The Bishop Badgers varsity football team came out with a very crucial 24-7 victory over the Santa Rosa Warriors this past Friday in Bishop.

The Badgers improved their district record 2-2 and 3-6 overall.

“We showed up tonight, I am so proud of this team,” Bishop Badger Head Coach Larry Vincent said after the game.

Santa Rosa won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half, thus allowing the Badgers to receive the opening kick off to get the contest started.

The Badgers quickly moved deep into Warrior territory with a 30-yard pass completion from senior quarterback Jacob Ortegon to senior running back Zack Lowman to the Santa Rosa three yard line.

Unfortunately the Badgers turned the ball over on a fumble that was recovered by the Warriors at their own two yard line.

The Bishop defense started where they left off the previous week, stopping the Warriors and forcing a punt.

The first quarter ended in a 0-0 deadlock tie and the Badger offense facing a 4th and 19 at the Santa Rosa 30.

On the first play of the second quarter, the Badgers attempted a long pass into the end zone, but the Warriors were ready, intercepting for a touchback.

Starting at the Santa Rosa 20, the Warriors took less than two minutes to push the ball into the end zone.

The Warriors used five plays to move 80 yards with the eventual touchdown on a 15-yard run.

The extra point attempt was successful, Warriors took the early lead 7-0 with 10:00 remaining in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kick off return, sophomore running back Jacob Beltran gave the Badgers excellent field position after a 23-yard return to the Bishop 42 yard line.

With the Badgers down early, Bishop turned to the punishing ground game to control the clock, moving to the Santa Rosa nine yard line.

Facing a 4th and goal at the Warriors three, the Badger elected to go for a field goal.

Senior kicker Tommy Cavazos stepped in a split the uprights, cutting into the Warrior lead 7-3 with 2:59 left in the first half.

The Warriors seemed content with the four point advantage, running out the clock to go into the locker rooms.

The second half was dominated by the Badgers, both offensively and defensively after some adjustments during halftime.

The Bishop defense got the momentum rolling, holding the Warriors to a three and out, forcing a punt that rolled dead at the Badger 39 yard line.

The Badgers struck like lightning, scoring on a 61- yard run by Beltran on the first play from scrimmage.

Cavazos connected on the extra point attempt, Badgers took the lead 10-7 with 9:30 left in the third quarter.

The third quarter ended with the Badgers holding on to a three point lead as both teams exchanged punts.

The fourth quarter began with the Warriors facing a 4th and one at the Bishop 27 yard line.

The Badger defense needing a big stop got it when senior linebacker Zack Lowman plowed into the backfield, tackling the running back for a loss to end the Santa Rosa drive.

The Badgers quickly moved to the Santa Rosa four yard line on a 66-yard run up the gut by Lowman on the first play from scrimmage.

A penalty on the Warriors moved the ball to the Santa Rosa two yard line.

On 2nd and goal, Lowman plunged into the end zone for a Badger score, followed by a successful point after attempt by Cavazos to extend the Bishop lead 17-7 with 10:33 remaining in the game.

The Badger “D” continued to pressure the Warriors, forcing a punt after a three and out series.

Sophomore punt returner Travis Charles had an excellent return, getting back to the Bishop 48 yard line.

The Bishop offense was clicking on all cylinders as Beltran broke free down the sideline, reaching the Santa Rosa 28 yard line before getting pushed out of bounds.

The Badgers put some insurance on the board with senior David Herrera rushing 23-yards for a touchdown.

Cavazos converted the extra point to give the Badgers a 24-7 lead with 6:43 remaining on the clock.

On the kick off, the Warriors had an excellent return, getting to the Badger 27 yard line.

The Bishop defense forced a Santa Rosa turnover when Herrera stripped the ball from the Warriors grasp, allowing senior safety J. P. Escobar to recover and secure the game for the Badgers.

Bishop continued to keep the ball on the ground, eventually kneeling the ball to run out the clock and keep playoff hopes alive with the 24-7 victory on parent’s night.

“All that frustration that was building up went out the door with this much needed victory,” Vincent said.

The Badgers will travel to face Highway 77 rival Riviera Seahawks at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6, in Riviera.