Bakersfield could get the football matchup fans have been asking for all season, with a Central Section championship on the line.
No. 1 Garces Memorial hosts No. 5 Tulare Union, and No. 2 Bakersfield Christian hosts No. 6 Sanger in Friday’s Division I-A semifinals. Both kick off at 7 p.m. If the Rams and Eagles take care of business, the Holy Bowl becomes an all-Bakersfield section final.
They didn’t meet in the regular season. Now they’re on opposite sides of the same playoff bracket, coming off quarterfinal wins of 41–0 for Garces and 45–11 for BCHS. Rivalries are at their best when both teams are playing well and there’s something on the line. This one would have both.
Should it be at Memorial Stadium?
Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium is worth discussing if the matchup comes together. A larger venue could make room for both school communities and the fans across town who have been waiting to see these teams play. There’s also a case for keeping the game on campus: a top seed earns the chance to play in front of its home crowd, and moving a game takes coordination.
Both teams still have a semifinal to win, and no venue has been announced for this potential matchup. But if we get the Holy Bowl for a section title, where would you want it played?
Watch live: 1st and 661 will discuss the possible Holy Bowl and the Memorial Stadium question live Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. on Bakersfield Sports Network’s YouTube channel.
