Valley Center upsets Ramona for share of Palomar League title

by John Maffei

RAMONA — It was exactly what Ramona High School football coach Damon Baldwin feared the most — a short week of preparation ahead of a game against a quality opponent that had 10 days to prepare.

Playing for a share of the Palomar League championship, a rested Valley Center team upset Ramona, 29-27.

The win gives Valley Center (4-6, 3-1) a share of the league championship with Ramona (5-5, 3-1) and San Pasqual (7-3, 3-1), a winner Thursday night over Escondido.

“I don’t like playing the short week, especially against a good team that is rested,” Baldwin said.

Valley Center quarterback Braylon Mitchell, who completed 17 of 31 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown, said: “We were whole.”

Valley Center opened the scoring with Mitchell hitting Gauge Wright with a 71-yard pass down the sideline on the third play of he game.

Ramona answered with a nine-play, 56-yard drive capped by Timothy Paredes’ 1-yard TD run.

It was all Valley Center after that.

Josisha Tirado finished a nine-play, 80-yard drive with a 6-yard TD run.

Ramona was driving when Max Stehly fell on a Ramona fumble. Five plays later, Tirado scored from 4 yards out.

Brandon Revelas recovered another Ramona fumble, killing a promising drive, but the Jaguars couldn’t capitalize.

With 2:12 to play in the half, Valley Center took possession on its 42, driving to the Ramona 7 with seven seconds to play. Bryan Penaloza booted a 24-yard field goal, giving the Jaguars a 22-7 lead at the break.

“Once we hit ’em with the big one, it loosened things up,” Mitchell said. “They started dropping guys off and it opened up the short passing game and running lanes.”

Joesiha Tirado rushed for a career high 143 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

“This is awesome,” said Valley Center coach Bill Dunckel. “The kids played their hearts out. It has really been two seasons for us. The first one was crappy. This one, going through league play, has been good. We are only getting better.”

Ramona scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the margin to 22-20, but a 2-point PAT try failed.

Valley Center then used 12 plays and chewed up 6 1/2 minutes in scoring on a 3-yard Tirado run.

Ramona answered with a 78-yard drive, scoring with 1:30 to play.

But the onside kick attempt was recovered by Valley Center’s Lucas Helferick.

“We haven’t turned the ball over much all season, but we lose two fumbles tonight,” Baldwin said. “And we had some calls go against us. But that’s football. Hopefully we learn, get our act together and make a run in the playoffs.”

Playoff pairings will be announced Sunday.

Tirado was the game’s leading rusher with 143 yards while Mitchell threw for 267. Jesse Morales had six receptions for 89 yards.’

Ramona’s Paredes rushed 17 times for 105 yards. Shaw completed 17 of 19 passes for 210 yards.