Sutter seniors Brandon Flores (55) and Isaac Darrach (53) hug near the end of the Huskies’ 17-7 defeat to Barstow on Dec. 12. Photo by Steven Bryla

BUENA PARK, CA (YSBC) - The historic journey for the Sutter Union Huskies football team ended on Friday, Dec. 12 as the Barstow Aztecs prevailed 17-7 in the California Interscholastic Federation Division 4-AA Championship in Southern California.

This was Sutter’s first attempt at a state title as they won their first CIF NorCal Regional game last week on their eighth attempt in program history.

The Huskies proclaimed the name “road warriors” after they have traveled over 1,700 miles in games since Nov. 21.

Sutter’s final road trip landed at Buena Park High School against an oversized Barstow squad. Both the offensive and defensive lines had great momentum against the Huskies’ lines and overpowered them throughout the game.

Sutter juniors Deagan Parks (20) and Troy Bowens (0) make a tackle on Dec. 12 in the Huskies’  17-7 loss to Barstow. Photo by Steven Bryla

The first quarter was a chess match as both defenses locked down the opposing offenses and gave no wiggle room for moving the ball down field.

Barstow committed multiple penalties, including three straight on the opening drive of the game that set them up for a third-and-32 for a first down.

In the second, Sutter senior quarterback Braden Scritchfield connected with senior wide receiver Hayden Azevedo for an 81-yard touchdown pass that gave the Huskies a 7-0 lead.

Scritchfield completed seven passes for 143 yards in the air. 

Sutter opened the second half with the ball and the Aztecs shifted the momentum of the game as they forced a quick three-and-out that forced a punt.

Barstow senior running back Nicholas Gaoa (2) rushes the ball through the second level of the Sutter defense in the Aztecs' 17-7 win over the Huskies on Dec. 12. Photo by Steven Bryla

Barstow senior running back Nicholas Gaoa capped off a 60-yard drive as he tied the game with a 10-yard rushing touchdown.

Gaoa added another touchdown on the Aztecs next drive as he found the end zone from 28-yard out. 

On the Huskies next drive, Scritchfield tossed the first of his three interceptions in the loss. 

Barstow senior kicker Oscar Elijah Sanchez extended the Aztecs lead to 10 with nine minutes and 33 seconds left in the game as he converted a 31-yard field goal.

Sanchez redeemed himself after he missed a 37 yards in the second quarter. 

Sutter head coach Ryan Reynolds delivers his final message to the Huskies’ on Dec. 12 in their 17-7 defeat to Barstow. Photo by Steven Bryla

Sutter moved the ball downfield and had a successful drive going until Aztecs sophomore linebacker Elijah Leleimene picked off a Scritchfield pass. 

Huskies head coach Ryan Reynolds told his team in the final huddle of the year that they have nothing to hang their heads down for as they are the only Sutter squad in program history to play until the final day of the season.

Reynolds expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa sports that he couldn’t have been prouder of the effort, and they left everything they had on the field.

The Sutter faithfully supported the Huskies loud and proud on Friday night.

 

Barstow senior kicker Oscar Elijah Sanchez (6) kicks a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Aztecs' 17-7 victory over Sutter on Dec. 12. Photo by Steven Bryla

Reynolds told YSBC that Barstow was able to use their size, but the Huskies couldn’t capitalize on some of the open opportunities. The Huskies had 177 yards of total offense in the loss.

Reynolds added that the senior class of 2026 poured their heart and soul into the program throughout their time in a Sutter uniform.

“What they have accomplished, from getting a SJS blue banner to winning a NorCal game to getting to this stage is remarkable,” Reynolds said.

Sutter junior tight end Troy Bowens (0) catches a pass during the fourth quarter of the Huskies’ 17-7 defeat to Barstow on Dec. 12. Photo by Steven Bryla