Rivals Paloma Valley, Heritage meet in annual Menifee Bowl

Senior running back Kenny Teter has rushed for over 1,000 yards for Heritage High School this season. Photo by Amber Garcia

The football teams at Paloma Valley and Heritage high schools open their abbreviated league schedules tonight at 7 in the annual Menifee Bowl rivalry game at Paloma Valley.

This is the second year the Wildcats and Patriots have played in the four-team Ivy League since CIF officials realigned them from the six-team Sunbelt League. Both teams will still have to contend with defending league champion Rancho Verde in the next two weeks, but for now, it's all about Menifee's crosstown rivalry.

Host Paloma Valley comes into the game with a 3-4 overall record under third-year head coach Tom Tello, who previously served 10 years as Kraig Broach's assistant at Heritage. The Wildcats defeated Arlington 36-27 last week, bouncing back from consecutive losses to JW North and Notre Dame.

Broach's Heritage squad brings a 5-2 record into the game. The Patriots have won four straight since starting the season 1-2. Last week, Heritage defeated Temescal Canyon, 38-12. Heritage has never lost to Paloma in nine previous meetings.

The Heritage offense is led by senior running back Kenny Teter, who has rushed for 1,072 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Teter's season highlight was a 274-yard rushing performance against Heritage two weeks ago. Teammate AC Rondon has rushed for 259 yards and eight touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Tyler Basham has passed for 532 yards and 10 TDs for the Patriots.

Paloma Valley's running game is a team effort including senior Ajani Mendoza, senior Cole Newton and senior Cody Cerasaro. The starting quarterback is junior Blake Hauser.

Senior running back Ajani Mendoza has been a big part of the Paloma Valley offense this season. Photo by Jen Hauser