GLENDORA — For the first time in school history, the Murrieta Mesa Rams stand atop the high school football world, claiming the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship with a hard-fought 17-7 victory against Glendora at Citrus College on the eve Saturday, Nov. 30.
The Rams wasted no time making an impact, with quarterback Trey Gamble connecting on a 52-yard pass to Cooper Murphy on the very first play of the game. Although the drive stalled after that, Alexander Krishan secured Murrieta Mesa’s opening points with a 34-yard field goal, giving the Rams an early 3-0 lead.
Glendora struggled to find its rhythm early, hindered by turnovers. Rams linebacker Kian Hendricks recovered a fumble by Glendora’s two-way standout Austin Coronado late in the first quarter, allowing Murrieta Mesa’s own dual threat, Daniel Ritchie, to punch in his first touchdown and extend the lead to 10-0.
The Tartans finally struck back in the second quarter as Coronado ripped off two big runs, setting up his own 15-yard touchdown run to make it 10-7 heading into halftime.
The Rams, however, held firm. Early in the third, they delivered a commanding eight-play drive capped by Ritchie’s second touchdown. That 17-7 lead would hold for the rest of the game, as Glendora’s offense stalled repeatedly, unable to find the end zone despite outgaining Murrieta Mesa in total yardage.
Saturday’s win, coming just two days after Thanksgiving, highlighted the team’s defensive strength and the dual-threat abilities of Ritchie, who played a pivotal role in the Rams’ success. Despite having just two carries for 16 yards, Ritchie’s impact on the game was undeniable. He scored both of Murrieta Mesa’s touchdowns and sealed their victory with a clutch interception in the closing minutes.
“I really felt like they were going to bait us into the box to throw it,” Ritchie said about his game-saving interception. “I just made the read, but credit goes to my defensive line and linebackers—they executed perfectly.”
The victory also demonstrated the culmination of a deliberate long-term strategy. Head coach Oscar McBride explained that the Rams’ challenging preseason schedule—though resulting in an initial 1-4 record—was all part of preparing the team for high-pressure games like this. “We want competitive football,” said McBride. “A lot of teams like to play less challenging schedules, but we’ve focused on building a program that mirrors the intensity of the postseason.”
And it paid off. After dropping early-season games, Murrieta Mesa reeled off nine straight wins en route to securing their title.
Despite Coronado’s impressive 113 rushing yards for Glendora, the Tartans couldn’t establish enough rhythm on offense to stay competitive. Quarterback Jacob Lawrence completed just 6 of 18 passing attempts for 72 yards, while Simon Zwick added 80 rushing yards. The Tartans ultimately outgained the Rams in total yards but couldn’t convert their opportunities into enough points.
“Our defense kept us in it all night,” noted Glendora coach Brandon Rohrer. “We knew they were big, strong, and fast, and that combination made it hard for us to come up with points.”
Defense has been the backbone of Murrieta Mesa’s success all year, and Saturday was no exception. The Rams forced three turnovers that proved critical in shutting down Glendora’s normally potent offense. McBride wasn’t surprised by his defense’s reliability. “Our defense has been doing this all year,” he said. “They’ve carried us through some challenging games, and tonight was no different.”
As for Ritchie, McBride heaped praise on his standout player’s versatility, highlighting his value to the team. “Daniel’s just an outstanding football player. He can essentially play any position we need him to. We’re fortunate to have him on our side,” the coach remarked.
Murrieta Mesa’s title win is even more remarkable considering the program’s climb within the Big West Lower Division. After the six local teams split from the Southwestern League two years ago, the Rams built a foundation that prioritized steady improvement, and they reached the peak this year with their championship run.
“This means everything for our program, our school, and our community,” McBride said. “These boys earned this moment, and we’re going to enjoy every second of it.”
With a 10-4 season record, Murrieta Mesa isn’t done just yet. The Rams advance to the CIF State regional playoffs, with matchups announced on Sunday, Dec. 1. The Rams will be competing in Division 3-AA in the South Region at Frontier High School on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Winners from the NorCal and SoCal Regional games will advance to the CIF State Football Championship, December 13-14, representing their respective divisions for the title of CIF State Champion.
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