Tradition Continues as Heritage Heads into CIF Finals

Kraig Broach has led Heritage High School to a 72-7 record in the last six seasons heading into Friday's CIF championship game. Photos by Kristi Jo Aguirre of kristijophotography.com

It all started in 2008, the second year of existence for a new high school in the Romoland community of Menifee.

Welcoming students who previously attended Paloma Valley High School and Perris High, the newly named Heritage High School began establishing its own identity. One of the most recognizable programs on any high school campus, the football team, first fielded a team playing with only a junior class in 2008. The Patriots' first varsity season with a senior class finished 5-6 in the Mountain Pass League in 2009.

What has happened since is truly remarkable.

In the last six seasons, the Patriots have compiled an overall record of 72-7. Since moving to the Sunbelt League in 2010, Heritage has a 30-0 record in league play. Heritage teams have previously played twice in CIF championship games, winning the title in 2013.

And now this: Friday's 7 p.m. home game against Citrus Hill, when the top-ranked Patriots will put their 13-0 record on the line in an attempt to win their second CIF title.

Who could've imagined all this when a young man named Kraig Broach left the football staff of Escondido's Orange Glen High in 2008 to become Heritage's first varsity football coach?

"We moved up to this area and I saw something online about a football coaching job at a new school in Romoland," Broach recalled. "I had never heard of the place."

Building a staff of assistants who for the most part have stayed with him the entire time, Broach has put Heritage football on the map since then. Yet he acknowledges that it's the players who carry on the tradition year after year -- including this year's team, which is loaded with experienced seniors.

"Senior leadership," Broach said when asked the key to the team's success this year. "This is a special class of seniors. They've brought positive energy to the team and have found a way to focus every day.

"We haven't had many low points this year, but whenever things started to get dicey, as a coach I didn't have to say anything. The seniors have taken charge. That's been really rewarding for me to see. They don't need to be told what to do."

The group of talented seniors is led by quarterback Brett Virgil (above photo), who seems to make all the right decisions in running the Patriots offense. He has passed for 1,258 yards and 21 touchdowns and has rushed for 839 yards and 8 TDs. But his most valuable asset might be his composure under pressure, Broach said.

"The biggest thing is that he's letting it come to him," the coach said. "He's not trying to force anything. Brett gets the big picture. He truly is the best quarterback around."

Other seniors on offense receiving high praise from Broach include Aleva Hifo (right), who has been a factor both in the passing and running game. Hifo has caught 22 passes for 548 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also has 488 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing to complement the running of senior Jalen Glover (1,542 yards, 18 TDs).

"Aleva is our leading receiver, but he's also heavily involved in the run game," Broach said. "He's smart enough to know where to line up in different positions to be the most effective. He's the best blocker we have on the perimeter."

Other key seniors cited by Broach include offensive lineman Gilbert Hernandez, a "tough, no-nonsense type of kid"; defensive lineman Quentin Asberry, who has 50 tackles and 9.5 sacks; and linebacker Marcus McIntosh.

These are the leaders of the squad that will oppose a Citrus Hill team that is 11-2 overall after sweeping through league play 5-0.

"We've had a bit of a history with Citrus Hill," Broach said about the Perris school. "They're not a mirror image of us, but they're very close. We both have a physical running game and we're very aggressive. It's a rather unique situation to have two power running teams play each other in high school football these days."

Senior running back Jalen Glover has rushed for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.