Bulldogs’ nemesis stands between it and state title shot

Now, the Bulldogs charge into Beaver Stadium riding a six-game winning streak, during which they’ve outscored opponents 320-87. Prior to that, CSM had three games decided by 2 points or less — a 37-36 win over Sierra, a 21-19 win over Fresno City — culminating in 21-20 loss in a Sept. 30 dogfight with American River at College Heights Stadium.

Now, there is a trip to the state championship bowl on the line. And while American River enters with an identical 10-1 overall record as CSM, the Sept. 30 win in San Mateo was an anomaly for the Beavers in that it was the one-and-only standout game of backup quarterback Peyton Wilfley’s career.

Wilfley entered the game in the first quarter after starting QB Hunter Rodrigues departed with concussion-like symptoms. Wilfley went on to a 20-for-33 passing day with a career-high 295 yards and three touchdowns. Rodrigues returned two games later with his multi-dimensional attack — he has passed for 2,009 yards and rushed for another 373 this season — including last Saturday’s 41-35 win over Laney College.

CSM, though, will respond with its own multi-dimensional quarterback in freshman Miles Kendrick, who led the Bulldogs to a 52-3 win in the playoff opener against College of the Siskiyous in which he gained 325 total yards.

Kendrick had his busiest rushing game of the year in that loss to American River, totaling 23 carries for 77 yards. The most carries he’s had other than that is 10, a total he’s reached in five different games this season. His season-best came Sept. 23 in a 51-12 win over Butte College, totaling 84 rushing yards on 10 carries.

What Kendrick has done steadily in recent weeks, though, is establish a dangerous aerial attack. Pairing with freshman wide receiver Rajae Johnson, Kendrick has passed for over 200 yards in three consecutive weeks. In five previous seasons, which is as far back as such records are available at CCCAAsports.org, no other CSM quarterback has done so.

Johnson currently ranks first among Northern California receivers, averaging 108 yards per game. His 1,197 receiving yards is also tops in Nor Cal. Both figures ranks fourth in the state.

Saturday’s Northern California Football Championship Game is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The winner will take on the winner of the Southern California Football Championship game between Riverside and Fullerton. The state championship game will be held Saturday, Dec. 9 at Hughes Stadium on the campus at Sacramento City College.