Culminating their high school careers on the gridiron, a number of Bruin football players and cheerleaders were recognized in pre-game ceremonies on Friday night at Angelo Novi Field.
In a night of ceremonies, the first came as the Bruin flag was brought into the stadium, hoisted by freshman Joshua Felix as he sat in a wheelchair, pushed onto the field by older brother, senior standout Joaquin Felix. The younger Felix, a player on the JV team, suffered a broken ankle a few weeks ago but had the honor of being flag bearer to lead the varsity team onto the gridiron for the finale. Members of the school's NJROTC, Naval Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps, were on hand to carry the colors in and the school band provided the National Anthem as well as music throughout the evening.
It was the last game of a tough Trans-Valley League campaign and the community turned out to support the Bruins as they battled against rival Escalon. (See story, additional photos in sports, Page A14.) Bruin football was established in 1967.
Seventeen players and seven cheerleaders were given their turn in the spotlight. Cheerleaders were first, their names announced for the crowd, then walking the line of cheerleading advisors and football coaches with their escorts, receiving a flower and well-wishes along the way. Names are spelled as provided in the Friday night football program.
Senior cheerleaders honored were Emily Banner, Kaylee Eldridge, Kimberly Garcia, Kaitlyn Hair, Kimmi Harrison, Jessica Cruz and Niallyssa Tellez.
The Bruin football players honored were Cecil Arias, Chad Brouillard, Austyn Cruse, Martin Carrillo, Joaquin Felix, Anthony Gonzalez, Nestor Montoya, Chad Oliver and Antonio Perez. Also, Fernando Reyes, Bobby Schmidt, Luis Solorio, Crescencio Sixtos, Jason Temps, Angel Torres, Christian Torres and Jorge Velasquez.
Head coach Jim Oliver, the last of the program staff in the receiving line, offered a few words of thanks and encouragement to each player.
On the opposing sideline, Escalon head coach Mark Loureiro had some praise of his own, noting that Oliver and the Riverbank crew have done a good job in getting the Bruin program pointed in the right direction.
"Those kids play hard for him and I have seen improvement," Loureiro said. "They're starting to get a lot more continuity in that program."
Riverbank earned pre-season wins this year against Denair and Delhi but had a battle every week in the always-tough Trans-Valley League. They closed the campaign with an overall mark of two wins, eight losses and were not able to post a win against their league foes.
In a night of ceremonies, the first came as the Bruin flag was brought into the stadium, hoisted by freshman Joshua Felix as he sat in a wheelchair, pushed onto the field by older brother, senior standout Joaquin Felix. The younger Felix, a player on the JV team, suffered a broken ankle a few weeks ago but had the honor of being flag bearer to lead the varsity team onto the gridiron for the finale. Members of the school's NJROTC, Naval Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps, were on hand to carry the colors in and the school band provided the National Anthem as well as music throughout the evening.
It was the last game of a tough Trans-Valley League campaign and the community turned out to support the Bruins as they battled against rival Escalon. (See story, additional photos in sports, Page A14.) Bruin football was established in 1967.
Seventeen players and seven cheerleaders were given their turn in the spotlight. Cheerleaders were first, their names announced for the crowd, then walking the line of cheerleading advisors and football coaches with their escorts, receiving a flower and well-wishes along the way. Names are spelled as provided in the Friday night football program.
Senior cheerleaders honored were Emily Banner, Kaylee Eldridge, Kimberly Garcia, Kaitlyn Hair, Kimmi Harrison, Jessica Cruz and Niallyssa Tellez.
The Bruin football players honored were Cecil Arias, Chad Brouillard, Austyn Cruse, Martin Carrillo, Joaquin Felix, Anthony Gonzalez, Nestor Montoya, Chad Oliver and Antonio Perez. Also, Fernando Reyes, Bobby Schmidt, Luis Solorio, Crescencio Sixtos, Jason Temps, Angel Torres, Christian Torres and Jorge Velasquez.
Head coach Jim Oliver, the last of the program staff in the receiving line, offered a few words of thanks and encouragement to each player.
On the opposing sideline, Escalon head coach Mark Loureiro had some praise of his own, noting that Oliver and the Riverbank crew have done a good job in getting the Bruin program pointed in the right direction.
"Those kids play hard for him and I have seen improvement," Loureiro said. "They're starting to get a lot more continuity in that program."
Riverbank earned pre-season wins this year against Denair and Delhi but had a battle every week in the always-tough Trans-Valley League. They closed the campaign with an overall mark of two wins, eight losses and were not able to post a win against their league foes.
