East Football Routs Firebaugh in Playoff Opener
East High wins its first playoff game since 2021 while mourning equipment manager Robert "Bobby" Rocha, who died after a medical emergency at an October game.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Football
East High football defeated Firebaugh 34-7 in the first round of the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs on Friday night. The win was the program's first playoff victory since 2021, in the first season under head coach Nick Romero.
Why it matters
The victory gives the Bakersfield school a second-round home-community moment in a season that ended the program's 2025 campaign at 2-8. The result also comes weeks after the death of athletic equipment manager and trainer Robert "Bobby" Rocha, which has weighed on the team.
Max Hull threw a 33-yard completion to Jabril Williams to set up Isaac Mena's go-ahead 11-yard touchdown, and Christian Tellez ran 30 yards for a score with 1:56 left. Jayden Navarro's interception led to a 27-yard Quintero field goal in the fourth quarter.
The players
East High School
East High School is a public high school in Bakersfield, California, whose athletic program competes in the CIF Central Section.
Nick Romero
Nick Romero is the head football coach at East High who took over the program in 2025.
Robert "Bobby" Rocha
Robert "Bobby" Rocha was an East High athletic equipment manager and trainer whose death followed a medical emergency at an October game.
The details
Isaac Mena scored an 11-yard touchdown, and Preston Mendez caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Max Hull. Tellez's late 30-yard run sealed the margin for East before the team turns its attention to a second-round home game against Selma, the Division V second seed.
Timeline
2025: Nick Romero became East head coach; the team finished 2-8.
October 16, 2026: Rocha suffered a medical emergency before halftime at Foothill High and later died after being taken by ambulance.
Friday, November 6, 2026: East defeated Firebaugh 34-7 in the first round.
Friday, November 13, 2026: East is scheduled to play Selma in the second round.
Season Trajectory
East's first-round win ends a playoff drought that began after its 2021 postseason victory, a stretch that stands out against a 2025 season that finished 2-8. The result gives the Romero-led program its first postseason momentum since the 2021 team.
With the win, East advances to a second-round game against Selma on Friday, November 13, which keeps the Bakersfield team's postseason run alive. Fans planning to attend should expect the next game to be the program's first home playoff contest in several seasons.
The takeaway
East's win shows a program rebuilding under a new coach can still produce a postseason result, even after a difficult 2-8 season and a painful loss in the community. The next game against Selma gives the team a chance to build on that momentum.
What happens next
East High plays Selma, the Division V second seed, in the second round on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local high school game, see Football coverage across the Bakersfield area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bakersfield Californian.
