The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcat football team jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead en route to a 59-0 victory over Desert Mirage High School Friday night. The number 2 ranked team in the Northwest Division scored 45 first half points to secure a share of the DeAnza league title with a 5-0-league record.
The ‘Cats jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after two offensive running plays by senior Beayahn Carrllo. Carllo covered 45 yards on two runs off tackle, and the team would have a lead they would not relinquish. The next scoring play for the visitors was a 32-yard fade pass from senior Jimmy Shragge to Demetrius Holmes with 3:49 left in the opening quarter. The ‘Cats scored their third touchdown on a blocked punt, as senior Kyle Hope broke through the line blocking a punt at the 5-yard line. Junior Eneliko Tuli recovered the ball in the end zone with 1:45 left in the first to take a 21-0 lead. The Wildcats’ dominating defense continued its strong play throughout the contest as it allowed the Rams’ offense only 28 first-half yards of rushing, and 0 yards passing for the entire game.
The ‘Cats would score 24 second-quarter points led by Shragge who tossed a touchdown pass to sophomore D’shaun Barrett, and ran another in from five yards out. Donovan Esquilin had a tremendous 55-yard punt return before being tackled near the 5-yard line, setting up a touchdown run. Beayahn Carrllo took the score in on the next play and the lead was 42-0. The team’s final drive of the half ended at the 14-yard line with just four seconds left in the second quarter. Junior kicker Ryan Stowers made a 31-yard field goal to end the first half scoring at 45.
The Cats would add two more scores in the second half as junior quarterback Hugh Carpenter completed three of three passes in the game, including a 32-yard touchdown strike to D’Shaun Barrett on his first pass of the game. Senior Colton Myers ran 38 yards on a long run down to the 10-yard line, where junior Eneliko Tuli finished off the scoring with a 3-yard run three plays later.
Offensive leaders were Jimmy Shragge with 144 yards passing, completing seven of eight attempts. Beayahn Carrllo rushed 12 times for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns. Demetrius Holmes and Kyle Hope each caught two passes combining for 120 yards receiving. Colton Myers had one carry for 38 yards.
Defensively the ‘Cats turned in one of their best efforts with five sacks, a blocked punt, two forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. Senior Donovan Esquilin led the team in tackles with nine, and had a forced fumble. Sophomore K.J. Magwood had eight tackles, a forced fumble, and two sacks. The front line led by Andrew Wilson, Shane Estrada, Michael Clark, Gunnar Moss and Eneliko Tuli teamed up for 4½ sacks and 21 tackles in an outstanding effort.
The undefeated 2015 team has secured the Wildcats’ seventh league championship in the past nine seasons of play. The ‘Cats won or shared six consecutive titles from the 2007 to 2012 season, finishing second in 2013, and tied for third last season. The team will make their 10th appearance in the CIF playoffs since the 2005 season, and have the possibility of securing at least a #2 seed in the Northwest Division playoff bracket next week.
The Wildcats will return home to face Yucca Valley after three weeks on the road. The ‘Cats will face the Trojans in the 48th annual Battle of the Bell game. The Cats have won 10 consecutive Bell games and 29 overall in the series, which began in 1968.
The frosh-soph team is also 9-0 on the season, giving the Wildcats program an 18-0 record on the season. This is the first time in the history of the football program that both teams are undefeated after week nine. The frosh-soph won their game 26-7 over Desert Mirage, and has a tough contest ahead with Yucca Valley. The Yucca Valley frosh-soph team is also undefeated in league, and this will be an exciting game to start the Bell week activities. Fans should expect to arrive early, as the Bell game usually draws a very large crowd. The game will also be Senior Night, honoring the seniors’ last regular season home game. The team will most likely host a first round CIF-playoff game next week.
TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH 59-0 WIN OVER DESERT MIRAGE
