MURRIETA – Prep football has returned with the start of the new school year locally. Though our sports coverage may be lighter this season than in years past, you can always find a story accompanying our photos wherever a Valley News photographer is present.
To start the season, we headed to Vista Murrieta where quarterback Bryson Beaver and his Broncos capitalized on three Great Oak turnovers in the first half to secure a 38-14 victory in Week Zero action on Friday, August 23.
Beaver, who threw for 2,550 yards and 26 touchdowns last season as a sophomore, connected on 15 of 22 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Among the standout Broncos were AJ Jones, who caught five passes for 67 yards and two scores, Sean McCullough with five receptions for 61 yards, and Tyler Caldwell, who had three catches for 60 yards.
The Broncos quickly jumped to a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Gavin Facer and a 27-yard touchdown pass by Beaver to Jones on their next possession.
Vista Murrieta Safety Mikey Medina intercepted a pass intended for Great Oak’s Ryder Parks at the Broncos’ 15-yard line. Beaver then directed a seven-play drive, capped by Malachi Sales’ 1-yard touchdown run, putting the Broncos ahead 17-0 early in the second quarter.
On the Wolfpack’s next play from scrimmage, cornerback Joshua Banks intercepted another pass, returning it 32 yards to set up Cash Bryant’s 27-yard touchdown catch.
Bronco Linebacker Jett Bunch added to the defensive feats with another interception, sparking a drive that led to Jones’ second touchdown catch and a commanding 31-0 halftime lead.
After Vista Murrieta extended their lead to 38-0, Great Oak mustered a nine-play scoring drive in the third quarter, capped by Cris Scott’s 1-yard touchdown run, preventing a shutout. While they scored twice late in the game, a bright spot for new head coach Herschel Ramirez, who has been a long time assistant and former Athletic Director at Great Oak, was when his quarterback Reagan Ricken (LSU Baseball commit) and receiver Mikey Vazquez connected for a 53-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
This week, Great Oak plays at home on Friday against Rancho Verde at 7 p.m. Vista Murrieta heads across town to battle city rival Murrieta Mesa, also at 7 p.m.
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