The 29 Palms Wildcats lost a tough emotional game Friday night against Yucca Valley 10 –13 in a seesaw game, which contained 10 turnovers by both teams. The game came down to Ty Mclintock’s game winning field goal with one second left on the clock to send the Kiwanis Bell back to Yucca Valley. The Bell had been in the hands of the Wildcats since the 1999 football season. This Morongo basin rivalry has been played for 36 years, with the Wildcats now leading the series with 19 victories to 17 for the Trojans.

The Trojans managed to score first after a turnover gave the ball to the visiting team on the Wildcat 17 yard line. After a short 6 play drive the Trojans held a 7-point lead. The Wildcats would respond with a tough defensive stand late in the first quarter to even things up. With just 2:15 on the clock in the opening period, senior defensive end Michael Usher picked up an errant lateral to tie the game at 7.

The Wildcats controlled the ball most of the remaining three quarters, but where never quite able to put the game out of reach. The Cats had several opportunities deep in Trojan territory, but those drives stalled at the 3, 17, and 10 yard lines. Peter Babuata kicked a 30-yard field goal with 3:26 to go in the second quarter to give the Cats a 10 – 7 halftime edge. The Trojan offense was kept in check most of the ball game. The Trojans only managed 3 carries longer than 5 yards throughout the whole contest. Two long runs in the second half would lead to two field goals by the Trojans. The Cats made a great goal line stand after a 44- yard run gave the Trojans a first and goal scoring opportunity. Junior defensive tackle Eric Villages, and Senior Linebacker Bernie Ayon led a host of Wildcats in this great defensive stand. With the Trojans stopped at the two-yard line, McClintock kicked his 1st field goal of the game with 6:19 left in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 10. The Cats played great defense throughout the evening forcing 5 turnovers. Bernie Ayon recovered two fumbles, and Jerry Moscato forced another. Junior Defensive end Lance Bednorski intercepted one pass, and recovered a fumble. Leon Perdue and the Wildcats defensive line teamed up for 4 qb sacks on the night.

In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats had a great chance to take the lead with 1st and goal at the Trojan 3 yard line, but once again were turned away by their own miscues. Penalties and turnovers plagued the home team, who dominated everything but the scoreboard. The Cats had 12 first down on the evening compared to the Trojans four, but were unable to capitalize. “I am proud of the effort our players gave, we played with a lot of heart and emotion, stated Head Coach Ernie Martinez. Both teams seemed to be a little tight, and both teams made a lot of mistakes. We had our share of great plays tonight, but the mistakes we made seemed to come at the worst time. We had more turnovers and penalties tonight than our two previous games combined. We will work hard this week to improve those two areas”. The Wildcats remain in a four-way tie with Yucca Valley, San Jacinto, and Big Bear in the De Anza league playoff race with 3 –2 records. Beaumont currently leads the pack with a 5 – 0 league record. The Wildcats will travel to Banning on Friday to take on the Broncos at 7:30 pm.