavazos ‘26 to sling out a screen to wide receiver Bj Veasey ‘26, which would go for a 66-yard gain and would be marked down at the five. Bakersfield would hand Lomax an outside zone run, and he would punch it in for six; it was now 7-14 in the second.

Redwood would match that as they marched down the field once again with simple runs and passes, which would end in Sanchez faking the handoff and throwing a seven-yard touchdown to Chase Luna ‘28, which would tie this offensive chess match 14-14 in the second quarter.

Bakersfield would come up with points once again, though in the form of three. Redwood defense was finally able to get a stop, even though Cavazos would throw a 46-yard bomb to wide receiver Bryce Gridiron ‘26, which would get them all the way to the two-yard line.

With the score being 14-17 and with under four minutes in the 2nd quarter, Redwood would take advantage as Sanchez would hand off an end-around to Jarius Brooks ’28, who would cut inside and take it all the way to the house for a 53-yard touchdown run with two minutes left.

The score would be 21-17 and would stay that way as they would walk into halftime.

Out of halftime, the third quarter would end up being a defensive duel as each team would go three and out, until the fourth quarter came, 21-17, with legacy and greatness on the line for both teams.

Bakersfield would have the ball with under four minutes left. They would drain the life out of the lock for what seemed like an eternity, until it was fourth and six with 45 seconds left in the game, and hopes and dreams on the line.

Cavazos would look right, throw the ball to Bj Veasey, and he would break the plane. Bakersfield would take the lead 21-24 with less than forty seconds left.

Redwood would get one last chance. After three failed attempts, it was fourth and ten at their own fifteen, with five seconds left, Sanchez would throw the ball, which would be intercepted. Bakersfield walked away in what can only be called a chess match of football.

And just like that, Redwoods’ eight-game win streak and playoff aspirations are over, a heartbreaking end to a great season. 

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