HAMILTON CITY >> As a former high school baseball player who played year round and a student who commuted 30 minutes each way to school, Friday night football was not an every week event for me. Or even yearly event.

Friday night, my alma mater Berean Christian played just 15 minutes away from Chico, and I couldn’t miss it. Twelve years after graduating high school in 2011 in Walnut Creek, seven years after starting school at Chico State and four years after graduating college, I had the opportunity to attend my second Berean Christian football game.

The Berean Christian Eagles traveled to Hamilton City to take on Hamilton in the Braves’ home opener. The Braves took a 28-11 lead into halftime and continued their pass-heavy offensive outburst with a 49-20 victory.

It was the first meeting for both schools. Both teams were missing a Week 2 game and the two head coaches connected via coaches forums online. The Braves will be traveling to Walnut Creek in 2024, and now both coaches say a new relationship has been formed.

“I was looking for games, and I put a want ad out through the NCS and somehow got hooked up with the coach here. We talked and decided, ‘Hey, let’s do this,’” said Berean head coach Mark Barcelon, who is in his second stint of a 22-year coaching career at Berean. “We both wanted a relationship, we both needed a home game, and eventually I gave in and decided we’d come up here. We’re only four home games this year, but next year we’ll have six home games. I’m ok with that. I hope we continue it.”

Said Hamilton head coach Aaron Elliott: “We looked at similar size, but also we were looking for a challenge. They play a tough schedule and had a really good year last year. They played a really good Willits team last week and competed with them, so we knew it was going to be tough. We knew we were going to have to show up and give them our best, and I think it’s going to be a competitive series here in the future.”

Despite two schools with under 500 students — Hamilton with roughly 350, Berean with roughly 425 — each school has an alumnus who has made it to the biggest stage: the National Football League. Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez graduated from Hamilton in 2012, and New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins graduated from Berean in 2017.

“Just ’cause you’re from a small town doesn’t mean you can’t get noticed. If you put in the hard work, it pays off,” Elliott said. “(Rigoberto Sanchez) is a testament to that that it doesn’t matter the zip code you’re from or the size of the school you’re from; if you work hard, then you can accomplish your dreams….

“Rigo for us is kind of an inspiration. He’s still really involved in the community and has always preached hard work and follow your dreams.”

Despite the traditional small-school approach of rushing the ball, both teams went with their strength. Hamilton quarterback Diego Sanchez threw for 464 yards and six touchdowns, including three to his twin brother, Omar Sanchez. Berean quarterback Joshua Werner threw three touchdowns to three different receivers, as the Braves put a stop to the Eagles’ run game throughout.

Diego Sanchez and Omar Sanchez got off to a fast start, connecting on a 49-yard touchdown on the second play of the game, before Berean came within one point at 7-6 halfway through the first quarter. Diego Sanchez connected with Kayden Strong on a fade route to the left corner of the end zone in the final two minutes of the first quarter, giving the Braves a 14-6 lead. Diego Sanchez and Omar Sanchez connected once more in the first minute of the second quarter on a 65-yard touchdown, before Diego Sanchez and Strong connected once more for an 85-yard touchdown halfway through the second.

Diego Sanchez connected with sophomore Case Porter for Porter’s first varsity touchdown, a 13-yard pass, in the third quarter as the Braves took a 35-14 lead. Diego Sanchez connected with his brother Omar once more from 52 yards with 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, before the quarterback took the Braves’ final possession off giving way to the backup Strong.

Strong picked up right where the starter left off, but used his feet to rush for a 45-yard touchdown — his second rushing touchdown of the season on his second rushing attempt, and third touchdown of the game.

“Our quarterback is special,” Elliot said. “The arm talent is something we’ve always known ever since he got here as a freshman. He’s got a special connection with a lot of the guys, and we’ve got a lot of good receivers on the outside.”

After the game both teams shook hands, but before talking with their respective coaches they met at midfield. Berean assistant coach Marc Oliver, a former Oakland police officer, spoke to both teams and talked about how football is a way for players to compete on the field and share a love for competitiveness, but also grow as people and come together at the end. This is what both teams did.

The Hamilton students and fans showed up cheering their home town throughout. The announcer (like the UFC’s Bruce Buffer) had a loud “It’s tiiiiime” announcement pre-game, the Hamilton City fire department arrived early blaring its horn pregame, and the fan sections from both sides stayed cheering their respective squads on throughout.

A high scoring game, two teams battling on the real grass field of a small town, but all coming together at the end. This is Friday night lights.

And yes, I can admit maybe I did miss a little by not attending more as a high school student in Walnut Creek.

Hamilton (2-0) will now prepare to travel to Oroville to take on Las Plumas in Week 3. The Thunderbirds host the Braves at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Harrison Stadium in Oroville. Berean (1-1) returns home to host Modesto Christian at noon Saturday.