Murrieta's High School Football Teams Gear Up

Murrieta-area players are entering their last phase of summer training in preparation for what looks like an exciting season.

Patch checks in with Calvary Murrieta Christian and Murrieta Mesa high schools in this installment, which will be followed by a look at how the Vista Murrieta and Murrieta Valley teams are shaping up.

Calvary Murrieta Christian

The Calvary Murrieta Christian High School Warriors play 11-man football in the Ambassador League along with Ontario Christian, Arrowhead Christian, Western Christian, Aquinas and Linfield Christian high schools.

Calvary’s athletic director, George Escalante, says their squad returns some exemplary talent from last year’s team, which finished the year 0-5 in league, 1-9 overall.

Players to watch include junior quarterback Zach Chesser, senior Nate Hensen, “a fast running back,” according to Escalante, Mike Zamora, a sophomore and great all-around athlete, senior team captain wide receiver Austen Taylor and Brody Myers, junior lineman and likely the strongest on the team.

Head coach Brad Schwab is preparing his team for their first foe, Holtville, which they'll meet in a 7 p.m away game on Sept. 2.

Schwab says the 38 players who have participated in summer training are the smallest group he’s had to work with. Most will play on both sides of the ball, he said.

Murrieta Mesa

Murrieta Mesa High School starts its second year of varsity competition with head coach Justin Schaeffer at the helm. The Rams play in the Southwestern League along with Murrieta Valley, Vista Murrieta, Temecula Valley, Chaparral and Great Oak high schools.

Turnout is also a concern with Mesa. On a positive note, they return 10 of 11 on defense. While the high school, which opened in 2009, played varsity last year, it's the first year the school will have a senior class.

“The kids all have one more year in our offensive system and one more year in our defensive system,” Schaeffer said. "...we didn’t lose anybody to graduation.”

Standout returning offensive players include junior quarterback Chase Chambers, junior receiver Khalil Sharpe and junior offensive lineman Drew Santiago, at 6-foot-3-inches and 280 pounds.

Returning defensive players of note include senior linebacker Erick Torres and senior defensive back Carson Watters.

The Rams finished their inaugural year with a 2-8 record overall (0-5 in league) and open up the 2011 season hosting a 7 p.m. Sept. 9 game against West Valley. Their first league game is at Great Oak, Oct. 14.