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Bowl game bound
49ers to host first bowl game since 1969
For the first time since 1969, the Yuba College football team will host a California Community College Bowl game — but this time, it will be on the 49ers' new football field.
The 49ers, who finished second in the Bay Valley Conference after defeating Contra Costa 24-14 on Saturday, will host Monterey Peninsula, which finished second in the Coast Conference, at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Sierra Central Credit Union Bowl.
"It was kind of unexpected," Yuba College athletic director Rod Beilby said about the team earning a bid. "I knew we had to win that game on Saturday, but being that there are only seven bowl games in Northern California, it's pretty nice."
The last time the 49ers (6-4) appeared in a bowl game was in 2006. They also earned berths in 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1998 and 1984.
The last time they hosted a bowl game was in 1969, when they played for the small school state championship at War Memorial Stadium at Marysville High.
This season has been a roller-coaster for coach Ted Hoal.
In his 17th season, he watched as his team shot out of the gates boasting one of the state's top defenses after four games, but then took a step back after injuries took hold.
"It really has to do with the way we schedule," he said. "We like to schedule some upper-level teams right before conference so that we're ready.
The thing is, you run the risk of playing up, because you run the risk of getting beat up, and that's what happened to us."
Now that the dust has cleared, the 49ers start nine freshmen on defense, seven on offense and it's no secret what Yuba does best — run the football.
Juan Johnson has rushed for 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games this season. He missed the Solano College game due to injury.
Hoal knows the contrasting battle will come down to which defense will step up the most.
"(Monterey Peninsula) is really talented. They throw the snot out of the ball," he said. "It's interesting, because they throw and we run, so it's going to come down to defense."
Tickets range from $5-$10.
