Aztecs fall short at end

This is an updated version of a story posted earlier on Friday.

By KRIS REILLY
Staff Writer

HESPERIA • Jose Rubio didn’t think twice. He was going for the win, not overtime.

Trailing by a point with 3 minutes 26 seconds to play, the Barstow football coach sent his players out for a two-point conversion try rather than the extra point that could have tied it.

Aztecs running back Jerrelle Green was stuffed at the line by the Hesperia defense, and the Scorpions held on for a 27-26 victory on Homecoming Night at Scorpion Stadium on Friday.

Both coaches had agreed to play overtime if the score was tied at the end of regulation, but Rubio felt the Aztecs had a chance to take control.

“I didn’t even question it,” said Rubio, whose team lost its second straight game and fell to 3-2. “I question it now, but then I didn’t question it; I just wanted to go for it. (We had) momentum, and that’s just what we’ve got to be able to do.”

Barstow trailed 27-14 after three quarters but got back into it by exploiting some Hesperia (4-0) miscues.

Green recovered a fumble by Hesperia running back Ricky Yell and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth. The Aztecs’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Scorpions’ next series. Hesperia punter Joel Cardenas couldn’t handle an off-target snap and was brought down at his own 14 to give Barstow another shot.

Three plays later, Green powered in from 3 yards out to set up the failed two-point attempt.

Hesperia picked up a first down on the ensuing possession and ran 2 minutes off the clock thanks to the tough running of senior tailback Gavin Santos, who finished with 160 yards on 34 carries and scored a pair of 4-yard touchdowns.

Barstow went four-and-out on its last gasp drive and the Scorpions escaped with the victory.

“No disrespect to Barstow; we didn’t play very well at all tonight,” Hesperia coach Robert Kistner said. “But we’re lucky to get out with a win.”

Barstow scored on its second offensive play when Green darted 76 yards for touchdown, but Hesperia answered immediately.

Speedy junior Jerone “Jay” Waddell returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for a score, limping as he crossed the goal line. Waddell returned to the game and said afterward that he had sprained his knee in pre-game warmups. He didn’t think the injury was serious.

Barstow responded with a 14-play drive — 13 of them runs — and took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter before Hesperia scored 20 unanswered points.

Green finished with 118 yards on 13 carries.

Barstow    7    7    0    12    —    26
Hesperia    7    7    13    0    —    27

First Quarter
B — Green 76 run (Parelta kick)
H — Waddell 79 kickoff return (Martinez kick)
Second Quarter
B — Tofi 1 run (Parelta kick)
H — Santos 4 run (Martinez kick)
Third Quarter
H — Santos 4 run (kick failed)
H — Peters 38 pass from Harriman (Martinez kick)
Fourth Quarter
B — Green 21 fumble recovery (kick failed)
B — Green 3 run (run failed)