FONTANA — Multi-platinum recording artist Mac Miller once said, “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile,” in his hit song “Best Day Ever.”
But Friday night wasn’t the best day ever at A.B. Miller High School. The football team suffered its first loss to Indian Springs since 2020, losing 20-14 in the Mountain Valley League season opener.
The Rebels have won six of the last seven meetings against the Coyotes.
“I’m just really proud of my boys. I told them the whole week it’s about us, one play at a time,” Indian Springs head coach Marcus Williams said. “We come here tonight to take over and take the win. I’m lost for words right now.”
Indian Springs sits second in the Mountain Valley League standings as they move to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league play. Miller picked up its fourth loss of the season to fall to 1-4 overall.
The Rebels don’t travel to Indian Springs for their second meeting until Oct 17. Williams noted that it’s a confidence booster to pick up a win at Miller before they get deeper into conference play.
The Rebels took six minutes off the clock on their first possession and ended it with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Deshawn Smith to go ahead 7-0.
Miller had a chance to add more points in its second possession, but Indian Springs forced a fumble. The Coyotes were stalled on the next possession.
Rebels’ running back Daniel Rasura had a clear path for a touchdown, but was chased down by senior defensive back Andres Zavala, who punched the ball out for a fumble recovery.
The Coyotes responded with a 78-yard screen pass touchdown from senior running back David Mancha to knot it 7-7.
“We told the defense to stick to the script,” Williams said. “Do your job. Don’t try to do anything extra. Just play your role.”
Neither team could produce any offense throughout the second quarter, but it was the Coyotes who came out swinging in the second half to take a 14-7 lead on Damien Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run.
It was a defensive battle throughout the second half, with the Rebels getting several chances to tie it up. With under five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Angel Magana lined up to kick a 35-yard field goal, but missed it wide left.
Johnson, a senior running back, put the cherry on top with an 84-yard touchdown pass. Williams said he was impressed with quarterback Nikolas Padilla’s play throughout the night.
“I felt that he learned from last week,” Williams said. “Last week was a tough week. He had time to reflect on himself and he took a week to get focused. He bought in this whole week and said, ‘Coach, I’m going to do everything I need to do to get better.’”
Padilla said after the game he feels like he is returning to being where he wants to be.
Miller kept things interesting despite being down. Smith added points for Miller with under 17 seconds remaining, but the outcome had been determined.
Indian Springs returns home on Thursday to host San Bernardino. Miller returns to the gridiron at Pacific on Thursday.
