SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Week 8 of the high school football season delivered thrilling matchups and standout performances across Southwest Riverside County. While some teams asserted their dominance with explosive plays, others secured crucial league victories as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
Centennial pulled away from Murrieta Valley in a clash of top-ranked teams, as the Nighthawks kept it close for a half before the Huskies’ big-play ability made the difference in a 48-20 loss for the home team. The game was tied at 14-14, with Murrieta Valley responding to Centennial’s scores, including a thrilling 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jacob Taddi. However, the momentum swung dramatically in the second half as the Huskies struck immediately on a 95-yard kickoff return that set up a touchdown. On the Nighthawks’ next possession, Centennial’s defense delivered again with a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown to extend the lead. Murrieta Valley’s offense, firing on all cylinders earlier this season, struggled after star running back Jeremiah Watson exited with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. The Nighthawks were limited to just 186 total yards, and turnovers in the second half ended any chance of a comeback.
Chaparral’s offense delivered one of the most impressive performances of the week, powering the Pumas to a convincing 56-28 victory over Norco for the fourth straight season. Junior quarterback Dane Weber was nearly unstoppable, accounting for six total touchdowns while completing 18 of 20 passes for 291 yards and adding 110 rushing yards. Chaparral’s attack found its rhythm in the second quarter, scoring on seven consecutive drives before the starters took a seat with a comfortable lead in the fourth. Running back Trevor Schneider, facing his former team, contributed 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a memorable homecoming. The win moves Chaparral to 2-1 in the Big West Conference-North Division and keeps them firmly in the hunt as the regular season winds down.
On Thursday, Orange Vista quarterback Khalil Abdul-Aziz put on a career-best performance, throwing for 402 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 Ivy League victory over Vista del Lago. The four-year starter also added a rushing touchdown and is now just 29 yards away from becoming only the fourth quarterback in Inland Empire history to reach 10,000 career passing yards. His top target was wide receiver Zayshawn Washington, who hauled in seven catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-changing 63-yard score in the third quarter. After a closely contested first half that ended with the teams tied at 14, Orange Vista’s defense clamped down and the Coyotes pulled away to secure their fifth straight win, staying perfect in league play.
WEEK 8 SCOREBOARD
THURSDAY 10/16
Inland Valley League
Heritage 55, Lakeside 27
Moreno Valley 45, Perris 19
Ivy League
Liberty 34, North 7
Paloma Valley 20, Rancho Verde 13
Orange Vista 38, Vista del Lago 14
Mountain Pass League
Tahquitz 35, Temescal Canyon 20
Elsinore 31, West Valley 15
Sunbelt League
Valley View 14, Hemet 9
Nonleague
Cornerstone Christian 88, United Christian Academy 6
FRIDAY 10/17
Big West Conference-North Division
Centennial 48, Murrieta Valley 20
Chaparral 56, Norco 28
Vista Murrieta 42, Roosevelt 0
Big West Conference-South Division
King 47, Temecula Valley 39
Murrieta Mesa 31, Corona 20
Great Oak 50, Santiago 24
Cottonwood League
Santa Rosa Academy 42, Silver Valley 14
Webb 48, Temecula Prep 0
Inland Valley League
Canyon Springs 50, Citrus Hill 21
Manzanita League
Desert Christian Academy 51, Hamilton 7
Vasquez 50, Nuview Bridge 6
San Jacinto Valley Academy 47, Desert Chapel 41
Mesquite League
Linfield Christian 38, Big Bear 0
Sunbelt League
Rancho Christian 31, Arlington 6
Nonleague
Cal Lutheran 58, Hillcrest Christian 42
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