Paloma Valley blows game open in first half, wins 69-28

Paloma Valley High defenders Andre Kirkpatrick (1) and Amir Hasin surround Elsinore ballcarrier Bryan Payne Friday night. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

By Daniel Millouse

Paloma Valley High School allowed the most points in a single game this season to Elsinore Friday night, but the Tigers still found themselves on the losing side of this football game, 69-28.

"I feel that we had to be a little more physical,” Paloma Valley running back Gary Carney said after the game. "They (Elsinore) were definitely more physical than any other team we’ve faced so far. We had to step up a little more."

Elsinore did give the Wildcats a little run in the first quarter. That surge quickly faded when Elsinore defensive back Rusty Fletcher went down with a little under three minutes left in the first quarter. Both sides remained quiet as the downed player was carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance for neck and upper back pain.

When the game resumed, Paloma Valley scored 29 points in a row to give themselves a 43-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

The Wildcats’ offense led the way through the first half. Quarterback Chance Nolan had 307 yards passing and 4 touchdowns by halftime. Running back Corey Maddox, who only played in the first half, ran the ball 14 times for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"We just took what the defense gave us," said Paloma Valley’s Blake Moore (left). The senior wide receiver caught 8 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. "Our O-line was blocking well. Our O-line had a monstrous night and opened up for Corey and Gary, and that opened up the passing game even more."

On the other side of the ball, Paloma Valley had its ups and downs. The Wildcats' defense took the ball away from the Tigers four times, but they also allowed Elsinore’s Anthony Reyes to rush the ball for 206 yards and Brandon Payne to rush for 105 more.

"What coach told us all week was that we had to contain the outside. Reyes, their best player ... coach told us not to let him get outside," linebacker Amir Hasin said about focusing on Elsinore’s running attack. "We came out a little sloppy in the first half and we didn’t contain, but we fixed it coming out in the second half. Our D-line stepped it up."

The Tigers’ passing game was held to only 8 yards. This includes a pass by Elsinore’s Tim Jackell which was deflected at the line and picked off by defensive back Thomas Eddington.

Overall, the Wildcats allowed 393 total yards to the Tigers. They also allowed Reyes to return a squib kick for a 58-yard touchdown.

With a large lead in the second half, reserve players got to show that they too can shine when given an opportunity.

Carney only ran the ball 5 times, but he rushed for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also returned two kicks for 53 yards, including one return which was for 45 yards.

Standing at 5-foot-6, Mason Carvalho carried 7 times for 46 yards.

When asked if he expected to put up the numbers he did, Carney answered, "I had a good feeling since I woke up today. I just felt like I was going to get my chance to shine, so I’m happy."

Other notable performances include Steven Bradshaw’s 9 tackles with a forced fumble and recovery that he ripped out of Payne’s hands; Andre Kirkpatrick’s 8 tackles; fumble recoveries by both Hasin and Damian Torres; Caiser Leboss’ 7 tackles; and Titus Young’s 3 tackles with a sack.

After the game, Paloma Valley coach Bert Esposito was asked if he focused more on stopping Elsinore’s running game throughout this week.

"We try to play sound," he said. We try to play with what we see. I could’ve done some other things, but I need our kids to learn how to do their assignments. We stayed in a pretty basic defense the whole night and just let them play."

Starting the season 8-0, the Wildcats are tied for first place with the Patriots of Heritage High School. Soon they’ll face off against each other in the Menifee Bowl, but first Paloma Valley will face Perris High School at home next week.

"We’re focused on Perris now; we got Perris next," Moore said after the game. "Of course, Heritage is always in the back of our heads. It’ll be our biggest game of the year before heading into playoffs."

Running back Gary Carney picks up yardage for Paloma Valley during Friday's game. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre