Talent, Depth Prompt Optimism in Paloma Valley Football

Senior running back Demarco Prewitt gets in some work in practice in preparation for Friday night's game. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Bert Esposito looked across the practice field at his players and smiled.

"I've never been this confident going into a season," said the head football coach at Paloma Valley High School. "Overall, this is the deepest, most athletic team I've ever had."

Esposito is excited about Friday night's season opener (7 p.m. vs. JW North at Paloma Valley) for several reasons. He counts no less than six quality running backs, the most he's ever had. Despite losing both quarterbacks from last season, he's impressed with the development of the two newcomers. And at virtually every position, there's depth enough that there is little or no drop-off in talent when substitutions are made.

"Honestly, if we need to make a change, I just say, 'Put the other guy in and we're OK.' " Esposito said. "We've never had that here. I always joke that I have to be the king of smoke and mirrors. No smoke and mirrors this year."

The Wildcats finished 6-5 last year and were 3-2 in the Sunbelt League, which was won by crosstown rival Heritage for the fifth straight season. The Patriots will again be tough to beat out for the title, but the Wildcats may be in the best position yet to issue the challenge.

The running back crew is led by senior Demarco Prewitt (5-10, 210), who rushed for 470 yards and 6 touchdowns last season despite missing considerable action with a high ankle injury. This year he is back as strong as ever and impressed Esposito in a scrimmage against Etiwanda last week.

"He ran like a man," Esposito said about Prewitt. "In the past, he was a guy who would hide, pick his spots and then go. This time he wasn't messing around. He's got another year experience, he's 210, he's solid as can be, and he's ready for the next level."

Prewitt is only part of an offensive backfield that is loaded. Senior Khayrii Joyner (5-7, 180), who took over in Prewitt's absence last year, also is back. In addition, Esposito is impressed with the abilities of transfer students Dayday Lewis (5-11, 185) and Corey Maddox (5-9 185). The coach counts at least two more backups as ready to have success at that position.

"Dayday Lewis is one of the best all-around football players I've ever had here," Esposito said. "And Corey Maddox is only a junior. He lived in Menifee but started out going to high school in San Ysidro, where they were from. His dad would drive him down there every day. Then they found out what we were all about and last year he came here."

All this would make one think the Wildcats would be primarily a running team this year rather than the team that presented more of a balanced attack in the past with a high-powered passing attack. But even though senior Raine Pohaku Kaheaku-Paiva transferred out of the district and Jake Newton graduated, Esposito has found the quarterback tandem of sophomore Chance Nolan (left) and senior Lucas Opp (6-2, 195) to be a talented duo at the QB position.

Opp transferred in from West Valley High in Hemet, where he was the starting quarterback last year. But Esposito plans to start Nolan, who threw more than 50 touchdown passes for the freshman team last year.

"Chance is one of the smartest, most accurate passers I've ever had," the coach said. "He's not very big (5-11, 165) and he's not going to wow you, but the kid calls the offense well and he knows his stuff. Right now Chance is in the front, but they're both going to play.

"We went in thinking that's what's going to happen," Esposito said about the original plan to run more than pass. "But I have more receiver depth than ever. I could throw to eight receivers and all eight are great. And with the way Chance has developed, we're going to be just like before. We're going to run and throw and you'll have to stop both."

The offensive line is anchored by center Max Pichardo (6-1, 275), who is in his third year. He also plays on the defensive line, where defensive end Connor Gillette (6-2, 210) also returns. Andrew Ramos leads a defensive backfield that includes several sophomores but great talent, according to Esposito.

"People are finding out they like what Paloma does," said the coach. "We get the ball to a bunch of guys. The school is up to 3,100 and and we now have over 200 kids in the program. I've had to turn kids away."

Paloma's opponent Friday night, JW North of Riverside, was 3-8 last year and lost to Paloma Valley, 28-12. In fact, Paloma swept all three levels against North last season, and the Wildcats JV team beat the Huskies 62-0 on Thursday.

Center and defensive tackle Max Pichardo (right) is a fixture on the offensive and defensive line.

Senior Lucas Opp, a transfer from West Valley High, will see lots of action at quarterback.