after only their 3rd season with a football team, undefeated Calvin beats undefeated Hope 38-24 !
THIS IS ABOUT the CERRITOS/BELLFLOWER VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
My Blog List
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Valley Christian's Golden Era: The Crusaders' Football Dominance in the 1980s and 1990s
Cerritos Valley Christian High School was already building an impressive football tradition long before its championship seasons of the 2000s and 2020s. Looking back at the period from 1985 through 1995 reveals some remarkable teams, including what may have been one of the greatest teams in the school's history.
THE INCREDIBLE 1985 TEAM
The 1985 Crusaders were a powerhouse.
By October 24, 1985, Valley Christian had opened the season with six consecutive victories. The team had outscored its opponents an astonishing 393–7 and was ranked No. 1 in the Inland Conference.
Some of its early victories were particularly impressive:
- 46–0
- 49–0
- 24–0
- 62–0
- 42–0
- 38–7
Quarterback Mike Zoetewey had completed 71% of his passes and thrown 11 touchdown passes at the time of a Los Angeles Times feature story. Running back Rodney "Rocket" Bowman had accumulated 812 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
The team eventually reached 11–0 before suffering its first loss in the playoffs. The CIF Southern Section record book credits the 1985 team with 10 shutouts in one season.
THE 1986 CHAMPIONSHIP
The following season was another outstanding one.
Valley Christian finished 12–1 and captured the Inland Conference championship, defeating Carpinteria 10–7 on December 13, 1986.
This was a significant milestone in the school's football history.
SEASON-BY-SEASON RECORDS: 1985–1995
| Season | Record | Highlights |
|---|---:|---|
| 1985 | 11–1 | Outstanding team; reached playoffs |
| 1986 | 12–1 | Inland Conference champions |
| 1987 | 2–7 | Difficult rebuilding season |
| 1988 | 8–2 | Strong turnaround |
| 1989 | 1–9 | Difficult season |
| 1990 | 8–3 | Winning season |
| 1991 | 4–5 | Below .500 |
| 1992 | 6–4 | Winning season |
| 1993 | 10–2 | Excellent season |
| 1994 | 9–2 | Another outstanding season |
| 1995 | 4–6 | Losing season |
THE BIG PICTURE
Valley Christian was not a football program that suddenly became successful in recent years. Its roots as a competitive Southern California football school go back decades.
The 1985 team stands out for its extraordinary defensive performance, while the 1986 team delivered a conference championship. The 1993 and 1994 teams demonstrated that the program could remain competitive years later.
There is one historical discrepancy worth investigating: a 2016 newspaper account described that year's championship as the school's first since 1995, but the online historical record lists the 1995 team at 4–6. That championship history needs additional verification.
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
1. Los Angeles Times — October 24, 1985, "Valley Christian 'Angel Factory' Churns Out Wins."
2. CIF Southern Section — Historical football records and single-season shutout records.
3. Valley Christian football historical records — MaxPreps.
4. Historical coverage of the 1986 Inland Conference championship.
5. 2016 Valley Christian championship coverage.
Sunday, November 1, 2026
🏈 Valley Christian loses final regular- season game by 3 points, despite scoring 68 points !
Valley Christian High School (Cerritos) – 2026 Football Season
Valley Christian's Defenders had a pretty good season, finishing with a 6-3-1 overall record.
Their final regular-season game was October 30 against Heritage Christian. It turned into an incredible offensive shootout, with Heritage Christian winning 71-68. That's 139 combined points! Sounds like the score of a basketball game.
Some notable season results:
- Defeated Capistrano Valley Christian 56-27.
- Defeated Village Christian 35-7.
- Defeated Western Christian 55-50.
- Lost to Aquinas 28-7.
- Lost to Heritage Christian 71-68.
Valley Christian finished third in its league.
Playoff outlook:
I have not yet verified their CIF playoff placement or first-round opponent, so I don't want to speculate about whether they qualified.
Links:
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
re "Dutch Survivals in Bellflower" (Yale Pub)
Jim's Father, Gareth, was one of the Founders of Valley Christian High School in Cerritos/Bellflower CA
Monday, March 2, 2026
In Loving Memory: Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok 1935-2026
Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)
for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades). (His wife's name is Linda). (He was the 2nd-oldest son of Rev. Gareth Kok, one of the founders of Valley Christian Schools)
(I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok
https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)
Later in the day, all are also welcome at a formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc)
here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy:
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted."
— Matthew 5:4
Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok
(1935–2026)
James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim, passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness. In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.
Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota, Jim was the second of five children: Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents,Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School & served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.
The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School. Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.
During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema (future president of Calvin College) at Holland Christian High, & later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location) & winning multiple MIAA championships.
Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's, he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners, & even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time (Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area).
Later, still growing up, in Holland (MI) he also worked as a "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts.
As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood.
After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc. After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia & then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the Christian Reformed Church.
His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling.
He also started the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral. During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms. Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.
Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.
Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community. The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission: to model & promote Christ-centered kindness & care for all.
Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.
Jim would be "tickled pink" if you commit a "Simple Act of Care & Kindness" (SACK) in his memory, for the sake of our Savior Jesus.
Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness, will continue to bless the lives of many.
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Friday, December 26, 2025
Monday, November 24, 2025
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Fight the Good Fight of the Faith✝️
Fight the Good
Fight of the Faith✝️!
Take hold of the
Eternal Life to which
you were called
when you made
your Good Confession
in the presence
of many witnesses
👍🙏☝️
-1 Tim 6:12
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025
VOD 4..11.25
He builds His lofty
palace in the heavens
& sets its foundation
on the earth;
He calls for the
waters of the sea
& pours them out
over the face of the land—
the Lord is his name.
--Amos 9:6
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
what happened to coach wonderly . and what about the kid from the rockview milk family ? What's his name Ken Degroot ?
what happened to coach wonderley . and what about the kid from the rockview milk family ? What's his name Ken Degroot ?
Saturday, November 30, 2024
"St. John Bosco football battles but falls to Mater Dei in Division 1 title game"
"St. John Bosco put up a gritty defensive front and capitalized on big plays, but Mater Dei came up with the answer time and time again to down the Braves, 31-24, in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game at Veterans Stadium."
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Friday, August 23, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
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