For the first time in the 28-years of the rivalry between the Hesperia and Sultana football programs, one game separates the all-time series lead.

The Scorpions shutout their cross-city rivals 28-0 in the 29th annual Key Game on Friday night to end the season. Hesperia’s victory cuts Sultana’s all-time series lead to 15-14 in the rivalry, which began in 1996.

“That felt really good seeing the kids playing hard to give us a big win to end an emotional year,” Hesperia head coach Casey Goodnough said. “The kids played hard. It was a great team effort. I’m so proud of them because it’s been a tough, long season.”

Hesperia jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a trick play, a reverse pass from Devin Watson to Daniel Serna.

Hesperia quarterback Xavier Murgo, a freshman, threw a pair of touchdown passes after that point.

First, he connected with Zamar Malveaux early in the second quarter, and then with Nathan Rodriguez early in the fourth quarter for a 21-0 lead.

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For good measure, Malveaux scored a rushing touchdown to give the Scorpions a 28-point lead just before the time expired.

It’s the fifth shutout in the history of the rivalry game, and the first since Hesperia’s 28-0 victory during the 2020-21 spring season.

“Defense was real scrappy tonight, capitalized and rallied to the ball well,” Goodnough said. “Coach (Vinny) Fazio put together a great game plan on defense that the kids really executed on.”

Hesperia ends the season 4-6 overall, just missing a shot at qualifying for an at-large bid in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, which begin next week.

The Sultans end with an overall record of 2-8 in Obie Galindo’s first season as head coach.

Victor Valley 7, Silverado 0

At Victorville, the Jackrabbits shut out the Hawks on Friday night in the battle for second place in the Desert Sky League standings, and a guaranteed playoff berth.

Victor Valley scored the lone touchdown in the second quarter, a deep touchdown pass from Robert Middlebrooks to Xavier Matthews.

Both teams await the release of the playoff brackets on Sunday morning. Victor Valley will be guaranteed a playoff game.

But Silverado could sneak into the playoffs as an at-large bid, ending the season with an overall record of 5-5.

The pairings are expected to be released around 10 a.m.

Oak Hills 49, Burroughs 0

At Ridgecrest, the Bulldogs beat the Burros on Friday night to end the season unbeaten for the second time in the last three years.

Oak Hills also secured the outright Mojave River League crown with the victory. It’s the fourth straight league title for the Bulldogs.

Karson Cox led the way with 223 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

LaMason Waller III ended with 70 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Kharlos Dews and Royalton Allen both ran in touchdowns.

Offensive lineman Joseph James recovered an Oak Hills fumble and ran it in for a touchdown.

On defense, Jeff Johnson, Zander Macias and Keyon Yarber each intercepted a pass.

The Bulldogs await the release of the playoff brackets on Sunday morning.

Apple Valley 35, Serrano 0

At Phelan, the Sun Devils shut out the Diamondbacks in a battle for second place in the Mojave River League standings on Friday night.

The Sun Devils took a quick lead in the first quarter, a rushing touchdown from Talan Lively. Quarterback Jake Higgs doubled the lead midway through the second quarter with a rushing touchdown.

Jacob Cabrera ran the ball in from a yard out for a 21-point lead just before halftime.

Apple Valley scored two more rushing touchdowns, from Johnny Cisneros and Lorenzo Johnson, in the fourth quarter.

Both teams are heading to the playoffs.

Barstow 34, Granite Hills 27

At Apple Valley, the Aztecs clinched the outright DSL title with a victory over the Cougars on Friday night.

Barstow’s last outright league title came in 2015. This is the sixth overall DSL in program history.

The Aztecs await the release of the playoff brackets on Sunday morning.

This story has been updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Football Roundup: Hesperia blanks Sultana in the 29th annual Key Game