Menifee Bowl is a Paloma Valley highlight reel, 37-0
Paloma Valley players celebrate with the Menifee Bowl trophy after Friday's win. (Photo by Rick Rowell) By Paige Mendez, Correspondent ...
By Paige Mendez, Correspondent
Paloma Valley High took a 37-0 victory over Heritage in the Menifee Bowl Friday night, making this game the first shutout in the history of the town rivalry.
The Wildcats (3-1) got in the red zone just around the seven-minute mark but turned it over in that drive. But a Heritage punt four plays later gave them the opportunity to make it on the board.
They did that five minutes later on a 10-yard touchdown run from fullback Evan Argerich.
Senior quarterback Brady Nelson ran in the next Paloma touchdown from the 18-yard line just one minute later, making the score 12-0 before the second quarter started.
This attacking offense is one that Wildcats head coach Juan Merida said he has been waiting for this season -- the first with a new coaching staff.
“My favorite part was that, from the second quarter on, my guys were picking up quickly,” said Merida. "There’s that experience under a new staff and it’s finally clicking in.”
And click it did.
Nelson was looking comfortable in the pocket, thanks to a sturdy offensive line, leading to another quarterback touchdown just four minutes into the second quarter.
Though the Wildcats were hit with penalties on defense, Paloma kept forcing turnovers from the Patriots and giving the offense a chance to shine. Merida said those types of penalties are somewhat expected because of their defensive strategy.
“There were a couple penalties, but that’s going to happen when we’re trying to be aggressive,” said Merida. “That’s expected of an aggressive defense and they did phenomenal.”
Senior defensive end Jayden Epps said his performance, along with that of his fellow linemen, was all he had hoped it would be.
“We worked all week and really worked our butts off,” Epps said. “Being able to put that zero on the board really meant a lot to us; we had a couple kids crying in the locker room.”
Nelson added his gratitude for the defensive work.
“It feels great knowing I have a good defense that can always hold their own, even if we’re not doing good,” Nelson said.
But they were doing just fine, coming up with another scoring opportunity before the half on a 12-yard reception by wide receiver Arthur Clemons.
Ther quarterback also earned earned praise from his coach, who said Nelson is confident enough now that he let him call some plays on his own during the game. The most important of those led to the last touchdown of the game— a 38-yard pass to Jefferey Blalock just before the end of the third quarter.
“We had to lock in on our details and focus on our assignments,” said Blaylock. “I’m happy that I could do this and play a big role in this and execute like I did.”
Nelson said those plays are thanks to a line keeping him protected.
“My O line did amazing tonight. I could have done whatever I wanted to in the pocket tonight,” said Nelson.
That line is led, at least in part, by captain Nathan Rodriguez, who said that was their goal going into the game.
“We’ve been working all week to keep Brady protected,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a mobile quarterback but we like it when he’s in that pocket throwing dimes.”
Nelson finished with those dimes coming out to over 170 yards in receptions.
The Wildcat win is the second consecutive Menifee Bowl victory at the school and will be part of the seniors’ legacy they leave, even with a long season still ahead of them.
“To see the score that we had tonight feels great,” said Nelson, who has watched the Menifee Bowl since he was 11 years old. “This trophy will stay at Paloma for a while and we appreciate the support from the community.”
And for the younger teammates, like Clemons, it meant a chance to do something for the older kids.
“I know this meant a lot to the older guys, so I just had to go out there and perform,” said Clemons, a sophomore who had over 70 yards in total offense, competing in this rivalry game for the first time. “It’s exhilarating to know that my older guys know they can rely on me.”
Relying on each other is something Blalock said they do best.
“This isn’t just a team, this is a brotherhood,” said Blalock, another senior. “I’m just happy we could do this together. We’re a family.”
The Wildcat family has two games left before league play starts. The next matchup is next Friday at home against Diamond Bar at 7 p.m.
Quarterback Brady Nelson crosses the goal line for one of his two rushing TDs. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
Paloma linebacker Jacob Hornbeak recovers a Heritage fumble in the second half. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
Keegan Kelley breaks free for big yardage in Friday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
Photo by Rick Rowell
