DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Friday night in Desert Hot Springs seemed like a playoff atmosphere.

Both Big Bear and Desert Hot Springs still had an outside chance of making the postseason, and both the home and visiting stands were full.

The two teams came into the contest with identical 1-2 records in De Anza League play. If Yucca Valley lost Friday, the winner of the game in DHS would make the playoffs. Even though Yucca Valley won its game easily, the Bears and Golden Eagles would still battle all night for third place.

It was a back-and-forth game with the Bears up 19-17 headed into the fourth quarter. Big Bear scored 18 consecutive points in less than 10 minutes to take a 20-point lead late in the game. The Golden Eagles did not give up and added a late score but still fell to the Bears 37-24.

The Golden Eagles (3-7,1-3) did not get the start they were looking for Friday. After a three-and-out on offense to start the game, the defense took the field for the first time and let the Bears go 70 yards on eight plays for the first score.

The second possession for the Golden Eagles produced the same result, another three and out. This time however, the Golden Eagles' special teams got downfield and created a fumble on the punt return. Junior tailback Antonio Desmarais was the man at the bottom of the pile with the football inside the Bear 25-yard line.

Two plays and two Josh Ceceña runs later, the ball was in the end zone and the game was tied.

After the Bear's went down the field again, DHS would get the ball back once again down by 7. The next DHS drive, Ceceña decided to take control. Ceceña accounted for all 65 yards on the next scoring drive including six rushes for 18 yards and two passes for 47 yards. Ceceña capped off the 8 play drive with a 1-yard dive up the middle. Ceceña finished with 149 passing yards, 60 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his final high school game.

“Josh had a great game tonight. He kept fighting and would not quite,” said coach L.D. Matthews.