Friday, September 19, 2025
The decision for which game to see for tonight's edition of Friday Night Lights started a few weeks ago when MaxPreps posted the following poster on Facebook hyping their Game of the Week between two powerhouse, nationally ranked squads from opposite coasts of the USA.
#4 ranked St. Frances Academy
from Baltimore, Maryland
at
#2 ranked St. John Bosco
from Bellflower, California
What bothered me about this poster was the final notice, "THIS GAME FEATURES 76 PLAYERS WHO HAVE A DIVISION I OFFER."
If 44 of those athletes start for the two teams combined Offense and Defense, then 32 of these potential DI scholarship players are not even good enough to start for their high school team.
I 100% understand that I'm an old guy longing for days that are long gone but this massive acquisition of talent at "big-time" schools like these two is a tad disheartening.
I long for the days when players, by and large, grew up in a neighborhood with their friends and played their high school sports with the buddies.
Not so any longer, unless . . .
. . . you are willing to travel to a
game in the C.I.F.-Central Section
Although the Central Section encompasses some large cities like Bakersfield and Fresno, it also includes lots of smaller, one town, one high school districts.
Thus armed, son Michael joined me for a two and a half hour drive into remote Kern County, home of the Mojave Desert and the unincorporated area known as Boron, population 2,627 brave souls.
Boron is located along California's Highway 58 between the booming metropolis of Mojave 31 miles to the West and exotic Barstow 42 miles to the East. Other than Boron, there is virtually nothing to see in this desolate 73 mile stretch of desert highway.
We were on our way to a nice slice of Americana, small town high school football!
I said it was desolate
Finally, the edge of Boron appeared
Unfortunately both were closed when
we arrived hungry at about 5:00 p.m.
Not mentioned is the Boron is home
to the World's Largest Borax Mine!
We parked in our dining spot's
ample parking lot that flew a decidedly
old version of the Stars and Stripes
Across the street may be the
World's Largest Firestone Tire
Apprently, Domingo's also doubles . . .
. . . as a U.S. Weather Station under
new Trump administration guidance
We entered one of Boron's hallowed
Mexican food dining spots
It was the first time dining at Domingo's for both of us.
We usually eat at Boron's iconic Twenty Mule Cafe about 200 yards to the West but instead we opted for Domingo's in the Spirit of Adventure that we felt tonight.
Boron Politics were in full view
near the front door to Domingo's
A nice little bar area greeted
us as we entered
Great chips and salsa plus an
extensive menu were good signs
I was happy and anxious for . . .
. . . our DELICIOUS and oversized
burritos to arrive
This meal was worth the drive for sure.
Fully sated once again, we headed to our game about a half mile away.
Chowchilla Union H.S. Tribe
Northwest Sequoia League
Founded in 1916 in Madera County
Enrollment 1,067
C.I.F.-Central Section Football Champions
1951, 1955, 2004, 2008, 2015
2025 Results
2 Wins - 2 Losses
vs. Firebaugh Won 17-14
at Dos Palos Lost 31-7
at Stone Ridge Christian Lost 32-22
vs. Parlier Won 46-7*
* Northwest Sequoia League Game
at
Boron H.S. Bobcats
High Desert League
Founded in 1958 in Kern County
Enrollment 162
C.I.F.-Southern Section Football Champions
1969, 1993, 1994, 1998
2025 Results
2 Wins - 1 Loss
vs. Oakland Lost 28-14
vs. Arvin Won 46-25
vs. Beverly Hills Won 54-0
The combined Varsity rosters of these two proud schools had but 71 names, five less than the potential DI athletes at the two powerhouses mentioned at the start of this post.
In a scheduling quirk, I had noted that this was Boron's fourth and final home game of the season. After opening the season with these four games in Boron, the Bobcats would hit the road for their last six games of the regular season including for all five of their High Desert League contests.
Strange scheduling. I needed to find out why.
Our view of Boron's Stadium
as we arrived
The Boron Sports Palace proudly boasts of
two additional C.I.F.- Southern Section
Championships, 1985 Girls Basketball
and 2000 Softball
Boron moved from the C.I.F.-Southern Section to the C.I.F.-Central Section about a decade ago.
Michael entering the Boron track
The Bobcats were warming up
Boron fields two football teams, Varsity (23) and JV (18) with a combined 41 athletes on their rosters. That means that 25.3% (41 ÷ 162) of the Boron Student Body plays football!
The natural grass field was
PRISTINE!
The new turf had been installed this Summer.
Boron High School's
Lawrence L. Kline Field
Dedicated November 11, 1961
Boron's #1 fan Mitchell, on the left,
with Boron Principal Rob Kostopoulos
Rob was formerly a Boron H.S. football coach.
These two provided the answer to the Bobcats quirky scheduling issues in 2025.
The new sod on the field was just the beginning of a $23 million renovation in progress for the school's athletic complex. Starting next week, the old lights will be replaced and new stands will be
erected on the outside of the track.
Many of the other sports facilities will be getting face lifts as well.
Things are looking up for the Bobcats.
Bobcat Linemen Warming Up
Fly route practice
Last home game of the season,
of course it was Senior Night
The Seniors assembled in front of
our prime seats
This cheerleader passed out a
yellow rose to each Senior
Michael took advantage of the
Senior Night festivities to take
this photo of these helmets
Michael's photo also captured
me in my plush Front Row Seat
GO BOBCATS!
The Tribe taking the field
Up Close and Personal to
all of the action tonight
Long shadows during warm ups
Cool Tribe helmet spear
The Chowchilla LBs warmed up
right in front of us
What a BEAUTIFUL night for
American football!
Chowchilla looked sharp
Lots of misdirection in their Offensive
warm up session, I LOVED IT!
Pink desert colors in the distance
As the Tribe headed to the sideline . . .
. . . the Bobcats took the field again
Captains at midfield
Let the hub-bub begin!
Short Bobcat Kickoff to start the game
A solid return of that same Kickoff
It became quickly apparent that
the Tribe's Offensive line was
well coached
Chowchilla is a Run First team
They'll run second . . .
. . . and third too!
No leakage on the interior
Dominating on the ground
First Quarter Score
Chowchilla - 7
Boron - 0
Defensively, Chowchilla displayed
amazing Team Pursuit and Tackling
fundamentals all night long
It was a fierce First Half of
Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em football
Tribe QB . . .
. . . getting to the edge
Boron responding with a long run
Bobcats taking to . . .
. . . the air!
Green Grass
Halftime Score
Chowchilla - 21
Boron - 6
We took a lap of the stadium
during the intermission
Bobcats meeting at Halftime
in the End Zone
This old Bobcat played on both the
1993 & 1994 C.I.F. Championship teams
He was proud of his Boron roots
In the Second Half the bigger
Chowchilla roster came into play
While the Bobcats had 23 Varsity players, the Tribe had 41 players at their disposal.
It was a factor to be sure.
Third Quarter Score
Chowchilla - 28
Boron - 6
The Tribe . . .
. . . knocking on the door again
It was at this time that we decided
to start our long trek home
One last look at Boron's beautiful
Lawrence L. Kline Field before the
major renovations begin next week
Final Score
Chowchilla (3-2) - 41
Boron (2-2) - 12
It was a great night that left both of us the better for the experience of a small town high school football game played by local kids in front of a passionate community fan base.
Americana is ever so COOL
as it turns out!
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