Virgil, Fowler Named Heritage High Athletes of Month

Brett Virgil and Zahria Fowler receive their Athlete of the Month Awards from Cynthia Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.

Quarterback Brett Virgil and girls volleyball player Zahria Fowler have been named Menifee 24/7 Athletes of the Month for October representing Heritage High School.

Virgil and Fowler received a certificate and gift card from Cynthia Nemelka of REMAX/Diamond Realty, sponsor of the award.

Virgil has led the Patriots football team to a 10-0 record and a No. 2 seeding heading into Friday night's CIF Inland Division playoff opener at home against Rim of the World. Just a junior, he has passed for more than 900 yards and rushed for nearly 700 more. His experience and improvement as a two-year starter have been major factors in the success of the team.

"We're all trying to just focus on our team," said Virgil, trying to downplay things like the team's 20-game winning streak over two seasons. "We haven't had our best game yet. We've progressed, but we're still not where we should be.

"I feel a lot more confident and coach is opening up the offense a little more to me this year. I'm excited about the playoffs."

Fowler is the libero for the girls volleyball team, meaning she runs the back row and is a specialist in "digs" -- dives for the ball that often save points for the Patriots.

Behind her leadership, the Patriots open the CIF playoffs today at home against San Gorgonio.

"I think we've done better than we thought we would," Fowler said. "We're actually a pretty short team.

"I just work hard in practice and try to do my best," said Fowler, also a junior.