Paloma Valley Denied Last-Minute Chance to Tie

Paloma Valley wide receiver Corez English catches what appears to be a game-tying touchdown pass near the end of the game, but the referees ruled offensive pass interference. Photos by Kristi Jo Aguirre: www.kristijophotography.com

By Daniel Millhouse

Heartbreak.

That single word describes how players, coaches, and fans took the call the referees made with 1:30 left in the game Friday night. It was a call that took away the game-tying touchdown from Paloma Valley High and eventually led to a 14-7 victory by the visiting Tustin Tillers.

The Tillers (3-1) came to Menifee averaging 38 points a game so far this season, utilizing a smash-mouth style of football they were once known for in the late ‘90s, when they were led by DeShaun Foster. Despite the intimidating numbers the Tillers have put up, the Wildcats (2-2) stood their ground and held Tustin scoreless until only 2:20 remained in the third quarter.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats’ defense was left on the field too long. While the defense gave a valiant effort on their Homecoming Night, the offense couldn’t take advantage of it.

"The team we played a couple of weeks ago (Vista High School) ran the same offense and we did better tonight, so we’re proud of ourselves as a defense to shut it down the way we should have and we are proud about that difference," said Wildcats senior Dayday Lewis.

Both teams came out swinging, both going full speed ahead, even when it was fourth down. Tustin was successful in its fourth-down bid on fourth and one on Paloma Valley’s 35-yard line during its first drive, but the Tillers were stopped when senior defensive back Blake Bouman stepped up and picked off a pass at their own 15-yard line by Sagel Simon.

Later in the first quarter, Paloma Valley took the ball to the Tillers’ 34-yard line, but was stopped by the Tillers’ secondary on fourth down with 2:57 left in the quarter.

Going into the second quarter, Tustin took the ball all the way into the red zone, with four downs to attempt to score from the Paloma Valley’s 5-yard line. The defense, led by linebackers Nick Rico, Dylan Rodriguez, and Steven Bradshaw, stuffed the rushing game, forcing the Tillers to attempt a chip shot field goal from 23 yards out. The field goal attempt was no good and the score remained 0-0.

Determined to score first, the Wildcats ran the ball with quarterback transfer Lucas Opp in place of sophomore Chance Nolan. Opp ran the ball 3 times for 35 yards to contribute to the drive that took Paloma Valley to Tustin’s 27-yard line. With 3:59 left in the half, senior Kyle Shernicoff attempted a 37-yard field that sailed wide left, keeping the score tied.

After a celebratory halftime special featuring the crowing of a new Homecoming queen, the Wildcats were the first to score with 5:12 left in the third quarter. Led downfield by Nolan’s passing, senior running back Khayrii Joyner spun out of the hands of the Tillers’ defense for a 1-yard touchdown that put his team up 7-0 (right).

Less than three minutes later, the Tillers found a hole in Paloma Valley’s defense when senior De Von Anderson took the ball up the middle and ran it in for a 35-yard touchdown.

Both defenses stood their ground until 4:31 left in the game, when the Tillers drove the ball into the red zone and pulled out quarterback Simon, inserting their regular starting quarterback Alema Pilimai for the final push. Pilimai took the rock in for a 3-yard touchdown that put the Tillers up 14-7.

With 2:25 left in the game, Paloma Valley had one last possession to try to tie up the game. After an excellent punt return by Lewis, the Wildcats went to a short passing game that led them all the way to the Tillers’ 9-yard line. On third down and inches to go with 1:30 left in the game, the Tillers stacked the line, only to be surprised by a Nolan pass to the right side of the end zone to senior wide receiver Corez English. Making the difficult catch, it appeared that the Wildcats tied the game until referees flagged the play for offensive pass interference.

"To be honest, I didn’t see all the little details, so I’ll have to look on film," Paloma Valley head coach Bert Esposito said about the play that almost tied up the game. "That’s the way the calls go."

With two more chances to tie the game up from the 24-yard line, the Wildcats’ hopes were dashed when Nolan’s pass was intercepted at the 1-yard line by senior strong safety Richard Lujan with 1:04 left in the game.

"They did a really good job of controlling the clock ,and that’s what hurt us," Esposito said after the game.

"The defense was on the field too much," said captain Connor Gillette (left). "For us it’s a tough loss, but it’s just how it is." (Photo by Daniel Millhouse)

Standout performances by the Wildcats include Rico’s 13 tackles, Bradshaw’s 12 tackles, Rodriguez’ 11 tackles, Gillette’s 8 tackles and 1 sack, and Bouman’s interception and 3 tackles. The Paloma Valley defense as a whole allowed the Tillers only 30 yards passing.

The Tillers were led by sophomore Kenneth Carr, who rushed the ball 25 times for 121 yards, and by Anderson, who ran the ball 15 times for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Paloma Valley will travel next week to face the Golden Bears of Temecula Valley High School (3-0) on Sept. 25.

Paloma Valley quarterback Chance Nolan scrambles to find room against the Tustin defense Friday night.

Paloma Valley defensive tackle Maxamillian Pichardo wraps up a Tustin player Friday night.