Palmdale Streaks to Victory

Had Palmdale High’s Jason Anderson not rushed for 243 yards in 19 carries Friday night, the school’s most impressive running performance of the season could have gone to the three students who streaked through the desert cold to interrupt Quartz Hill’s halftime homecoming ceremonies.

But Anderson did run wild Friday, and the Falcons cruised to a 20-0 Golden League victory over the Rebels, setting up a pivotal showdown next week with Antelope Valley.

Until Friday, Anderson’s season could only be described as disappointing.

The senior tailback, who gained 920 yards as a junior, had gained only 372 through six games. Heck, he wasn’t even the leading ground gainer on his own team.

That honor had belonged to Shaun Perez, who had 390 yards after rolling up 197 last week.

“That made me mad,” Anderson said of losing the team rushing lead. “The last four games have been real bad for me. From now on, I’m just going to get better every game.”

It will be difficult to top Friday night, when Anderson scored on first-half runs of two and 56 yards as the Falcons (5-2, 2-0) claimed a 17-0 lead entering intermission.

The dominant blocking of linemen Matt Leonard, Nick Carrillo, Brandon Hunt, Shawn Rodriguez, Harry Plante and Jonathon Hogstad regularly allowed Anderson to dance untouched into the Rebel secondary.

The Falcons finished with 471 yards, 371 coming on the ground.

Perez gained 66 yards in 13 carries before leaving in the first half with a concussion.

Kicker Anthony Valentino added field goals of 23 and 28 yards in four attempts.

The league loss was the sixth in a row for the Rebels (3-4, 0-2), dating back to 1995.

Anderson’s two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead.

His 56-yard scoring run later in the quarter provided the Falcons with a 17-0 halftime margin.

Kicker Anthony Valentino connected from 23 yards out between Anderson’s first-half scores.

Anderson was only one of four elusive runners for the Falcons.

Three Palmdale students interrupted halftime homecoming ceremonies, streaking across the field and planting an anti-Quartz Hill sign at the 20-yard line as the Rebels’ court was being introduced.