Granite Hills didn’t look much like the team head coach Alex Gonzalez expected to see during the first half Friday night.
Maximilian Frierson helped change that after halftime.
Frierson scored three rushing touchdowns, including two in the second half, as Granite Hills erased a halftime deficit and opened the season with a 30-17 road victory over Sultana on Aug. 21.
The Cougars trailed 17-13 at halftime before shutting out the Sultans over the final two quarters and scoring 17 unanswered points.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy at all, to be honest,” Gonzalez said. “We made some mistakes. I felt like we made mistakes that allowed the game to be close, and we’re better than what we performed like in the first half.”
Granite Hills got off to a quick start as quarterback Skyler Hamilton connected with TJ Wright in stride for a 70-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Sultana responded with a Daniel Moreno touchdown run to make it 7-6. Granite Hills then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Josiah Pele capitalized with a touchdown run before adding the two-point conversion for a 14-7 Sultana lead.
Frierson scored his first touchdown in the second quarter to pull Granite Hills within 14-13.
Elias Mikkelson’s field goal with 3:07 remaining sent Sultana into halftime with a 17-13 advantage.
From there, it was all Granite Hills.
Frierson scored his second touchdown in the third quarter to put the Cougars ahead 20-17 and later added his third rushing score. Jesus Orozco capped the scoring with a fourth-quarter field goal.
Both teams will be in action on Aug. 27. Granite Hills will host Patriot and Sultana heads to Liberty.
Here’s a roundup of other action from across the High Desert.
Oak Hills 28, Highland 6
At Palmdale, Dahlin Hill scored two rushing touchdowns and Maurice Council added another as the Bulldogs cruised to victory.
Rudy De La Fuente returned an interception for a touchdown, while Royalton Allen and Jayden Dennis each added an interception.
Oak Hills will host Bishop Amat on Aug. 28.
Apple Valley 27, Moorpark 26
At Moorpark, the Sun Devils pulled off an overtime victory to begin the season.
Moorpark scored late in the final seconds to tie the game and Apple Valley blocked the PAT to force overtime.
Lorenzo Johnson broke up a slant route as Moorpark attempted a two-point conversion, sealing the deal.
Quarterback Brent Lanning completed 15 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. Davion Swan caught seven passes for 100 yards.
Jewelein Washington rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Chase Higgs added 72 yards on eight carries, and Adriyen Fayloga rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown on four carries.
Apple Valley will host Highland on Aug. 28.
Hesperia 43, Palmdale 21
At Palmdale, the Scorpions received contributions across the board in a season-opening victory over Palmdale.
Rocky Balbuena scored two rushing touchdowns, while Darius Williams and Deonte Manuel each added a rushing score. Williams also connected with Xzavier Murgo for a touchdown pass.
Brandon Thompson returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Hesperia will host Jurupa Hills on Aug. 27.
Warren 41, Serrano 28
At Downey, Scott Ebeling threw three touchdown passes in his first start at quarterback, but the Diamondbacks fell in the season opener.
Serrano will host Barstow on Aug. 28.
Adelanto 46, Littlerock 0
At Littlerock, the Saints rolled to a 46-point shutout in the season opener.
Adelanto will host Burroughs on Aug. 27.
Riverside Prep 43, Century 0
At Santa Ana, the Silver Knights pulled off a 43-point shutout in Damion Wright’s debut as head coach.
Riverside Prep will be on the road again on Aug. 27 against Twentynine Palms.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert Football Week 0 | Granite Hills beats Sultana in Game of the Week
Reporting by Jose Quintero, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jose Quintero, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
