Murrieta Valley’s football team extended its winning streak with a decisive 42-27 victory over the Norco Cougars on Thursday, Oct. 3. The Nighthawks, ranked 17th in California by MaxPreps, displayed their dominance against the 111th ranked Norco, continuing their impressive performance this season. With three consecutive wins leading up to this game, Murrieta Valley was riding high and carried that momentum into the match, outscoring their opponents by an average of 36 points.
Running back Dorian Hoze was once again a standout player for the Nighthawks, rushing for 163 yards and scoring two touchdowns with an average of 7.4 yards per carry. This game marked his third consecutive outing with at least 130 rushing yards, further solidifying his role as a key player for the team. Not far behind in the spotlight was freshman quarterback Ty Isaia, who has stepped in admirably this season for the injured Bear Bachmeier. Isaia completed 9 of his 14 passes for 139 yards, delivering three touchdowns to three different receivers.
Murrieta Valley’s ground game was relentless, racking up a total of 247 rushing yards. This performance was in line with their recent games, as they have consistently rushed for at least 168 yards in their last four matchups. Isaia’s targets were senior Jacob Alvarez, who caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, junior Julian Treadwell with two catches for 40 yards and a score, and senior Kurelle Thomas, who also notched a 40-yard touchdown reception.
Despite the loss, Norco had moments of brilliance. Trevor Schneider contributed significantly with 124 total yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Joseph Stoffel was also in fine form, throwing for 169 yards and three touchdowns while completing 75% of his passes. Blake Wong was a top target, gathering 104 receiving yards and a touchdown.
With this victory, the Nighthawks now boast a record of 5-1. They are set to face Chaparral next in a Big West – Upper division matchup on Friday, October 11. Chaparral, coming off a 55-28 win over Vista Murrieta, also holds a 5-1 record, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash. Murrieta Valley’s offense has been on a roll, putting up at least thirty-one points in their last four games, which could prove advantageous in their upcoming contest.
Norco, on the other hand, fell to 2-4 with this defeat. They will host Roosevelt (Eastvale) on the same day, with the Mustangs entering this match with a similar 2-4 record after a heavy loss to Centennial. Both teams will be looking for redemption and a much-needed win to improve their standings.
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