Sports
Palm Desert Hammers San Bernardino 61-12 for First Win
Aztecs too much for San Bernardino; sending in second string before halftime of non-league game
The Palm Desert High Aztecs scored 49 points in the first half en route to a lopsided 61-12 thrashing of San Bernardino on Friday night
at Palm Desert High.
It was also the 150th win for a proud Palm Desert Head Coach Pat Blackburn.
“We were crisp, we weren’t sloppy,” Blackburn said. “Sometimes when you play a team like that you kinda stoop down to their level. I
think we did a good job of coaching. I know they [San Bernardino] are down right now, but we did a good job preparing and not letting them [Palm Desert] think they just had to show up and win.”
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Palm Desert dominated on both sides of the ball. The offense found the end zone on their first seven possessions, and went to the halftime break with a 49-0 lead.
Senior running back Tim Santa Maria (six carries for 33 yards) scored three times in the first half before the second string was put in. Santa Maria added a third quarter touchdown to give him four scores on the evening.
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Junior Quarterback Joseph Castelli was perfect passing before being replaced late in the first half, going 4 of 4 for 94 yards and
throwing a pair of touchdowns. Castelli also added 71 yards and one touchdown rushing the ball.
Palm desert was just as effective defensively, forcing and recovering five fumbles, while not allowing a completed pass.
The Aztec second string had some bright spots after starting the second half with three offensive penalties on its opening drive. Sophomore running back Trae Riek powered his way to 60 yards rushing in 13 carries, with a 2 yard TD run and a 20 yard touchdown catch. Junior quarterback Doug Hill was 2 of 3 passing for 29 yards, including the strike to Riek.
Blackburn was happy to see his second string get some game time.
“Right in the middle of the second half they settled down and we had a couple nice drives. I think we have some depth now,” he said.
San Bernardino (0-3) running back Khleem Perkins was clearly
the best athlete on his team. Perkins ran for 132 yards on the strength of TD runs of 60 and 66 yards in the fourth quarter.
Perkins also had an 80 yard scoring run called back in the first quarter on a holding call; one of three major plays the visiting Cardinals had overturned or shortened by penalty.
Palm Desert (1-1) will travel to face Hesperia next Friday night.
