Paloma Has No Trouble With Lakeside in League Opener

By Daniel Millhouse

If one word could describe the Sunbelt League opener for Paloma Valley High School Friday night, it would be domination.

The Wildcats defeated the Lancers of Lakeside High School 35-0 in front of a packed stadium on Homecoming Night. Paloma Valley allowed only 64 total yards of offense to the Lancers, including -73 yards rushing.

The Wildcats came out with enthusiasm, but that could have been squashed early, when on the third play of the game, defensive captain Joey Dunn was injured. He did not return to the game.

"He had a patellar displacement and they got it back in," coach Bert Esposito said, showing concern for his player after the game. "He’ll be out a couple of weeks."

It would have been easy for the defensive players to lose steam, but they stepped up instead. They were led by seniors Jose Cruz (37, left) and Ruben Colon. Cruz had 2 sacks and 11 tackles and Colon had 2 interceptions and 5 tackles.

Not to be outdone by the defense, junior running back Demarco Prewitt (above right) rushed for 119 yards on 11 carries, scoring touchdowns on runs of 11, 18, and 13 yards. Two of those came in the first half.

Junior quarterback Pohaku Kaheaku-Paiva joined in on the fun, rushing for a 7-yard touchdown and tossing one to wide receiver Jacob Diaz for 13 yards in the third quarter.

After Prewitt’s third touchdown and Colon’s second interception in the fourth quarter, the Lancers’ energy had been sapped.

"They played well," Esposito said, assessing his defense. "They had some stupid penalties that gave them drives; we've got a problem with that. But other than that, I think they played pretty solid."

With three wins in a row under their belts, the Wildcats (1-0, 4-2) go on the road next week, to face Elsinore High School (3-3, 0-1).