High Desert Sports Highlights: Barstow falls short in a tough battle with Capistrano Valley

The Barstow football team played its heart out Friday night against Capistrano Valley at Langworthy Field.

Down six key players, including running back Demetri Curiel, the Aztecs lost a 23-12 nail-biter against a tough opponent. Barstow entered as the clear underdog, according to CalPreps.com’s rating system.

Capistrano Valley entered with a 23 rating, while the Aztecs were at 0.

With Curiel — who was the No. 7 leading rusher in the state prior to Friday’s game — out nursing an injury, the Aztecs shouldn’t have had a chance.

The squad didn’t quite get the memo.

Capistrano Valley got on the board first with a field goal in the first quarter. Barstow’s Kyron Medlock scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter and Capistrano Valley took a 10-6 lead into halftime.

The Cougars settled for another field goal in the third quarter, and Barstow quarterback Dwayne Williams scored a rushing touchdown to make it a one-point game.

“Man, I can’t say how proud I am of the team for this performance against a team like Capistrano Valley,” Barstow head coach Clayton Leleimene said. “We were down six guys and we had a chance, but it all just fell apart in the fourth quarter.”

Capistrano Valley scored a touchdown and a third field goal of the night in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

“Although we had some players out, our next group of guys were ready to step in and shine, Leleimene said. “It really speaks volumes regarding the commitment our athletes have in our program, to one another, and to their city. I am truly honored to be their head coach.”

More: High Desert Football: Week 5 schedule, scoreboard, our predictions

Leleimene said Curiel, who leads the Aztecs with 957 rushing yards on 100 carries this season, will be back for next week’s Desert Sky League opener against Adelanto.

Leleimene is also hoping for Kamari Maloy to return after being carted off the field against Capistrano Valley shortly after reeling in an interception.

“It was scary for us but I just talked to his dad and he should be good to go,” Leleimene said.

Granite Hills 54, Grand Terrace 26

At Apple Valley, the Cougars got back in the win column on Friday night as Kameron Smith ran for five touchdowns to lead the way.

Granite Hills picked up its fourth victory of the season and bounced back from last week’s 38-6 loss to Norte Vista.

The Cougars trailed 20-14 at halftime and then exploded for 27 points in the third quarter. They added 13 more for good measure in the fourth quarter.

More: High Desert Football: Victor Valley overcomes sloppy play, rallies to beat Big Bear

While Smith, who is now up to 14 touchdowns on the season, led the way; Quarterback Jordan Dalton also contributed three scores.

Dalton threw touchdown passes to Josh Soto and Braylin Salazar, and also ran in a touchdown.

Granite Hills (4-2) is on the road next week to begin Desert Sky League action against Silverado.

Prep Girls Tennis

Serrano 13, Oak Hills 5

At Phelan, the Diamondbacks improved to 4-0 in Mojave River League action with a victory over the Bulldogs on Sept. 21.

Serrano got sweeps in singles action from Sara Segall (6-4, 6-1, 6-0) and Eva Gowdy (6-1, 6-0, 6-3).

On Sept. 19, Serrano beat Sultana 17-1 and Gowdy swept with three bagels. In doubles action, Brooklynn Canright and Juliana Stoil also swept with three bagels.

The Diamondbacks are back in action Tuesday against Burroughs.

Silverado 15, Granite Hills 3

At Apple Valley, the Hawks improved to 6-0 in Desert Sky League action with a victory over the Cougars on Sept. 21.

Mailin Muller swept in singles action with three bagels. Silverado also got sweeps in doubles action from the teams of Ellie Valdez and Emalie Barajas (6-2, 6-2, 6-3) and Cat McGowan and Niki Notes (7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-2).

On Sept. 19, the Hawks also cruised to an 18-0 victory over Victor Valley. Valdez and Barajas, along with the team of McGowan and Notes, swept with two bagels.

Silverado (7-2) is back in action Tuesday afternoon at home against AAE.

AAE 9 (85), Adelanto 9 (74)

At Adelanto, the Knights beat the Saints via tiebreaker on Sept. 19 as Alyssa Mejea swept with scores of 7-5, 6-0, 6-0.

For Adelanto, Mariana Enriquez and Nadine Lopez each won two of three sets in singles action.

Adelanto Singles

Enriquez 5-7, 6-4, 6-0; N. Lopez 7-5, 6-1, 0-6; V. Lopez 7-6 (7); Serpa 0-6, 2-6.

Adelanto Doubles 

Alvarado-Gonzalez 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Wilson-Gonzalez 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Parker-Guignard 4-6, 0-6, 1-6.

AAE Singles

Mejea 7-5, 6-0, 6-0; Kaur 5-7, 6-2, 4-6; Farber 6-7 (7), 0-6, 1-6.

AAE Doubles 

Arnett-Langley 6-3, 3-6, 6-0; Dauglash-Gormley 6-2, 6-1, 2-6; Giuzman-Rivas 6-4, 5-7, 4-6.

Prep Volleyball

Barstow 3, Silverado 1

At Victorville, the Aztecs improved to 7-0 in Desert Sky League by beating the Hawks in four sets (26-28, 25-11, 25-18, 25-14) on Sept. 21.

Emersyn Ebel and Maya Sanchez both racked up triple-doubles for Barstow in the victory. Ebel dished 48 assists, 11 aces, 13 digs, nine kills and five blocks, while Sanchez had a team-high 34 digs, to go along with 11 kills, 12 assists, nine aces and four blocks.

Ali’itasi Lealofi just missed out on a triple-double with 18 kills, six aces, 22 digs and nine blocks, and Mariah Rodriguez added 10 kills, 12 dogs, five aces and five blocks.

Barstow (14-3) is back in action Tuesday at home against Granite Hills.

Burroughs 3, Sultana 2

At Hesperia, the Sultans lost a thriller against the Burros, losing in five sets (25-22, 17-25, 17-25, 27-25, 15-7) on Sept. 20.

Mishelle Dominguez and Maggie Warden both led the offense with 12 kills apiece. Dominguez added 24 digs and Warden also had six blocks.

Isabella Abeyta dished 33 assists with 13 digs; Jasmine Martinez added 21 digs and three aces; Hailey Carreon spiked seven kills; and Breezy DeMase added six kills.

For Burroughs, Kyle Chilbes led with 15 kills.

Earlier in the week, the Sultans swept Apple Valley (25-21, 25-21, 25-16) for their first victory in Mojave River League action.

Warden led the way with 10 kills and seven blocks; Hailey Carreon spiked eight kills; Dominguez added seven kills with 11 digs; and Abeyta dished 25 assists with 11 digs and three aces.

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 X, formerly known as Twitter, at @J0seQuintero to report any results throughout the season.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert Sports Highlights: Barstow falls short in a tough battle