Joe’s football weighs a hefty forty-five pounds. It is not composed of pigskin and compressed air. Instead black leather and aluminum hold classified papers and a satellite radio set.

The papers provide information ranging from the relatively mundane to the apocalyptic. Stapled sheets instruct how to use the emergency broadcast system. Loose leaf papers in one binder list secure sites for continuing the government. A second binder, the “Black Book,” lists nuclear strike options. This list can run to seventy-five pages.

The football, or Presidential Emergency Satchel, has existed since the Eisenhower administration. The football is carried by a military aide and should accompany the president at all times. The football gives the president the ability to order a nuclear strike regardless of his location.

A strike order can launch a single nuclear-tipped cruise missile or a full retaliatory barrage of ICBMs. With macabre humor, a former White House official described the incineration power of an order as varying between “rare, medium, or well done.”

On his person, the president is supposed to carry a plastic card nicknamed “the biscuit.” If the president issues a nuclear strike order, alphanumeric codes on the biscuit will authenticate his identity.

In other administrations, the biscuit and the president have become separated. President Carter left his biscuit in a suit coat that was sent to the cleaners. After President Reagan was shot, his card ended up inside one of his shoes at the hospital. President Clinton, in his typically irresponsible manner, lost his card and didn’t tell the Pentagon for several months (thankfully the Cold War was over).

To foil an interloper, valid as well as invalid codes reside on the biscuit. The president must memorize the location of the valid codes. The current president could have trouble remembering the correct location. Perhaps Dr. Jill helps him with that.

Initiation and execution of a nuclear strike would generally proceed as described below (STRATCOM is the United States Strategic Command).

If the President did choose to respond with a nuclear attack, he would identify himself to military officials at the Pentagon with codes unique to him. These codes are recorded on an ID card, known as the “biscuit,” that the President carries at all times. He would then transmit the launch order to the Pentagon and STRATCOM. The Secretary of Defense would possibly contribute to the process by confirming that the order came from the President, but this role could also be filled by an officer in the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. STRATCOM would implement the order by preparing to launch the weapons needed for the selected option. According to Bruce Blair, an expert on U.S. command and control, once the order is “transmitted to the war room, they would execute it in a minute or so.”

As General Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA noted, the system “is designed for speed and decisiveness. It’s not designed to debate the decision.”

Relay of the order is governed by the two-man rule. That is, it takes the approval of two authenticated individuals for the order to proceed down the chain of command. This ensures that no one person, deranged or not, can initiate a nuclear strike.

Well, almost. The commander-in-chief is the exception. The two-man rule does not apply to him. Quoting former Vice-President Dick Cheney:

“[The president] … doesn’t have to check with anybody. He doesn’t have to call the Congress. He doesn’t have to check with the courts. He has that authority because of the nature of the world we live in.”

So we come to the crux of the matter.

The crux is not whether an increasingly addled, inept, frustrated, and callous Joe Biden would order a nuclear strike. This summer, the pressures on him have grown immensely. The months of fall and winter promise no relief. This president is likely close to the cracking point, if he has not already arrived.

The crux is whether the chain of command would follow through on a strike order issued by this president? Especially if the strike was not in response to an attack, but motivated by the need for Joe to lash out at his tormentors?

The compliance to the insane order to abandon Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan provides a nauseating clue. The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and everyone down the chain had to know the order would result in catastrophe, but they obeyed anyway. Not a single soul resigned in protest.

Joe, of course, would not order a strike against the true enemies of the United States. The heinous regimes of Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela have little to fear. Who, then, would seething Joe move against?

His domestic opponents make for the most tempting target. Has not Joe already referred to those who would take on his administration as needing F-15s and nuclear weapons? Meaning “I’ve got them and you don’t.” Opposition in the country to his authoritarian (and unworkable) policies and proposals is growing. Reaction to his six-point vaccine mandate is the latest example.

From the Supreme Court to the red states to certain Democratic senators he is meeting determined resistance. His poll numbers are nosediving. He is mocked and ridiculed as never before. Even the formerly fawning media is heaping on criticism.

Joe could escape all this by tendering his resignation.

Or he could, in his addled anger (here and here), order strikes against the red states where reside the most resolute of his opponents. Qualifying areas of purple states could also make the attack list.

Precision strikes could vaporize the deplorables (with the well done option) while sparing blue urban areas. Such gratifying action would provide the extra benefit of securing forever a Democrat lock on Congress and the Electoral College.

How would the chain of command react to such orders? Especially if the orders were framed as necessary to counter widespread insurrection and treason?

To even ask the question shows the dangerous pickle we are in. Woke warriors Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley might applaud the order. Those officers below could well obey, to save their careers and pensions, and to further demonstrate how little they now adhere to the concept of Duty, Honor, Country.

Far fetched? Perhaps.

In the recent past, the Democrats have introduced legislation requiring the president to obtain the consent of Congress before ordering a nuclear launch and also to forbid him from ordering a first strike. These proposed laws were aimed squarely at Donald Trump. Republican opposition killed them. The Republicans probably now regret that.

As a postscript, we should note the vice-president is also issued a football.

Clayton Spann | Columnist

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No other region in the US has seen as much shuffling of the teams as California has over the last few years and it has led to unique situations where teams like the Los Angeles Chargers are still struggling to find a fanbase, and the Raiders have been shipped off to Las Vegas to become the city’s first professional football team. Let’s take a look at and review California’s teams before the start of the NFL season. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are certainly the favorite team in California at the current moment. With the Raiders gone, the 49ers are left as the legacy team in the state and have a massive fan base behind them. As the defending NFC champions, they have big expectations heading into the 2020 season. Luckily it feels like their offense will be as good as the previous year, though they may have a slow start. 

Analysts are already counting the squad as one of the top 10 offenses in the NFL. What’s interesting is that they give them that ranking despite their relatively thin talent at the wide receiver position. Deebo Samuel has been the go-to receiver, though he currently faces some injury issues. On that note, the injuries seem to be piling up, with Tavon Austin as one of the latest receivers to be placed on reserve with a knee issue. While the 49ers need to figure out this situation, there is still a lot of talent to carry the team in the meantime. 

At the tight end position, the 49ers are looking well equipped. The free agent Jordan Reed was recently added, bringing a veteran to the position. He will help guide rookie player Charlie Woerner who was picked up in the 6th round of the draft. Along with Ross Dwelley, the 49ers are clearly stacked at this position. When we look at the running back position, we can see they still have a lot going for them here as well. Jeff Wilson Jr. will be the starter, backed up by Raheem Mostert. This was the correct call to make as Wilson Jr. seems a better fit in their offensive scheme and is more consistent. 

Injuries aside, the 49ers have everything they need to be great again this year. They begin their season on September 13th, when they are the overwhelming -303 favorites versus the Cardinals. With a big win to start off, it will certainly help to keep momentum going while some key players rest up to heal their injuries. Overall, the 49ers are still a dominant force in the NFC. 

Los Angeles Rams

By any stretch, the Rams have it rough in the NFC West. The Seahawks have remained a challenging team since they signed Russell Wilson, and competing in the same division as the 49ers means not only do they have to compete against a top-tier team, they’re also failing to gain any fans in California. Against the odds, the Rams have grown to be a solid squad. 

The 2019 Rams were a very hard team to understand, and that is likely to continue until they find where they excel. As a 9-7 team, they were certainly middle of the road, but they showed great strength in some areas. After a promising 3-0 start, they dropped off and lost their next three. This seems to be the recurring story with the Rams; they get destroyed by the Ravens 45-6 one week to turn around and blast the Cardinals with a 34-7 victory the next. If they can get their offense going, the Rams have sky high potential. 

Jared Goff may be an average quarterback in the eyes of some analysts, but he can play steady and consistently on offense. Receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods have been great for the Rams and both have been demonstrating their skills in practice. While they play adequately in coach McVay’s strict offensive scheme, they aren’t known for being huge down-field threats.The Rams reportedly have the 3rd youngest roster in the NFL with an average age of 25.1 years old. While there could be huge potential, it’s unproven as of yet. The story here is that while the team may have a group of talented athletes, they lack stand-out playmakers, at least from what we can see.

As far as the defensive picture is concerned, the Rams still have a one-man wrecking crew in Aaron Donald. The importance of a good defense cannot be overstated, and everyone knows what this defensive tackle is capable of. Opposing teams regularly adjust their entire scheme to compensate for this star player. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has also shown that he can cover any receiver in the NFL. Defensively, the Rams are still strong heading into the 2020 season, but there needs to be some new energy on offense to reinvigorate the squad. 

Los Angeles Chargers

There’s no getting around the fact that the Chargers did not live up to their abilities in 2019. With a paltry 5-11 record for the season and the departure of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, the team has nowhere to go but up. Competing in the AFC West against defending champions the Chiefs, as well as their old rivals the Raiders, they will have to get their footing quickly if they want to make something happen this year. 

The fact is, Philip Rivers was a much better quarterback than he was able to present. He had ample opportunities on the Chargers, but they have since moved past him and Tyrod Taylor has been announced as the starter over rookie Justin Herbert. Taylor has become something of a journeyman at this point. He was the backup to Joe Flacco for years on the Ravens before becoming the starter in Buffalo, where he had moderate success but was more of a mobile threat than a deep-field passer. The Chargers appear to want someone that can run a consistent offensive scheme that they can build around.

The Chargers 2020 draft class seems to suggest that the team is looking to move away from a pass heavy offense to more of a running game. In this light, it makes perfect sense to start Taylor. His offense on the Bills was very similar, and his ability to use his speed to make plays will be tested. You can anticipate a lot of run-pass options, and pistol formations. There is a good amount of depth in the running back position with players like Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, and Joshua Kelley. Of the three California teams, the Chargers need the most improvement, but are also in the best position to get a fresh start this season with a lot of changes on offense. Let’s check back around mid-season and see how things have progressed in the Golden State.

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Nine Football Players From San Jacinto Valley Represented At I.E.S.N All-Star Game

The Inland Empire Sports Network is doing great work highlighting the great athletes that come out of the Inland Empire. They host a radio show on Fox Sports Radio AM-1350. These guys are on a mission to show the world that the athletes in the Inland Empire are second to none and deserve recognition. Citrus Hill High School hosted the All-Star game this year and nine of our local athletes were invited to play. West Valley’s Ruben Ribera was invited to play in the Riverside vs San Bernardino game at 5:00pm. Ribera was West Valleys’ team MVP this season. He played both ways (Safety & Running Back) and was rarely off the field. In the all-star game, Ribera was accredited with 1 forced fumble and 1 interception and a bunch of tackles. He played on the San Bernardino side and helped to lead his team to a 14-7 victory. 

The other eight athletes played in the 7:00 game which was Inland Empire South vs Inland Empire North. Five San Jacinto Tigers played in the game. Left Tackle Arturo Ojeda Jr was there: he was the best offensive lineman in the Mountain Pass League this season and arguably one of the best in Southern California. Sheldon Newton also came to play. Newton banked in over 75 tackles last season, ten tackles for losses, and ten sacks. Newton is a force on the Defensive Line and was a key part of San Jacinto’s success this season. Future Sacramento State Hornet Kameron Rocha was there as well. Kameron Rocha was voted an All-CIF defensive back and is an incredible athlete. Rocha is in the middle of training for his college year and looking forward to his future.

During the season he intercepted the ball 12 times, forced 3 fumbles, and was responsible for 112 tackles. Juan Denny Jr, Tigers main running back also joined the party. Denny was an effective runner during the season rushing for 1016 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also a threat catching the ball, pulling down 300 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Antoine Sullivan was the final Tiger there. Sullivan is an amazing athlete who possesses next-level speed and agility, he only played half the season and banked in 488 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. His route running is crisp and clean, he breaks out of his cuts like a rocket and is surprisingly still available for any college to pick up, if they are looking for a receiver who can stretch the field.

Two Hemet Bulldogs were invited out. Bradley Fye was there, and he was seeking redemption. Fye is infamous around Southern California for being a high energy, trash-talking, hard-hitting ball-hawk who had over 80 tackles and 7 interceptions during the season. Teams usually run the ball in the opposite direction and refuse to pass to his side of the field. Fye was wrongfully ejected in the first half of his final High School game when he hit his opponent so hard the refs didn’t want him in the game anymore, even though it was a clean and technically good tackle. It was great to see him  invited to the all-star game and to get the chance to end his high school career on a positive note. Ethan Leonard from Hemet was also there.  This was Leonard’s first year playing football and he made it count. Leonard led the Mountain Pass League in receiving yards, earning over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. He had an amazing rookie season and has the potential to play at the next level if he continues to grow and develop his game. 

West Valley’s All-League Linebacker Muta Faapito is the final athlete from our valley to make the team. Faapito is an old-school aggressive linebacker who loves to play downhill: he hits hard and plays with everything he has. 

All of our local athletes played on the Southern Inland Empire Team and were key parts in the team winning, with a final score of 21-7. For all of the athletes who came from our valley, this represented their final high school game and the end of a chapter in their lives. These guys went out with a “DUB” and as a part of the greatest stage the Inland Empire has to offer.

Many thanks go out to Inland Empire Sports Network for hosting such an event and giving these athletes one last ride. Great Job San Jacinto Valley football players! You represented our valley with excellence and pride!

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Athletes ages 8 to 18 Show Up For Free Workout

Juan Denny Sr. from Pro Way Inland Valley hosted a free football skills camp/evaluations at MSJC last weekend. Juan had two camps: one for 12-and up & 10-and up,  and one for High School kids. At the camp, there were four stations to start, testing the different speeds and agility of the kids who showed up. In the first portion of the camp, there were more than 15 kids that showed up to be tested. The kids split up into groups of five and rotated at every station. Each station tested different types of speed and agility so that the coaches running the stations could get an idea of each individual’s skill level.

Juan Denny brought many coaches to the camp, including a professional bodybuilding coach, former high school football coaches, and individual position coaches. 

All of them took the time to help the kids out, teach them new techniques and correct bad habits. You could tell that there was a nurturing energy in the air. They weren’t yelling and screaming at the kids but instead, they encouraged them. The coaches took the time to explain why they should do things differently and how it benefits them to listen to instructions so they can become the best football player possible. Coach Denny finished the camp by having the kids compete in 7-on-7 scrimmages against each other. 

Later in the afternoon, Denny welcomed the high school kids in for a camp. There were some returning faces, including; Kajiya Hollawayne, Damonce Williams, Frankie Castillo, and Davon Banks. There were also some new faces. Most notable was Tanner Fye, the younger brother of Bradley Fye: Tanner will be entering his freshman season next year. Out of the gate, Tanner seems to be ready to step in and perform in a serious role. This should help his chances to crack the starting varsity lineup at Hemet High. There were kids from three of the four local high schools participating in the evaluations. They worked on speed & agility for about an hour and then separated into positions and began scrimmaging. It has been a couple of weeks since the football season ended, but you wouldn’t have known that from  the way these kids were performing. 

Kajiya Hollawayne (SJHS Quarterback) looked as good as ever, making precise passes showing off his pinpoint accuracy. Damonce Williams (SJHS Wide Receiver) is still nursing some leftover soreness from the season, but showed off his notorious hands by making incredible catches. Frankie Castillo (Hemet Defensive Back/ Receiver) was shutting down receivers and daring Hollowayne to throw the ball his way. Davon Banks (San Jacinto Defensive Back) missed most of the season with a knee injury. He has barely been cleared by his doctors to start rehabbing and doing light work, yet, he looked really good. He wasn’t a step slow and showed huge amounts of confidence in his knee. The coaches wouldn’t let him participate 100% but Banks took advantage of what he was allowed to do. If his performance in the scrimmage is any indication of how he will play next season, the quarterbacks around Southern California better watch out because he is hungry to make up for missing last season. 

There is still space to join the Pro Way team and get a head start in the recruiting process and training for football season. Contact Juan Denny Sr. on all of Pro Way Inland Valley’s social media for more information. There is another evaluation camp coming soon, so be on the lookout for this chance to join the Pro Way family.                                

Writers Note:                                                                                               As the sportswriter for Inland Empire Sports Connection & The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle, I can tell you that there was a clear difference between Pro Way Athletes and other players who didn’t train during the offseason this year. No matter which team, they stood out, looking quicker, faster, and showing more skill/technique than the rest of the competition.

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In the midst of Chaos, One Student Shines Bright

In this week’s, “More Than an Athlete” column we take you to West Valley, where Marcos Flores spends his school days. Flores is best known for his performance on the football field. He is in his senior year and is preparing himself for college.

We want to highlight the many reasons that Marcos is truly “More Than An Athlete,” This young man always displays exceptional Sportsmanship.

The final game of his High School career was cut short last week due to the game’s being called because of a brawl. While players from both sides engaged in this, Marcos refused to give into negative passions, and he refused to compromise who he is. Instead he took a knee on the field and waited for referees and security to separate everyone. “Sports has always been a big part of my life, but it has never defined who I am. What makes me more than an athlete is my ability to show leadership, responsibility and dedication to younger people around me. I have always been the kind of person to take care of people in need and a lot of people know they can count on me if they ever need anything. No matter what it is, whether school or sports, I always make sure I go the extra mile and do everything with excellence.”

Marcos Flores has been playing football since he was a little kid: he loves that it has taught him so much about leadership, hard work, dedication, and brotherhood. He lives to compete with his brothers and is constantly trying to find ways to better himself on and off the field.

Marcos plans on becoming a Police Officer or Firefighter after graduation. He wants a career in which he knows he is making a difference by helping people in the community. Family is the single most important thing in his life.  Marcos loves to spend time with his family and says he has no idea where he would be without them. “My family has taught me a lot of things, but the biggest thing I’ve learned from them is the importance of school. They support me and help me be the best student I can be so that I can be very successful in my future.” 

“I want to thank all of my coaches from youth to high school for teaching me life lessons and helping me reach my full potential in football. Also I’d like to thank my two older sisters for always being there for me when I need to talk, but most importantly for my amazing parents for keeping my head on straight and keeping me focused on my goals. They do whatever they can to help me and provide all the necessary resources needed to be successful.”

We applaud Marcos Flores for his actions on the field and in the classroom! He is the definition of someone who is “More Than An Athlete.” The Hemet-San Jacinto Chronicle can’t wait to see what he does in his future. 

Know a student who is More Than An Athlete? Email me at Kheadlee@hsjchronicle.com and tell me about them.

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Football Tournament at WestValley to benefit the homeless

Darnell Richardson, former West Valley High School standout is hosting a “7on7” Football Tournament at the WVHS this Sunday, November 3.  All proceeds will go to help the local homeless community.

Growing up, Darnell and his friends played football and honed their skills creating bonds with local athletes in order to push themselves to get better. One day, Darnell thought, “What can I do to recreate those childhood memories but also make a difference in the community?” That’s when he got the idea for this tournament.                                                                 

Admission is $2 per spectator and $2 per player. Full teams are welcomed as are individuals. If you don’t have a team but you want to join in on the fun, show up and Darnell Richardson will make sure to put you on a team. All ages are welcome to show up and play the game they love. 

Games will start at 12o’clock and continue until the tournament is finished. Refreshments will also be available for purchase. All the proceeds will be used to create homeless “Care Packages” filled with socks, blankets, toothpaste, deodorant, and other essentials homeless people need to survive the harsh winter.

Donations are more than welcomed. Darnell would love to have a great turn out and have a fun day filled with laughter. There will be a mandatory player’s meeting before the games  begin so everyone knows the rules and expectations. This is meant to be a fun, lighthearted time for everyone.

The old saying, “Football is Family.” reigns true with this tournament.  Richardson is hoping to turn this into a twice a year event to help combat the homeless situation in the valley. To sign up to play/compete, you can text Darnell Richardson at (951) 388-4229.  He will answer any questions you may have.

Let’s all show up and support this worthy cause from a young man trying to make a difference.

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Many people believe spring or summer is the best time of year to get your dream kitchen.

Not so fast.

Those seasons may be the most popular time of year for a project such as this, but when you take a deeper dive into the world of home remodeling, you’ll find October and November are actually the best times to remodel your kitchen. By taking advantage of the fall season, you can get your project done before the holidays (and save a ton of money.)

Slower season means better values

Spring and summer may seem the ideal time to begin a remodel project, but it’s the busy season for contractors and retailers know it. High demand can mean higher prices and longer lead times to get things done. More people are recognizing this and getting their kitchen done in the fall. They can find better deals and, just as importantly, get their house ready for the holidays.

Here are some insider tips:

* Watch for the sale. Retailers will push great savings in October and November to clean out inventory heading into the new year.

* Find an expert. The Internet is great for research, but for a big project such as a kitchen, find a retailer that offers personal one-on-one design help.

* Remodel the whole kitchen, not just one part. You can get the best deals from retailers that do it all: cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets – even flooring. And you’ll be able to design the full kitchen without driving to three different stores.

* Plan installation. Ask if they offer installation. This time of year, that can be a real positive.

Try to find a store such as Cabinets To Go in your area. Unlike online retailers, they have experts in every store. They also offer free, 3D-kitchen design, installation and hundreds of style options for cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets, and flooring. Better yet, they also offer some of their best deals of the year right now. For more information, visit www.cabinetstogo.com/.

Show it off for the Holidays

Home blogger Cassie Bustamante also encourages taking advantage of this season for a remodel.

“The fall is a financially wise time to undertake a new kitchen, but it also makes sense for a lot of other reasons,” she says.

“The holidays are about family time and the kitchen is the heart of it all.”

Bustamante also feels there’s a more personal reason.”Maybe you’ll finally get up the nerve to host Thanksgiving dinner since you’ll have such a gorgeous new space.”

The kitchen is the heart of the holiday experience. It’s the place we gather with loved ones to prepare meals and share stories. Now, imagine how amazing it would feel to host the holidays in your newly-remodeled kitchen knowing you saved a lot of money? Great family time during the holidays is more than just a kitchen, but it’s the perfect place to bring it all together.

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Tigers Remain On Top

Week 8 is in the books and the season is beginning to wind down. San Jacinto High School (SJHS) Dominated Hemet High in the Battle of the Bell last week, which resulted in some off-field nastiness (see our story a too-physical coach elsewhere in this edition), but what else happened around the League?

Beaumont traveled down to Hemet to play the Tahquitz Titans. Beaumont scored 55 points in the game and Tahquitz only posted 7. Beaumont’s starting quarterback Edward Mcculloch posted up 172 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for one touchdown. Beaumont’s pair of running backs, Sadiq Randolph and Jonathan Solis ran for 131 yards and 4 touchdowns against Tahquitz. This was a great game for Beaumont who improves to 7-1 on the season and 2-1 against league opponents. Their only loss came from San Jacinto in week 6 of the season. 

Citrus Hill also made the trip to Hemet, but they went to West Valley and took on the Mustangs. On paper, Citrus Hill should have put on a beating, but West Valley (WV) came out and made this game a dog fight. WV’s defense held together and shut down Citrus Hill offense: WV limited their offense to only 14 points, which is impressive considering Citrus has averaged over 30 points a game this season. West Valley showed that when they come together and play as a team they have what it takes to play with the big dogs. Unfortunately their offense struggled to gain any momentum and they couldn’t get on the scoreboard until the third quarter. West Valley also lost one of their key playmakers, Rueben Rivera to an injury, which didn’t help their offense. 

At the end of this week, there’s no new shift in the standings. San Jacinto is still on top with a 6-2 record and is 3-0 against league opponents. Citrus Hill and Beaumont are tied for second/third place with 7-1 overall records and 2-1 in league play. Hemet and Tahquitz are tied for fourth/fifth place both have a 4-4 record but are only 1-2 in league. Finally West Valley is at the bottom of the pack with a 2-6 overall record and are currently 0-3 in league.

This was a great week for Mountain Pass League teams and the competition was stiff, as all the teams are eyeing a position in the playoffs.

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Tigers seeking to prey on Mustangs this week

After a crazy, hectic previous week, some teams in the Mountain Pass league will look to keep up the momentum while others will seek to get back into the win column. In our “Game of the Week” we will take you to San Jacinto High School as the West Valley Mustangs come into town and try to take SJ down.

Historically San Jacinto has dominated this matchup.  

San Jacinto is currently ranked 129 in the state. They have dropped quite a bit from the beginning of the season when their ranking was 97: currently they have a 4-2 record and are fresh off a dominant victory against Beaumont.

West Valley started the year with a 2-0 record, but have struggled since. Currently they are on a four-game losing streak coming off a tough loss against Tahquitz where they basically beat themselves.

One of West Valley’s key playmakers, Alfred Jones, went down with a possibly significant injury last week: it is unknown if he will be available for this matchup. The West Valley Mustangs are definitely playing the underdog role this week. Many players are going to have to have the game of their lives and hope that San Jacinto struggles to find chemistry.

West Valley is a good team, but they have half as many players as San Jacinto.  That imbalance has many disadvantages: players get tired more easily as they have no one to sub for them; if injuries occur, it gets harder and harder to keep key players in the game. Many West Valley players have to play on both sides of the ball.  As the season goes on, the challenge to maintain mounts with each game. Last season West Valley dominated the matchup 49-0.

(Competition is starting)

Hemet is traveling up to Beaumont.  Hemet is fresh off their amazing victory over Citrus Hill. They have all the momentum and energy on their side going into this matchup against Beaumont. Beaumont seemed poised to finish at the top of the league until they ran into the San Jacinto Tigers last week: the Tigers brought them back to reality. Beaumont will be looking to rebound off of their week six lost and re-assert themselves amongst the best in the division. The last time Hemet and Beaumont played each other Hemet left the game the victors winning 25-14.  Even though this is a different team, Hemet will hope to have a similar performance.

Citrus Hill is hosting Tahquitz this week. Citrus is fresh off a loss against Hemet High, getting beaten by a field goal. Tahquitz is in a position to reap the consequences of that crushing loss. Citrus Hill doesn’t believe a team like Hemet should have ever beaten them. Hemet is a Division 11 team with a brand new QB; their offense and defense have been inconsistent for the majority of the year, showing flashes of brilliance at times, but they’ve struggled to get things going as of late. Citrus Hill is a Division 5 school with a huge roster and talent pool to match, which means they should have a huge advantage over schools like Division 11 Hemet.

Division 13 Tahquitz is the Dark Horse in the league. They certainly have the potential to play competitive games against the upper echelon, but they have a tendency to beat themselves by making silly mistakes.

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Search: Competition is starting

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A Slow Start By The Tigers, But A Hot Finish

The long-awaited return of the San Jacinto Tigers football team has finally come. The last time they played in front of their home crowd was last year’s CIF championship game, where hundreds of fans traveled to watch them play, but this is a new season and a new team. San Jacinto needed to come out and make a statement that night after a tough loss the week before to Woodrow High School (Long Beach, CA) and that’s exactly what they did. Murrieta Mesa came into San Jacinto with a 0-2 record to start the season, they felt the pressure to get a win and came out playing like it. 

The first quarter was slow for both teams, with very little first downs or yards gained. Coach Galliano of the San Jacinto Tigers had this to say about the slow start: “They did some things defensively that we haven’t seen yet, so we needed to make adjustments heading into the half.” The Tigers were able to get into the endzone three times in the first half, including an amazing last-second touchdown throw from Kajiya Hollawayne to Kameron Rocha. The score going into the half was 19-14 in favor of the home team.

After halftime, the San Jacinto Tigers offense started to work the way they were designed too. Rushing to the line and catching the defense off their toes. Junior Quarterback Kajiya Hollawayne and Senior Runningback Juan Denny Jr. took turns punishing Murrieta Mesa on the ground. When they weren’t running down their throats, Kajiya was executing beautiful passes and hitting his guys in stride. They repaid him by getting tons of yards after the catch and fighting to get in the endzone. Our player of the week goes to Kajiya Hollawayne who ran for two touchdowns, and 214 yards. He also got it done through the air, throwing three touchdown passes to three different players and 234 yards. The Tigers would win the game with a final score of 39-27. Now the score could be misleading. San Jacinto’s defense did an excellent job shutting down Murrieta Mesa multiple times. However, the officiating of this game was very questionable. The refs ejected a San Jacinto player after he was on the receiving end of a push that happened after the whistle. There were a lot of unnecessary roughness/pass interference calls that shouldn’t have been called. Offsides called on the sidelines when no warnings were given. At one point penalties caused the San Jacinto Tigers offense to turn the ball over on downs after getting in the endzone two times on the same drive. Murrieta Mesa would then march down the field with the help of the referees (Half of the yards gained on the drive were from penalties) and score. 

Murrieta did a great job getting into the endzone on their own; they didn’t need the extra help. In other Mountain Pass League News, West Valley lost to Temecula Valley 0-44, everyone else in the Mountain Pass League would go home as victors. Hemet beat Banning 26-0; Tahquitz beat Indio 14-13; Beaumont beat Perris 59-0, and Citrus Hill beat Pacific 48-7. A great week for the league who are all building momentum before league play begins. 

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Search: San Jacinto Defeats Murrieta

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