Paloma Valley wins its third straight Menifee Bowl, 28-18

Paloma Valley players and cheerleaders pose with the Menifee Bowl Trophy. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Paloma Valley football team took its third consecutive victory over Heritage in the Menifee Bowl Saturday night by a final score of 28-18.

With an offense led by a new quarterback and a few hiccups in their regularly scheduled practices due to the wildfires affecting the area, the Wildcats weren’t as quick to get on the board as head coach Juan Merida would have hoped.

Three Wildcat fumbles in the game made for an anxious sideline and stands -- especially when the first of those fumbles came on the first play of the game and was recovered by Heritage. Patriots wide receiver Nofotau Sili caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from first-year quarterback Achilles Reveles while the clock hadn’t even passed 20 seconds.

The Paloma offense didn’t have an answer to the six points (as the kick afterward was no good) until the end of the first quarter. Transfer student Colin Fleming caught his first touchdown pass for the Wildcats to put them on the board, the point after attempt going through to give them the lead.

“We just played as a team and I couldn’t have done any of that by myself,” Fleming said of his inaugural game as a Wildcat. “I wasn’t expecting too much but I was just trying to do my best.”

Fleming’s best ended with a total of 91 receiving yards and 32 rushing yards on the night, as well as another touchdown in the game. He is an advantage Merida said he was happy to have fall into the team’s lap.

“He is a phenomenal athlete and we’re glad he’s here to enjoy his senior season with us,” Merida said. “And as great as he is a player, he’s an even better kid.”

Other players who contributed to the Paloma victory included junior Arthur Clemons, who ran for over 60 yards in two plays, and Javon Major, who accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the team’s total rushing yards.

Major and Fleming both scored touchdowns for Paloma before the end of the first half, while the Patriots had another to add to the board from senior Dominic Dunn-tornatore.

The final Wildcat touchdown came from a short pass to Major, who received it in the end zone just over a minute into the second half.

Heritage then took control of the possession for most of the remaining time, compiling 102 of their total 134 rushing yards in the last 24 minutes of playing time. Sili caught another touchdown pass from Reveles to get his team within 10, but with the failed two-point conversion, it remained a steep climb uphill for the Patriots.

On the following kickoff they forced a Wildcat fumble, giving them the ball right back within the four-minute mark. But Paloma’s Jordan Jones stripped a fumble from Heritage on that drive and secured the win for the Wildcats as the clock ran out.

Though both teams saw turnovers and penalties (more than 18 flags thrown in the game), Patriots head coach Richard McClure said the effort put into the game was something to be proud of.

“I just want people to know about the commitment these kids show,” he said. “We’ve come a long way and the team’s football IQ is getting better.Their commitment is paying dividends.”

He added that this preleague matchup with Paloma is a step above the competition they may see in league and that he prefers it that way so his team can continue to improve against tougher opponents.

“That’s a much improved team on the other side. That coach is doing an excellent job and my hat goes off to them and their staff. This was a very different game than last year’s meeting,” said Merida from the other side of the field about McClure and his team.

McClure said the loss eventually came down to lack of consistency, while some plays were explosive and others led to major losses in yards.

Merida said that in spite of his team’s mistakes, the Wildcats’ consistent fight is what made the difference in the game.

“I just love the way our kids kept battling,” he said. “It was our night again this year.”

Clemons said the win over the school’s rival is something he hopes people will stay used to.

“I hope people know it’s going to keep going like this,” he said. “We’re just going to keep paving the way for people coming after us and Paloma is going to stay on top.”

Paloma's next matchup will be at Diamond Bar on Friday at 7 p.m. The Patriots will be playing at the same date and time at Temescal Canyon.

 

Javon Major finds some running room for Paloma Valley Saturday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group0

 

Hayden Hill picks up yardage for Heritage in Saturday's game. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Paloma Valley quarterback Isaac Navarro throws a touchdown pass. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 

Heritage's Nofotau Sili catches a touchdown pass for the Patriots. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Heritage quarterback Achilles Reveles scrambles for running room. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 In his first game as a Wildcat, Colin Fleming heads for a touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)