Wildcats lose to Beaumont 20 - 39
In the past 3 seasons, the game between 29 Palms and Beaumont has played a
big role in deciding the De Anza league championship. Both teams played like
it was
a championship game on Friday, slugging it out for 48 minutes of hard nosed football.
The first three quarters of play was an exciting back and fourth game, with both
teams combining for 50 points of offense. The 3rd ranked defending De Anza league
champion Cougars managed to score quickly on a 3rd and long play deep in their
own territory. For a brief second it looked as if the Cats had a huge defensive
sack, when Cougar Qb Kelly Habenton scrambled down the right sideline for an
amazing 73 yard touchdown run on a broken play. The Wildcats would respond with
a 74 yard drive, capped off by a 9 yard touchdown reception by Lance Bednorski.
The drive, which started at the Cougar 26 yard line was aided by nice runs by
Jerry Moscato and Antonio Oquendo. The play which set up the score was a 61 yard
pass play from T.J. Stanford to Bernie Ayon. The Cougars would quickly steal
back the momentum when J. Powell would race down the sideline for an 89 yard
kick-off return making the score 14 - 7. The Cats drove into Cougar territory
on the next possession, but a turnover gave the ball to Beaumont on the 48 yard
line. The Cougars would complete the scoring drive with a 25 yard TD pass to
Chris Alsina to take a 20 - 7 lead. With 4:24 seconds left in the 1st half the
Cats marched 48 yards on the ground with nice running by Ayon, and Moscato. Wildcat
Qb T. J Stanford would sneak in the endzone to bring the Cats to within one score
at 13 - 20. On the Wildcats second possession after the half, Antonio Oquendo
snared a 39 yard play action pass from Stanford to cap off a 64 yard drive tying
the ball game with just over 6 minutes to play in the third. From this point
on field position would be the key factor in the outcome of the game. The Wildcats
last four possessions of the game kept them pinned deep in Cougar territory.
The Cats started each drive at their own 5, 20, 22, and 24 yard line. Meanwhile
the Cougar offense would take advantage of two Wildcat turnovers, and mid-field
possession to eventually put the game away in the fourth quarter on two long
field goals and a 52 yard scoring drive. Statistically the game was very close
with Beaumont amassing 11 first down and 345 yards, while the Cats had 12 first
downs and 302 yards of offense. "This was a tough loss, but I know our kids
will respond in a positive manner next week for Homecoming", stated 9th
year varsity Coach Ernie Martinez. "I am proud of their efforts tonight,
it just didn't turn out the way we would have liked it to. We have three home
games to concentrate on, and I am sure our team will respond. I have seen great
improvement the last two weeks on both sides of the ball. We are still 1-1 in
league, and their is a lot of De Anza league football left to play!"