Raiders bring out the best of Semi-Pro Football in San Bernardino
Random thoughts for a Tuesday morning, unable to keep track of all the live weekend television sports programming with just one set and 24 hours, wondering whatever happened to Christina Jimenez, CIF Southern Section 1999 Division IV cross country champion out of Granite Hills High School.
A little-known fact about San Bernardino football: there is a local team two wins away from yet another championship.
Over the course of the last decade, the California Raiders of the National Developmental Professional Football League have been quite successful, winning several title and a regular into the playoffs. The Raiders, who recently completed an undefeated regular season, will start the playoffs Nov. 14 at San Bernardino High School after earning a bye for the opening round.
The Raiders’ success can be traced to Dwaine Radden, who in addition to being its head coach, is also listed as the owner. He’s basically the glue that has held the team together under trying circumstances, that’s just the nature of semi-pro football.
Local football fans can recall Robert Fuller, the record-setting quarterback at San Bernardino High School. He’s the trigger of the potent Raiders’ offense and protected by an offensive line that includes Kirk Fields, DeBron Jordan, Andrew Repena and James Sears. In a 27-20 regular-season finale against the previously undefeated Las Vegas Trojans, Fuller three a pair of touchdown passes to Mikael Bowden, part of a 150-yard effort, ran 15 yards for a touchdown.
Defensively, Donte Turner intercepted three Las Vegas passes, returning one for a score. He also turned the momentum of the game with a return deep inside Las Vegas’ side and set up a Raiders’ score.
“The detrimental elements of our society can so easily entice our young people to go astray. Consequently, when we have young people in school and organizations, that are engaged in positive endeavors, we should praise and support them as much as possible,” said Dr. Mildred D. Henry of Oak Hills, one of the team’s biggest supporters. “This is an excellent program for young men, 18 years of age and older, who aspire to play football.” ...
Now the real question begs to be asked: After two good crowds to open the new AHL season, including one sellout, will the Reign continue to draw good numbers as the season progresses? The Reign drew crowds of 9,491 and 8,285 in the first two home games over the weekend and will have home games Friday and Saturday against San Antonio before a Sunday afternoon game in San Jose.
The weekend attendance are solid numbers considering the competition, including prep football. Who never thought, outside of Justin Kemp, this would be such a hockey hotbed?
With the start of a new season, there are many questions that need to be asked. However, for the fans, it’s still unclear who will replace Jeff Pope as the team’s public address announcer. Pope made it down for the opener but his full-time radio job in San Jose prohibits him from continuing his ties to the Reign.
The area has a real connection with Pope, who first started his sports PA career while working for the Spirit in the Cal League. Our favorite Pope moment was his admonishment of Quakes third baseman Erik Corps to “look alive” after committing two errors. It was enough to enrage Quakes manger Marty Barnett, who wanted to have a word with Pope in the press box but settled with having Pope tossed from the game.
What many don’t know, or remember, is that was Pope’s first game as the PA guy. He called the Spirit winning the title. He later moved with the team downtown and was the Stampede’s initial PA guy.
Ah, the golden days of local professional baseball. ...
Two weeks remain in the prep football season so plenty can happen. However, unless there is a major upset in the Baseline League, it certainly appears Chino Hills (3-0, 6-2) will finish as the titlist under Matt Bechtel. The Huskies knocked off Upland last week and can clinch a tie for the top spot with a win at Damien (1-2, 4-4) on Friday. More than likely, the runner-up spot will be determined in the 10th week tussle as Rancho Cucamonga (2-1, 6-2) squares off against Upland (2-1, 5-3) on the road. …
San Bernardino Valley College is in an interesting American Mountain League dilemma over the next two weeks. On. Nov. 7, the Wolverines (6-1, 3-1) will be rooting for Victor Valley (6-1, 3-1) against leader College of the Desert (4-3, 4-0), the only team thus far to pin a loss on SBVC. However, it may not be the same this Saturday when VVC hosts Mt. San Jacinto (4-3, 2-1) .
The Wolverines close the regular season against three teams – Compton, Southwestern and Fast Los Angeles – with seven totals wins this year. If they take care of business, and with a little help from VVC, the Wolverines can still manage to gain a title tie in head coach John Shipp’s second season. …
It’s probably a good thing Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a great deposition about his sport – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – or he could have easily triggered a riot Sunday afternoon in Talladega. He’s a fan of the sport and although he failed to advance, he handled the adversity and disappointment of not winning with class. Not quite sure how many others would have taken such an adverse situation as well.
There are many fans, and some drivers, pointing fingers at Kevin Harvick. With his car less than 100 percent, many feel he triggered the last-lap melee that ended the race and allowed him to advance into the third round, six points ahead of the cut. Had he stayed out of trouble, he might have lost enough spots that would have prevented him from advancing. …
The ol’ Cotton Pickin’ System crystal ball did not fare well in predicting high school football leagues races this fall. However, lacking the funds to purchase another one, the CPS will have to do in looking ahead to the World Series.
It’s an interesting dilemma as the Mets are not a personal favorite, and it would be so great to see local favorite Mike Sweeney celebrating a championship for the team he played for so many years. However, the crystal ball predicts it will be the Mets in six games. Not exactly good news for Dodgers fans, but the Mets are hot and have it going. …
Prep football, part 2: Sunkist League: A sense of normalcy has returned as Summit (3-0. 8-0) hosts Kaiser (2-1, 5-3) for the title. Grand Terrace (2-1, 4-4) beat Kaiser two weeks ago and must stop upstart Fontana (2-1, 3-5) if it wants a shot at the title in the regular season finale. Mt. Baldy League: Colony (3-0, 5-3) can earn a title tie but it will require a win at Chaffey (2-1, 7-1) in a game with good history. San Andreas League: Jurupa Hills (3-0, 4-4) squares off against San Gorgonio (3-0, 6-3) in San Bernardino for the inside title track. Miramonte League: Pomona (2-0, 6-2) travels to face La Puente to face Bassett (3-0, 6-2) for the inside track to the title, Mojave River League: It’s not for first, rather second as Oak Hills (2-1, 3-5) heads north to face Ridgecrest Burroughs (3-0, 4-4) for second behind Serrano. Palomares League: First-place Glendora (3-0, 7-1) can end the suspense but has to travel to Claremont (2-1, 7-1). Valle Vista League: San Dimas (2-1, 5-3) is still in the race and travels to Covina (3-0, 6-2) to remain in the race.
