Independence (Bakersfield, CA)       previews home


GENERAL
Nickname: Falcons
Colors: Maroon/Silver
Coach: Paul Golla
League: Southwest Yosemite - Valley
Section: Central
Playoff Division: III
Playoff Division Rank*: #6

RETURNERS
Returning Offensive Starters: 6
Returning Defensive Starters: 5
2024 JV Record: 6-4
Starting Quarterback Returning: yes
Top Running Back Returning: yes
Top Receiver Returning: no
Top OL Returning: yes
Top Defender Returning: yes

TOP PLAYERS
Gunter Golla III 6'1" 190 QB 4.7
Rickey Johnson 6'1" 210 Senior RB/OLB 4.5
Rayland Deenweed 5'11" 190 RB/LB 4.6

STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
Team Strengths: Second Year With Coach, Senior Leadership, 3-Year Starters At QB/RB
Team Weaknesses: DL Size

RATINGS
2024 Final Power Rating: -3.9
2024 National Rank: #5930
2024 State Rank: #382
Personnel (Back/Lost) Rating Adjustment*: +3.5
Season Scaling/Reg Season Schedule Strength Downward Rating Adjustment*: -0.2
2025 Starting Power Rating*: -7.1
2025 National Rank*: #4992
2025 State Rank*: #319
5-Year Dynasty Rating (Average 2019-2024 Rating): 1
5-Year Dynasty National Rank: #5165
2025 Rating vs. 5-Year Dynasty Rating Comparison*: worse by 8.1
5-Year Dynasty Record: 25-29 (8-10 in league)
Dynasty Rating (Average 2003-2024 Rating): 4.7
Dynasty National Rank: #6656
2025 Rating vs. Dynasty Rating Comparison*: worse by 11.8
Dynasty Record: 81-98 (34-40 in league)

HISTORICAL
2024 Overall Record: 4-7
2024 League Record/Finish: 1-3 (4th)
2024 Points For Average: 22.1
2024 Points Against Average: 27
2024 Differential: -4.9
2024 Wins: #6748 South (Bakersfield) (18-6), #7161 Stockdale (Bakersfield) (48-7), #9497 Ridgeview (Bakersfield) (21-12), #10628 Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria) (35-14)
2024 Losses: #841 Liberty (Bakersfield) (42-6), #1049 Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield) (38-14), #1211 Bakersfield (38-21), #1894 Centennial (Bakersfield) (44-27), #3619 Kennedy [Robert F.] (Delano) (34-19), #4010 Highland (Bakersfield) (36-13), #5648 Nipomo (26-21)
2024 Opponents W-L: 69-58-2
Recent Section Championships: 2021 (IV)
Recent League Championships: 2017 (tied for 1st; South Yosemite), 2016 (tied for 1st; South Yosemite), 2009 (tied for 1st; South Central Sequoia)
Winning Streak Entering 2025 Season: none

SCHEDULE
2025 Projected League Finish*: 4th
schedule not yet available; please check back later in the summer to see analysis of schedule including toughest opponents, overall schedule strength, projected W-L record, probability of an undefeated season, etc.




*temporary; not finalized until August 7th






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