Paloma Valley loses to Orange Vista in return to football

Paloma Valley quarterback Blake Hauser races toward the end zone for a touchdown Thursday night. (Photos by Jen Hauser)

The Paloma Valley High football team finally got to play its first game Thursday night, scoring two touchdowns but falling short in a 31-14 loss at Orange Vista.

Positive COVID-19 tests for some Paloma Valley players last month resulted in a 14-day quarantine period. By the time they finally took the field, the Wildcats were two weeks behind most other schools on the schedule. They will be able to play only three games this spring, but just getting back on the field is a positive sign.

Michael Carney ran for three touchdowns for Orange Vista, which is now 2-0, having defeated Valley View the week before. Two Carney TD runs and a field goal gave the host Coyotes a 17-0 lead, which was cut to 17-7 just before halftime when Paloma Valley quarterback Blake Hauser connected with  Brett Hoak on a 3-yard touchdown pass.

The Wildcats had an opportunity to close the gap further late in the third quarter when they recovered an Orange Vista fumble near the goal line on a play in which the Coyotes were penalized. Paloma Valley was forced to punt four plays later, however. Later in the period, Orange Vista increased its lead to 24-7 on a 34-yard TD run by Carney.

Hauser ran 4 yards for a touchdown late in the game, cutting the deficit to 24-14, but the Coyotes scored again in the final seconds on a 4-yard run by quarterback Elijah Robinson.

Paloma Valley’s final two games will be played at home. The Wildcats will host Hemet next Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by their final game the following Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m. against Valley View.

Brett Hoak finds some running room in Paloma Valley's game at Orange Vista Thursday night.