Boehm Leads Paloma to Wild Victory at Temecula Valley, 49-34

Paloma Valley quarterback Brent Boehm picks up yardage against Temecula Valley in the Wildcats' win. (Photos by David Stovall)

It turned out to be a bit closer than they wanted, but the Paloma Valley Wildcats had more than enough offense to remain unbeaten at 5-0 with a 49-34 victory at Temecula Valley Friday night.

Quarterback Brent Boehm passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores for the Wildcats, who piled up 450 yards total offense. Junior running back Elliott Smith (below) scored two TDs, including a 9-yard TD in the final moments, helping Paloma put away the victory in a game it lead by just eight points (42-34) with 4:58 remaining.

The host Golden Bears (2-2) stayed in the game at that point when quarterback Kyle Plantier hit Griffin Doran with a 14-yard touchdown pass, followed by a two-point conversion. Paloma Valley responded, however, driving 40 yards in seven plays on the next possession, capped by the TD run by Smith.

Plantier passed for 253 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn't enough for the Golden Bears in this nonleague shootout.

In addition to his 122 yards and two touchdowns rushing, Boehm threw two TD passes to Michael Valencia (27, 38 yards) and one to RJ Benz (11 yards) in the first half for the Wildcats.

Defensive back Felix Bogroff had a game game for Paloma Valley as well, leading the way with 11 tackles.

Touchdown passes by Boehm to Valencia and Benz and PAT kicks gave Paloma Valley a 14-0 lead in the early going, but Temecula Valley fought back. Plantier responded with two touchdown passes to Kumar Kilambi, but two-point conversion attempts failed following both scores, leaving the Wildcats with a 14-12 lead.

Fred Lundy made sure Paloma Valley kept the lead for good on the ensuing kickoff, however. He returned the kick 92 yards for a score, giving the Wildcats a 21-12 lead after the PAT.

After a bye week next week, Paloma Valley opens Sunbelt League play at home Oct. 11 against Elsinore High.

A crowd of Paloma Valley defenders wrap up Temecula Valley running back Garrison Flores.