HEMET – The West Valley Mustangs continued their winning streak, building on their previous triumph over the Elsinore Tigers with another decisive game last Thursday, ending with a score of 21-3. This victory marks the Mustangs’ sixth consecutive win, underscoring their dominance in recent matches.

Playing at home has proven advantageous for West Valley, as this win also reflects their third consecutive home victory, enhancing their season record to an impressive 6-1. In contrast, the Elsinore Tigers face challenges as they endure a three-game losing streak, bringing their record down to 2-6.

West Valley player Denim Benson (8) races to the endzone for a touchdown. Elsinore’s Xavier Montano (24) also pictured. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

West Valley’s success can be attributed to a robust team performance, although specific player statistics were not provided in the available MaxPreps data. Meanwhile, Elsinore’s key performers included their quarterbacks, Hayden Hughes and Brayden Stankus. Hughes completed 5 of 8 passes for 22 yards, while Stankus connected on 2 of 8 attempts for 26 yards and an interception. Additionally, running back Adrian Stankevich made notable contributions with 18 carries for 57 yards, despite a fumble, and wide receiver Camden Webb secured 28 yards on two catches.

Looking ahead, West Valley gears up for an away game against San Jacinto on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. San Jacinto, sharing the top spot in the Mountain Pass League with West Valley at 2-0 in league play, boasts an overall record of 5-3 and an average of 31.8 points per game this season, promising a competitive match-up.

On the other hand, Elsinore will have the advantage of playing at home against Tahquitz at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Elsinore’s defense has been a strong suit, allowing an average of only 14.6 points per game, creating an intriguing challenge for Tahquitz’s offense.

As the Mountain Pass League standings currently show, West Valley’s consistent performance keeps them tied with San Jacinto at the top of the league. The upcoming games promise to be a crucial test for both teams, determining who will maintain their lead in the standings. For Elsinore, the focus will be on breaking their losing streak and leveraging home-field advantage to turn their season around.

The West Valley Mustangs have shown a knack for maintaining momentum, and their upcoming clash with San Jacinto is set to be a highlight of the league. Meanwhile, Elsinore faces the task of regrouping and capitalizing on their defensive strengths to secure a much-needed win.

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JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist and head of the sports department at the Valley News. A former Southwestern League head baseball coach and former President of the Temecula Youth Baseball League, he has also worked as a local radio personality for All Pro Broadcasting and as a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When he’s not covering sports, JP works in the Media Technology Department for Major League Baseball.