By Coach Ernest Martinez
The Twentynine Palms Varsity Wildcats remained undefeated after a 40-0 victory over Indian Springs High School from San Bernardino. The Wildcats scored on their first three possessions of the game to take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats moved 61 yards on four plays to score the first touchdown of the contest. Hunter Tygart had a 20-yard run to the Coyotes 30 yard line to set up a 30-yard scoring strike from senior D’Shaun Barrett to Isaiah Castaneda. Barrett was able to find Castaneda two more times, as they combined for three touchdowns on the game. Tygart ran the second score in from 29 yards out, and Barrett found Castaneda open in the end zone from 38 yards on the third score of the opening quarter. The Wildcats led 34-0 at halftime, and the contest went to a running clock in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats defense led by K.J. Magwood-Morton, Tristan Carpenter, and Finn O’Brien and D’Shaun Barrett forced three turnovers in the first half which set up offensive scores. Barrett would return an interception for the fourth score from 43 yards out and the 27-0 lead early in the second quarter. The final two scores of the game, were a 10-yard-pass play from Barrett to Magwood-Morton, and a 27-yard-pass play from Barrett to Castaneda.
The Wildcats dominated the Contest with more than 400 yards of total offense while holding the Coyotes to five first downs and no points for the game. Defensive leaders of the game were Morton, and O’Brien with 10 total tackles each. Carpenter had five tackles and two QB sacks, along with O’Brien’s two QB sacks on the game.
Offensive leaders were Barrett with 233 yards of total offense and four touchdowns on the game. Castaneda had 134 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Hunter Tygart had 82 yards rushing on eight carries and scored a touchdown. Cody Landry had three catches for 42 yards.
The Wildcats will now travel to Big Bear Saturday afternoon to face their former De Anza league rival, who is now in the Cross Valley league. Big Bear is 3-1 on the season having just defeated Malibu 49 to 12. The Varsity game will start at 1:30 after the 10:45 a.m. start for the Frosh Soph game. The contest will be the final non-league game of the season, as the Wildcats will begin De Anza league play in two weeks against Desert Hot Springs.
The Frosh Soph Wildcats also remained undefeated after a 4th quarter rally. Trailing 12-7 in the fourth the Cats scored three consecutive touchdowns, including a defensive fumble return by Chris Rantzow. Alex Burns and Jason Durrum both had long touchdown runs on the contest.
