NORTHRIDGE — For the first time in six years, the Heritage Christian football team held the Bible Bowl trophy, defeating Village Christian, 28-14, on Friday night.
Heritage Christian junior wide receiver Donovan Booker, in his first game back after a hamstring injury, was emotional coming into the game against the Crusaders (2-4) and was proud of what he and the Warriors (4-2) accomplished.
“I don’t know how many tears I’ve cried today. I was so anxious about tearing my hamstring again,” Booker said. “But today, I came back with my brothers and we won the football game. This is one of the best days of my life.”
Heritage Christian struck first on a touchdown run by Gavin Park for a 7-0 lead.
Village Christian tried to respond, driving to the 43-yard line , but Will Powels came up with an interception.
Following the interception, Heritage Christian quarterback James Thompson saw his touchdown negated because of a personal foul penalty.
A Booker touchdown eventually made it 14-0, and the Heritage defense helped set up another score.
A sack by the Warriors’ Christian Looper helped stifle another VC drive, and Heritage followed with a drive that included an 8-yard run by Gavin Park before a touchdown for running back Trey Lewis made it 21-0.
The momentum remained with the Warriors to begin the second half. A Tristan Zuniga sack helped set up another possession, and Booker scored another touchdown to stretch the lead to 28-0.
Junior wide receiver James Van De Houten scored Village Christian’s first touchdown with 4:19 left in the third quarter.
Van De Houten found the end zone again to get VC within 28-14 with 10:42 left in the fourth quarter, but Heritage Christian didn’t let the game get any closer.
Heritage Christian kicker Greg Kikolian, who made all four of his PAT attempts, shared the team’s mentality after VC cut the lead in half and emphasized the adjustment they needed to make to half the rally.
“The energy level went down, we got comfortable,” Kikolian said. “We were up 21-0, it was bound to happen. We just had to lock in and we did, we got the job done.”
Van De Houten exited the game with 2:15 left after an apparent injury while trying to make a catch.
Heritage Christian iced the win with an interception by senior Michael Alajajyan.
The Warriors credited an electric atmosphere provided by their crowd, something junior Justin Rocha said is an asset to the team.
“Our crowd this year has been so amazing,” Rocha said. “They’ve stuck with us the whole year, wins and losses. They for sure helped with the win.”
Booker was proud to be a part of the team that ended the program’s Bible Bowl losing streak.
“Nobody on this field, nobody on our team has won this Bible Bowl [before tonight],” Booker said. “This is life-changing for the school and the trophy is staying home. It’s going nowhere.”