Mesa Football Standouts Recognized

Murrieta Mesa Head Football Coach Justin Schaeffer announced the Rams’ Players of the week following a 70-0 win Sept. 21 over the Lakeside Lancers.

Mesa totally dominated the Lancers from Lakeside High on both sides of the ball all night long. The game featured a couple of Mesa football records and landed two players on the Ram Trivia list.

The Ram Defensive Player of the Game was junior Chandler Woodward, who recorded the first interception return for a touchdown in the program’s history. In addition, Chandler added five solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback sack. He also contributed with exceptional performance and hustle on Special Teams.

Senior Parker Erickson was awarded the Rams' Offensive Player of the Game. Erickson led the team with three receptions for 50 yards as a wide receiver. His key blocking downfield was instrumental in breaking loose his fellow Ram teammates as they carried the ball. At quarterback, Parker had eight carries for 88 yards including one run for a 71-yard touchdown.

The Special Teams player of the Game was junior Davian Neitz, who also entered the Ram record books when he returned a 79-yarder for a touchdown in the third quarter for another first in the program’s history. Neitz was credited with two solo tackles, four assisted tackles, and added an interception, which he returned 62 yards for another touchdown. He gets the asterisk… it was the second in the program’s history.

In the end, it takes 22 guys to win a football game. Coach Schaeffer commented that the entire team rose to the occasion and executed the game as planned.

Schaeffer’s Rams are a perfect 5-0 as they complete their non-league schedule. The overall program is 12–3 on the season (Varsity 5-0, JV 3-2 and Freshmen 4-1). The Rams have a bye this week and are preparing for Southwestern League play.

It all begins Oct. 5 at home with the perennial powerhouse Pumas of Chaparral High coming to town.