Season Preview: Ivy League
PREP FOOTBALL 2019
IVY LEAGUE PREVIEW
(2018 records in parenthesis)
Even though it was the more talented team, Rancho Verde could not stay healthy long enough to finish the job last season. The Mustangs graduated an all-time player in Jaxen Turner, but the team still is set up for success over the next three seasons so long as the Duffys stay committed. If not then Kraig Broach and Heritage will be right there to assume the mantle as the best team in the Ivy League and the Raincross Conference. And after losing by just seven points to Rancho Verde in Week 10 last year, the Patriots are already knocking on the door. Valley View and Paloma Valley are both looking for new impact QBs in order to return to the playoffs.
MoVAL RANCHO VERDE (13-1 overall, 3-0 Ivy) has handed the keys to the offense to sophomore QB A.J. Duffy after he threw for 40 TDs and more than 2,900 yards last season, all before an injury knocked him out in the playoffs. Senior Jordan Jefferson finally has an opportunity to shine and currently sits on top of the RB depth chart.
MENIFEE HERITAGE (7-4, 2-1) will have size and speed again, and a new QB as Tyler Basham (6-foot, 205 pounds) takes the reins of a run-heavy offense that should make star out of senior RB Kenny Teter this season.
MoVAL VALLEY VIEW (3-7, 1-2) did not get everything they wanted out of the father-son coach-QB connection the last three years, but the Eagles did win a CIF-SS title in 2016.
MENIFEE PALOMA VALLEY (5-6, 0-3) made the playoffs without winning a league game or passing for more than 500 total yards last season, so anything is possible.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
MoVal Rancho Verde
Menifee Heritage
Menifee Paloma Valley
MoVal Valley View
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
RB/DB Dominic Cyr, Sr., Heritage
DL/OL Phillip Cyr, Sr., Heritage
QB A.J. Duffy, Soph., Rancho Verde
QB Blake Hauser, Jr., Paloma Valley
RB/SB Jordan Jefferson, Sr., Rancho Verde
FB/DE Jalil Laflora, Sr., Valley View
DT Gavriel Lightfoot, Soph., Valley View
OT/DT Jonah Reeder, Sr., Rancho Verde
OLB/RB Dallas Salgado, Sr., Paloma Valley
RB/DB Kenny Teter, Sr., Heritage
PROMINENT GAMES:
Aug. 30-Cajon at Heritage, 7pm
Sept. 6-Upland vs. Rancho Verde, 7pm
Sept. 23-Rancho Verde at Norco, 7pm
Oct. 18-Heritage at Paloma Valley, 7pm
Nov. 1-Heritage at Rancho Verde, 7pm
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 