California teams combine for state-record 165 points in remarkable one-possession game
There were plenty of offensive explosions in collegiate and professional football over the weekend -- Texas-Baylor or Texas Tech-TCU anyone? -- but none could compare with what played out on a California prep football field, where two teams combined for a state-record 165 points … and were still only separated by a single touchdown at the end of the game.
As reported by the Visalia Times-Delta and Fresno Bee, Porterville (Cal.) High edged out Tulare (Cal.) Union High by a final score of 86-79 in a game that has to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. As demonstrated by the contest's stats, Porterville and Union exchanged leads an unbelievable 11 times, with the game-winning touchdown scored with less than a minute remaining in a game which racked up more than 1,300 total yards on offense.
The losing quarterback, Tulare's Oscar Reyes, passed for an incredible seven touchdowns and two two-point conversions, racking up 446 yards through the air. Perhaps only possible in this game, Reyes was outdone in terms of yardage by Porterville's Dennis Chester, who passed for 476 yards and five touchdowns.
As impressive as those individual statistics may be, they pale in comparison to the total game stats earned collectively by the two offenses. The 165 points obliterated the state's previous, 144-point record by a full three touchdowns. In a game that featured a total of 29 possessions, 23 resulted in touchdowns. The teams' 1,331 yards are also believed to be a state record.
By game's end, everyone seemed to realize that the Porterville-Union face-off was a historic one, with Reyes telling the Times-Delta afterward that the offensive explosion was beyond his wildest imagination.
"Unbelievable," Reyes said. "I can't believe we scored all those points."
Ever score that many in a football video game?
"No, no, not even close. I don't know how you could do that," Reyes said. "It felt like we were playing a video game."
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