FONTANA — In the Mountain Valley League opener for both clubs, it was special teams and defensive adjustments that helped lead the Miller Rebels to a 31-28 victory over the visiting San Bernardino Cardinals. San Bernardino’s Justin Randolph, (#13), rushes the ball and is tackled by Miller’s Joseph Molina, (#3), during the first half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) San Bernardino’s Justin Randolph, (#13), loses the football as Miller’s Stanley Leslie (#1), tackles him during the first half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) San Bernardino running back Tyler Harris, (#27), rushes the ball as both Miller’s Davion Pride, (#11), and Stanley Leslie, (#1), give chase during the second half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Miller’s Ruben Palacio,(#9), rushes the football for a touchdown against San Bernardino’s, during the first half in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) San Bernardino quarterback Steele Suatele (#6)fumbles the snap, as Miller’s Vili Paama, (#50), tackles him during the second half, a in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)(Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) San Bernardino’s Justin Randolph, (#13), rushes the ball for a touchdown, ahead of Miller’s Stanley Leslie (#1), during the first half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Miller quarterback Ilya Ridge (17#), rushes the ball against San Bernardino during the second half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Miller’s Ruben Palacio,(#9), rushes the ball and is tackled by San Bernardino’s Tra’Shawn Matthews, (#63), during the first half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) San Bernardino quarterback Steele Suatele (#6),keeps the ball and rushes for a touchdown, past Miller’s Issac Flores, (#2), during the first half, a in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Miller’s Ruben Palacio,(#9), carries the ball an avoid the tackle from San Bernardino’s, Joseph Stanley, (#5), during the first half in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Show Caption1 of 10San Bernardino’s Justin Randolph, (#13), rushes the ball and is tackled by Miller’s Joseph Molina, (#3), during the first half, in a Mountain Valley League football game at AB Miller High School, Fontana Ca., Sept. 27, 2024. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Expand Senior quarterback Ilya Ridge would lead Miller (4-2 overall) to a 21-20 lead going into the half when he found junior receiver Stanley Leslie on a corner route that ended in a 49-yard touchdown. Despite going into halftime trailing, San Bernardino (3-3) went undisputed in the run game scoring on three of their 13 plays from scrimmage in the first half. Cardinals senior running back Justin Randolph scored twice in the first half on two long run plays, including an 80-yard touchdown following the go-ahead drive from Miller with 54 seconds left in the half. Randolph rushed for 160 yards on seven carries in the opening two frames. Randolph would find the end zone again in the third quarter, but defensive adjustments and alternating assignments from Miller held him to 31 yards in the second half and 98 combined offensive yards. “Everyone has their job to do,” said Miller head coach Andrew Amosa. “Our guys listened, and we did a good job of stopping the run. That was the most important thing.” Ridge would find Leslie again to set up another go-ahead touchdown in the third, with senior running back Ruben Palacio scoring on a 9-yard run. Ridge finished the night with 136 yards passing and walking away with homecoming king honors, connecting with Leslie getting 117 of those yards. “That’s our goal,” said Ridge. “(Leslie) is really fast and when you leave a guy open like that, dangerous things are going to happen.” Tied going into the fourth quarter, it was special teams that would continue to be the difference. A fumble forced by Rebels senior defensive lineman Vili Paama set up a scoring chance, with junior kicker Angel Magana capitalizing with a go-ahead 30-yard field goal with 8:04 remaining. Magana finalized his stellar night with a punt that landed San Bernardino on their opposing 6-yard line with just under three minutes remaining, his fifth punt inside the 20 with no touchbacks. “I told him that there is going to be a game where you need to come through and tonight was that night,” Amosa said. “He came through. That’s all he does. He does it for two hours. He better do it.” Related Articles High School Sports | IE Varsity’s football wrap-up: Stories, scores and photos from Week 5 games High School Sports | Roosevelt football team holds off Colony in final nonleague tune-up High School Sports | Rancho Verde football controls clock, shuts out Tahquitz High School Sports | ‘Special’ effort propels Murrieta Valley football team past San Clemente High School Sports | Cajon football team bounces back, outlasts Orange Vista down the stretch Miller’s defense continued to keep the running game quiet, not permitting San Bernardino to reach midfield before time expired. “That last stand can help us for other teams,” said Paama. “It can make us better.” The first of two league affairs, Miller and San Bernardino will see a rematch on October 18 in San Bernardino. “It’s going to be another dog fight,” Amosa said. “If we get our job done the next two weeks, we’ll be fine.” “They’re a strong and competitive team,” said Ridge. “I think we need to up our toughness, but I think we can beat them again if we just keep our mind right.”