INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Murrieta Valley-Perris Citrus Hill nonleague varsity football game tonight, Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, for The Press-Enterprise. The best part of this assignment is seeing what it looks like when teams in two very different places collide.

THE LOW DOWN:
The Nighthawks (1-0 overall) have begun the George Wilson era in style after a 46-20 win over Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon in Week 0. Wilson, the former defensive coordinator at Rancho Verde, is the Nighthawks third head coach in as many seasons. Senior WR Aaron Young caught four TD passes among his six receptions for 139 yards in the win. Max Maitland looked good until leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent injury.

The Hawks (0-1 overall) were on the short end in a tough three-point loss to Moreno Valley Rancho Verde in their season opener, and will be looking to more from its explosive offensive players. Senior QB Jerrell Brown has stepped into the leadership role and done a nice job so far. A lot is expected of him and his teammates. After all, this team hasn’t lost a league game since 2010.

THE KEY PLAYERS:
Murrieta Valley — QB Max Maitland (Sr., 5-foot-9, 150 pounds); RB Quincy Wimbish (Jr., 5-11, 170); WR Aaron Young (Sr., 6-4, 200); RB/DB Xavier Crawford (Sr., 5-8, 165); MLB Tyler Landis (Sr., 5-10, 220); MLB Austin Crawford (Sr., 6-1, 225); SS Mickey Sarner (Sr., 5-11, 180).

Citrus Hill — QB Jerrell Brown (Sr., 6-2, 170); RB Devin Floyd (Jr., 5-7, 165); RB Dumar Fisher (Jr., 5-8, 180); WR Jacoby Herring (Sr., 6-5, 170); WR Justin Clarkston (Sr., 6-3, 210); WR Dejuan Dantzler (Sr., 5-11, 180); OLB Jayson VanHook (Sr., 6-2, 185); K Manny Berz (Soph., 5-11, 175).

THE DIFFERENCE:
Citrus Hill have the Inland Area’s top corps of receivers, one that may prove to be among the best in the area’s history. If Brown can get connected with Herring, Clarkston and Dantzler than there aren’t many teams that won’t be left in the Hawks’ dust.
THE FINAL SCORE: Citrus Hill 42, Murrieta Valley 35