The prep football playoffs are on the horizon, and with three games to go, some statements are being made, especially in the Big West Upper and Lower divisions. Centennial is clearly the team to beat, but Vista Murrieta and Murrieta Valley are following close behind. The third of the former Southwestern League teams, Chaparral, haven’t quite found their rhythm in league play, but coming off their stellar season in 2022, and with their strength of schedule this year, there is still time to make a push for the postseason.
As for the BW Lower standings, both of last year’s co-champs, Great Oak and Murrieta Mesa, have gotten off to a good start with back-to-back wins, but King could play a pivotal spoiler role in the coming weeks. This week will tell the tale of who the clear front runner will be when the Wolfpack and Rams meet in Temecula.
Of course, let’s not get too far ahead from all the Week Seven high school football action that took place from Thursday, Oct. 5, around the southwest Riverside County region, with games concluding Saturday, Oct. 7. Scores, along with certain game notes for Week Seven high school football games involving local teams inside our coverage area, were reported as follows:
THURSDAY 10/5
Big West Conference-Lower Division
- Great Oak (4-3, 2-0) – 49, Corona (4-3, 0-2) – 7
FRIDAY 10/6
Big West Conference-Upper Division
- Murrieta Valley (6-1, 2-0) – 48, Norco (3-4, 0-2) – 19
Game notes: Murrieta Valley’s Dorian Hoze ran for 95 yards and three touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass in the Nighthawks Big West Conference-Upper Division win over Norco. Bear Bachmeier threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns with Julian Treadwell being his target of the night with a pair of touchdowns.
- Vista Murrieta (6-1, 2-0) – 31, Chaparral (4-3, 0-2) – 24
Game notes: Even though Chaparral QB Dash Beierly put on a show, Vista Murrieta quarterback Bryson Beaver, and his Broncos defense, came together to help take down the host Pumas 31-24 last Friday night in a Big West Conference Upper Division battle. Beaver completed 18 of 30 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns as their defense took away the ball from the Puma offense on three big plays to maintain the victory. Beierly finished the night completing 22 of 32 passes for 359 yards while his favorite target, Blake Lowe, led all receivers bringing down six receptions for 101 yards.
Big West Conference-Lower Division
- Murrieta Mesa (2-5, 2-0) – 52, Temecula Valley (3-4, 1-1) – 17
Game notes: Murrieta Mesa’s Julian Silva not only passed for 264 yards and four touchdowns, but also ran in two scores of his own as the Rams won a Big West Conference-Lower Division game against former Southwestern League rival, Temecula Valley. Royal Randolph led the ground attack for the Rams with his 161 yards and a touchdown.
Cottonwood League
- Santa Rosa Academy (5-2, 2-0) – 51, Desert Christian Academy (2-5, 0-2) – 12
Game notes: Santa Rosa Academy’s Daniel Joseph Marlow went big after he tossed three touchdowns to help the Rangers win this Cottonwood League matchup. Leading the defense was Nick Welty with 14 tackles.
Inland Valley League
- Hemet (4-3, 2-0) – 39, Moreno Valley (1-6, 0-2) – 20
Ivy League
- Orange Vista – 50, Elsinore – 21
- Temescal Canyon – 21, Heritage – 3
Game notes: Temescal Canyon QB Louis Alvis threw two touchdowns and ran in another to lead the Titans to victory in an Ivy League showdown. Abbas Clark and Alex Krivrizis had the touchdown catches for Temescal Canyon, who were led on defense by Robert Palumbo with his 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Majestic League (8-man)
- Calvary Baptist at California Lutheran
- Cornerstone Christian – 80, Southlands Christian – 32
Game notes: Cornerstone Christian’s Matthew Huffman couldn’t be contained as he rushed for 208 yards and five touchdowns to help the Crusaders win another Majestic League game. Devin Jarrett continues to dominate with the ball as he threw for 185 yards and connected for three touchdown passes, two of which went to Matthew Cole Contreras. Huffman, Contreras, and Jermey Farr all got Player of the Game nods.
Manzanita League
- Nuview Bridge (3-4, 3-1) – 21, Temecula Prep (2-5, 1-2) – 16
- Silver Valley (6-1, 4-0) – 39, California Military Institute (2-4, 1-2) – 6
Mesquite League
- Linfield Christian – 20, Arrowhead Christian Academy – 0
Game notes: Linfield’s Thomas Paschal (13 for 23, 158 yards) led the Lions to a 20-0 victory over previously unbeaten Arrowhead Christian in Mesquite League action. A Tyrese Garnett 30-yard touchdown pass with 4:57 remaining in the game, and a Marcus Dylke interception in the final minute preserved the Lions’ shutout.
Mountain Pass League
- Liberty – 48, Citrus Hill – 13
Game notes: Liberty’s QB Anthony Quinones threw two touchdown passes, one of which went to Eddie Smith, who also returned a fumble and a punt for scores to lead the Bison to a Mountain Pass League win over Citrus Hill.
- San Jacinto – 53, Tahquitz – 21
Game notes: San Jacinto’s Malachi Brown tallied 219 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns while Daishaun Davis caught two touchdown passes for the Tigers who cruised to a 53-21 victory over Tahquitz. Sebastian Wood had an early interception but went on to complete 5 of 8 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Dillon Gresham, who was held without a reception, did carry the ball five times for 58 yards. Tahquitz’s playmaker on the night was David Toney as he ran for 136 yards on 26 carries, while DJ Bryant added 112 yards on 13 carries for the Titans.
- West Valley – 54, Perris – 34
Sunbelt League
- Paloma Valley – 35, Vista del Lago – 32
Game notes: Paloma Valley took out Vista del Lago 35-32 in Sunbelt League action behind quarterback Brady Nelson and receiver Jefferey Blalock. Both teams exchanged the lead four times in the fourth quarter, but it would be Nelson’s three touchdown passes to Blalock that made the difference, including an 11-yard game-winning touchdown that ended an 80-yard drive as time ran out. The duo also connected on the two-point conversation to take the 29-26 lead. Vista del Lago quarterback Larry Joyce led the offense down the field before completing a touchdown pass to Cameon Sims with 49.3 seconds on the clock. The Ravens missed the extra-point attempt.
Nonleague
- Riverside Poly – 24, Rancho Christian – 21
Game notes: The Eagles scored first quarter touchdowns to take an 18-10 lead going into the half, but Riverside Poly used their running game in the second half to wear down the Rancho Christian defense. The Bears controlled the field position as the Eagles could only score on a field goal, and with a late fourth quarter touchdown by the Bears, that gave them a 24-21 lead. Rancho Christian moved the ball through the air as the clock was winding down, but a failed field goal attempt with 11 seconds left proved to be the difference. Eagles QB Blake Nadler threw for 256 yards on 18 completions with both TD passes going to Jonathan Alexander (193 yards receiving). Poly’s Jshaun Thomas had 191 yards on the ground with two TDs to lead the Bears. – recap by David Canales, photographer
SATURDAY 10/7
Manzanita League
- San Jacinto Valley Academy (1-5, 1-3) – 36, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac (1-4, 0-3) – 16
*All stats, schedules, photos, and scores are supplied by local high school athletic directors, MaxPreps, CIF-SS offices, contributing writers/photographers and countless fans of the games via social media. Is your team’s score missing? Want to leave a game note? Let us know if your school is inside our coverage area and would like to be mentioned.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
