Defense holds the line; Paloma Valley wins again, 27-20
Paloma Valley running back Damian Ramirez races past three defenders Thursday. (Photo by Doug Spoon) By Paige Mendez, Correspondent The P...
By Paige Mendez, Correspondent
The Paloma Valley High football team used a strong defensive effort to preserve a 27-20 victory at Moreno Valley Thursday night.
The Wildcats (2-0) led 20-18 in the second half when the defense made several big plays to hold onto the lead against the host Vikings (1-1). After a Paloma Valley drive ended in eight plays with an interception and penalty, the Wildcats grabbed the ball back when the defense forced a quarterback sack and fumble, recovered by senior Luke Burton.
Paloma turned that turnover into a touchdown in just five plays with quarterback Brady Nelson running the ball in from the 4-yard line, putting his team up 27-18.
The next two drives from Moreno Valley got all the way to the Paloma Valley 5-yard line, but the Wildcat defense held off the opposition.
Linebacker Jacob Hornbeak said the defenders were happy to pick up the team where they could.
“The offense carried us in the first half and the defense was slow, then the defense picked it up in the second half,” said Hornbeak. “I knew I could count on the D line and I knew we were going to stop it because we had to.”
Paloma’s offense took the field again but was forced to punt. The kick only moved the ball about 20 yards but, thanks to good reads on the defense, the first Viking play was a pass intercepted by Na’kyi Lathan.
The next possession was used to run out the clock and Paloma took the 27-20 victory.
Wildcats head coach Juan Merida said the momentum may have changed at times during the game but his team’s goal did not.
“I told these guys before they went out there, ‘You have to just get to the next play.’ I don’t want them worrying about what happened before,” said Merida. “I wanted them to just play each play like it was new and I feel like they did that.”
Overall on the night, the Wildcats had 10 penalties called against them, costing them over 50 yards in total. But Merida said that is something that comes with the beginning of the season and will be fixed with time. He’s more concerned with how his team is following their "next play" motto.
“I take my hat off to them. They kept fighting,” Merida said. “They’ll learn as we go, but no matter what, we play the next play. We shook off those penalties and did what we needed to do to win the game.”
Damian Ramirez, who ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns on the night, was one of Nelson’s favorite weapons for a handoff. He said their chemistry comes from a history together.
“We’ve been playing together since sixth grade,” said Nelson of his and Ramirez’ teamwork. “I know I can rely on him for a play.”
Ramirez said he was ready to play through anything -- including a bit of sickness during the week -- to be there for his team.
“I had to be there for my team,” he said. “I’m that determined. I can’t quit on my team; they depend on me.”
The first half was a see-saw battle, with the teams trading scores.
The Wildcats forced a turnover on downs in the first drive of the game for Moreno Valley but after four quick downs on their own side, Paloma gave it right back to the Vikings, who scored in five plays, putting themselves up 6-0 before the five-minute mark.
On the next drive, Nelson’s passes found Arthur Clemons and Ramirez, who collectively ran the ball down the field for an answering touchdown by Ramirez and an extra point, taking the lead 7-6 just before the end of the first quarter.
The lead bounced back and forth for the rest of the half, with the teams going into the locker room with just four points between them, Moreno Valley in the lead (18-14).
Paloma capitalized on Moreno Valley mistakes in the third quarter and scored the next touchdown, which was another Ramirez run.
The following Viking drive got them within field goal range but a brilliant read by the Wildcats’ Aaron Young Jr. led to a blocked kick and another Wildcat ball.
The next Wildcat possession ended with a fumbled snap for an attempted punt that resulted in a safety, putting the Vikings within one possession.
But Hornbeak and the defense held the line by allowing just nine total gained yards and forcing a turnover on downs.
The Wildcats will look to keep their undefeated record next Friday at Kaiser at 7 p.m. before they face Heritage in the Menifee Bowl the following week at home.
Quarterback Brady Nelson finds some running room with the help of his blockers Thursday. (Photo by Doug Spoon)
Na'kyi Lathan crosses the goal line with a touchdown for Paloma in the second half. (Photo by Doug Spoon)
Arthur Clemons races down the sideline for a big gain in the first half Thursday. (Photo by Doug Spoon)
Head coach Juan Merida leads the team back to the bench to start the second half. (Photo by Doug Spoon)
