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Sports Correspondent - The Bishop Badgers opened district play with an overwhelming 41-8 win over the Riviera Seahawks Friday night in Riviera.
The Seahawks won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball in the opening kick-off, returning the ball to the Bishop 36 yard line.
On a 4th and eight, the Seahawks elected to go for the first down, but Badger senior linebacker Michael Justin Ortega had other plans, snatching the ball out of the air for an interception.
During the return, Ortega coughed up the ball, with Riviera recovering the fumble at the Bishop 35.
The Seahawks were not able to move the ball, losing the ball on downs at the Badger 35.
The Badgers quickly moved into Riviera territory with a pass completion from Ortega also playing quarterback on offense to senior receiver Ralph Limas.
On the very next play, senior tailback Josh Alvarado took the ball down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown run.
Unfortunately, one of the referees on the field blew the whistle on a missed call, negating the touchdown by Alvarado.
After discussions between the referees and the coaching staff, the ball was placed back to the Riviera 38 yard line.
Ortega fumbled the ball on the next play, giving the Seahawks the ball at the Riviera 39 yard line.
The Seahawks were able to get to the Bishop 47 yard line, before facing a 3rd and 18.
The Badger defense answered once again with junior linebacker Austin Villarreal sacking the Seahawk quarterback for a loss.
Riviera elected to punt on fourth down, ball rolling dead at the Badger 18.
Ortega went to the air, connecting with Limas to the Bishop 36 yard line.
The scoreless first quarter ended with the Badgers at the Seahawks 48 yard line and gaining momentum offensively.
Alvarado took the ball on the first play of the second quarter to the Riviera 16 yard line, getting tackled by the facemask.
Due to the facemask infraction against the Seahawks, the ball was placed at the Riviera eight-yard line, giving the Badgers a first and goal.
Badger junior running back Victor Caldera clawed his way into the end zone for a eight yard touchdown, followed by junior kicker Al Schubert successfully tacking on the extra point.
Badgers take the lead 7-0 with 11:39 remaining in the first half.
The Seahawks were able to get good field position most of the night, starting at their own 42 yard line on a nice return on the kick off.
The Badger defense stood its ground forcing the Seahawks to punt on a 4th and 10; ball rolled out at the Bishop 16 yard line.
The Badgers moved the ball quickly down the field with a 19-yard run by Alvarado, followed by a 30 yard run by Ortega.
With 8:21 remaining in the second quarter, Ortega went to the air, completing a pass to junior tight end Jason Ortegon for a touchdown.
Schubert added the extra-point; Badgers extend the lead 14-0.
During the kickoff return, the Seahawks fumbled the ball with the Badgers recovering at the Riviera 40.
The Badgers would eventually attempt a field goal by Schubert from the 25-yard line, but the ball fell short.
The Bishop defense knocked the Seahawks back with a nine-yard sack of the quarterback, followed by another solo sack by Villarreal for a one-yard loss on the play.
On the Seahawks punt attempt, Bishop junior linebacker Roberto Lopez blocked the punt, giving the Badgers excellent field position.
First play from scrimmage, Ortega connected with Ortegon for a 22-yard touchdown.
Schubert converted the extra-point; Bishop 21-0 with 34 seconds remaining for intermission.
Riviera ran one play to end the first half, Badgers leading 21-0.
The Badgers opened the second half receiving the kick off, returning to the Bishop 31.
Alvarado took control of the offense, gaining 22 yards with a tough run to the Seahawks 47 yard line, followed by a 43 yard run down the Badger sideline for a touchdown.
Extra-point attempt by Schubert was successful; Bishop 28-0 with 9:59 remaining in the third quarter.
The Seahawks turned over the ball during the kickoff return with a fumble recovered by Badger junior lineman Josh Rojas at the Riviera 35 yard line.
The air attack by the Badgers worked effectively with Ortega airing the ball out for Limas to out jump the Seahawk defender for a completion to the three-yard line.
Ortega kept the ball for a score of his own with a three-yard touchdown rush up the middle overpowering the Seahawk defense.
Schubert missed the extra-point; Badgers lead 34-0 with 9:20 left in the third quarter.
Riviera took the Bishop kickoff back to the Badger 48, giving the Seahawks a great opportunity of putting some points on the board.
The Seahawks were able to keep their drive alive by converting a 4th and three for a first down on a pass completion to the Bishop five-yard line.
Facing a 4th and goal, the Seahawks quarterback fought his way into the end zone, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Seahawks put points on the board; 34-8 with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter.
The Badgers offense started at the Bishop 39 yard line.
Ortega ran the ball to the Riviera 33 yard line, followed by a pass completion for an apparent touchdown to Limas, but a penalty against the Badgers nullified the touchdown.
The Badgers quickly got back in the end zone with a 12-yard TD run by Alvarado.
Schubert converted the extra-point; Badgers lead 41-8 with 1:05 left in the third.
The game ended as is started with neither team scoring in the final quarter, as Bishop played the quarter with back-up players, avoiding unnecessary injury to the starters.
Bishop ended the game by kneeling the ball to run out the clock and collecting a 41-8 district win against the Highway 77 rival Riviera Seahawks.
“We minimized our mistakes and capitalized on theirs (Seahawks),” Badger Head Coach Barry Wolf said.
“I saw the real Badgers on the field tonight, we are 1-0,” Bishop Defensive Coordinator George Luna said.
The Bishop Badgers will celebrate homecoming against the Banquete Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 at the newly named Ed Gorny Stadium in Bishop.