Refs End Chiefs-Ravens Game on a ‘TKO’ sports By Dan Marinelli SHADOW HILLS – A strange finish at Shadow Hills High School forced the ending of the Desert Chiefs’ 49-6 victory over the Los Angeles Ravens last Saturday. “They’re playin’ dirty, man, they’re playin’ dirty,” yelled one of the Ravens at the ref. However, the only thing “dirty” about the Desert Chiefs’ play was their ability to control the game on both ends of the field. The Ravens got the ball to start the game and were stopped, three and out, in only a minute and a half. On fourth down, the Ravens fumbled the punt and the Desert Chiefs ended up with the ball at their own 28-yard line. Continuing right where he
left off last week, starting running back and punt returner Komani Harper, had bookend scores and another 100-plus, all-purpose yard game (offense and special teams) against the Ravens. Harper ran the first Desert Chiefs play of the game into the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown. Considering the length, and physical toll, of the season, Desert Chiefs Head Coach Josiah Jackson elected to take Harper out for a significant chunk of the game. Harper did return in the fourth quarter to close the door on the Ravens by returning a 50-yard punt, easily, for a touchdown. It was his third punt return for a touchdown in as many games. “Practice is what allows me to see the field so well,” said Harper. “Seeing the field well is like second nature to me now.” Coming off his stellar
performance last week, Desert Chiefs quarterback, Brent Rausch, got into the action early. Mimicking his touchdown stat-line in the first half against the Longhorns, Rausch had two first-half touchdown passes to receivers Cody Kabeary and Nick Lee, respectively. An early-game exit limited Rausch to three touchdown passes. His final touchdown was a 15-yard pass to the player who would, later, relieve him: Gaston Bailey. “We’re definitely trying to rest up guys,” said Coach Jackson on the early departures of Rausch and Harper. “When we get on top of teams, we like to get everyone (backups) in there for experience. We want to have everyone ready in case an every-down player gets injured.” The Desert Chiefs’ defense was good in the first half and
excellent in the second. The only bump came in the second quarter, when the Desert Chiefs gave up a 36-yard touchdown pass — the Ravens’ only score of the game. In the second half, the Ravens’ quarterback threw four interceptions. Sherman Vics, James Allison, Miguel Beltran and Deshawn Carr each had an interception. Allison also had over 100 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown along with his interception. Throughout the game, both teams bickered mildly. Not wanting the banter to devolve into a serious altercation, the refs were quick to intervene. As the game continued and the Desert Chiefs’ lead grew,
tempers on the Ravens’ side flared. Ultimately, the game ended with a 1:14 left in the fourth quarter on a Gaston Bailey quarterback keep. After failing to prevent the Desert Chiefs from gaining consecutive first downs, emotions finally boiled over and the Ravens had had enough. Some aggressive, unrelenting trash-talk from the Ravens’ quarterback, and an elongated scrum after the whistle, caused the refs to call the game with the Desert Chiefs leading 49-6. “It’s good to see that the officials were involved and did not let anything get out of hand,” said Coach Jackson. “These guys get paid a little bit of money to do a
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66121 Pierson Blvd • d desert esert Hot springs Donned partially in pink for Breast Cancer awareness month, defenders Miguel Beltran (23), Alfredo Melendez (2) and Baron Holmes (45) await the snap. (Photo by Dan Marinelli)
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VOTE
November 5th for
Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton MISSION SPRINGS WATER DISTRICT BOARD
Keeping a Safe, Clean, Affordable Local Water Supply Goals:
• Televised Water Board Meetings • Bill Payment Extension • Complete Sewers • Keep Water Rates LOW • Improve Customer Service
Endorsed by Assemblyman Manuel Perez
Awarded 2013 Woman of Distinction Assemblyman Brian Nestande
COD Trustee, Coachella Valley Teacher 15 years, Local Business Owner, UC Berkeley Alumni www.desertstarweekly.com
October 9, 2013
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