GAME RECAP: Huerta, St Mary’s Hang On To Win The CIF Div 2-AA State Championship Title. The First In Program History.

By Justin Tatsuki Lee

Friday December 12, 2025

Game: St Mary’s (Stockton) vs Bakersfield Christian

Championship Weekend opened Friday afternoon with a classic that delivered tension, momentum swings, and late-game drama, as St. Mary’s (Stockton) outlasted undefeated Bakersfield Christian to capture the CIF Division 2-AA State Championship. In a matchup defined by explosive skill talent and timely defensive plays, the Rams survived a furious fourth-quarter push from the Eagles to secure the first state championship in program history.

Under longtime head coach Tony Franks, St. Mary’s leaned on resilience, field position, and a pair of game-defining plays from its stars to deny Bakersfield Christian head coach Darren Carr and a program seeking its second state title in six seasons.

First Quarter — Defensive Tone Set Early

Bakersfield Christian won the toss and deferred, allowing St. Mary’s to receive the opening kickoff.

The Rams’ first possession stalled quickly. Running back Diego Hernandez (5) found little room early, and Buddah Wallace (2) blew up an end-around for a massive loss. Defensive end Arnez Lee (8) then pressured Jaden Galvan (7) into an errant throw, forcing a punt.

The Eagles crossed midfield on their opening drive after quarterback Lincoln Adame (4) found tight end Owen Yurosek (10) for 11 yards. But facing 4th-and-5 at the Rams’ 30, St. Mary’s defensive lineman Jake Lucatello (70) buried Adame for a sack, turning the ball over on downs and setting the tone for a physical afternoon.

A long Rams drive followed, highlighted by Kenneth Moore III (3) converting a third-and-long near midfield. Galvan used designed quarterback draws to move the chains, and Ivan Huerta (14) appeared to score on a 23-yard catch — but disaster struck. Huerta fumbled just before the goal line, forced by Robert Hernandez (1) and recovered in the end zone by Jacob Millan (7) for a touchback.

End of Q1: St. Mary’s 0, Bakersfield Christian 0

Second Quarter — Momentum Swings on Both Sides

Bakersfield Christian capitalized early in the second. Big plays from Michael Smith (12) moved the Eagles into scoring range, and a horse-collar tackle placed the ball at the 5. On the first play of the quarter, Arnez Lee took a wildcat snap and powered in for the game’s opening touchdown.

BC 7, SM 0 — 11:55 left

St. Mary’s answered immediately. Moore III broke free for a 62-yard run on a blitz, setting up a wildcat package of their own. Moses Alexander (8) punched it in from three yards out to tie the game.

7–7, 9:34 left

After forcing a punt, the Rams struck again. Hernandez ripped off a 29-yard run to cross midfield, and Galvan found Moore III for a 16-yard touchdown, giving St. Mary’s its first lead.

SM 14, BC 7 — 2:10 left

The Rams’ defense made another statement moments later when Luka Lucatello (54) forced a fumble on Michael Smith, recovered by Moore III. Though St. Mary’s failed to capitalize, Bakersfield Christian closed the half with urgency. With four seconds remaining, a 40-yard field goal sailed through the uprights.

Halftime: St. Mary’s 14, Bakersfield Christian 10

Third Quarter — Defense and Discipline Define the Middle Frame

Bakersfield Christian opened the second half driving into Rams territory behind Wallace’s receptions, but the possession ended when Moses Alexander knifed through to block a 44-yard field goal attempt, preserving the four-point lead.

The Rams made that play count. Huerta converted a critical third-and-10 from deep in Rams territory, and on the next snap, Alexander exploded for a 52-yard run. Moments later, Alexander scored again from eight yards out on the wildcat, his second rushing touchdown.

SM 20, BC 10 — 5:31 left (PAT missed)

The Eagles threatened again after a 20-yard screen to Smith, but Mil Neudeck (21) intercepted Adame with Alexander helping on the coverage — another crushing momentum swing.

A failed fake punt by St. Mary’s handed Bakersfield Christian a short field, and despite a fumble recovered by the Eagles, the Rams defense held firm to end the quarter.

End of Q3: St. Mary’s 20, Bakersfield Christian 10

Fourth Quarter — Chaos, Big Plays, and a Championship Stand

Bakersfield Christian opened the fourth with a precision strike — Wallace toe-tapping the sideline of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three.

SM 20, BC 17 — 11:52 left

The response from St. Mary’s was immediate and emphatic. On the first play of the next drive, Huerta redeemed his earlier mistake, hauling in a 54-yard touchdown to swing momentum back to the Rams.

SM 27, BC 17 — 10:42 left

The Eagles refused to fold. Wallace converted a key third down, a pass-interference call moved the chains, and Wallace struck again — this time racing 44 yards for a touchdown.

SM 27, BC 24 — 7:45 left

St. Mary’s couldn’t bleed the clock, punting from midfield after a dropped third-down pass. Bakersfield Christian took over at its own 1-yard line with 5:43 remaining, then again at midfield with just over two minutes left.

Adame delivered a 40-yard strike to Michael Smith, placing the Eagles inside the 5 and setting up a potential go-ahead score. But in the season’s defining moment, the 23-yard field goal attempt sailed wide.

St. Mary’s kneeled out the final seconds.

Final — History Made in Division 2-AA

Final Score: St. Mary’s (Stockton) 27, Bakersfield Christian 24

For Tony Franks and the Rams, it was a long-awaited breakthrough — the first state championship in program history, earned through toughness, opportunism, and resilience. Bakersfield Christian’s undefeated run ended one play short, but not without showcasing the balance and discipline that carried the Eagles to the brink.

On a Friday afternoon that set the tone for Championship Weekend, St. Mary’s etched its name into California high school football history.