Broncos Looking to End Huskies' Season

Coach Coley Candaele’s Broncos are looking to celebrate the Thanksgiving Break by eliminating John W. North High School from the CIF Southern Section Inland Division Football Playoffs this Friday night.

Vista Murrieta boasts one of the finest high school football programs in the country, and are currently ranked 14th in the state. Although undefeated, they have Coach Candaele knows that his team will have their hands full and be tested by J.W. North.  

The Huskies finished the season 9-1 and demolished the Thunderbirds from Yucaipa last week 27-13 in the CIF first-round playoff game. Coached by Mark Paredes, North averaged 40 points, 232 yards passing and 213 yards rushing per game. Their lone loss came Oct. 7 at the hands of CIF favorite Centennial, 52-34.

They then proceeded to crush every team they faced.  

This season, quarterback Justin Gheorghe has thrown for 2,290 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also ran for 467 yards and four touchdowns. Justin’s favorite receivers are Denziel Myers (37 catches, 464 yards, 4TDs), Aaron Peck (34 catches, 737 yards, 8TDs), Marcus Baugh (26 catches, 473 yards, 7TDs) and Garrett Biggers (20 catches, 307 yards, 4TDs).

Monster running back Denzel Foster carried the ball 189 times crushing his way to 1,326 yards and a 7-yard per carry average. He scored 13 touchdowns.  

The Huskies Defense is sparked by Aaron Peck, Marcus Baugh and Colbert Calhoun, who combined for 21 sacks this year. Jackeil Hampton, Mychal Dominquez and Leon Smith solidified the defense with 26 tackles each. Other than the loss to Centennial, this Huskies defense limited the opponents to meager 17 points per game.

The Broncos plan to change that.  

Vista Murrieta is coming off . Slow to start, the offense finally caught fire in the second quarter, racking up 415 total yards, 197 passing and 218 on the ground. VMHS took over and never looked back.  

The Broncos averaged 35 points, 126 yards passing and 224 running per game this year. Quarterback Nick Stevens has thrown for 1,347 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He also ran for 684 yards and five touchdowns. Vista Murrieta’s running attack combines the talents of Su’a Cravens (448 yards, 11 TDs), Aaron Piecukonis (694 yards, 6 TDs) and Kei-Ron Long (255 yards, 3TDs).  

Quarterback Stevens can also utilize a quick, physical and talented receiving corps of Cody Piecukonis, Bradley Trujillo, Cravens, and Aaron Piecukonis. 

On defense, the Broncos are rich in talent, disciplined and well coached. They minimize the mistakes that makes the difference between winning and loosing. Bryce Smith (88 tackles, 5 sacks), Darion Williams (62 tackles), Randy Perez (46 tackles), are key players on the defensive side of the ball. Jerry Castro led the team with eight sacks. The Broncos had 10 players with an interception. What an amazing stat.

Vista Murrieta is a tough team to move the ball on. The Huskies will soon find out.  

Game time is 7:30 Friday night at Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Ave.

Let’s get out and support VMHS as they thrash the Huskies en route to round three of the Southern Sectional CIF Football Playoffs. Go get 'em Coach Candaele.

--Contributed by Charles Mckee