Wildcats bank on consistency heading into Menifee Bowl

Wide receiver and defensive back Blake Moore has been one of the stars of a Paloma Valley High football team that is 9-0. Photos by Kri...

Wide receiver and defensive back Blake Moore has been one of the stars of a Paloma Valley High football team that is 9-0.
Photos by Kristi Jo Aguirre

Paloma Valley High School running back Corey Maddox paused to consider the question:

How have the players stayed so sharp week after week while blowing out teams by scores such as 55-3, 59-7 and 71-0 en route to a 9-0 record?

"Our team chemistry is impeccable," Maddox said after practice on Tuesday. "We take it one game at a time. It’s gotten to a point where just the next game matters most."

Perhaps that was easy to say when the opponent was Lakeside or Temescal Canyon, but how about when the team lining up on the other side is crosstown rival Heritage, which also is undefeated? Maddox (left) and his teammates say the consistent mindset they have had all season will carry them through another game -- which just happens to be the game everyone has been waiting for.

Friday's 7 p.m. Sunbelt League finale at Heritage is known as the Menifee Bowl. There's a reason for that. It's always played the last game of the league season and both teams always come in with very strong squads. This year, the game is being televised. The excitement is there.

But true to the coaching they have received and the mindset that has guided them all season, the Wildcats seemingly refuse to get caught up in the hype.

"It's motivation and maturity," said wide receiver and defensive back Blake Moore. "We want it more than anybody else. The coaches have put in our heads to just come out and do our job. We listen to what the coaches say and we do it. We have incredible discipline."

All those traits will come in handy Friday night, because obviously there's a lot at stake besides the league title. There's city bragging rights for the next year. The Wildcats know full well they have never beaten the Patriots. In fact, Heritage has never lost a Sunbelt League game, period. And both teams want to go into a full head of steam into the CIF playoffs, which under a new format this year has them competing in different divisions.

All those things factor into Friday night's game, but the emphasis at practice this week is once again a focus on specifics.

"We haven’t talked about Heritage this week any differently than any team we’re preparing to face," coach Bert Esposito (right) said. "We stick to 'Here’s their tendencies ...' That’s as far as we go. The show and everything is for the fans. We haven’t even mentioned the game's on TV. They know, but we haven’t talked about it."

Something must be working right for the Wildcats, who have outscored the opposition 503-113 with what Esposito said is the best team he's ever had. In addition to junior quarterback Chance Nolan passing for 2,493 yards and 33 touchdowns and Maddox running for 1,538 yards and 23 TDs, the defense is perhaps better than it's ever been.

"In years past, we haven’t had too good a success against power teams," Esposito said. "This group is little bigger and more athletic than we’ve been in the past. Defensively, we’re able to stop the run a lot better."

One of the defensive standouts has been linebacker Steven Bradshaw (left). In addition to his 63 total tackles and 2 interceptions, Bradshaw brings to the team a quiet determination that has set the tone for the entire team.

"He’s got a nose for the ball," Esposito said about Bradshaw. "Steven's got great vision. He always seems to be where the interception’s gonna be. He's a real defensive leader. His pace of play dictates how we play. He doesn’t scream or stuff like that. He just plays hard and everybody feeds off that."

Bradshaw remains humble when asked about his success.

"I'm just doing what my teammates need me to do," he said. "We need to get the ball in the offense’s hands. Every time we get them the ball, they’re going to score. As many possessions as we can get them, the better.

"Paloma’s always been known for a good offense, but sometimes for a soft defense that can’t stop the run or anything. We’re going to prove Friday night that we’re a defensive team."

Nolan (right) said having a solid sophomore year last season and a strong passing league performance over the summer put him in the position to be where he is to lead the team as a junior.

"I feel like I’ve improved a great deal, just coverages and everything," Nolan said. "I played a whole year of varsity football last year and I got a chance to see how coverages and things moved. This year things slowed down a bit and I got to see things better. Plus playing seven on seven over the summer was huge, too. We won a championship and I got to play against kids who are DI caliber."

Nolan was asked about the the offense's balance, which has resulted in 2,554 rushing yards and 2,541 passing yards.

"We take what they give us," Nolan said. "Our linemen up front are the hardest working guys I’ve ever played with. They give me time to throw. They give Corey lanes to run. We all work together."

The Wildcats have confidence it will all continue to come together Friday night.









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