Imperial Valley Press

Tigers enter Shaw era with win over Holtville

- By KARINA LOPEZ Special to This Newspaper

IMPERIAL – A new era of Imperial High football descended on Shimamoto-Simpson Stadium here after a most impossible year delayed the start of the season and first-year Head Coach David Shaw’s debut by seven months.

“The kids were working out in the fall, but once that second shut down hit, we didn’t really think we were going to have a season,” Shaw said.

Yet one month ago the green light for high school football was given, and Shaw was greeted by an eager and hungry group of players.

Armed with mostly excitement the Tigers took to the field against Holtville High on Friday night and worked to record a 14-6 victory in the non-league contest, giving Shaw his first win as head coach.

“It’s great to be back out here,” Shaw said. “I’m mostly happy for the kids. You could see it on their faces, how excited they were to be playing again.”

While the first two quarters of the game did not yield a score for either team, the second half provided more action for the permitted fans in attendance.

The Vikings opened the second half with an onside kick, which they recovered at the Tigers’ 47 yard-line.

The fast start and drive were cut short, however, when Imperial’s Daniel Mendenhall intercepte­d a pass and returned it 26 yards.

The Tigers would not find the end zone after the play, but they had gained back the momentum from the Vikings.

On Holtville’s ensuing possession, a fumble was picked up by Imperial’s Nathan Villalobos at the Vikings’ 23yard line. This time the Tigers would not be denied, and with 5:28 showing on the clock, recorded their first score of the season after Ethan Ramos punched one in from 4 yards out.

Ethan Lopez added the PAT to give Imperial a 7-0 lead and more momentum heading into the waning minutes of the third quarter.

The Tigers’ second score came minutes after the first and in a similar fashion when Villalobos came up with an intercepti­on that he returned 17 yards for the score.

Lopez’s PAT was successful, giving the Tigers a 14-0 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Holtville would not go down quietly, however, and opened the final quarter with a score on the legs of Peyton Iten, who ran one in from 20 yards out.

The Vikings then attempted a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessf­ul to bring the score to 14-6 with 7:38 left in the game.

Holtville’s offense would catch a second wind later in the quarter, but Imperial’s defense was able to keep the visitors out of the end zone to hold on for the win. The result moves Imperial to 1-0 and Holtville to 0-2.

Both teams are back in action at 7 p.m. Friday with Imperial hosting Brawley and Holtville hosting Palo Verde Valley.

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 ?? PHOTO SERGIO BASTIDAS ?? Imperial High’s Jesse Nichols runs the ball against Holtville High during a football game on Friday night in Imperial.
PHOTO SERGIO BASTIDAS Imperial High’s Jesse Nichols runs the ball against Holtville High during a football game on Friday night in Imperial.

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