The Southwest Voice

larger view

The makings of an American football dynasty took shape in 1896 with the first reported high school football game in Bakersfield. A team that would later be called the Drillers would lead the way into California's 20th century record books.

A landmark new book, "Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football," offers the first comprehensive history of the Bakersfield High School Drillers.

“Football is a great American tradition, and it is my hope that every football fan will enjoy the extraordinary story of one of this country's finest sports legacies,” said author Rick Van Horne of Bakersfield, who also is a former Driller player and coach.

Van Horne's new book, available in local bookstores and online at:  www.drillerheroes.com, chronicles each decade of the team's history from 1896 until 1996. Based on 13 years of research, Van Horne tells engaging stories from on and off the field, based on hundreds of interviews.

"Friday Night Heroes" also contains hundreds of photographs, team and game records, lettermen lists and a new Hall of Fame consisting of players and coaches he considers among the greats of Driller history.

Bakersfield High was the training ground for Frank Gifford and other college and professional football greats.

The Drillers still rank No. 1 in California for most all-time reported wins (576) and most undefeated seasons (21) from 1896-1996. Bakersfield High also ranks 1st in the state for most CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Championships; Most Consecutive CIF Championships; and Most CIF Section Championships.

The famed rivalries of Bakersfield High and neighboring Kern County schools became the basis for "The Best of Times," the 1980s movie starring Kurt Russell and Robin Williams, according to the book.

More than 100 miles from the big city schools of Los Angeles, Driller team members came from throughout rural Kern County, many housed in high school dormitories that were in place until the mid-1950s. During the early years of the 20th century, Van Horne writes, some players were required to hunt for their food at pre-season football camps.

Driller Coach Dwight M. Griffith coached the team to seven state titles between 1916 and 1927. From the 1950s, Coach Paul Briggs was at the helm.

“He had a tremendous likeness to another very famous coach at the time, Paul 'Bear' Bryant of Alabama,” said Van Horne, who played for Briggs, as did the author's father, Richard Van Horne.

Van Horne is dedicating a portion of the proceeds from each sale of the book to the history program at his alma mater, where students under the direction of history teacher Ken Hooper helped compile many of the photographs, early press clippings, photographs, game announcements and other materials featured inside "Friday Night Heroes."

"Once a Driller, Always a Driller" is a team motto that is a three-generation tradition with the Van Horne family. Rick Van Horne's son, Vince, is a junior at Bakersfield High and a third-generation Driller.

Rick Van Horne will be featured at a booksigning Aug. 4 at Russo's Books in The Marketplace in Bakersfield. On Sept. 8, Van Horne will be at a booksigning at the Holiday Inn in Bakersfield coinciding with the 50th high school reunion of his father, first-generation Bakersfield Driller Richard Van Horne.

He also is asking that former Drillers and fans submit their Driller stories at the book's Web site at: www.drillerheroes.com, where photos documenting the history of the Drillers also can be downloaded.