All-Star Classic: Two Elite LEUSD Players Help Stuff The Opposition

Elite top-ranked football players from across 27 Riverside County high schools -- including two players from the Lake Elsinore Unified School District -- shut out their rivals Saturday night during the 27th annual Inland Empire All-Star Classic.

With Elsinore High School’s Nolan Peralta and Temescal Canyon High School’s Tevita Hala in the ranks, the Riverside County team stuffed San Bernardino County, 31-0, at Corona High School Stadium.

On Saturday's win Peralta said, “I would first like to give all the glory to God for all that I have accomplished and for blessing me with the ability to play the sport I love at a high level.

“To hold them to no points at all and then put up 31 ourselves I think is a real statement for us,” he continued.

During regular season and post season play this season, Peralta supported the Tigers as a linebacker and a tight end. On the defensive side, he led the Sunbelt League with 12.1 tackles per game. Playing offense, he hauled in 11 receptions for the year -- three for touchdowns -- including a 63-yard jaunt against Perris High School on Oct. 28.

For his overall efforts this season, Peralta was awarded player-of-the-year honors by the Sunbelt League. In October, he was also selected by the LEUSD as a Student of the Month. During his junior year, Peralta was the CIF-Southern Section (Eastern Division) defensive player of the year. This year's CIF awards have yet to be announced.

Equally impressive this season was the Titans Hala, who was ecstatic Saturday night.

“It was amazing. It was a good game,” he said in the locker room following the game. “Those guys came out hard and played, but unfortunately [for them] we came out harder and whooped on them.”

Hala played a key role for his Temescal Canyon Titans offense and defense this past season. He is credited with 6.6 tackles per game as a defensive lineman and had some outstanding rushing plays on offense, averaging 4.5 yards per carry on 97 attempts and had two touchdowns for the season.

During a Sept. 23 game against the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks, Hala had 15 tackles. 

He was recently awarded a spot on the First Team Defense for the Sunbelt League, the only Titan to achieve that honor this school year.

Peralta’s success on the field has come under the leadership of his father, Tony Peralta, head coach for Tigers football, who was at Saturday's game.

“I’m glad that he was able to play to play both sides of the ball and get a lot of playing time,” Coach Peralta said after Saturday’s win.

His son thanked his father and said he gives credit to “the entire coaching staff at Elsinore high school . . . and my parents for pushing me to be the best athlete and man that I can be.” 

Hala and Peralta, both seniors, have not decided where they will attend college. Peralta said he is looking at San Jose State, Fresno State, Colorado State, UC Davis, Harvard, University of San Diego, and Holy Cross.

Peralta said he would like to get his college degree and then teach and coach high school football, following in his father’s footsteps.