INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Jurupa Valley Patriot-Riverside Norte Vista varsity football game tonight, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, for The Press-Enterprise and PE.com.

The best part about this assignment will be getting a look at the team suddenly on everyone’s radar — Norte Vista.

THE LOW DOWN:
The Warriors (3-2 overall) win close and lose closer. Last week, Coach Chris Fowler’s team lost by just two points in a shootout, 56-54, to Hemet their non-league finale. In fact, Patriot has just a Plus-10 points differential (122-112) this season.

The Braves (5-0 overall) are making truth-tellers out of those who said that this could be Coach Ken Batdorf’s best team ever. Out to a blistering start as they’ve imposed their mighty running game — one of the Inland Area’s best — to bruising effect on opponents.

THE KEY PLAYERS:
Patriot — QB John Holder (Jr., 5-foot-11, 160 pounds); QB/SS Brandon Pacheco (Sr., 5-11, 170); OL/DL Daniel Rodriguez (Sr., 5-10, 245); WR/S Joseph Meurer (Sr., 5-11, 165); RB/OLB Miguel Alvarez (Jr., 5-11, 160); MLB Eric Equihua (Jr., 5-6, 190); WR/DB Jacob Arguello (Sr., 5-9, 145).

Norte Vista — QB/FS Austin Cunanan (Sr., 5-foot-8, 175 pounds); RB Freddy Holley (Jr., 5-10, 190); RB Andrew Martinez (Sr., 5-10, 205); OL/DL Xavier Perez (Sr., 6-1, 250); OL Jorge Hurtado (Sr., 6-2, 240); OL Jose Hidalgo (Sr., 5-11, 250); DE/TE David Plentyhawk (Jr., 6-4, 255).

THE DIFFERENCE:
The Braves are pounding the rock with alarming efficiency — more than 300 yards per game — while Patriot’s defense doesn’t have the tools to slow the onslaught.
THE FINAL SCORE: Norte Vista 48, Patriot 26