The Twentynine Palms High School varsity Wildcats football team put up 30 points in the first half en route to a 51-0 victory over Indian Springs High School of San Bernardino. The ‘Cats (3-0) used a swarming defense and a quick strike offense to take a 20-0 first quarter lead. The offense drove 55 yards in the final minute of the second quarter to set up a 35-yard field goal, which sent the teams into intermission with the home team leading 30-0. The Cats scored three touchdowns on the ground thanks to 127 rushing yards by senior Beayahn Carrllo. Carrllo scored three touchdowns on the night, two rushing and one receiving, and also turned in a dazzling 92-yard kickoff return to start the second half of the contest. Sophomore running back K.J. Magwood scored the other offensive rushing TD, on a 28-yard run in the fourth quarter. The home team also had three receiving scores as senior Demetrius Holmes caught two fade passes for touchdowns, and Carrllo added another receiving score from 34 yards out. Senior QB Jimmy Shragge had another outstanding game, completing 14 of 21 attempts for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Derek Sutherland led the team receiving, catching six passes for 41 yards.
Defensively the Wildcats continued their streak of three consecutive interception returns for a score, as junior linebacker Eneliko Tuli raced in from 38 yards out with an interception in the first quarter. The Wildcats’ linebackers had outstanding games, as seniors Kyle Hope and Colton Myers led the team in tackles combining for 27 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, and three tackles for a loss. The defensive front was solid as well; junior ends Gunnar Moss, and Caleb Roy played extremely well, teaming up for 14 tackles. Shane Estrada and Andrew Wilson anchored the defensive line up front with nine tackles combined.
With the victory, the 7th-ranked Wildcats will host Rancho Mirage in a very important De Anza league matchup Friday night. Rancho Mirage returns all 22 starters from last season’s team and is currently 3-1 after a big wins over Tahquitz High School, and Rubidoux in the past two games. The Rattlers are averaging over 300 yards of offense for the season, and will be a very solid test. The contest will begin at 7:00 p.m., and homecoming activities will take place at halftime of the varsity game. The frosh-soph team is also 3-0 on the season after a 48-14 victory earlier in the day. The junior varsity will start the game against Rancho Mirage at 4:00 p.m.
The Yucca Valley High School Trojans football team ended Friday night with a big 49-20 win over Palo Verde. Coach Andrew Amosa said sophomore Lucas Lopez, junior “Puda” Martinez and senior Tommy Geiger each rushed for over 100 yards each. Senior Larry Williamson was the stand out on defense with 12 tackles. Junior varsity improved to 3-0 with a 34-6 win over Palo Verde. Both teams open league play at home this Friday against Big Bear.
