CALEXICO – While both the Calexico Bulldogs and Palo Verde Yellow Jackets play a similar style and are both former IVL rivals, their game on Friday night didn’t scream entertaining classic. Nevertheless, both teams were in the game going into the 2nd half and in the end Palo Verde, spurred on by two 2nd half touchdowns by Markus Macon, would leave Ward Field in Calexico with a 15-6 victory over Calexico in each team’s season opener.
Neither team was able to break through in the first half. Both teams used a heavy ground attack to wear down their opponent. At the break, the only difference on the scoreboard would be a safety committed by the Bulldogs giving the Yellow Jackets a 2-0 lead.
The 2nd half would be much more of the same; though it seemed the continuous ground and pound had its effect on one side. Palo Verde would rush for 291 yards on the ground, highlighted by Macon’s 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Xzaiver Bejarano rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries and Xavier Gonzales-Pinon led the Yellow Jackets defensively with 10 tackles.
Palo Verde (1-0) will look to play the role of spoiler again as they head back out onto the road next week when they face the Mighty Arabs of Coachella Valley. Calexico (0-1) will continue their home stand next week when they host Castle Park.
