Wildcats Win 48-8 on the road at Desert Mirage
By Head Coach Ernest Martinez
The 29 Palms Varsity Wildcats won their third consecutive Desert Valley league game scoring 48 consecutive points en route to a 48-8 victory over Desert Mirage. The Wildcats had 4 scoring plays over 60 yards during the game, with Jonathan Carson and Alex Burns having several long scoring runs. Burns started the scoring with a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the game. Isaiah Castaneda took the second score of the game in from 22 yards out, giving the Cats a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter. Castaneda would also score on a 22-yard reception from Senior QB Cezar Hueso to give the visitors a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter would start out with Jonathan Carson taking a screen pass 78 yards for a score. He then followed up with two rushing touchdowns; one from 2 yards out, and the final score of the half was a 78-yard run giving the team a 41-0 halftime lead. Alex Burns would end the Wildcats scoring with a 90-yard run early in the third quarter and the Cats would lead 48-0 into the fourth. Seth Williford had an outstanding game converting 6 of 7 extra points during the game. The final quarter was played with a running clock, and the Cats ended with a 48-8 Victory.
Defensively the Wildcats also had an outstanding game forcing 3 turnovers on the game, including an interception by Isaiah Castaneda, and two forced fumbles. Brett Hope and Nick Valenzuela led all defenders, with each recording 11 total tackles on the game. Glen Reaves, Jeremiah Kirk, and Seth Williford also had outstanding games, as they combined for 22 total tackles. Chris Rantzow had 4 tackles and a QB sack of 13 yards in the game. Matai Patu and Larry Martinez combined for 10 total tackles at defensive end.
The Wildcats are now 3-2 in the Desert Valley league, and will return home to face Cathedral City for the 2018 Homecoming game. The Lions are 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the league. The Frosh Soph Wildcats also won their game Friday night and are now 6-1 on the season. They will start the games Friday at 4:00 pm, with the Varsity game to follow. The 2018-19 Senior Football players will be recognized at the beginning of the Varsity game, and all fans are encouraged to show up early for the pre game ceremonies, which will begin around 6:00 pm.
On the trip home from Desert Mirage, the Wildcats Varsity and Frosh Soph buses were unable to make it home until Saturday afternoon due to the major flooding and road closures. The Wildcats football program would like to thank all those involved in getting us home safely, and their tremendous support of our student athletes.
