LANCASTER — The Eastside football team erupted in celebration following a 27-18 win over Antelope Valley on Thursday night at Antelope Valley College.
It wasn’t just the first win of the season for the Lions and the first Golden League victory, it was also their first win in the rivalry game against Antelope Valley.
Eastside first-year coach Spencer Hagan was presented with the Backyard Bowl trophy following the victory and the trophy was passed between teammates during the post-game celebration.
“This feels amazing,” Eastside senior Sior Gilkey said. “We haven’t got this in 10 years and we got it back finally. It took 10 years. We got it back. It feels so amazing.”
Eastside had lost nine consecutive games to Antelope Valley, including 61-7 last season.
The Lions last defeated AV 21-7 in 2014.
Both teams entered the game 0-5 overall and had started 0-2 in league play.
“They played their hearts out,” Hagan said. “This is a rivalry game. They wanted it so bad. I’m so proud of them.”
Eastside jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a touchdown on the third play from scrimmage, a 71-yard run by Gilkey, and never trailed in the game.
The Lions built a 21-6 lead in the second quarter and a 27-12 lead in the fourth.
“Amazing. Absolutely amazing,” Eastside junior quarterback Santiago Pineda said. “We haven’t won in 10 years, I believe. I trust my coach. This is my first coach that we got the win. I’m just so happy right now.
“We played hard. I’m just so happy.”
Pineda completed 15-of-28 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown.
Eastside junior Henry Anderson caught six passes for 113 yards, freshman Riley Armstrong caught three passes for 23 yards, junior Jose Estrada caught two passes for 38 yards and sophomore Markee Williams caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
“The key is playing hard,” Gilkey said. “All week we were practicing real hard. We wanted it. We wanted it real bad.”
Gilkey scored on a 71-yard run, going up the middle and pulling away from the AV defense, on the third play from scrimmage to give the Lions a quick 7-0 lead with 11:11 remaining in the first quarter.
Eastside sophomore defensive back Gianni Brown carried the momentum over to defense for the Lions, intercepting an AV pass.
Antelope Valley answered on defense, as senior Deshawn Lewis intercepted an Eastside pass.
“They hit some adversity at the end of the first quarter and that’s been one of our struggles, overcoming adversity,” Hagan said. “They stepped up today and they never gave up and they never gave in and just really proud of them.
“This should propel us.”
The Antelopes could not capitalize on the turnover, but AV scored on its third possession.
AV sophomore Kenyin Taylor scored on a 14-yard run with 3:41 remaining in the first quarter, but the Antelopes missed the 2-point conversion.
Eastside answered with a lengthy 11-play, 69-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Pineda to Williams early in the second quarter.
The Lions scored again on their next possession, with a 1-yard touchdown run by junior Alex Guzman to give Eastside a 21-6 lead with 2:50 left in the first half.
It was enough time for the Antelope Valley offense to strike again.
Antelope Valley junior Maddox Caldwell scored on a 52-yard run after a handoff on the first play of the ensuing drive to cut Eastside’s lead to 21-12 at halftime.
Eastside outgained Antelope Valley 219-120 in total yards in the first half.
The Antelopes couldn’t capitalize on the opening drive of the second half, but AV sophomore Bryan Cooper recovered a punt after it touched an Eastside player.
Eastside would capitalize on a turnover later in the second half, recovering an Antelope Valley fumble.
Guzman scored on a 4-yard run with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter to give the Lions a 27-12 lead.
Antelope Valley scored on its final possession of the game, as senior Juelz McCoy caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marco Silva with 40 seconds remaining in the game.
“Eastside came out and they did a good job,” Antelope Valley coach James Vondra said. “They did a good job with the quick passing game. They were completing a lot of those passes and that big back. They did a good job.
“Offensively, we have to fix some things. Our snaps are inconsistent. I think we had three touchdowns called back for mistakes.”
AV junior Maddox Caldwell rushed for 134 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
Eastside outgained AV in total yards 345-206.
Eastside junior Romulus Sanchez and sophomore Anthony Solorzano each had a sack in the fourth quarter.
“We knew this year would be a tough one,” Vondra said. “We’re still living that right now. Just hope these guys keep their heads up and continue to work hard. We’re trying to lay a foundation for the future.
“It’s a learning experience and it’s tough when you’re going through it. If these guys learn from it and get better that’s all we can ask for.”
Eastside will play Highland next week and Quartz Hill the following week.
“Our goal is just to get better each week,” Hagan said. “Improve each week and just play our best football. That’s all we can control. I’m really, really proud.”