Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 | 10:34 p.m.
Malik Jones rushed for three touchdowns and 150 yards on 15 carries tonight for the Desert Pines football team in a 48-7 playoff win over visiting Palo Verde.
Sophomore linebacker Landon McComber, who earlier in the day received a scholarship offer from Wisconsin, led the defensive effort with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Massiah Mingo and Isaiah Nickels had receiving touchdowns, and Trey Jackson had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Desert Pines (8-2) advances to play Bishop Gorman in the second round. Gorman is undefeated against six Las Vegas opponents and hasn’t surrendered any points.
“It’s a great challenge,” Desert Pines coach Tico Rodriguez said. “We just want to compete. Our kids are going to play hard — I know that. We know what Gorman is, and our kids want to compete against them because they are the best.”
Rodriguez said his team gained confidence last week in a 16-7 loss to Liberty, who many feel is the city’s second best team behind Gorman.
“We felt we let one slip away last week because of penalties,” the coach said.