Uhl hooks up with six receivers while throwing for 224 yards and two TDs
MURRIETA — Having a plethora of offensive weapons not only opens a team’s playbook, it also keeps the defensive guessing which player will touch the ball next. Murrieta Mesa’s offense continued to roll for a second straight week Friday night, defeating a tough Hemet High team, 38-23. The Rams’ offense gained 408 yards as sophomore quarterback Peyton Uhl completed 24 of 36 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Uhl hooked up with six different receivers on the night, led by senior Davian Neitz, who hauled in seven catches for 71 yards and one TD. Hemet (1-1) turned the ball over five times on the night, and Murrieta Mesa (2-0) took full advantage, scoring 14 points off of the miscues. Hemet also failed on a fake punt attempt in the second quarter, and four plays later, the Rams added a score to go up 21-7. Bulldogs senior quarterback Justice Judge completed10 of18 passes for168 yards and three touchdowns, but was intercepted twice in the second half. Murrieta Mesa’s offense was so thorough, it moved the ball into Bulldogs territory 11 times on the night, including all six possessions in the first half. The Rams took a 24-13 lead into the break behind a 10-yard TD run by Daniel Castro, a 1-yard run by Chandler Woodward, a 19-yard pass from Uhl to Neitz, and a school record 49-yard field goal by Mateo Thompson. Hemet cut Murrieta Mesa’s lead to 24-20 on a Judge to Andrew Vega 14-yard pass on the Bulldogs’ first drive of the second half. With a chance to take the lead after forcing the Rams to punt, the Bulldogs, however, fumbled on their first play. On the next play, Uhl hit Austen Salcedo for a 29-yard score to put the Rams up, 31-20. Castro led the Rams on the ground, gaining110 yards on 10 carries. Bulldog senior receiver Boyd Beach led Hemet as he had three catches for 103 yards, including a 62-yard TD in the second quarter.