Prep Football: Calipatria visits Holtville in Desert League Championship Showdown
In tonight's annual Axe Game, the Calipatria Hornets (7-1, 2-0) travel to face the undefeated Holtville Vikings (9-0, 2-0) with the Desert League championship on the line. This storied rivalry, dating back to 1980, has been dominated by Holtville in recent years, with the Vikings holding a commanding 9-1 edge in the last 10 meetings.
The host Vikings enter on an impressive 16-game winning streak and have been absolutely dominant this season, outscoring opponents by a staggering 448-42 margin while posting five shutouts at home. Holtville's balanced attack generates 422.8 yards per game, with quarterback Alonso Cuevas directing an efficient passing game averaging 134.3 yards per contest. Junior running back Enrique Armas has been a force, averaging 133.7 rushing yards per game while accounting for 19 total touchdowns.
Calipatria counters with their own dynamic offense led by do-everything star Dominic Hawk, who has amassed an incredible 1,795 all-purpose yards and leads the CIF San Diego Section with 32 total touchdowns. The Hornets average 41 points per game and have been particularly lethal in the second quarter, where they've averaged 21.7 points. Their defense, anchored by Jaiden Lopez (team leader in tackles, interceptions, and sacks), will face their stiffest test against Holtville's high-powered offense.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Calipatria's Run Game (333.6 YPG) vs. Holtville's Defense (4.7 points allowed per game)
- Holtville WR Alan Carrillo against the Hornets' secondary
- Calipatria's Dominic Hawk vs. Holtville linebacker Axel Gomez
The Vikings' home field advantage adds another layer of challenge for the visiting Hornets, though Calipatria has impressed with a perfect 5-0 road record this season. Both Cal Preps (48-21) and Massey Ratings (45-7) project a Holtville victory, but with a league title at stake, anything can happen.
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