With Zero Week out of the way, Week 1 of the 2025-2026 prep football season delivered everything Southwest Riverside County fans could have hoped for, with explosive offensive performances, defensive turnovers and rivalry games that lived up to their billing.
This past week featured quite a few standout matchups that set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable season across the region.
Tahquitz made a statement in its home opener, crushing Lakeside 55-18 behind a dominant ground game that left the Lancers struggling to keep pace. Senior Terrell Strong was unstoppable, rushing for 250 yards and four touchdowns on just 14 carries. His performance included a highlight-reel 55-yard scoring run that featured multiple jukes and spins, leaving defenders grasping at air.
“I have to give credit to my offensive line,” Strong said after the game. “They created the gaps and kept on pushing downfield.”
Jacob Arbuckle, the Boise State-bound receiver and safety, proved equally dangerous on both sides of the ball. The versatile senior tallied 135 yards of total offense while scoring touchdowns on offense and defense. His 33-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter sealed the victory for the Titans.
Tahquitz coach Stephon Pace was impressed by his dynamic duo’s performance in what marked a complete turnaround from last season’s 2-8 record.
“Those are two special players that can make big plays anytime,” Pace said. “My job is to get them the ball as much as possible.”
The Titans needed just three plays to score on their opening drive and never looked back, building a 27-0 lead before Lakeside could find the scoreboard. The victory matched Tahquitz’s win total from the entire 2024 season.
In a high-scoring affair at Mt. SAC’s stadium in Walnut, Servite rebounded from its season-opening loss by defeating Murrieta Valley 56-35 in a game that featured 91 total points and multiple lead changes.
Quarterback Kale Murphy threw four touchdown passes, completing 15 of 26 attempts for 225 yards while running an uptempo offense that kept the Nighthawks off balance throughout the contest.
“We have the fastest track team in the state. We got all of them on the football team,” Murphy said. “We got good coaches. We got fast players, and we’re just going to use that to the best of our abilities.”
Running back Gavin Gutierrez complemented Murphy’s aerial attack with 160 rushing yards, including 101 in the second half as Servite pulled away from the talented Nighthawks squad.
The Friars’ defense generated five turnovers despite playing without key starters, forcing three interceptions and recovering two fumbles that led to 27 points. Cornerback Adrian Martinez returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, while linebacker Brando Mosqueda recovered a crucial fumble.
Murrieta Valley kept pace early with spectacular special teams play, as Jacob Taddi and Jeremiah Watson returned consecutive kickoffs for touchdowns covering 94 and 75 yards, respectively. Receiver Derrick Johnson II caught three touchdown passes to keep the Nighthawks within striking distance.
As for what happened on a more local front, Vista Murrieta controlled its intercity rivalry game from start to finish, defeating Murrieta Mesa 35-17 behind a balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense.
Quarterback Bryson Beaver completed 9 of 16 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns, including the 73-yard strike to Caldwell that opened the scoring. Running back Damarii Booth provided the ground game with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the spectacular 97-yard scoring run.
The Broncos jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never allowed Mesa to seriously threaten their advantage. Vista Murrieta’s defense came up with key stops throughout the game, with defensive end Scirocco Stephens recording two fumble recoveries and safety Abel Brown adding a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Murrieta Mesa fought back despite losing starting quarterback Coleman Jones to an early injury. Backup Carson Grice stepped in to complete 8 of 19 passes for 60 yards, while running back Nathan Cruz contributed 72 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“Our team is built on resilience,” Mesa coach Oscar McBride said. “These guys are tough, they don’t quit. They play for each other.”
Other scores from around the area include:
THURSDAY 8/28
Nonleague
Citrus Hill 26, Miller 6
Great Oak 31, Rancho Verde 6
Jackson Hole (Wyoming) 24, Linfield Christian 22
West Valley 49, La Sierra 6
Liberty 35, Sultana 13.
FRIDAY 8/29
Nonleague
Canyon Springs 35, Fallbrook 14
Downey 35, Orange Vista 34
Salesian 48, Hemet 0
Kaiser 35, Heritage 20
San Jacinto 30, King 7
Moreno Valley 34, Paloma Valley 27
Norte Vista 45, Rancho Christian 7
Redlands East Valley 32, Perris 25
San Jacinto Valley Academy 46, Desert Mirage 20
Santa Rosa Academy 46, California Military Institute 14
Rialto 56, Temecula Prep 14
Elsinore 30, Temecula Valley 0
El Segundo 42, Temescal Canyon 0
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