Nighthawks Begin 2011 Campaign With a Win

Murrieta Valley showed visiting Hemet Tahquitz High what its future might be. For now, the new program from Hemet took its lumps as the Nighthawks toppled the Titans, 34-13, Friday night.

Quarterback Andrew Blake's stats included 14 of 20 passing for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Stewart had six receptions for 141 yards and 1 touchdown. Jack Magpuaso had 75 yards and 2 TD's on 16 carries while teammate Jacob Augustine had 82 yards on 14 carries.

Dennis Gregovich is in his first year as head coach for the Tahquitz team from Hemet. This season marks the Titans fourth varsity season. Last year they finished with a record of 4-6.

The Nighthawks start their 2011 campaign coming off a 6-5 season last year for fourth-year coach Greg Ireland.

The Titans were the first to get points on the board, a 4 yard run by junior quarterback Ben Moreno followed by Kevin Young's point-after to make it 7-0 in the first quarter.

The next five scoring drives were all for the Nighthawks.

Jaleel Shabaz caught an 8-yard pass from Blake in the first quarter, while senior wide receiver Jalah Patten hauled in a 16 yard pass from Blake midway through the second quarter.

The Titans came close to scoring as time ran out in the first half with the score 14-7 MV.

Murrieta Valley added one touchdown in the third on a 4-yard run by Magpuaso and a 6-yard pass in the fourth quarter, again a Blake-to-Shabaz connection.  Kicker Logan Matthews' four consecutive PAT's on these TD's made the score 28-7.

A minute and a half later, Jack Magpuaso's 1-yard run made it 34-7.

With time running out in the game, the Titans made one final drive.  With 50 seconds left on the clock, Moreno found Stewart in the end zone for 21-yard score.

Next Friday, Coach Greg Ireland's Murrieta Valley Nighthawks travel to Escondido.