Wildcats' season went too fast, but was positive experience
Sophomore Dylan Brandenburg (9) wraps up a Valley View ballcarrier in Thursday night's season finale. (Photos by Jen Hauser) By Doug Spo...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Zach Dilley says his go-to phrase during his first season as Paloma Valley High School’s head coach was “all things considered…”
Granted, the Wildcats’ three-game spring football season was unlike any other. First, they lost the entire fall season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January, while the players waited to see whether they could have any sort of season in the spring, Dilley was promoted to head coach.
On March 5, CIF football teams were given the OK to begin practicing, and the Wildcats announced a five-game schedule. But just five days later, COVID-19 testing revealed that multiple players had tested positive. The resulting quarantine resulted in a shortened season that was just three games.
“After all we’d been through, it was just one more setback,” Dilley said. “We had finally found a little opportunity to play and that was dashed. But everyone stayed positive, we had a lot of virtual meetings with the players, and we kept everyone involved as much as we could. Mentally, they were pretty ready when we finally got to play.”
The Wildcats finished their shortened season with a 1-2 record, beating Hemet but losing to Orange Vista and to Valley View, 17-14, on Thursday. Troy Schreiber and Ajani Mendoza scored touchdowns on Senior Night, which will be the last time the Wildcats are on the football field until preparations begin for what they hope will be a normal fall season.
“As I said so many times, all things considered, I was happy with our effort, toughness and energy,” Dilley said. “It’s probably not the result the players wanted. We made a lot of mistakes we probably wouldn’t have made if we had an entire season. But what I saw makes me excited for next season.
“The players were very grateful just to get to play – especially the seniors. They said when it ended they wished there had been more, but they’re grateful for the time they got."
Two of Paloma Valley’s standout players have completed their Wildcat football careers. Quarterback Blake Hauser and running back Brett Hoak showed flashes of the ability they possess, even though the season went by quickly.
“I’m very proud of the way Blake played,” Dilley said. “It was a challenge due to a lack of reps in practice. The quarterback to receiver connection is a relationship, and it takes time to develop that. Blake really showed his toughness. He ran the ball and took hits like I hadn’t seen him do before.”
Dilley said he is encouraged to have Tristen Keplinger and Elijah Orellana returning among a group of talented running backs. Also returning are defensive standout Dylan Brandenburg, linemen Salvador Pena and Corey Morris, and wide receivers AJ Aranda and Jonathan Medina.
“I feel like we’re a little more prepared for next season than we were,” Dilley said. “We’re waiting to see what we can do during the off-season, so we can be ready to start the season as soon as we can.”
Ajani Mendoza storms into the end zone for Paloma Valley's first touchdown in Thursday's game.
Wildcats quarterback Blake Hauser shows his running ability in avoiding tacklers Thursday night.
Seth Langland (8) leads a group of Paloma Valley defenders who stopped a Valley View ballcarrier.
