Paloma, Heritage bring 2-1 records into Menifee Bowl
Paloma Valley's Javon Major has been a big part of the Wildcats' offense. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group) By Doug Spoon, Edit...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Paloma Valley High’s football team will try to make it three consecutive wins in the annual Menifee Bowl Saturday at 6 p.m. when the Wildcats travel to play rival Heritage.
After losing to Heritage in the first 11 years of the annual match-up, the Wildcats won the last two years. In 2022, Paloma prevailed in a rain-soaked 28-19 win played on a neutral field in Moreno Valley because of poor air conditions from a nearby wildfire. Last season, Paloma scored a 37-0 victory over the Patriots, who didn’t win a game the last two years.
This season, Heritage is off to a much better start. The Patriots are 2-1, with wins over Elsinore (8-3) and Knight (21-13). Rich McClure is in his second season as head coach of the Patriots, who are led by quarterback Achilles Reveles. The senior has passed for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The running game is led by senior Armando Macias Jr., who has rushed for 230 yards. Reveles has run for 106 yards and a touchdown. Junior Dane Ortiz has caught 3 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, senior Dominic Dunn-Tornatore-Spiker has caught 3 passes for 110 yards, and senior Masen Zamarripa has caught 3 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Under second-year head coach Juan Merida, Paloma Valley is also 2-1 this season, with wins over Moreno Valley (21-7) and Kaiser (42-18). Junior quarterback Isaac Navarro had a big game for the Wildcats last week, passing for 217 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has thrown for 593 yards this season.
The Paloma Valley ground game is led by senior Javon Major, who has rushed for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Arthur Clemons has caught 11 passes for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior Elijah Smith has caught 12 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
