Home Care In Yucca Valley, CA

Yucca Valley had what appeared to be a brilliant game plan and executed it nearly to perfection. They found a way to take the ball out of the hands of the Arabs' star running back, Aaron Ramirez.

For a moment on Friday evening in Yucca Valley, it appeared as though the Coachella Valley High School football team was in the midst of pulling off one of the biggest, most improbable comebacks in the history of high school football in California.

The Arabs had trailed by 35 points, but had cut their deficit to 11 points and recovered a fumble early in the third quarter.

But Yucca Valley High, surely panicked and playing under the immense pressure of holding onto the lead, made sure that the moment was brief.

In what felt like an instant, the Arabs went from being on the cusp of a comeback to being completely out of the game.

By the time the final whistle blew, the narrative had shifted. It was no longer about Coachella Valley pulling off an unlikely comeback. Instead, it was all about Yucca Valley gaining control of the Desert Valley League with a convincing 69-45 win over the team that has won the previous three DVL titles.

Yucca Valley is now the lone unbeaten team in league play and will win its first league title in football since 2019 if the Trojans win their three remaining league games.

“We had this game circled,” Trojans head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “This is all we talked about. These guys knew it from the spring. It was all about this football game and playing it on our field and getting a chance at them again.”

Last year’s DVL title came down to this matchup. Yucca Valley lost by a point in the final moments after a two-point conversion attempt to win the game came up empty.

Friday, the Trojans got their revenge.

"We knew what it was going to take to win this game, and we prepared and were focused all week," Yucca Valley senior Myles Harper said. "We came to play."

Yucca Valley had what appeared to be a brilliant game plan and executed it nearly to perfection. The Trojans took the opening kickoff and drove the length of the field for a touchdown in just three plays. They then forced a quick punt, scored again and then recovered an onside kick and scored a third time before Coachella Valley had even run four offensive plays.

Johnson’s plan, to keep the ball out of the hands of Aaron Ramirez, Coachella Valley’s star running back who had scored 20 touchdowns in his first five games this season, had worked.

The Arabs, who has not trailed all season, were absolutely shell-shocked.

The moment

Coachella Valley fell behind 35-0 yet the Arabs fought their way back into the game by outscoring Yucca Valley 24-7 in the second quarter. It was 42-24 at halftime.

The Arabs then took possession of the ball to start the second half and scored on a 39-yard run by sophomore Ivan Camargo. The few dozen Coachella Valley fans who made the trip stood, cheering. The game was still within the Arabs’ reach.

The home crowd was stunned silent when, on the following possession, Yucca Valley fumbled the football and the Arabs recovered it just 27 yards from the end zone.

But the opportunity to get back into the game slipped away from the Arabs at that point. A holding penalty put them in a tough position, and Coachella Valley turned the ball over on downs. A few plays later, Harper raced 59 yards for a Yucca Valley touchdown.

Coachella Valley, who nearly abandoned the run game to preserve the clock, turned the ball over on downs again the following possession, and Harper scored again to essentially squash any chance of an Arabs’ comeback.

“You have to credit Coach Johnson,” Arabs head coach Bill Johnson said. “He built this program three years ago and prepared them to win games like this. All I can do is tip my hat. They were motivated and put us in a hole early, which changed our game plan.”

The turnaround

The win is another huge step in turning the Trojans’ season around. Yucca Valley began the season with three consecutive losses thanks to a tough season opener at Rancho Christian and then playing the next several games without all-league quarterback Michael Ramos, Jr., all-league running back Stephon Rogers and all-league receiver and safety Javin Hudson.

Hudson returned to open league play last month, and Ramos was back in the lineup last Friday. He was 7-for-11 passing for 88 yards and a touchdown this week. He also ran the ball nine times for 97 yards and another score.

Rogers is expected back from an injury next week.

The stars

Brothers Myles and Malachi Harper dominated this game on the ground. The two combined for 522 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Myles Harper ran for 309 yards and four touchdowns, and Malachi Harper rushed for 213 yards and three scores.

Hudson caught four passes for 69 yards and ran for a touchdown and intercepted a pass.

For Coachella Valley, Camargo ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns as Ramirez moved to receiver to compliment the passing attack during Coachella Valley’s comeback attempt.

Ramirez finished the game with eight carries for 58 yards and a touchdown, five catches for 116 yards and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The takeaway

Yucca Valley began the season atop The Desert Sun’s local high school football rankings, but many fans questioned that spot during the Trojans’ three-game losing streak.

Maybe there’s some vindication for the Trojans, who were doubted pretty widely after starting the season on a difficult note. On Friday, they decisively beat one of the better teams in the area, in a game that you can bet meant a lot to Coachella Valley, too.

The Trojans are incredibly good when healthy and motivated, and we saw that Friday. Anyone who doubted that wasn’t paying close attention.

The takeaway for Coachella Valley is that this loss could actually be a good thing for this team. Sure, it ruins the possibility of an unbeaten season, which would have been special. But if the goal is to make a CIF playoff run, isn’t it better to face some adversity and feel some humility before the postseason run begins?

The Arabs will be fine. This loss will be a learning experience and will serve as motivation. They’ll be better for it later this season.

Up next

Yucca Valley will host Indio next Friday. The Trojans will finish the regular season against Desert Mirage and Twentynine Palms.

Coachella Valley will play Twentynine Palms at home, and will finish against Cathedral City and Indio.

Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected].

Yucca Valley is athletic and explosive, but Cerritos is tough and physical. The two contrasting styles will clash Saturday in Lakewood in the Division 12 CIF-SS title game.

Here we are, on the eve of the first CIF championship football game involving a team from the Coachella Valley since 2016.

Four valley teams reached the CIF semifinals in their respective divisions, but only Yucca Valley made it to the title game, where the Trojans will face Cerritos for all the marbles.

The Trojans will pack up and head west, toward Los Angeles, for Saturday's game. If they win, they'll be the first valley team since Palm Springs in 2014 to bring home a CIF football title.

But will they win? Two of our football writers, Andrew John and Shad Powers, are here to break the matchup down for you and offer their predictions.

Yucca Valley (10-3) at Cerritos (8-5)

What: CIF Southern Section Division 12 championship game (Saturday, 7 p.m. at Artesia High School in Lakewood).

Know the foe: Cerritos is the first-place team from the 605 League, and beat Fillmore, Western Christian and Coachella Valley in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

The Dons run a power rushing offense, using multiple ball carriers to wear down opposing defenses. They are a tough, physical bunch, but not particularly explosive, offensively.

Defensively, Cerritos can successfully pressure the quarterback with a three-man rush and dropping eight players back into pass coverage, if necessary.

The Dons, who are on a six-game win streak, have outscored their three opponents in the playoffs by a combined score of 121-84, with their wins coming by margins of 12, 11 and 14 points.

Common opponents (2): Coachella Valley and Buena Park.

Cerritos beat Buena Park, 14-7, earlier this season, and then topped Coachella Valley 42-28 last week in the Division 12 semifinals.

Yucca Valley beat Coachella Valley 69-45 during the regular season, to capture the Desert Valley League title, and then shut out Buena Park, 35-0, in the Division 12 quarterfinals on Nov. 10.

So, Cerritos beat Buena Park and Coachella Valley by a combined score of 56-35, and Yucca Valley beat them by a combined score of 104-45.

Inside the matchup: While Cerritos runs a rather bland, methodical run offense that is predicated on physicality, Yucca Valley's offense is much more about finesse and speed. Myles Harper, a converted basketball star with a nearly unrivaled combination of quickness, athleticism and field vision, has rushed for 206.7 yards per game and 21 touchdowns in seven games as the starting running back. He's done that on just 102 carries during that stretch, for an average of 14.2 yards per carry.

Receiver Javin Hudson has caught 26 touchdown passes over his last 20 games, dating back to last season. He's also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns this season. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he has the size to physically dominate smaller defenders, and the speed and athleticism to blow by others.

Against Coachella Valley, Cerritos surrendered a number of big plays. The Dons allowed seven passing plays of more than 20 yards, including four plays of more than 30 yards, and three rushing plays of more than 25 yards. That won't cut it against Yucca Valley.

But the Dons did force four turnovers in the game, including three interceptions. If they can do that against against Yucca Valley, they'll be in a strong position to win the game.

Offensively, Cerritos will look to slowly move the ball and chew up clock to keep the Trojans' offense off the field.

Yucca Valley has been dominant defensively, with a powerful defensive line of Jasper Stewart, Joseph Natzel and Walker Rauschenberg, who combined for seven quarterback sacks last week against Santa Fe. So, dominating the line of scrimmage is far from a given for Cerritos.

If the Dons turn to the passing attack, particularly if they fall behind, they'll have to contend with Hudson and Myles and Malachi Harper in the defensive secondary. The attacking trio has combined for nine interceptions and three fumble recoveries this season.

What will likely decide the game: The deciding factor will likely come down to which team wins the turnover and field position battles.

During the first half against Cerritos last week, Coachella Valley threw an interception for a touchdown and fumbled near the goal line, which gave the Dons 14 easy points. The Arabs rallied in the second half, but two more interceptions prevented Coachella Valley from completing a miraculous comeback. Cerritos won by creating turnovers and managing the field position much better that Coachella Valley.

That could work again against Yucca Valley, if the Trojans don't take care of the ball, particularly early in the game. Yucca Valley quarterback Michael Ramos, Jr. has not thrown an interception in three playoff games this season, and the Trojans have lost just eight fumbles in 13 games.

But Cerritos is a crafty, scrappy team that will fight for this win. Yucca Valley needs to enter this game with the mentality that it's the Super Bowl or else the Dons could make this a game.

Cal Preps predicted score: Yucca Valley 35, Cerritos 22

Andrew John's predicted score: Yucca Valley 35, Cerritos 17. On talent and explosive athleticism, Yucca Valley could win this game in a blowout. It's an obvious mismatch. But Cerritos is a competitive bunch and the Trojans will be hitting the road for the first time during the postseason, which may or may not be an issue. So, while I like Yucca Valley a lot in this matchup, having watched both teams over the last two weeks, I do think that the Dons will find ways to keep it interesting.

Shad Powers' predicted score: Yucca Valley 44, Cerritos 21. I do worry a little about the Trojans hitting the road. Due to a random confluence of scheduling, they've literally only played one road game in the last two months and that was against Desert Mirage.

But if the Trojans aren't rattled by unfamiliar surroundings, I think they have a talent edge that should be too much to overcome. Cerritos can control the ball with its run game, but as long as the Trojans avoid the big turnovers that lead directly to points, they should be able to outpace Cerritos in this one and bring home the desert's first title since 2014.

Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected].

LAKEWOOD — The Cerritos football team rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Yucca Valley on Saturday in the CIF Southern Section Division 12 championship game at Artesia High.

Dons quarterback Justin Sagun then threw a game-winning touchdown pass to receiver Jeremiah Bagaygay for a dramatic 19-13 victory that gave Cerritos the first CIF-SS football championship in school history.

And the Dons did it with a first-year head coach, Demel Franklin, who was mobbed by his players as they chanted “FRANKLIN! FRANKLIN!” before the trophy presentation at midfield.

Cerritos coach Demel Franklin receives the CIF-SS Division 12 championship trophy

What a season and what a finish for the Dons!! @Cerritoshs @BeachVarsity @presstelegram pic.twitter.com/WfdtwJxnJH

— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) November 26, 2023

“It means a lot,” Franklin said of winning the title. “Coming in as a freshman coach, just coming in and trying to help out and you get tied to these kids. You want to see them win. I knew if I had an opportunity, I can turn this around immediately. I saw all of this happening and it’s beautiful to see it finally come into fruition.”

That confidence was certainly tested, as Cerritos was shut out through the first three quarters and trailed the Trojans 7-0 heading into the fourth quarter. The Dons have little offensive momentum in the game.

After a missed field goal from Yucca Valley, Sagun marched his team downfield and on fourth-and-11, he found receiver Dikshanta Adhikari for a 27-yard touchdown pass.

The point-after attempt was blocked and Cerritos trailed 7-6.

On the very next series, Cerritos gave up a 50-yard touchdown run to Trojans running back Myles Harper, but the Dons blocked the PAT to make it 13-6 with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter.

Cerritos coach Demel Franklin @footballfrank8 talks about how his team rallied in the 4th and OT to win the CIF-SS D12 championship

A special historical moment for him as a first year head coach and first in school history @BeachVarsity @presstelegram @Cerritoshs pic.twitter.com/ALOwVIuZum

— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) November 26, 2023

Sagun and Adhikari combined to make some huge plays on the final drive with some creativity mixed in.

Sagun completed a pass to receiver John Lim, who then lateraled the ball to Adhikari for a 26-yard run that put Cerritos deep in Yucca Valley territory.

With under a minute left, Sagun somehow avoided a sack and found a wide open Adhikari for a 13-yard TD catch with 30 seconds left, his second TD of the game. Kicker Moises Mendoza nailed the PAT and tied the game at 13.

The contest then headed into overtime.

Cerritos sophomore QB Justin Sagun did all of his damage offensively in the 4th qt and OT finishing with 3 TD passes including the game-tying TD in the 4th and the game-winner in OT

This young man was absolutely clutch! @Cerritoshs @BeachVarsity @presstelegram pic.twitter.com/yqSVl0HLnH

— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) November 26, 2023

Sagun spoke about how his receivers like Adhikari made the big plays to keep Cerritos in the game.

“My wide receivers, they were clutching up for me, they were making some great catches,” Sagun said. “Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without this team and great coaching.”

“When I rolled back out, I was thinking, ‘I have to get the ball out, I have to get it out to somebody,’” Sagun said. “I looked right, I see Dikshanta, and I know how great of a receiver he is, and he made that catch and kept us in the game.”

Cerritos WR/RB Dikshanta Adhikari talks about the game-tying TD in the 4th, the poise of his QB Sagun, and what this championship means to him

He was stellar in the second half of this game for the Dons @Cerritoshs @BeachVarsity @presstelegram @dikshantaa2 pic.twitter.com/wUlr7Rzj7I

— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) November 26, 2023

Adhikari also spoke about the win and playing for Franklin.

“It was just history, we never thought we would have been in this spot,” Adhikari said. “We all have been around Franklin for so many years that we just know how he is and we knew he would get us here. Today he did.”

Yucca Valley got the ball first in overtime, but failed to score.

Cerritos could win the game any kind of a score. With the ball at the Yucca Valley 3, Franklin drew up a play on second down for Sagun and Bagaygay.

FINAL: Cerritos 19, Yucca Valley 13

QB Sagun throws a game-winning 3 yard TD pass to Bagaygay to win it for Dons!

They are CIF-SS D12 champs! What a game and what a finish @Cerritoshs @BeachVarsity @presstelegram pic.twitter.com/N9mmTGPp4y

— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) November 26, 2023

“I told him and I didn’t tell anybody else, I said, ‘Look, fake the hand-off, bootleg (route) and run it in or throw it to Bagaygay,’” Franklin said of his instructions to his quarterback. “They’re the only two people that knew that. I didn’t tell my staff or (anyone). They (Yucca Valley) were flying downhill so hard on the run, I knew it was going to work. I was just waiting to call it.”

It worked like a charm as Sagun completed the comeback with the game-winning touchdown pass to Bagaygay, which secured the Division 12 championship for Cerritos.

Sagun finished with 141 yards passing — 121 in the second half and OT — and three touchdown passes. Adhikari finished with 67 yards receiving on four catches and two TDs.

National and state parks, forests and recreation areas across Southern California deserts and mountains were still closed to assess damage and mop up on Monday after Tropical Storm Hilary dumped huge amounts of rain over the weekend.

The greatest rainfall totals were high above the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire areas, although water and mud came roaring down creeks and mountain slopes toward the desert floor. Upper Mission Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains got a whopping 14.1 inches in 48 hours, while 11.73 inches fell at Raywood Flats, and Mount San Jacinto by the Palm Springs Tramway saw 11.74 inches, according to National Weather Service and NOAA readings.

Joshua Tree National Park and Mt. San Jacinto State Park remain closed Monday, as do visitor centers in the San Bernardino National Forest, and several portions of Ocotillo Wells State Park, with staff at all the popular public sites out first thing Monday to conduct damage assessments and begin clean up.

Joshua Tree National Park crews found large amounts of sand and debris on roadways, which they have begun to clear. The park will re-open for day use only on Tuesday, Aug. 22. All visitor centers and paved roads will be open. All dirt roads and campgrounds will remain closed until further assessment can be done.

Desert tortoise and other wildlife still could be out of their burrows and on roads to drink fresh water, cautioned Joshua Tree park spokesman Donovan Smith. "They can look like rocks," said Smith, who urged drivers to go slowly and avoid hitting the lumbering reptiles.

Portions of State Routes 38 and 62 also were shut, CalTrans said Monday. The closure on Highway 38, caused by a mudslide, runs from Bryant Street in Redlands up to Balky Horse Canyon Rd below Sugarloaf, cutting off one of the main routes from the desert floor up to the San Bernardino National Forest and nearby communities. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route, such as State Route 18, said a spokesman with the national forest.

In advance of the storm, backpackers were told to get off the Pacific Crest Trail near Mt. San Jacinto, and campers, off-roaders and boaters were told to pack up and leave for their own safety across a broad swath of the region's rugged open spaces, from the Colorado River to the Salton Sea. Rangers and other staff also hunkered down at home or elsewhere inside as the storm blew through. No major damage had been reported as of midday Monday.

One camper got stranded at the Picacho State Park campground near the Colorado River, a park official said but park ranger Tim Schulte helped her pack her gear and get out the 20-mile dirt road back to paved roads on Saturday, including changing a flat tire for her on the way out. "Officer Schulte got her to safety before the storm got too awful," said Ocotillo Wells State Park Superintendent Andrew Ahlberg.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park could re-open by Wednesday, while Ocotillo State Park's closed units could re-open as soon as Tuesday. The Palm Springs Tramway was already closed all month for scheduled maintenance. A large pine and a large live oak were toppled at one Mt. San Jacinto campground during the storm, said chief ranger Mike Dippel of the California State Parks Inland Empire District.

"We fared pretty well through the storm," he said. "We had no significant damage ... just two downed trees and the campground (where they fell) was evacuated already."

Closed visitor centers in the national forest include: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument; Lytle Creek - Cajon Pass Recreation Area; Fuller Mill Creek Picnic Area; and Barton Flats Family Campground.

“During the summer, a typical weekend would be really busy at all of these visitor centers, and even on a Monday, if you have campers staying over from the weekend,” said San Bernardino National Forest spokesman Gustavo Bahena. "Our primary concern is the safety of our visitors and our employees because of possibly hazardous conditions.”

Ocotillo Wells State Park inland units that remain closed are expected to re-open on Tuesday, including the popular Ocotillo Wells off-road vehicle riding area, said Superintendent Andrew Ahlberg. "They're still out doing assessments. From what I'm hearing, it is very, very wet. Some of the staff are unable to continue down trails, they had turned around so they wouldn't themselves get stuck. But ... desert does dry out fairly quickly."

For up-to-date information, check websites for any public site you plan to visit, as conditions can change quickly.

Janet Wilson is senior environment reporter for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at [email protected]

Introducing The Yucca, a new eco-luxury hotel from the team behind Hawaii’s Heart Core Hotels.

Travel

Courtesy of Heart Core Hotels

Heart Core Hotels, the team behind Hawaii’s Volcano Eco Retreat, just opened The Yucca in Joshua Tree, California—a visionary and unique addition to the Greater Palm Springs hospitality landscape. Nestled amidst the captivating beauty of Coachella Valley, The Yucca stands tall as Southern California’s first-ever vegan hotel, redefining luxury and sustainability in the heart of the Colorado Desert.

A Sustainable Oasis

The Yucca represents a groundbreaking venture, fusing top-tier sustainable luxury with a vegan lifestyle. This hotel dedicates itself to elevating the guest experience through its meticulous design, seamlessly harmonizing with the natural environment. It provides a serene haven for those in search of a mindful escape, all the while immersing guests in the delightful Desert Hot Springs community, a charming spa town.

At the heart of The Yucca’s philosophy lies a commitment to sustainability and the needs of health-conscious and environmentally aware guests. From the moment you step through the doors, you’ll discover a range of cruelty-free amenities dedicated to nurturing your well-being.

Setting the Standard for Sustainable Hospitality

As the second addition to Heart Core Hotels Collection, building on the success of Volcano Eco Retreat, The Yucca establishes a fresh benchmark for eco-friendly hospitality in this locale. This charming 7-room boutique hotel actively adopts renewable energy sources, water conservation methods, single-use plastic eradication, food waste reduction, and various other green initiatives, all aimed at reducing its environmental impact and safeguarding the distinctive desert ecosystem of Joshua Tree and Greater Palm Springs.

“The Yucca is more than just a hotel; it’s a profound expression of our commitment to minimum footprint travel and sustainable hospitality. We are thrilled to offer a sanctuary where discerning guests can unwind, connect with nature, and experience the joys of plant-based living without compromising on luxury,” said Tony and Gaby Aziz, Co-Founders of Heart Core Hotels.

A Plant-Based Culinary Journey

The daily breakfast, which is included in the room rate and entirely plant-based, is a testament to The Yucca’s dedication. They offer a mouthwatering blend of ever-evolving seasonal flavors crafted from locally sourced organic ingredients. Whether you’re savoring crispy garbanzo avocado toast, indulging in tofu scramble breakfast tacos, or relishing overnight oats with Coachella Valley dates, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in a diverse selection of vegan culinary delights that celebrate the best of local gastronomy.

Desert Tranquility and Community Engagement

At The Yucca, every room is a carefully crafted oasis of desert tranquility and minimalist elegance, embracing an aesthetic that effortlessly merges desert-inspired design with the comfort of Palm Springs mid-century modern style. Guests can lose themselves in breathtaking views of the San Jacinto mountains, or they can pamper themselves in an on-site healing mineral water pool and spa.

Giving Back to the Community

Beyond delivering an extraordinary guest experience, The Yucca actively supports the local community through its sister non-profit, Heart Core Fund. The hotel partners with a Desert Hot Springs high school to create travel scholarships for local children who have yet to explore the world, instilling values of interconnectedness, tolerance, and kindness by granting them the transformative gift of travel.

Book Your Sustainable Getaway

The Yucca by Heart Core Hotels is now open and inviting guests to experience the splendor of Joshua Tree and Palm Springs while aligning with their values of conscious living and mindful travel. Visit HeartCoreHotels.com for more information and to book your stay today.

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