Murrieta Mesa Rams: 2019 Division 4 Southern Section football preview
Dual-threat quarterback Jose Ayala IV hopes to have a breakout season for Murrieta. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Rams.
Links: Murrieta team page | 2019 schedule
2018 IN REVIEW
Overall record: 5-6 (2-3 in league, 3rd in the Southwestern League). They lost 24-3 against Santiago in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs.
HEAD COACH
Darrel Turner has been the head coach of Murrieta Mesa since 2016.
TOP PLAYERS
QB Jose Ayala IV, 5-10, 157, Jr.
WR Damian Thompson, 6-5, 185, Sr.
WR Reshawn Burleson, 5-11, 185, Sr.
WR/RB Andrew Morris, 5-7, 145, Sr.
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RB Desmin Jackson, 5-10, 165, Soph.
DE Anthony Moran, 5-11, 190, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
Jose Ayala IV – QB
Ayala split quarterback duties the whole season, and still ended up with 857 passing yards and 591 rushing yards. Those numbers and that experience as a sophomore bode well for what he’ll do in his senior year. While his passing efficiency needs to improve, he could easily be one of the leading rushing QBs in the division.
Damian Thompson – WR
Thompson returns after leading the Rams in receiving yardage last season with 509. He has great size for a wideout at 6-5 and 185 lbs.
Anthony Moran – DT
Perhaps Murrieta Mesa’s top returning defender, Moran made 44 tackles last season (8.5 coming for loss) in only eight games.
OUTLOOK
Murrieta Mesa is seeking another playoff appearance this season after dropping down to Division 4. While they will likely struggle to replace the losses of many critical seniors on defense, they’re returning enough talent to compete, particularly on offense.