Palmdale Wins in Routine Fashion

The heavy rain clouds floating above the high desert were nothing compared to the dark clouds hanging over the Palmdale High football team the past week after the Falcons’ scuffle in a game against Saugus.

But this was a different Palmdale team that took the home field Friday night against Antelope Valley in a Golden League game.

No unsportsmanlike conduct calls were made in the Falcons’ 10-7 victory.

“We had a real rough week,” Palmdale Coach Kent Bothwell said. “Our kids responded in a way characteristic of champions.”

With Antelope Valley trailing, 10-7, and facing fourth and 10 on its 24-yard line, quarterback Tony Abrams threw passes of 14 and two yards to tailback Wayne Walters and another of 15 yards to wide receiver Marcelo Bedetti to put Antelope Valley (1-6 overall, 0-2 in league play) on the Falcon 40-yard line with less then a minute to play.

Abrams completed a 16-yard pass to Bedetti but threw the ball into the ground on fourth down to end the threat.

Palmdale (2-5, 1-1) had tied the score, 7-7, with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter on tailback LaShante Parker’s 15-yard bolt.

Palmdale kicker Tom Leite booted a 29-yard field goal on the Falcons’ ensuing possession to put Palmdale ahead for good, 10-7.