2022 Inductees
North High School Athletics Hall of Fame: 2022 Induction Class
Front Row (l to r): Mark Choate, Kathy Allen-Hook, Casey Goodman, Bill Nichols, Randy Rich, Skip Slayton, Greg Boyce, Dave Smith, Jack Sands
Back Row (l to r): Dan Bartell, Bob Sherrill, Jerry Frith, Family of Steve Silvius (2), Tom Mawson, Duane Williams, Kathy Eribarne (Joe), Grace Eribarne (Joe), Mike Sweet
Scroll down ⬇️ for Inductee Biographies
2022 Inductee Biographies
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Bob Sherrill would fit a perfect description of a Swiss Army Knife. Whatever North High needed done, Bob was the man, volunteering his services in a number of ways.
He graduated from North in 1970, playing football for North High legend Turk Eliades for three years, then wrestled for three years for another North High Athletics Hall of Fame coach “Boot” Bootman. He attended BC for a brief period, then started working for Hoppers, Inc. as a welder and is still working in the shop he started 46 years ago.
While working at Hoppers he met his future wife Cheryel. They had three children, sons Bobby Jr., and Brian and a daughter Brandy. All three were outstanding athletes at North. Bobby was part of the Stars wrestling team that defeated the Drillers in a dual meet, breaking a 200 meet winning streak for BHS. Son Brian was terrific in three sports, making all area in football, soccer and baseball, the first to accomplish that in the school’s history. Daughter Brandy was also an athlete, playing soccer, volleyball and softball.
In 1988, with the kids now involved in sports, Bob jumped in with both feet as one of the school’s greatest contributors. He started out working and helping with the boosters club. Among his many volunteering efforts were many, many bingo nights.
He painted, scrubbed, dug holes, welded and did anything else that was needed on all the fields on the school’s campus. He would BBQ at the Friday night football games. He provided a red 1953 truck and victory bell for the football games as well.
He worked concessions at wrestling, softball and volleyball and anything else he was asked. He ran reverse drawings as well — anything to help raise money for the boosters club.
Bob was a key member of North High’s 50th Class reunion in 2003, attending meetings and helping with the organization of the event.
Bob claims these were some of the best times of his life, working with the likes of Tony Silver, Stan Moe, Duane Williams and Greg Fowler, among others. By the way, those four gentlemen are all in the North High Athletics Hall of Fame.
People like Bob Sherrill go mostly without fanfare, flying under the radar. Not in this case Bob, you are now a well deserving member of the 2022 Induction Class of the North High Athletics Hall of Fame. Overdue and well earned. Congratulations.
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Born and raised in Oildale, Casey Goodman is just another of the outstanding female athletes who came through North High in the 80s and 90s. Not only does she have to be one of the top basketball players in the history of Lady Stars basketball, but she also excelled in softball, where she has really made a name for herself.
After attending Norris Jr. High, she entered North High in 1995. As a freshman, Casey helped the Lady Stars win the 1996 Valley Championship, coached by North High Athletics Hall of Famer Curt DeRossett. As a sophomore, she started to make her mark on the program. She made 2nd team all-Area and 2nd team all-SYL. Then as a junior and a senior, she was 1st team all-SYL and 1st team all-Area. In addition, she was named 1999 Sam Lynn Award winner as Best Female Athlete.
When she graduated, she held the school record for points (1,811), field goals (659), field goals attempted (714), and also set the school record for single game field goal percentage (85%). What a career!
But softball was even better. Casey was named all-SYL and all-Area all four years and was the softball MVP in 1999. From there it was on to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where as a catcher she set the career record for RBI’s with 147. She was named 1st team all-Southern Conference catcher all four seasons from 2000-2003. And 1st team all- South Region from 2002-2003. After college she signed to play professionally for Langhiro, an Italian Club and was in the top five in batting average.
Following her stint in Italy, she started her remarkable coaching career. In 2005 and 2006, she coached LSU Eunice, a brand new program. She led them to back to back Regionals. From there, she moved to LSU Alexandria, another brand new program, and took them to another post-season appearance in 2008. She coached at Lamar State College in Port Arthur, Texas and led the team to its first ever winning season and first ever post season appearance. While there she coached 23 all-Conference Players, 18 all-Region Players, four Players of the Year and two All-Americans. The resume was just beginning.
When the Bakersfield College softball job opened up in 2017, she returned home to coach the Lady Renegades program. She saw an opportunity to come back home and give back to her hometown in the form of softball. It was also an opportunity to be with her family.
How’d that work out? Well in 2018 she led the team to a school record 33 wins and a spot in the SoCal regionals, which BC hosted. The team was Western States Conference Champions and she was honored as the Conference Coach of the Year, CCCAA South Region Coach of the Year and NFCA South Region Coach of the Year.
In 2019 the Lady Gades were again WSC Champs, going undefeated at 14-0 and Casey was again Coach of the Year. Including this past season, her teams at BC have gone 30-1 in the WSC since she took over the program!
Casey’s Dad Jim worked at San Joaquin Hospital for many years and mother Dorothy worked at Kaiser until retiring. She has a younger sister Candace, a 2001 North High grad, and a brother Trent, a 2003 North High grad. Candace played soccer and Trent played football and basketball for the Stars.
Although not married, Casey has several nephews and nieces that she's close with. You can bet they have already been introduced to sports with Casey coaching them.
BC is so fortunate Casey’s back in town. North High couldn’t be prouder to induct her into its Athletic Hall of Fame. Welcome home Casey.
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Jack Sands was born and raised in Bakersfield in 1950 but according to his accomplishments it must have been near a track. He played four sports in high school, but he made his mark in track and field. He will need to add a room to his display all his trophies and plaques from an amazing career.
As a freshman at North, he ran cross country, played Class C basketball and was on the freshman track team. As a sophomore he was on the varsity track team only. Back to work as a junior, he played Class B football and basketball and varsity track. His senior year was when he really started to make a mark, lettering on the varsity football team playing for North High legend Turk Eliades. He was the 2nd leading scorer and also served as the kicker. He was the track team captain as both a junior and senior. The career highlight was winning a 440 yard race vs. Bakersfield High.
Now the fun started. He went to Bakersfield College for two years, making all-Conference in 1969 in the 4x440 relay. After getting his AA degree at BC he received a track scholarship to Abilene Christian College in Texas. He ran track for two years and received his B.S.E. degree upon graduation. He followed that by attending Baylor University and received his M.S.E. degree with an eye on a coaching career.
He got his wish. He is now in his 48th year of coaching, all in the Houston area. He spent 6 years at North Shore High School, 30 at Klein Forest High School, 5 years at Summer Creek High School and 4 years at Klein High School. He has been at Concordia Lutheran High School for the past 2 years.
All he’s done in coaching is produce one State Championship team, 2 State runners-up and his teams have finished in the top 10 in 14 State meets! He has been part of 15 District Championships and 4 Regional Champion teams. Oh, by the way, he’s also produced 2 Olympians, 14 NCAA All-Americans, 5 National High School Scholastic Champions, 4 athletes who represented the USA in International competition and 13 State Champions and over 50 State medalists.
Sands was named Coach of the Year three times by the Gulf Coast Scholastic Track Coaches Association, twice named Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2002 he was the only High School coach named to the National Team Staff (NA- CAC). He served for 2 years as Chairman of the Texas High School Coaches Association Track Advisory Committee.
That’s not to mention all the many times he’s been asked to speak at numerous State Track Coaches Conventions. He is currently a presenter at the US Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Convention. He was inducted into the Gulf Coast Scholastic Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2011. He was honored by being inducted into the Bakersfield College Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2013.
His father F.M. (Jack) was a grocer manager for Mayfair Markets & others here in Bakersfield. His mom stayed home and raised him and his two older sisters, Fran and Hope (class of ’56).
Jack met his future wife Pamela Seale at a party after a high school football game and they’ve been married 43 years. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Lauren. Both attended college in Texas, Jennifer at University of Texas and Lauren at Texas State/Media Tech Musical Institute.
His sister Fran married Jack Denison, the longtime PE teacher and coach at Standard Jr. High. He followed in Denison’s footsteps and became interested in coaching. They must have been some big footsteps because he’s carved out an incredible coaching career and he’s not done yet. Not bad for a born and raised 08er.
Welcome Jack to the North High Athletics Hall of Fame. Very deserving.
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Jerry Frith was born in Vancouver, Washington in 1945. His father Jerry was in the Army and after his discharge, he and his mom Berniece moved the family to Bakersfield. He attended elementary school at Highland then Jr. High at Standard, graduating in 1959.
Jerry entered North High in 1959 and immediately made his mark on the athletic field, leading the Class C football team to an undefeated season, going 9-0. They were coached by North High Athletics Hall of Famer Winfred “Boot” Bootman. He was not only the quarterback, but he kicked field goals and extra points.
He also played for the Class C basketball team that tied for 2nd place in the SYL. And then continued his busy freshman year as a runner on the Class C track team.
His sophomore year Jerry once again quarterbacked the Class B Comets to an undefeated season, going 8-0 to win the SYL Championship. Jerry played Class B basketball for another Hall of Fame coach, Max Evans, then made the golf team, coached by North High legend Turk Eliades.
As a junior on the Stars varsity squad, he finally played in a losing football game, suffering losses to both South and Taft. The team was 7 and 2, but they did defeat the BHS Drillers for only the 2nd time in school history. He was again the QB and the kicker. Finally giving his body a rest, he concentrated on school and was a key member of the “Big N” lettermen’s club.
His senior year the Stars were only 4-4-1 but Jerry was named All-SYL, All-City QB and the team’s MVP. He had a pass completion record over 50% with 1,300 yards in the air, plus 200 yards rushing. He was dubbed “The quarterback with the golden arm.”
So, the Bakersfield College Renegades came calling and in his freshman year they were Co-Champions of the Metropolitan Conference with an 8-1 record, then defeated Glendale JC 48-0 in the 1963 Potato Bowl. Jerry served as a backup QB and handled the kickoffs and extra points. As a sophomore he moved into the starting role at QB and the ‘Gades again finished 8-1 and were Metro Champs, but lost to Fullerton in the Potato Bowl.
After his sophomore year at BC, he married a North High classmate, Karen Crawford and he was offered a scholarship to play football at Humboldt State. Unfortunately, he was drafted into the military and had to turn down school. He was eventually hired by the Kern County Proba- tion Department/Juvenile Hall. He and Karen had two sons, Scott and Brett, and both were outstanding athletes at North High.
He continued his education while working to obtain a BA degree from Fresno State, then onto Cal State Bakersfield when the school opened in 1970. While at CSUB, Jerry actually won a contest to name the school’s mascot and was credited with CSUB being named the “Roadrunners.”
After Jerry’s father left the lathing business, he attended barber college and opened his own very popular Frith’s Barber Shop on North Chester Ave. until his death in 1980. Frith has 2 sisters, Diana and Joann, who were both North High grads and members of the cheerleading squads. Diana was actually part of the first graduating class in 1957
In 1978 Jerry opened his own business, Empire Concrete, subsequently renamed Dirt Worx, Inc., in which he partnered with his youngest son Brett. His older son Scott owns and operates his own concrete business, Hard Rock Concrete and Design.
Frith is married to Kathy (Hoeper) Frith, also a North High grad, who excelled in swimming, volleyball and cheerleading. She then continued on to Bakersfield College and swam and played volleyball as well. They have a daughter Meghan (Holloway) Coffee, nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His grandson Kevin Frith played football all four years at Liberty. Two of his former teammates were current Green Bay Packers Jordan Love and Krys Barnes. Another grandson Cutter Coffee was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round in this year’s MLB draft after an incredible senior year and career at Liberty High.
Jerry, we are fortunate you found your way to Oildale. The 28 wins as a starting QB will probably stand for a long time. Congrats on a great career and proud to welcome you to the North High Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Joe Eribarne grew up in Oildale, attending Highland Elementary and Standard Jr. High before entering North High in 1969. He was born to be an athlete and especially pitch. He was the only child of his parents Joe,Sr. and Marguerite who were French Basque descendants.
Joe played on the Class C basketball team as a freshman and the team won the SYL Championship. After that it was all baseball, all pitching. He played on the frosh-soph team as a freshman then on to the varsity for the next three years. As a senior and playing for North High’s legendary baseball coach Sam Barton, Joe struck out 98 hitters in 70 innings and had an incredible ERA of 0.92. As a result, not only did the Stars win the SYL Championship but Joe was named 1973 MVP of the league.
He entered Bakersfield College after graduation but an arm injury cut short his career. But that wasn’t the end of his athletic career. In the mid-1980’s Joe and a motley collection of Oildale-based friends (‘08ers and others) joined up with some others who were affectionately known as the “Doggers.” They began playing NOR basketball and city-league softball and continued to do so over the next 20+ years. Many lasting friendships were made among this brotherhood and competitors. Once he turned 50 he began pitching in a 50 and older league and pitched in the Senior World Series in 2006.
He also loved racquetball, was a strong bicyclist and an accomplished skier.
He worked as a structural engineer for over 22 years, before returning to UC Davis to get a Masters Degree. In 2001 he opened his own business here in Bakersfield.
In June of 1988, he married Kathy Parnell and in 2001, their daughter Grace was born. They also traveled to many countries, including his ancestral homeland in the French Basque Country.
Unfortunately, Joe passed away in June of 2009 at the very young age of 54 following a stroke. You can bet he’s in heaven trying to get a team together for some sport. Rest in peace Joe, your spirit will live on.
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Everyone has heard the old saying “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That couldn’t be a better description of Kathy (Allen) Hook. Her father, Aubrey Allen, was one of the original faculty members of North High when the school opened in 1953. The family had moved from Colorado when Aubrey accepted a position as Biology teacher and assistant football coach to North High legend Turk Eliades. Aubrey was inducted into the North High Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 after an incredible teaching and coaching career at the school.
Kathy would go on to become one of the school’s all-time swimming greats, setting records in a number of events, many of which stood for many years. She was never afraid of water, as her Dad would toss her into a pool and have her swim back to the ladder. When the NOR pool
was built, her and her two other sisters, Janice and Carolyn, joined the swim team, the “Aqua Aces.”From there, her love of swimming and competing continued to grow. By the time she was a senior, she held the school record in the 50, 100 and 200 yard freestyle. In addition she held the record for the 100 yard individual medley and the 50 yard butterfly. She would win gold medals in free styles in the CIF Championships.
As a senior, she led the girls Lady Stars swim team to a 3rd place finish in the CIF finals, North’s highest finish ever. That same year the North High boys swim team captured the schools first ever CIF Championship.
Swimming was her only sport in high school. As a freshman she would swim for the Bakersfield College women’s team and was also outstanding. She won first place in three events at the SoCal Championships. While at BC, she met her future husband and standout football player, John Hook. He received a scholarship offer from Washington State University in Spokane and Kathy followed him there. Competing on the women’s team at WSU, she qualified for the Women’s National Championship in Tempe, Arizona.
Her and John both earned BA degrees at WSU and returned to California where John took a job as a coach at Bishop Amat High School in Los Angeles. In the meantime she finished her CA teaching certification. They moved to the Lake Isabella area for a while, John teaching at the high school level and Kathy at Kernville Elementary. Then back to Spokane where John became a head football coach, educator and administrator at Lewis and Clark High School. She also did some substitute teaching.
They have two children, Anna and Jonathan. Both live with their families in Spokane. Anna and her husband work in the legal field. Son Jonathon is a Physical Therapist and clinical director in the PT Doctoral Program at Whitworth University. His wife is an educator. The apple tree just keeps producing.
Both Aubrey and mom Chlora are deceased. Kathy and John are both now retired and enjoying the activities of their 6 grandchildren. She still stays in shape, biking, hiking and cross country skiing. Oh yes, she loves to swim the lakes in the summer.
Congratulations Kathy to a great career and keeping the legacy of the Allen family alive at North High.
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Born and raised with 08 in his blood in Oildale, Mark Choate was a natural athlete, excelling in football and especially baseball. His father Wes was an 08er and in fact was the MVP of the 1963 Stars baseball team. Following in the footsteps of his father, he carved out a fantastic career at North High.
Mark attended Norris Jr. High before entering North High in 1986. Mark played football for four years, starting on the frosh-soph as a freshman, advancing to the JV’s as a sophomore and being named MVP. Starting on the varsity as a junior, he was named honorable mention All-League running back. Then, as a senior, he was named the team’s MVP. He was the jack-of-all-trades, playing multiple positions, including running back, defensive back, quarter- back, extra point holder and kick returner. He excelled at all of them. On the varsity he played for North High Athletics Hall of Fame coach Rick Harvick who was assisted by Hall of Famer Tony Silver and also Randy Roberts.
But baseball was where he made his name. As a freshman and playing for North High Athletics Hall of Fame coach Jack O’Brien, Mark was the starting shortstop on the frosh-soph team. He became the starting second baseman on the varsity as a sophomore as the Stars advanced to the playoffs under head coach Tony Silver. He moved to shortstop as a junior and as a senior he really took off, not only winning team MVP honors but also named 1st team All-League, 1st team All-Area and 1st team Central Section.
During his senior year, he had tied the Fresno Easter Tournament record for doubles with 4 in four games. He capped off his senior year by blasting 3 home runs in his final game and was voted ”Player of the Week” by the Bakersfield Californian.
When the major league draft rolled around in June, Mark was taken in the 11th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed his contract and reported to Medicine Hat Canada in the Pioneer League and was selected as the team’s defensive player of the year. His 2nd year he was promoted to Myrtle Beach, SC in the South Atlantic League. Following that season he was chosen to represent the Blue Jays organization in Sydney, Australia for a 4 month stint in winter ball. The following spring, in 1992, he was sent to St. Catherines Canada in the New York Penn League and was selected as the “Player of the Year” for his team.
Following spring training of 1993, his career came to an end when the Blue Jays let him go. He chose not to pursue a career in baseball any further at that point. He returned home to Bakersfield and took a job at the Black Angus Restaurant and as fate would have it, he met his future wife, Leslie McHale. He kicked around at a couple of odd jobs before being hired by the California Highway Patrol. At one point he was stationed in Ventura, then to Buttonwillow and finally to the Bakersfield CHP Office in 2000. In 2013 he was assigned to the Kern County Auto Theft Task Force where he is still working today, investigating auto thefts.
He and Leslie were married in 1998 and have a son, Cameron. They are now approaching their 24th wedding anniversary. Leslie has worked as the Lead Supervising Aide of the Day Care Program at Del Rio Elementary for the past 12 years. Cameron has been married for three years to RJ and lives in Simi Valley. He works in the television industry and holds the position of Casting Producer for ATTN.com.
Mark and Leslie are both planning on retiring soon and spending a lot of time traveling around in their 5th wheel trailer. His father Wes passed away in 2014 after working for Lone Star Trucking for many years. That was later bought out by Plains Energy. Mark’s mom Judy (Gafford),
a South High grad, is remarried to David Tomlinson and after working at several jobs, she is now retired. Mark has an older brother Brad, a 1988 North High grad, who now works as a Sergeant for the California Department of Corrections.Mark, welcome to the North High Athletics Hall of Fame. The 08 brand just keeps on producing.
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Mike Sweet was born and raised in Oildale and was one of five children raised by his father Bob and mother Jan. He had an older brother Dave and three younger sisters Carol, Luann and Lora. He attended Beardsley Jr. High before entering North high in 1972.
Little did he know that he would be a big part of the history of North High baseball during his senior season. He also played 3 years of varsity basketball, but wasn’t a starter until his junior year. Baseball is where he shined, playing on the varsity for three years. Became a starting pitcher as both a junior and senior.
Playing for North High legend Sam Barton, the Stars won the SYL Championship in Mike’s junior year. The following year, history was made as he led the team to the school’s first ever Valley Championship. He was the winning pitcher in the Valley final as he came on in a 4-inning relief job to close out the Championship game win over Madera at Sam Lynn Ball Park. He had pitched a complete game win over Dos Palos in the semi-finals the night before. He was MVP of the finals in addition to being named 1st team all-SYL as both a junior and senior. Three of his teammates from that team, Jimmy Thomas, Terry Denesha and Steve Durrett, are all in the North High Hall of Fame.
Mike chose not to attend college even after some offers. His father had opened Sweet Oil Tool Rental in 1961 and Mike elected to go to work for his dad and his uncle, along with his brother. He’s been there 46 years now. His father Bob passed away a few years ago along with his uncle, leaving the business to Mike and his brother. His mother Jan worked at local schools. She actually retired after working as the Athletic Secretary for another North High coaching legend Tony Silver. She has also passed away.
Sweet Oil Tool Rental has supported several youth programs including 4H and many youth baseball programs. He and Thomas coached Northwest Little League for many years. He also started a Nationally ranked softball team with Kent Roberts.
He’s married to Jeneen and they have five children, Sarah, Megan, Lindsey, Amie and Jeff. They all attended Frontier High and the girls were all involved in athletics. Daughter Megan actually received a scholarship to play at the University of Reno.
Congratulations to Mike, a true 08er who made his mark on the school’s baseball foundation for many years. Well-earned.
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Steve was born in Oildale in 1957. He attended Wingland Elementary School then Standard Jr. High, graduating in 1971. He was the second of four children to his dad Don and mom Jean. He has two younger brothers Brian and Jon and an older sister Laurie, all North High grads.
After entering North High, Steve’s athletic career took off. He was on the wrestling team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, but sat out his senior year. Steve played on the JV football team for two years then made the varsity as a junior. In football playing for the North High legend Turk Eliades, he was voted MVP as a senior and All-SYL as well.
After graduating, he headed for Bakersfield College and became part of one of the greatest teams in BC football history. He played left guard in 1975 as a freshman. Then, as a sophomore, he was the starting left guard and a key member of the 1976 National Championship team that won the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena against a powerhouse team from Ellsworth, Iowa.
For his efforts, Steve was named All-Conference, All-State and honorable mention All-American! In addition, he was honored as BC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Steve had married his high school sweetheart Pam Warkentin between his freshman and sophomore years at BC. After finishing his career at BC he was offered a scholarship to Weber State College in Ogden, Utah and he and Pam moved there. Unfortunately, an injury cut short his football career, but he continued to make his home there.
Steve returned to Bakersfield in 1979 and began to work in the oil industry which would last for several years. In 1987, he and Pam welcomed their only child, son Matthew.
In 1991, Steve took a job with the Bakersfield City Fire Department and retired after 20 years. He remained active in fire department activities and was on the board of directors for the California State Firefighters Association. He was also appointed to the State Council for Developmental Disabilities by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Coming from an athletic family, both of his brothers made their mark also. His brother Brian, now a retired policeman, played football and wrestled at North and was also named MVP in 1981. Brian and his other brother Jon, a retired Corrections Officer, both played football at BC and played in the 1981 Potato Bowl win over Taft. Older sister Laurie who was an outstanding softball player, is retired from the phone company.
He was a well rounded person that enjoyed all the outdoor activities and loved life. Always very upbeat, positive and encouraging. Unfortunately, Steve passed away in August of 2021. He always finished his emails with “Just trying to make a difference.” He accomplished that big time.
Congrats and welcome to the North High Athletics Hall of Fame.
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If you went through the history of North High football from when the school opened in 1953 until the current season, it would be hard to find a team that could top the 1970 squad.
Coming off just one win in the 1969 season, not much was expected from the 1970 team. In addition, one of the starters from the previous season, Sonny Anderson, was killed in a vehicle accident and, as a result, that seemed to pull the Stars together as a team.
Not only did the team go undefeated in the regular season (9-0), but it claimed the South Yosemite League title for the first time in school history. They were loaded with a collection of talent that will probably never be matched in the school’s football history. The team was coached by North High’s legendary Turk Eliades and assisted by Jack O’Brien, another Hall of Famer, and Jon Hallmark.
The team was captained by quarterback Mark Drennan and lineman Ron Pritchard. Six players on the team have been inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, including future NFL defensive back Randy Rich, lineman Ron Pritchard, quarterback and defensive back Mark Drennan, lineman Skip Slayton, lineman Dave Smith and lineman Duane Williams.
Rich was the offensive star of the team, rushing for 1,033 yards and averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Backup running back Bill Nichols averaged 4.4 yards and leading receiver Tom Johns averaged 12.2 yards a catch.
They opened the pre-season with a 14-0 shutout of Mt. Whitney, followed by wins over Arvin (22-14), Shafter (26-0), and Taft (27-0) to finish off the non-league schedule. Their winning ways continued into the SYL league schedule with wins against Foothill (28-7), East High (19-7), West High (20-12), South High and finally Bakersfield High (7-0). They went into the Valley playoffs short handed, as several players were out with injuries, and fell to Bullard 22-14 at Memorial Stadium.
Overall, the Stars scored 189 points (21 per game) and allowed just 52 points (5.8 per game). In the SYL, North’s defense dominated, outscoring their opponents 100-38!
The All-City first team included right tackle Ron Pritchard, running back Randy Rich, right guard Skip Slayton, defensive back Mark Drennan, tackle Mike Cummins and linebacker Dan Eliades (Turk’s son). Pritchard was named All-City “Lineman of the Year.” All League 2nd team were receiver Tom Johns, running back Bill Nichols and left guard Dave Smith.
Rich gained 2,400 yards during his career at North. He went on to play for the University of New Mexico and became the first player in school history to start in the defensive backfield as a freshman. He led the nation in punt returns as a senior. From there, onto the NFL for more than four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns. He was on the Broncos team that lost Super Bowl XII to the Cowboys.
Tragedy struck the team again in 1972. Drennan was visiting family and friends here in Bakersfield before returning to University of Washington where he would have been a starter on defense for the Huskies as a sophomore. A vehicle accident took his life while riding in a car along with some members of the 1970 team. His memory lives on.
What a team, what a group of athletes. A once in a lifetime team that will be etched in the memory of North High football forever. Congrats, one and all.
