Season Preview: Southwestern League
PREP FOOTBALL 2021
SOUTHWESTERN LEAGUE PREVIEW
(Spring 2021 records in parenthesis)
Competition has never been tighter between the Top 3-4 team in the SWL. Vista Murrieta looked as though its was going to experience a dip in success in 2021 but no holes have been found, and the Broncos just keep winning. Murrieta Valley’s offense was ranked No. 9 in the nation after the spring season, and the key pieces are back for another shot downfield. Temecula Chaparral has plenty of motivation heading into the fall after its only loss was by one point. Temecula Valley is as unpredictable as head coach Bert Esposito, and he probably likes that. Murrieta Mesa and Temecula Great Oak had one win between them in the spring, so both programs have some ground to make up.
VISTA MURRIETA (5-0 overall, 4-0 Southwestern) won a barn-burner against Murrieta Valley, 51-41, in Week 4 of the spring season, and we shouldn’t expect anything less from their Week 9 matchup this season. Senior QB Brady Jones is an underrated gem that a college program will soon uncover.
TEMECULA CHAPARRAL (4-1, 4-1) took its only loss of the spring in Week 1, 34-33, to Vista Murrieta. The Pumas have not lost since, and enter the fall believing this is a two-team race for the league title. Junior QB Caron Tyler is a special type of playmaker who can dominate in big moments.
MURRIETA VALLEY (3-2, 3-2) had the No. 1 ranked offense in California in the spring, and senior QB Brandon Rose and junior WR Tiger Bachmeier form an explosive combination that could rival some of the best Inland Area QB-WR tandems of in history.
TEMECULA VALLEY (2-1, 2-2) won the games it was supposed to win in the spring but continues its process of rebuilding from its CIF-SS Division 7 title team in 2019.
MURRIETA MESA (1-4, 1-3) has to install a new offense but senior Cade Moran returns to start at middle linebacker and captain the defense.
TEMECULA GREAT OAK (0-5, 0-5) has a number of experienced seniors on the roster and should get off the schneid in the preseason.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Murrieta Valley
Vista Murrieta
Temecula Chaparral
Temecula Great Oak
Temecula Valley
Murrieta Mesa
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
WR Tiger Bachmeier, Jr., Murrieta Valley
QB Charlie Combs, Sr., Temecula Valley
RB Gavin Galzote, Sr. Vista Murrieta
QB Sean Givens, Sr., Great Oak
QB Brady Jones, Sr., Vista Murrieta
LB Cade Moran, Sr., Murrieta Mesa
RB Hunter Roddy Sr., Chaparral
QB Brandon Rose, Sr., Murrieta Valley
T Jake Steele, Sr., Murrieta Valley
QB Caron Tyler, Jr., Chaparral
TE Ezekiel Vestal, Sr., Vista Murrieta
PROMINENT GAMES:
Sept. 3 – Apple Valley at Murrieta Valley
Sept. 10 – Upland at Vista Murrieta
Sept. 17 – Murrieta Valley at Norco
Oct. 1 – Vista Murrieta at Chaparral
Oct. 22 – Murrieta Valley at Vista Murrieta
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 