By Head Coach Ernest Martinez
Yucca Valley High School won the 52nd Battle of the Bell, 21-6 Friday night, obtaining the bell for the first time since 2004. The Wildcats had won the last 14 consecutive games.
The offensive stats were nearly even in almost every category for both teams, with one key difference: the Wildcats had three second-half turnovers. The ’Cats made a long drive in the final minute of the first half, trailing 7-0 with just seconds to go. Senior wide receiver Chris Rantzow made a diving catch in the end zone on a roll out pass from junior Carson Estrada with no time remaining in the half. The two-point conversion fell short and the Trojans led 7-6 at halftime.
On the Wildcats’ first drive on the second half, a fumble gave the Trojans the ball at the Wildcat 35 yard line, but the ’Cats defense was able to prevent a score. However, the third quarter proved costly for the home team as two more turnovers gave the Trojans a short field for their two touchdowns to take a 21-6 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats were able to drive down to the 5-yard line, early in the fourth quarter, but were stopped short on 4th and one. The Wildcats’ final drive ended at the 25-yard line.
Offensive leaders for the Wildcats were Chris Pacheco with 107 yards of total offense, and Chris Rantzow with five receptions for 96 yards. Estrada was 16 of 36 for 175 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Wildcats were able to hold Yucca Valley to only 45 yards rushing in the second half, and 155 for the game. Senior Jeremiah Kirk led the team with 10 tackles, and senior Matai Patu added nine tackles and two quarterback sacks. Kirk finished the season with the most tackles in the entire league with 85 total tackles in league play. Junior Jordan Tua added seven tackles for the game and three tackles for a loss. Tua finished the season, with the most quarterback sacks in the league, playing in just five league contests. Seniors Eric Stone and Justin Peters teamed up for 12 tackles as each player had six tackles for the game.
The ’Cats missed the playoffs for just the second time in the past 15 seasons, as Division 12 did not have any at-large places available.
The ’Cats still hold a 14-game lead in the Bell series with 33 wins to 19 for Yucca Valley.
