High Desert highlights: Apple Valley football team honors fallen teammate

Lawrence Andrews never got the chance to step on the field under the bright lights at Newton T. Bass Stadium as a varsity captain.

It’s been nearly two years since Andrews was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver near James Woody Park, but his presence was certainly felt during the pregame coin flip on opening night.

The Apple Valley captains — Kayden Struebing, Tyler Moon, Jarod Soria and Noah Celie — took the field Friday night for the coin flip against Eastlake carrying the No. 4 jersey that Andrews would have worn.

“That was something the kids did on their own. They reached out and said they wanted to do that for Lawrence. They made that happen,” said head coach Kyle Godfrey, after Apple Valley’s season-opening 25-0 victory over Eastlake on Aug. 18. “They understand the bigger picture and wanted to do this in dedication to one of their brothers.”

As for the action on the field, it wasn’t pretty but the Sun Devils shut out Eastlake to start the season.

Apple Valley got its first points of the season on a 45-yard field goal early in the second quarter from kicker Kyler Peters.

More: High Desert football: Find out everything you need to know for the 2023 season

“It’s exciting having full confidence in a kicker,” Godfrey said. “Especially with some of these High Desert winds we can pick some spots and know there’s a good chance to walk away with some points. We don’t always find ourselves in a position to go for it.”

Later in the quarter, Xavier Salazar scored a rushing touchdown for Apple Valley’s first touchdown of the season.

Zyron Belcher ran in a second touchdown before halftime to give Apple Valley a 16-0 lead after two quarters.

The Sun Devils didn’t score in the third quarter; however, the team added two more points on the board early in the fourth quarter on a safety from Anthony Navarro.

Aiden Sanchez capped the scoring for the Sun Devils with 8:21 left on the clock, scoring a rushing touchdown. Sanchez led the ground game with 10 carries for 127 yards.

Salazar took nine carries for 47 yards, and also caught three passes for 56 yards, while Belcher ended with eight carries for 41 yards and two receptions for 20 yards.

Defensively, Apple Valley held Eastlake to 109 yards of total offense, including 78 rushing yards.

Navarro led the defense with five sacks and 15 total tackles.

“I think we had some Friday night jitters early on, having so many guys playing under the lights for their first time,” Godfrey said. “But they really got after it. Defensively, I’m happy with the way we played. I think our D-line did a great job, and our front seven put a lot of pressure. I’m very happy with them. Offensively, we talk about establishing a physical run game and I feel we weren’t where we need to be and that’s something we will work on.”

The Sun Devils are back in action next week against Chaparral, which lost 20-10 to San Clemente.

More: High Desert Football: Week 0 high school schedule, scoreboard, our predictions

Adelanto 30, Castaic 21

At Adelanto, Shakir Collins racked up 205 rushing yards with a touchdown to lead the Saints in the season opener on Aug. 18.

Collins also had a helping hand on the defensive end as he recorded 10 tackles and three sacks. Marquise Pacheco, who was expected to start the season at quarterback, recorded five tackles and three sacks on the defensive line.

Pacheco suffered a minor injury in the first drive for Adelanto, so he strictly played defensive end the rest of the way.

Tre People, a transfer from Rancho Christian, filled in at quarterback, completing 10 of 15 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. People connected with Mario Smith on five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Gavin Hall on four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Kenneth Porter took 15 carries for 105 yards, while Xavier Collins took 10 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown.

It’s the first time that Adelanto has won a season-opener held at Julian Weaver Stadium.

The Saints are back in action this week against Hesperia, which beat Barstow 34-20.

Sultana 27, Lancaster 16

At Lancaster, the Sultans rolled past Lancaster on Aug. 18 to win a season-opener for the third straight season.

The Sultans quickly struck on the first drive as Jacob Higgs threw a touchdown pass to Cameron Ortega.

Shortly after Sultana upped the lead to 13-0 on a pick-six from Ryan Collins, the first of four turnovers for the defense.

The Sultans took a 20-0 lead into halftime after LaMason Waller made a diving catch in the end zone. Higgs rolled to his right, chucked the ball up and Waller made the spectacular catch.

Waller ended the night catching three passes for 67 yards. Higgs completed eight of 12 passes for 106 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also took 15 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown. Albert Hardin took four carries for 68 yards.

The Sultans are home this week against Liberty, which blanked Valley View 53-0 in its season opener.

Eisenhower 28, Serrano 14

At Phelan, the Diamondbacks dropped their season opener to the Eagles on Aug. 18.

Serrano utilized a running game that saw Carlos Amplayo, Jhansi Edgerson and Trevor McSween each take 10 carries.

Amplayo delivered the most, leading the way with 103 yards and a touchdown.

Edgerson also scored a touchdown and added 19 yards, while McSween tallied 40 yards.

Serrano is on the road this week against Patriot, which beat Rialto 23-7.

Prep Girls Volleyball

Barstow 3, Sultana 1

At Barstow, the Aztecs improved to 5-1 on the season with a victory over Sultana in four sets (15-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19) on Aug. 17.

Maya Sanchez led the offense for Barstow with nine kills, eight digs, four aces and an assist; Ali-itasi Lealofi spiked six kills, 11 digs, two aces and three blocks; and Emersyn Ebel added two kills, 12 digs, 20 assists and eight aces.

For Sultana, Mishelle Dominguez served six aces to go along with 11 digs and four kills; Isabella Abeyta added seven kills and six assists; Breezy De Mase also had seven kills; and Jasmine Martinez added 16 digs.

Didn't see your team's scores in this roundup? All local varsity scores and results can be reported by email to Daily Press reporter Jose Quintero at JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @J0seQuintero to report any results throughout the season.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert highlights: Apple Valley football honors fallen teammate