By Coach Ernest Martinez
The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats opened the 2019 season with a road loss, falling 38-0 in a non-league contest.
The Division 10 Rattlers opened up a large halftime lead on three offensive pass plays and a score set up by a blocked punt. The Division 12 ’Cats were able to contain the Rancho Mirage-run game throughout, but gave up over 200 yards passing.
The Wildcats’ offense was affected by several early offense penalties, which limited the ’Cats in the first quarter.
The Wildcats completed 15 of 28 passes for 88 yards in the contest. Key offensive players for the Cats were sophomore running back Aiden Sullivan and senior Mac Miller. The two combined for 100 yards of total offense, and averaged five yards a carry on the game.
Junior quarterback Carson Estrada completed 14 of 26 passes for 77 yards, and Miller was 1 for 2 for 11 yards.
Offensive line standouts were George Zama and Nathaniel Brown.
Defensively the ’Cats showed improvement in the second half and held the home team scoreless in the third quarter. Seniors Eric Stone and Matai Patu led the ’Cats on defense, recording 10 total tackles. Senior defensive back Chris Rantzow had an interception and three solo tackles. Defensive tackles Justin Peters, Seth Williford had solid games combining for eight total tackles. Linebackers Luke Emmons, Jeremiah Kirk and Richard Sandoval teamed up with 15 total tackles.
The Wildcats will host their first home game of the season against Big Bear on Friday night, August 30. The Bears also lost their first game to a higher-ranked division team falling to Victor Valley of Victorville 28-12. The Frosh-Soph game will begin at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the varsity contest at 7 p.m.
