By Coach Ernest Martinez
The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats traveled to Big Bear Saturday to take on defending CIF Division 12 Champion Big Bear. The Wildcats played well early and had several scoring opportunities in the first half, but were unable to capitalize on two drives of over 65 yards, each in the first quarter.
The ’Cats made it to the nine-yard line on the first drive and the 16-yard line of the Bears on the second drive, but each time penalties would stall the offensive momentum. Senior Cezar Hueso completed six of his first seven passes for the game, and finished with 120 yards passing and a touchdown.
Senior Isaiah Castaneda caught a 50-yard catch and raced into the end zone in the fourth quarter for the team’s only score of the game.
The Wildcats’ defense played outstanding in the first half, forcing a turnover at the 30 yard-line on the Bears’ first drive. The Bears were finally able to score on an option play to take a 7-0 lead late in the second quarter. Trailing 7-0 at the half, the Wildcats kept the game close until the fourth quarter. Big Bear had consecutive scoring drives in the third to take a 19-0 lead into the final period.
Defensive standouts for the Wildcats were Brett Hope, Isaiah Castaneda, Matai Patu, and Nick Valenzuela. Hope led the team with 15 total tackles in an outstanding game, and Castaneda and Patu had 12 tackles each, and Valenzuela had eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Senior Larry Martinez forced a fumble and had five total tackles.
Offensive leaders were Hueso with 120 yards passing, along with Alex Burns with 50 rushing and 24 receiving yards. Isaiah Castaneda led the team in receiving yards with 80 yards on the day. Jonathan Carson had a catch for 15 yards, and also had an outstanding game on defense.
The Wildcats returned only three starters from last season’s CIF playoff team and showed signs of improvement the past two weeks.
The Wildcats will return home to finish up their non-league schedule with a game against Sultana High School. This will be the first football meeting between the two schools. Sultana lost a very close game to Norte Vista in week two, 22-21, and is also 0-2 on the season after falling to Kaiser in their first game.
The Wildcats, who are in Division 11, will play their second team in
Division 8 this season. Sultana which will travel from Hesperia for the final non-league game, is also in Division 8. Big Bear is now a Division 9 team after last season’s CIF championship in division 12. The tough non-league schedule will prepare the team for their first ever season in the new Desert Valley League.
The frosh/soph Wildcats won their game 14-0 on Saturday to start the season 2-0.
The game will begin on Friday with the frosh/soph contest at 4 p.m. The varsity game will begin at 7 p.m.
