COD (3-4; 1-1) had a real chance to take another trophy away from an opponent, but over 190 yards in penalties and only 150 yards of total offense led to a road game let down, falling at the San Bernardino Valley Wolverines (3-4; 2-0), 13-10.

The "COD-SBVC Challenge Trophy" was on the line as the Roadrunner defense was absolutely unstoppable, with freshman defensive end Romello Hamilton (Goldsboro (NC) Eastern Wayne) collecting four huge sacks for a total loss of 29 yards, a forced fumble and a broken up pass. Freshman defensive end Robbie Polimeni (La Quinta H.S.) collected seven total tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, totaling five yards.

Desert freshman quarterback Darius Hulsey (Thermal Coachella Valley) went 15 for 32 for 115 yards with a long of 17 yards and freshman running back Kamone Best (Goldsboro (NC) Eastern Wayne), who last week collected 164 yards, was only able to roll up 38 yards on the San Bernardino Valley defense. The Roadrunners offensive line did a great job of keeping Hulsey upright, not allowing a sack against him, but a broken field goal attempt turned into a sack against the holder towards the end of the first quarter.

The story of the game was the penalties, both teams would combine for 36 penalties for a total of 364 yards, where both teams left a great deal of offense on the field with so many yards in penalties.

San Bernardino Valley would get onto the scoreboard first with a 22 yard field goal with 5:25 left in the first quarter, giving the home side a 3-0 lead.

Desert would tie the game midway through the second quarter as freshman kicker Alex Duarte (El Centro Central) nailed a 40 yard field goal attempt, barely poking it through the lower right side of the uprights, tying the game at 3-3.

The next drive saw the Wolverines keep their drive alive multiple times due to Desert infractions, including a huge defense stop, which was called back due to an offsides call. Thanks to the Roadrunners defense, they held San Bernardino Valley to only a 33 yard field goal, giving the home team a 6-3 advantage.

That three-point lead would last about 25 seconds, as the Desert special teams proved why they are "special," as sophomore kick returner Corey Dalton (Midlothian (IL) Bremen) picked up the kick off at the six yard line and shimmied left, then right, then found a seam and gone. Dalton darted 94 yards to pay dirt, as he found the end zone in moments and after an extra point by Duarte, gave the Roadrunners a 10-6 lead with 3:37 left in the first half.

Dalton would find himself in the middle of the action moments later as he would pick off a Wolverines pass right before halftime to secure the 10-6 lead going into the break.

The Roadrunners defense was an absolute nightmare for the Wolverines in the second half, as San Bernardino Valley changed quarterbacks, the defense mauled their offensive line. Sacking the Wolverines quarterback three times in one drive and chasing him all over the field on the next drive, leading to an interception by freshman defensive back Tahir Johnson (Kingsland (GA) Camden County).

With 6:03 left in the game, San Bernardino Valley would drive 79 yards in 9 plays, scoring on a 26 yard pass in the far corner of the end zone, giving the Wolverines a 13-10 advantage.

The Roadrunners would not be denied, as they took their next drive to a 3rd down with 4 yards to go and they were bailed out by a 15 yard, roughing the passer penalty by the Wolverines. Moments later, Desert found themselves 1st and goal from the 3 yard line and after four rushing attempts, could not cross the plain, ending their drive at the Wolverines one yard line with 1:17 left in the game.

Photo by Wade Byars
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information