Paloma posts first football win of the season at King

Paloma Valley running back Ajani Mendoza races through a hole in the defense for a gain against King High Friday night, Photo by Jen Hauser

Paloma Valley High's football team took a 10-point lead by halftime, had a huge third quarter and scored a 43-28 victory at King High Friday night for the Wildcats' first win of the season.

The Wildcats (1-2) were forced to move a home game to a road contest after district officials decided the air quality from the Tenaja Fire was too poor to allow a game in Menifee. That didn't bother the Wildcats, who wil return home next Friday to host Knight High of Palmdale.

Led by quarterback Blake Hauser, Paloma Valley broke out of a 7-7 tie with 10 points in the second quarter, then broke the game open with 13 more in the third quarter for a 30-7 lead entering the final period. That quarter was a bit of a shootout, but the Wildcats managed two more scores and the defense held tough for the win.

Elijah Orellana takes the handoff from quarterback Blake Hauser and prepares to head upfield. Photo by Jen Hauser

Linemen Anthony Cisneros (71), Anthony Desirello (70) and Alexis Farias (50) await the snap Friday night Photo by Jen Hauser