The rain held up long enough Saturday afternoon for a simple football game to be played.
However, for many of the spectators, this was more than a game between Bakersfield College and Antelope Valley College. It didn’t really matter who won. The winners were the children.
The 50th Shrine Potato Bowl included a countless number of Shrine fezzes dotting the landscape of the stands. Fans supporting the Renegades and Marauders, as well as lovers of the sport, all came to watch the game.
“The biggest thing is that we raise money for the crippled children,” said Shriner Winford Little. “That’s what we’re here for. Our hospital not only takes care of crippled children, they take care of burned children.”
Shriners Troy Bradshaw and Ron Bender agreed. “It’s the only reason we are here,” Bradshaw said.
Bender continued, saying “There’s no charge for the children. There’s hundreds of children in town that have been helped.”
BC head coach Dallas Grider said that the Shriners have “worked their tail off for many years” to help children who need medical attention.
“We’re very privileged to be a part of it,” he said.
After the game, MVP Sammy Moore commended the Shriners for having football as a fund-raiser.
“There’s a lot of kids out there who would love to play football, but they can’t,” Moore said. “It’s good how (the Shriners) get money from football because everybody loves football. The Shriners are a great group of guys that just want to help people.”
The parade marked the start of the festivities.
Vintage convertible cars circled the field with Shriner officials, past and present. Also in the parade were eight area middle and junior high schools, taking the field before the game to play in tandem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Potato Bowl queen, 15-year-old Monica Hernandez, is a recipient of the Shriners’ generosity. Hernandez was diagnosed with a bone disease called suto arthrosis, a disease of the leg. Numerous operations since 1987 have allowed her to walk.
“Without them I wouldn’t be able to walk today,” she said. “They did a lot for me. A lot of people are helped. Last year’s queen was really helped and they helped me, too. They also help burned children.”
Monica and her mother, Julie, are hopeful that with the last surgery comes the opportunity to help spread the word to others.
“If it hadn’t been for them, my daughter wouldn’t be able to walk right now and I’d be in debt 15 lifetimes, just over one surgery that they did for her,” she said. “I think (the turnout) is awesome. With all this many people to support the Shriners, it’s a miracle. It’s the greatest thing to see my daughter walk.”
At halftime, the Centennial High School marching band performed.
If fans weren’t delighted before the game with the parade, the halftime show proved to be an exciting experience.
During the second half, the fans cheered as BC scored and maintained a lead over Antelope Valley.
“I love it,” said Mary Sawyer-Hutchin. The BC alumnus was one of the many fans yelling loudly.
“I’ve been going to these games for 34 years. There should be more support for the Shriners and the team. Both give a lot for the community.”
And despite the cold weather and lopsided lead for BC, fans stayed to the bitter end.
“It’s a bit chilly,” said Paul Sleukoff, a BC graduate who played for the ‘Gades when the team still played at Griffith Field.
“We didn’t have the same helmets or pads, but it’s just the same. I like coming out here because I enjoy the game. It’s a game I’ve always played.”