The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats defeated visiting Ontario Christian 41-0 in the first round of the Northwest Division CIF playoff bracket Friday night. The Wildcats led 27-0 at half, and added 14 points after the break in a dominating victory.
The first score of the game was a 24-yard touchdown pass from senior Jimmy Shragge to sophomore D’Shaun Barrett with 9:28 left in the first quarter. Senior Beayahn Carrllo would add another score from 20 yards out early in the second quarter, and Shragge added a 3-yard run on the next series. Junior Eneliko Tuli would take a punt return 53 yards for a score to end the first half scoring.
The Wildcats controlled the game throughout, allowing the Knights only 27 yards passing, and 56 total rushing yards in the first half. The Wildcats’ defense forced four turnovers during the game, including two interceptions by senior Demetrius Holmes, which set up scoring opportunities for the Cats. Seniors Donovan Esquilin, Colton Myers and Kyle Hope led the team in tackles from their linebacker positions and played solid throughout. The Wildcats’ secondary line, led by seniors Demetrius Holmes, Travaun Morrow, Kole Green, and junior Derek Sutherland, allowed only 59 yards receiving throughout the contest. The defensive line led by Andrew Wilson, Shane Estrada, Michael Clark, Gunnar Moss, Eneliko Tuli, and K.J. Magwood, along with the linebacking group, held the Knights to only 16 yards rushing in the second and third quarters of the game.
The Wildcats’ two scores in the second half were set up by passing plays. Junior Derek Sutherland had a 25-yard reception, followed by a 25-yard fade pass from Shragge to Holmes early in the third quarter to make the score 34-0. Demetrius Holmes’ second interception led to a 2-yard run by senior Donovan Esquilin to end the scoring at 41 for the ‘Cats. Offensively, the home team was very balanced, rushing for 171 yards, and passing for 174 for the game. Rushing leaders were Carrllo with 18 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Eneliko Tuli had five carries for 48 yards and a punt return for a touchdown. Donovan Esquilin had seven carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. Demetrius Holmes had three receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats will now travel over 300 miles to take on defending CIF Champion Nipomo, who defeated Arrowhead Christian in a close game in the finals last season. The Titans are 6-5 on the 2015 season, and defeated Rio Hondo Prep 51-6 in the first round of the playoffs. The Northern league runner-up rushed for over 466 yards in the contest against Rio Hondo, and they have nearly 2,300 yards on the ground this season. The Wildcats enter the game with an 11-game win streak, and have 2,100 yards rushing and 2,100 yards passing on the season. There are no common opponents this season between the two teams; however Northern League Champion Mission Prep fell to Aquinas of San Bernardino 28-21 in the first round of the playoffs. The Wildcats’ second round game will begin at 7 p.m. Friday night at Nipomo High School. Directions to the contest will be available on the Twentynine Palms High School website.
TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STILL UNDEFEATED, CIF ROUND 2 AWAY FRIDAY
