"Go ahead, keep those punches comin', because will be back next year."

It was a brutal season for Golden Valley in their inaugural varsity year, with an all-junior/sophomore team taking lick-after-lick in what ended in a 2-11 overall season.

But don't be deceived with the record, the year was not without it's highlights, particularly at the year's conclusion.

Bobby Hinzo was masterful behind center for Golden Valley, leading Tim Hartnett's spread offense to perfection at times with an under-sized line. 

When the dust settled, Hinzo marked 162 completed passes for 2,190 yards and 12 TDs, the best in the SSL and second only to Burrough's Karsten Sween in the entire valley.  Against Tehachapi, Hinzo figured out the Warriors weakness early...and exploited often...turning in a 18-38-212 performance that was bested only by Jose Tamayo against Tehachapi during the league season.

The most impressive note to Hinzo's mark last season?  He was only a sophomore.

So...Hinzo's going to be around awhile, which could spell doom to teams that decided to run the score up on his team last season...(yes Taft, we're pointing at you...remember 62-9?)

Returning with Hinzo will be three of the best hands in the valley in Andrew Brown (43 catches for 800 yards, 9 TDs), Mike Alvarado (31 catches for 582 yards and 3 TDs, and runningback Bryson Hodges (41 catches for 362 yards and 1 TD).  All three wideouts were among the county's leaders.

Hodges will be a threat for Golden Valley if he can find some wiggle room in the line of scrimmage, and will undoubtedly build upon his 672 yards and 3 running scores from 2004.  Scrum leaders Mike Medina, Eddie Vasquez, and Chris Morales should help Hodges' cause this season to open some holes.

Hold....THAT LINE- Returning Warriors like Ralph Curiel (#64) will have to lean on Warrior wisdom if a week 10 win is in the cards against GVHS.

The Bulldog defense improved dramatically as the season wore on, giving up only four TD's to Tehachapi and Dinuba to close the season, while fending off Wasco to only 13 points in a thrilling 14-13 win on Oct-29 last year.

Leading the defense this year will be Justin Collom and Ray Martinez at linebacker, while Golden Valley will have good depth with Hugo Sanchez, Gobe Tovar, Mike Ultreras, and Jimmy Coffey on the front line.  Andrew Brown and Emmanuel Avila should also be solid in the secondary.

Overall, expect Golden Valley to be back with a vengeance this season.  You can't ignore a team led by legendary former Bakersfield Driller head man Tim Hartnett, who helped guide the Drillers to a 52-12 record and five CIF titles during his tenure in the 80’s and 90’s.

We all know that Golden Valley's cross-country team is a favorite to win the league title and CIF title in 2005...don't be too surprised if the football team makes some noise as the season wears on at similar goals if Hartnett can help the first senior class put the pieces together.

For a brief history of each of the games that the Warriors and Bulldogs have played each other, click here.  You can also view 2004 Weekly Warrior analysis and 2004 game stats of the last meeting between these two teams.