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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL WINS FIRST ROUND CIF PLAYOFF

The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats football team held on for a first round 19-14 CIF victory in the Division 11 playoffs at home Friday night.
Senior Derek Sutherland started the game with a 78-yard kickoff return down to the five-yard line on the first play of the game. However, three plays later, a fumble on an option play was picked up and returned 99 yards for visiting Spartans. A two-point conversion made the score 8-0 with just 1:30 off the scoreboard clock. The Wildcats responded with several drives into Spartan territory in the first quarter, but were stopped in the red zone. The ’Cats were finally able to score with 7:40 left in the second on a 14-yard run by junior K.J. Magwood. The two-point conversion pass was unsuccessful and the Cats trailed 8-6 at halftime.

The Twentynine Palms Wildcats scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including Senior Derek Sutherland’s 72-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats held on for a first round 19-14 CIF victory in the Division 11 playoffs. 

The Wildcats defense played an outstanding game throughout, only allowing one-offense touchdowns by the Spartans. The Wildcats’ defense was able to stop the visitors on four different attempts to score from inside the 5-yard line in the final seconds of the second quarter. The great goal line stand was a turning point in the game, and gave the ’Cats momentum as the second half started. Defensively, the ’Cats held Jurupa Hills to only 67 rushing yards for the game and forced the visiting team to throw 37 pass attempts. 

After Sutherland’s 72-yard run gave the ’Cats the lead, senior D’Shaun Barrett led the team to a final scoring drive and an 11-point lead with just 5: 45 to play in the game. On the drive, Barrett connected with junior Adam Bell for two long pass plays of 33 and 25 yards. On 2nd and goal at the two, he found Bell in the corner of the end zone for a 2-yard scoring play and a 19-8 lead.

Jurupa Hills did not give up, as they responded with a 55-yard touchdown pass on the next drive. The ’Cats were forced to punt on the next drive, and a great effort by Hunter Tygart pinned the Spartans at the 5-yard line on a 46-yard punt. Jurupa completed three more passes and drove to near midfield, before Derek Sutherland ended the game with his 11th interception of the season, with just 35 seconds left on the clock.

Defensive leaders were K.J. Magwood, Eneliko Tuli, Gunnar Moss, Abraham Bell, Michael Clark, and Sam Eggers. Tuli and Magwood had 13 tackles each in outstanding games. Defensive Ends Moss and Bell played outstanding with several tackles for losses. The two defensive ends had 18 tackles and four quarterback hurries for the contest. Clark had nine tackles, two hurries, and a quarterback sack. Eggers had several tackles and made three terrific defensive pass plays, including deflecting a long pass in the final seconds of the game.

Offensive leaders were Derek Sutherland, D’Shaun Barrett, Hugh Carpenter, and Adam Bell. Sutherland had 190 all-purpose yards, and Barrett passed for 142 yards and ran for 46. Bell was the leading receiver on the team with four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Carpenter was two of four passing for 34 yards. 

The Wildcats will now travel to Anaheim and take on undefeated Katella in the quarterfinals of the Division 11 playoff bracket. Katella, has an 11-0 record, winning their first-round contest against Westminster 47-39. There are not any common opponents between the two teams, and the two opponents have never played each other in the sport of football. The CIF playoff game will be played at Glover Stadium at La Palma Park in Anaheim at 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 18.

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