Heritage Defeats Paloma Valley in Menifee Bowl, 42-21

Heritage High running back Isaiah Morrow crosses the goal line, then blows kisses toward the Menifee Bowl trophy, which was placed on a table behind the end zone (below). Heritage won the game, 42-21.

The energy level was high and the fourth quarter decisive Thursday night as Heritage High School fought hard to defeat rival Paloma Valley, 42-21, in the fifth annual Menifee Bowl football game at Heritage.

The win was the Patriots' 19th in a row, currently the longest winning streak in California, and their 24th straight win in league play. It also gave Heritage a 5-0 record against Paloma Valley in the Menifee Bowl and clinched the Sunbelt League championship.

The difference maker was Heritage senior running back Isaiah Morrow. With 17 carries, he rushed for 139 yards and five of the Patriots' six touchdowns, including a 60-yard run on Heritage's first offensive play of the game.

"We won league here and we're very excited, especially to beat a great opponent like Paloma Valley," Heritage coach Kraig Broach said after the game. "I'm very happy with how hard our kids played."

For the first 39 minutes, the game was a real nail-biter. For every punch Heritage (9-0, 4-0) threw, Paloma Valley (5-4, 2-2) countered with one of its own.

With the score tied at 21 and nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Patriots pulled ahead on Morrow's third touchdown of the night, putting Heritage up 28-21.

On the next possession, the momentum of a close game began to turn in Heritage's favor. Paloma Valley junior running back Khayrii Joyner fumbled the ball on the handoff from quarterback Pohaku Kaheaku-Paiva and Heritage recovered,  giving the Patriots the ball back with the lead and eight minutes left in the game.

"All the way up to the third quarter, it was one of those games where who was going to make the first mistake," Paloma Valley coach Bert Esposito said. "It happened to be us."

Broach agreed that was a key point in the game.

"Before that, it was back and forth," he said. "They were able to hold us coming out of halftime. We needed a little momentum. We got the ball back, scored, and that turnover really got us up and going."

Heritage struck two more times in the next five minutes, on touchdown runs of 1 and 15 yards by Morrow.

Both team's quarterbacks rushed the ball for over 100 yards. The Patriots' Brett Virgil rushed the ball 16 times for 143 yards and the Wildcats' Kaheaku-Paiva (left) ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Overall, Heritage's ground game was responsible for 333 yards.

Paloma Valley had more success in the passing game, with Kaheaku-Paiva going 15-for-26 for 150 yards passing and one touchdown, compared to Virgil's  4-for-4 for 79 yards.

Paloma Valley entered the game minus two key players. Senior defensive lineman Joey Dunn was out with a torn ACL and junior running back Demarco Prewitt was out with an ankle injury he suffered in the Wildcats' last game. Then in this game, senior wide receiver Elliott Smith was knocked out in the second quarter with a concussion.

Heritage linebackers also played a key role. Seniors Reggie Murphy and Christian Weible each had a quarterback sack.

"We've got to win next week," Esposito said about his team, which is still in the hunt for a CIF playoff berth. "We've got to get that third win in league to make the playoffs. So now the Temescal game is a huge game."

Next week, Heritage will play at Lakeside in its final Sunbelt League game of the season. Paloma Valley will play host to Temescal Canyon (3-6, 2-2) to try to secure a spot in the playoffs.

For video highlights of Thursday night's game, click here.

Heritage quarterback Brett Virgil rushed for 143 yards in his team's victory.

Paloma Valley's Elliott Smith moves the ball against the Heritage defense.

Heritage's Aleva Hifo heads toward the end zone on a 31-yard touchdown play in the first half.

The home crowd was enthusiastic in support of the Patriots.