High school football playoffs scores and highlights
It's the playoffs! Five local high school football teams were action Friday night, with two squads to the next round of their respective divisions.
Watch the Best Local Sports Show with Blake Arthur and Taylor Begley tonight at 11 p.m. for highlights and scores from tonight's playoff games.
- Division 8:
Final - Temescal Canyon (3-8) - 14 at Palm Desert (8-3) - 34
The Palm Desert Aztecs defended their home turf against the Temescal Canyon Titans to advance to the 2nd round in the CIF Division 8 playoffs.
The Aztecs, the reigning DEL champs, remain undefeated at home.
The Aztecs have an explosive offense led by Senior Arthur Gaete, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.
Watch: Student-Athlete of the Week – Simon Gaete
Gaete continued his amazing season tonight, breaking a school rushing record!
They'll take on the 9-2 Santa Barbara Dons.
- Division 9:
Final - Hillcrest (7-4) - 29 at Palm Springs (7-4) - 51
The Palm Springs Indians are advancing to the 2nd round after a big victory over the visiting Hillcrest Trojans.
Another DEL team with a strong running game, the Indians totaled 27 rushing TD, led by Junior Arieon Capler (13) and Jason Roberts (10).
Capler had a big night with three touchdowns!
Palm Springs will take on the 9-2 North Torrance Saxons in round 2.
- Division 10:
Final - Rancho Mirage (6-5) - 20 at Norte Vista (10-1) - 46
The Rancho Mirage Rattlers traveled to Riverside to face the Norte Vista Braves.
The Rattler couldn't pull off the upset on the road, but played hard and will look to advance further into the playoffs next season.
It wasn't all bad for the Rattlers, linebacker Israel "Izzy" Ramirez made a triumphant return to the team, nearly a month after sustaining a brain condition that required three emergency brain surgeries.
Izzy surprised his teammates, showing up to hugs and high-fives from those on the sideline.
- Division 12:
Final - Orange Vista (8-3) - 35 at Yucca Valley (7-4) - 14
*NOTE* Game is at Desert Hot Springs High School
The Yucca Valley Trojans faced off against the Orange Vista Coyotes at Desert Hot Springs High School. The game was moved due to construction at Yucca Valley's field.
Unfortunately, the Trojans couldn't contain the Coyotes' offense who came up with some big scoring plays.
The Trojans finish the season undefeated in Desert Valley League play, winning their first DVL title in school history. The team also won the 'Battle of the Bell' game against Twentynine Palms this season, the schools' first win in the heated rivalry since 2004.
- Division 12:
Final - Coachella Valley (7-4) - 20 at Jurupa Hills (10-1) - 42
The Coachella Valley Mighty Arabs traveled to Fontana to face the Jurupa Hills Spartans.
The Mighty Arabs had a tough match-up ahead of them, facing off against an offensive powerhouse that scored 399 points and averaged 362 yards per game this season.
The Spartans offense proved to be too much. Despite a disappointing end to their season, CV had a good season, starting slow but winning 7 of their last 8 games.
