Heritage comes out on top in a wild Menifee Bowl, 37-29

Principal Erika Tejeda holds up the Menifee Bowl Trophy presented to coach Kraig Broach and the Heritage High football team after Friday night's 37-29 win over Paloma Valley. Photo by Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

In a game that had a little bit of everything -- five lead changes, a successful onside kick, long runs and defensive stands -- Heritage High School outlasted rival Paloma Valley Friday night, 37-29, in the annual Menifee Bowl game at Paloma Valley.

In the Ivy League opener for both teams, Paloma Valley's Wildcats came out riding a wave of emotion in an attempt to beat Heritage for the first time in the 10 years of the rivalry. The home team got on the scoreboard first when senior running back Kole Newton capped off a 12-play, 67-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Newton handled the ball on seven of those plays and got solid blocking inside, to the delight of the capacity crowd on the Paloma Valley side.

Heritage cut the Wildcats' lead to 7-6 in the opening seconds of the second quarter on a 7-yard scoring pass from Tyler Basham to Isaac Hernandez (the PAT attempt failed). The Patriots took their first lead at 12-7 after stopping the Wildcats on fourth-and-one and scoring three plays later on a 48-yard run by senior running back Kenny Teter.

The teams were like two boxers trading punches for the rest of the game. Heritage held an 18-13 lead at halftime, but Paloma Valley recovered its own onside kick to start the third quarter and quickly drove 42 yards to score on a 4-yard run by Newton for a 19-18 lead.

Heritage took the lead for good at 24-19 on a 2-yard run by Teter midway through the third quarter. Paloma Valley kept it interesting, however, fighting back from a 37-19 deficit in the fourth quarter to score on a 6-yard run by Newton and a 39-yard field goal, cutting the Patriots' lead to eight points. Then, in the wild final minute, the Wildcats attempted another onside kick and almost recovered it again in a wild scrum at midfield.

The Patriots came up with the ball and were able to run out the clock, however, improving their season record to 6-2. Paloma Valley fell to 3-5 overall. Teter finished with 229 yards and three touchdowns for Heritage and Adrian Robles gave the Patriots a lift in the second half, finishing with 114 yards and one touchdown on six carries.

Newton was the offensive star for Paloma Valley, carrying 27 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

It was an entertaining game for the fans and one of the closest contests in the 10-year series. The closest Paloma Valley has come to beating Heritage came two years ago, a 41-38 loss in former Heritage assistant coach Tom Tello's first year as head coach of Paloma Valley.

"I guess it could be one of the best [Menifee Bowls] from a spectator’s standpoint," said Heritage coach Kraig Broach. "I was antsy and nervous all game because of how well Paloma played. I was very impressed."

Broach was asked whether he thought the Wildcats' aggressive play early in the game was the result of an emotional high heading into the rivalry game.

"I don’t think it’s emotion; it’s a well-coached team that played a great ballgame," Broach said. "Emotion’s gonna get you through the first couple plays, but then it’s all about execution. They did a great job."

Broach was also complimentary of Teter, who has now rushed for 1,301 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

"Kenny’s a special player," Broach said about Teter. "He likes the big moments. But it wasn't just him. How about Robles coming in the second half to give us a boost? He did a great job as well."

Broach said going to Robles, who had a 73-yard run among his touches, helped give a different look to the Paloma Valley defense in the fourth quarter. It also gave some rest to Teter, who already had had a big night.

"I got a little banged up, but I’ll be good for next week's game," Teter said. "All props to our line. They gave me some big holes tonight.

"Paloma, they were ready for this game. I wish them nothing but the best the rest of the season. They could go far in the playoffs if they keep playing like that."

Offensive lineman Phillip Cyr gave credit to his teammates for the way they came right back in the third quarter after Paloma Valley's successful onside kick recovery and go-ahead touchdown. Heritage outscored Paloma Valley 19-10 the rest of the way.

"That’s the kind of game this should be," Cyr said about the see-saw battle for bragging rights in the city. "Especially with Coach Tello, he knows our offense. It was back and forth. Those are the games you want to play. They're a lot of fun."

Heritage senior Kenny Teter rounds the corner for a big gain in Friday night's game, Photo by Amber Garcia

Adrian Robles bursts through the middle of the line to gain yardage for Heritage High. Photo by Amber Garcia

Paloma Valley's Kole Newton leaps to avoid defenders on a gain during the first half Friday night. Photo by Amber Garcia

Cody Cerasaro runs behind his blockers to gain yardage for Paloma Valley. Photo by Amber Garcia