For the tenth consecutive season, the Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats kept their hands on the “Bell” in the 48th annual Kiwanis Club’s Hi-Desert Championship game, known to all as the “Battle of the Bell.” Leading 27 to 20 after the first half, the ’Cats scored 20 unanswered second half points, as the defense shut out the Trojans after halftime for a convincing 47-20 victory in the Hi-Desert contest. The opening quarter was filled with excitement, as junior Jimmy Shragge raced 64 yards for a score on the second play of the Wildcats first series. The point after was missed and the ’Cats had an early 6-0 lead. Yucca Valley stormed back with a 60-yard drive to make the score 7-6 after a 28-yard run by their QB. The ’Cats quickly returned the favor, thanks to a 56-yard strike from Shragge to junior wide out Demetrius Holmes. Senior Jayvon Johnson snared the 2-point conversion and the ’Cats were back in front 14-7. On the ’Cats next possession, the play call went back the junior wide out as Shragge found Holmes open down the middle of the field again for another scoring reception. With the lead 21–7, the Trojans continued to battle as they returned the kickoff 80 yards for a score. On the ensuing play, the Wildcats fumbled the ball at the 9-yard line, giving the home team a chance to tie. An off-tackle play would make the score 21-21 with six minutes left to play in the second quarter.
At this point in the game, the momentum switched. Led by Beayahnn Carrllo, the ’Cats offense would go on a 72-yard march. Carrllo took the ball off the left side of the line for a 38-yard gain early in the drive, and then Shragge would find senior wide out Tyler McGahuey for a 30-yard strike down the middle of the Trojan defense on third and long, for a 27-20 halftime lead. The Wildcats defense would completely shut down the Trojan offense from this point in the game, only allowing 19 rushing yards in the second half and 16 yards through the air.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ offense continued to dominate through the air and on the ground in the second half. Shragge completed eight of 14 passes for 238 yards, finding Holmes on more time in the third quarter for another 55-yard scoring touchdown. Beayahn Carrllo finished the game with 177 yards rushing on 23 carries to lead the ’Cats, and Shragge had 10 carries for 136 yards. Defensively there were many outstanding plays as the Wildcat linebackers forced four sacks and senior Jayvon Johnson recorded an interception in the red zone to prevent the Trojans from scoring in the second half. Kyle Hope, Dylan Martinez, Andrew Wilson, Jayson Nomura, and Eneliko Tuli all had spectacular defensive games as they held the home team to less than 35 yards in the second half. Hope had 10 tackles and two sacks, Martinez and Wilson combined for 19 tackles. Sophomore Eneliko Tuli had several big plays, and senior lineman Jayson Nomura had his best defensive game of the season anchoring the line with fellow senior Josh Alderson.
The victory gave the Wildcats a 6-4 overall record on the season and their 29th victory in the 48 Battle of the Bell games played. The win allows the ’Cats to finish with a 3-3 De Anza league record and to finish in a tie for third place in league. The Wildcats had an outstanding year, defeating three teams in divisions well above their own, and losing three tough games to opponents ranked in the top five spots of CIF. “We had an outstanding effort by every member of this team and we are tremendously proud of them, stated Head Coach Ernest Martinez. “This team accomplished many goals set throughout the year, and they were an outstanding group to work with. The entire coaching staff would like to thank them for their tremendous efforts on the season, and also to all the parents, administration, staff and students who supported the Wildcats throughout the year. I would like to thank the outstanding assistant coaches who gave hours of time and commitment throughout the season. Varsity assistants Tim and T.J. Stanford, along with Frosh- Soph Coaches Bob Jones and Joe Estrada, were all outstanding mentors and Coaches. The Wildcats family lost an amazing teacher, Coach, and friend in Richard Casey this past month, and they will remember his leadership, and teaching for a lifetime.”
