HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Norco Defends Title by Routing Temecula

Norco won its second consecutive Southern Section Division V football championship by defeating previously unbeaten Temecula Valley, 42-0, Friday night at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Norco finished the season 14-0 and recorded its 28th consecutive victory.

Temecula Valley (13-1) made its first Division V championship appearance after winning Division VIII titles in 1990 and 1991.

Leading in the second quarter, 7-0, the Cougars scored three touchdowns in three minutes to take a 28-0 halftime lead. Norco quarterback Steve Campbell, son of Coach Gary Campbell, completed nine of 12 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

Gary Campbell removed the starting offense early in the fourth quarter with the Cougars leading, 42-0.

The coach embraced his son as the younger Campbell came off the field for the last time as a high school player.

“That was an awesome feeling,” Gary Campbell said. “It’s going to be weird not to see Steve on the sideline next year.”

Cougar running back Shane Gentis, last season’s Division V player of the year, rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown and caught four passes for 139 yards and another score.

“When we had to throw, we did, and when we had to run we did,” Gary Campbell said. “This is our best team ever.”

The Norco defense recorded its seventh shutout of the season, and limited the Bears to 81 total yards.

During the season, Norco outscored its opponents, 538-48.