Schools
Broncos and Nighthawks: Battle of the Unbeatens
Murrieta Valley and Vista Murrieta are both 7-0 going into Friday night's game.
Coach Coley Candaele’s Broncos visit Murrieta Valley Friday night and, for the first time, both schools are undefeated with perfect 7-0 records.
The game features the top two defenses in the Southwestern League: the Nighthawks gave up a mere 62 points and the Broncos only 92 in the first seven games.
The Broncos are coming off three successive blow-outs, the latest a 65-14 shellacking at the expense of Great Oak’s Wolfpack. Vista has not had its full starting roster in the second half in five of its seven wins.
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Coach Candaele’s Bronco team is a juggernaut that seemingly cannot be stopped—a football machine. They average 47 points per game.
The offense is well balanced, gaining 190.7 yards on the ground and 190.1 in the air per game. Bronco quarterback Nick Stevens’ favorite receivers are Jaimie Nunley, Randy Beggs and Darrell Denby. And of course, Su’a Cravens.
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Key offensive weapons on the ground are Kishawn Holmes, Stewart Riding and Keiron Long. The Bronco offensive line—consisting of Donnell Toliver, Mark Diano, James Maloney, Jack Porter, and Matthew Tyre—is one of the best in southern California football.
The core of the Broncos' punishing, aggressive defensive unit are defensive ends Tyler Cook, Curtis Bolton and tackle Grant Cleary. Middle linebacker Bryce Smith anchors the opportunistic, swarming defense with linemen Ray Faoliu, Riccardo Mermea, and John Hall solidifying the group. Cravens has been a standout on both sides of the ball.
Coach Greg Ireland's Murrieta Valley defense is the stingiest in the league and has given up only 62 points in 7 games. The Nighthawk defense is led by linebackers Mike Almodovar, Davis Day, Jacob Macias, Kody Thornburg and DeSean Bullock.
The Nighthawks swam around their defensive line consisting of Jordan Silva, Michael Payne and Martin Gallegos make up that line. The defensive backfield features Weston Brown, Lafayette Waters, Damon Nolan and safety Terin Solomon.
Offensively, MV is led by senior quarterback Andrew Blake. His key targets are Hector Bautista, Aaron Paisley, Nick Chapman and Alex Montion.
Montion is also the Nighthawk placekicker.
The running game is steady with Jacob Augustin, Jayvy Ragudo and Michael Robles pounding through holes opened up by their offensive line. The O-line consists of Christian Vinsky, Jerry Boggs, Grant Hatch, Jack James, Tanner Mott and Kyle Underwood.
Coach Ireland was looking forward to the match-up.
"It is always a pleasure to play a program that has elevated competition for everyone in the Southwestern League and Inland Division," Ireland said.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Nighthawk Stadium. It’s Murrieta Valley’s Breast Cancer awareness night so come out and show your support for the teams and the cause. The MV Football Boosters will have pink beanies for sale. See you at the game!
