Football Recap: Barstow Wins Going Away Against Granite Hills

Barstow had won three straight at home, but on Thursday they bumped up to 5-3 to make it four. They put the hurt on the Granite Hills Cougars with a sharp 50-24 victory. With the Aztecs ahead 30-3 at the half, the matchup was all but over already.

Nicholas Gaoa was his usual excellent self, rushing for 225 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 11.3 yards per carry. He has been hot, having posted two or more rushing touchdowns the last six times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jarvis (JJ) Applewhite, who threw for 128 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 77.8% of his passes.

Aztecs

Rushing Yards

10/23/25 vs Granite Hills	319
10/03/25 @ Victor Valley	251
09/19/25 @ Burroughs	111
08/22/25 @ Capistrano Valley	198
11/08/24 @ Dana Hills	287
11/01/24 @ Granite Hills	366

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Barstow was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 319 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in November of 2024.

Another reason for the win was Barstow's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for four sacks. Leading the way was Chevy Sauer with two. Another thorn in Granite Hills' side was Quentin Hunter, who picked up a sack and made ten total tackles (4.0 for loss).

As for Granite Hills, they now have a losing record of 4-5. The game snapped a strange streak: the last four times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.

When it comes to explaining why Granite Hills lost, don't look at Aamir Sneed. Despite the final result, he rushed for 142 yards and one score, and also threw for 155 yards and one touchdown. Sneed is becoming a predictor of the Cougars' success: when he posts at least 80 rushing yards the team is 3-1 (and 1-4 when he doesn't).

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming contests. Barstow will challenge Adelanto at 7:30 p.m. on the 31st. The Aztecs are facing the Saints at the right time seeing as the Saints are stuck on a five-game losing streak. As for Granite Hills, they are taking a road trip to face off against Silverado at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.