Young Vista del Lago Ravens Earn 21–14 Season-Opening Win Over Poly

Friday night in Moreno Valley marked the beginning of a new era for the Vista del Lago Ravens, and though the roster is young, the team showed poise beyond its years in a gritty 21–14 victory over the Riverside Poly Bears. Quarterback Josiah DuPree Boyd wasted no time stamping his presence on the game, guiding the offense with composure and confidence. His connection with Jae’lynn Brown became the heartbeat of the night, and while Brown didn’t reach the end zone on every catch, each time Boyd found him, the stands erupted. The Ravens’ youth was no weakness — it was fuel. With players stepping into bigger roles, the team displayed flashes of its high ceiling and the type of talent that has the city buzzing. Poly tested them all game, leaning on experience and size to keep the contest tight, but Vista del Lago had answers in every phase. Boyd’s leadership kept the offense steady, while the defense came alive when it mattered most. Anchored by Jiraya Holt, the defensive unit delivered the stops that sealed the game, including a pivotal second-half interception that swung momentum back in the Ravens’ favor. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be. For a first game, the Ravens proved they belong on the big stage.

Much of the story centered on how Boyd and Brown electrified the night. Every completion between the two felt like a highlight, with fans rising to their feet and the Ravens’ sideline surging with energy. Boyd’s calm in the pocket allowed him to spread the ball around, but Brown’s ability to create separation turned critical downs into momentum-builders. “Every time Josiah put it in my hands, I just wanted to make something happen for this team,” Brown said afterward. On the other side of the ball, Jiraya Holt embodied toughness. His tackles for loss stifled Poly’s running game, and his awareness in coverage disrupted drives that seemed destined to score. Holt’s interception in the second half was the turning point — a moment where a young defense proved it could handle pressure. Around him, defenders filled their roles, gang-tackled, and stayed disciplined. It wasn’t one star; it was a unit rising together. For a team still learning to play as one, Vista del Lago looked seasoned when it mattered.

After the game, Boyd credited preparation more than individual effort. “We leaned into the game plan from the week,” he said. “Coach gave us what we needed, and everybody bought in.” Those words underscored what made the difference: a group of young players trusting the system and each other. Brown added that the energy from the crowd fueled them, calling it “a moment you never forget in high school football.” Holt, for his part, deflected praise for his interception and praised his teammates, saying the defense “just showed up together when it was time.”

The Ravens are far from finished products, but their first impression was undeniable. Beating Poly, a respected program, in a tight contest gave Vista del Lago credibility and confidence. The offense showed explosiveness, the defense showed grit, and the team showed it can rise when challenged. As they prepare for Week 2, the Ravens carry both the excitement of youth and the promise of growth. One game into the season, Vista del Lago already looks like a team ready to build something special.