By Head Coach Ernest Martinez
The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats lost their second consecutive league game on the road to defending league champion Coachella Valley High School, 61-27. The Wildcats trailed at halftime 35-14, after a 90-yard interception return by Nick Valenzuela was called back, with under a minute to go in the first half. Isaiah Castaneda and Jonathan Carson scored on two 35-yard touchdown receptions from Senior QB Cezar Hueso in the first quarter. Carson also had a two point conversion run in the half as well.
Castaneda returned a kickoff 75 yards on the fourth play of the third quarter to make the score 41-21, however the home team was able to score on
four long-pass plays in the third quarter, outscoring the ’Cats 26-14 in the second half.
Offensive standouts for the Wildcats were Cezar Hueso, Jonathan Carson, Isaiah Castaneda, and Alex Burns. Carson scored on a 35-yard touchdown
reception, and had 56 yards rushing, and had 202 all-purpose yards. Isaiah Castaneda had 192 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 75-yard kick return. Alex Burns had 70 total yards rushing and receiving. Chris Rantzow had a 43-yard reception. Nick Valenzuela had a 6-yard rushing touchdown for the final score of the game.
Defensive standouts were Brett Hope, Seth Williford, Jonathan Carson, Isaiah Castaneda, and Larry Martinez. Hope led the team in tackles with nine, including seven solos. Carson and Castaneda had eight tackles each. Williford and Martinez combined for 11 tackles and three quarterback sacks on the game.
The Wildcats return home to face Desert Hot Springs Friday night at 7 p.m. The Golden Eagles are 2-3, having defeated Cathedral City 34-27 last Friday. Desert Hot Springs is 1-1 in Desert Valley league play, while the Wildcats fell to 0-2 on the early league season with five games remaining.
The frosh-soph Wildcats lost in the final seconds on the road and now have a 3-1-season record. The team will start its third home game of the season at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon.
The Twentynine Palms Ladycat volleyball team traveled to Big Bear Friday and lost to the Bears in three sets.
Coach Missy Bond said the Ladycats were led by senior Alaina Thomas who had four kills and two ace serves. Freshman Meleane Taufa had three kills and a block. Senior Gabby Mackall had three kills, one ace serve, and nine assists. Senior Lea Speer and junior Amanda Mohn had two kills each.
The Twentynine Palms High School varsity girls’ tennis team also traveled to Big Bear to face the Bears Friday. The Ladycats came away with the win
14 to 4. Coach Bill Shay said the Ladycats are 5-and-0 in league and 8-and-1 overall.
