Heritage Plays at Rancho Verde Tonight in CIF Football Finals

The Heritage High School football team will try to achieve a major milestone tonight -- its first CIF-SS football championship -- when the Patriots play at Rancho Verde High in a 7 p.m. game.

This is the second time in the last three years that Heritage has made it to the CIF finals. The Patriots take a 12-1 record into the game against the Mustangs, who are 11-2.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. at Rancho Verde, which is located at 17750 E. Laselle Street in Moreno Valley. Parking is limited and fans are encouraged to car pool to the game.

Heritage, which has never lost a Sunbelt League game, has been on a roll in the Central Division playoffs since wrapping up the league title. The Patriots have defeated Arlington (21-7), La Quinta (42-12) and Colony (57-31) on the way to the championship game.

The Patriots have a balanced offense led by senior running back Limihai Hifo, who has rushed for 1,954 yards and 19 touchdowns. His cousin, Sione Takitaki, has rushed for 761 yards and 14 TDs. Isaiah Morrow (700 yards, 6 TDs) and Jalen Glover (417 yards, 4 TDs) add to a powerful rushing attack. Quarterback Brett Virgil has rushed for 569 yards and passed for 1,181 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The defense is led by defensive back Matt Palmer, who has nine interceptions this year.

Menifee 24/7 will provide scoring updates throughout the game and a full game report tomorrow morning.