Solid play has Wildcats optimistic heading into Menifee Bowl

Noah Howard, shown here hauling in a touchdown pass, has been a star for Paloma Valley. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Paloma Valley football coach Zach Dilley didn’t hesitate to answer when asked what makes this year’s team better than last year’s.

“You just said the word -- team,” Dilley replied.

There’s probably more to it than that, but it’s obvious that the Wildcats are playing more as a cohesive unit this season. With a 2-1 record, they already have as many wins as last year’s 2-7 squad, which was Dilley’s first full season as the coach.

Under the former Wildcat player’s direction, the team opened the season with wins over Temescal Canyon (41-37) and Moreno Valley (42-20) before suffering its first loss last week against King, 42-21. The way the team fought for a victory against Temescal Canyon showed right off that Dilley’s team has no quit in it this season.

“There’s a much stronger element of a team this year,” he said. “There has been a big buy-in from the players on that. There’s a lot more diligence this season; as long as the players stay locked in, that will continue.”

Despite the loss last week, the Wildcats appear to be in the best position they have been in the last few years going into the Menifee Bowl rivalry game, which will be played at Heritage Friday at 7 p.m. The Wildcats have never won that game in 11 tries, but optimism on campus is high that Paloma can knock off the Patriots, who come in with an 0-3 record.

Is this the year the Wildcats come away with the trophy? Dilley at least believes his team is in a position to continue its improvement.

“Of course we talk about it and the kids are excited,” Dilley said about the Menifee Bowl. “We’ve been able to change course as we’ve faced teams with different looks. But at the same time, we’ve got to stay humble.”

The Wildcats’ offense is led by junior quarterback Brady Nelson, who has passed for 686 yards and 6 touchdowns in addition to running for 96 yards and a score. Nelson has worked well with senior wide receiver Noah Howard, the team’s quarterback for part of last season. Howard has 7 catches for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Brady worked a lot during the off-season,” Dilley said about Nelson, who suffered a broken collarbone late last season. “He’s grown in every aspect. His skill level has really improved. As a leader, he’ll call out if he sees something, but he’ll also be the first to criticize himself.”

Nelson shares team captain duties with Howard, nose guard Kirk Randolph and linebacker Brayan Cortez.

“They lead by example for the rest of the team,” Dilley said. “Each does it in a different way.”

Another standout is senior running back Stephen Gallegos, who has rushed for 296 yards.

“He’s played a big part of this team ever since he stepped on the field,” Dilley said.

Other standouts include Cortez, Randolph and Jacob Hornbeak on defense. That unit has helped the team stay competitive right from the start.

Dilley was asked when he first saw the kind of competitive nature he’s been looking for.

“Right from that first game,” he said. “We were down 12 at halftime, but they decided they were not quitting. We knew we were facing a good team, but we knew we had a good team as well.”

Just three games into the season, it has already been a season of emotions for Dilley and his players. The coach said he wanted to apologize for comments critical of the officiating he made after last week’s loss. Sometimes in the first three weeks, it’s been easy to get carried away.

“I was out of my place saying that,” Dilley said this week. “It was a heated moment after a loss. I apologize.”

The Wildcats hope to have nothing to apologize for after Friday’s game game against the Patriots.