[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E356-E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE BAKERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL DRILLERS VARSITY FOOTBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
student athletes and coaches of the Bakersfield High School Drillers 
varsity football team on winning the 2007 California Interscholastic 
Federation Central Section Division I title.
  On Friday, November 30, 2007, the Drillers defeated Clovis West High 
School 19-16 in its last game of the season to win the title. This was 
truly an outstanding achievement to wrap up a near perfect season, a 
season where the Drillers finished with a record of 13-1. The Driller 
victory marked the 34th Central Section football championship for 
Bakersfield High School. Driller football fans, students and the 
Bakersfield community were treated to an exciting championship game 
where in the fourth quarter with a tied score and 25 seconds left, the 
Drillers' skill, training, hard work, and athleticism paid off with an 
emotional 43-yard field goal victory.
  I want to extend my congratulations to the Bakersfield High School 
Drillers student athletes for their impressive championship win and 
2007 season. The 2007 roster included Tim Etcheverry, Emanuel Turner, 
Matthew Varvel, Alfonso Jackson, Marcus Nelson, Alex Mitchell, George 
Ming, Craig McMahon, Donovan Littles, Peter Mitchell, Mark Durando, 
Cooper Damron, Jerek Johnson, James Diaz, Jesus Mora, Emmanuel 
Ojeriakhi, Vince Van Horne, Demitri Katsantonis, Criston Moore, Irving 
Gant, Johnny Noorwood, Kenneth Wallace, Anthony Padilla, Sean Andrew, 
Louie Miranda, Emilio Cantu, Tevin Jackson, Johnny DePina, Kyle 
Billington, Collin Ellis, Mitch Knoy, Joel Turrubiates, Johnny 
Ghilarducci, Peter Welsh, Jake Hunt, Vincent Morales, Jacob Miller, 
Jason Erickson, Blake Pursel, Joe Benyon, Jamaal Littles, Patrick 
Parker, Saige White, Charles Anderson, Keith Fingers, Christian Selby, 
Stephen Schroeter, Chris Landa, Gabriel Cardenes, Mark Van Kopp, Joshua 
Rojas, Max Heflin, Dakota Velasquez and Jeovany Nunez.
  I also want to congratulate the coaching and support staff who helped 
lead the team to its championship season. The Driller head coach is 
Paul Golla and his coaching team includes Sean McKeown, Chris Rzewuski, 
Lance McCullah, Kirk Erickson, Josh Canales, Clint Tobias, Gus 
Theodore, Pete Mitchell, John Bumerts, Chad Stoner, and Adam Levinson. 
Supporting the team is Dean of Athletics Jeff Scott, Physical Therapist 
Kurt Wingate, Dr. Nick Valos, Trainer Big Joe and Trainer Steve Johns.
  Participation in athletics is a wonderful component of a high school 
education because it

[[Page E357]]

provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork and competition. The 
months of physical and mental training and the teamwork that was 
required to win this Central Section Division I title will benefit 
these young men long after their high school graduation.
  On behalf of the residents of the 22nd Congressional District, I once 
again commend the Bakersfield High School Drillers on winning the 2007 
Central Section Division I title. I am very proud of the 
accomplishments of the 2007 Drillers football team, and I know the 
parents, teachers, neighbors and fans in our community will remember 
this season for many years to come.

                          ____________________