By Head Coach Ernest Martinez
The Twentynine Palms varsity Wildcats won their first league game of the season, 52-8, over Desert Hot Springs. The Wildcats took a 27-0 halftime lead, and recorded nearly 460 yards of total offense in the league victory. Senior quarterback Isaiah Castaneda rushed for 141 yards and three
touchdowns. He also completed eight of 12 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Outstanding players of the game include senior running back Jonathan Carson, who had 144 yards of total offense, including two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. Mac Miller had an outstanding game rushing for 102 yards and scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Alex Burns had an 83-yard kick-off return for a touchdown, and a 25-yard pass play.
Senior Neolani Bullion caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Castaneda had two long scoring runs of 49 and 72 yards. The offensive line, led by Adam Mapuatuli, George Zama, Nathaniel Brown, Larry Martinez, Jason Esquite, and Glen Reaves, had their best game of the season.
Defensive standouts were Brett Hope, Jonathan Carson, Larry Martinez, Mac Miller, and Chris Rantzow. Hope and Carson led the team in total tackles, combining for 17 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, and a quarterback sack. Martinez had an outstanding game at defensive end, recording four tackles and a tackle for a loss. Miller had an interception at the end of the first half, and Chris Rantzow had four tackles and two pass defended plays.
The Wildcats will go on the road next week to face Indio High School next Friday. Indio is currently tied for second place in the league with a 2-1-
league record. The Rajahs fell to Yucca Valley last week for their first loss in league play this season. The frosh-soph game will begin at 4 p.m.,
followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m.
