Paloma Valley's season ends in first-round playoff loss

West Covina High led from start to finish and displayed a strong defense Friday night in scoring a 30-16 home victory over Paloma Valley in a CIF-SS Division 5 football playoff game.

Junior running back Zander Requena led a potent offense for West Covina (9-2), rushing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns and a field goal for a 16-0 lead in the first half before the Wildcats had earned a first down. Only a touchdown by Damian Ramirez late in the second quarter kept Paloma Valley from being shut out in the half.

West Covina scored in the third quarter after blocking a punt, taking a 23-8 lead. A 45-yard pass from Brady Nelson to Jefferey Blalock for a touchdown pulled the Wildcats to within striking distance at 23-16. But the Bulldogs scored once more on a Requena TD to put the game away.

Paloma Valley, which won the Sunbelt League title, finished the season with a 7-4 record.