Rancho Verde Football

The Mustangs may be 1–2, but a rugged defense, physical run game and veteran leadership show Rancho Verde is much closer than the record suggests.

Rancho Verde opens the season with a punishing ground game, aggressive defense and a strong first start from senior quarterback Aaron Bowser.

From explosive offenses to punishing defenses, Moreno Valley’s city school football opened the 2026 season with a perfect weekend — and now it is time for the entire city to get behind its teams.

Rancho Verde's scrimmage at Canyon Springs delivered valuable road repetitions, physical competition and a clear teaching plan before the season opener.

Rancho Verde begins the 2026 season at home Thursday night against Redlands East Valley with physicality, field position and composure in focus.

Canyon Springs used its home scrimmage against Rancho Verde to evaluate depth, communication and execution before the Cougars' Week 0 road opener.

Moreno Valley enters 2026 with more than one headline program. Valley View is the defending CIF-SS Division 11 champion. Moreno Valley High has stacked winning seasons. Canyon Springs has 17 wins in two years. Rancho Verde has a championship builder with city roots. Vista del Lago is drawing national attention while developing talent at home. Coaching, football IQ and athletic ability are spread across the city — and that should make this season special.

Eric Zomalt’s return to Rancho Verde carries more weight than a coaching change. He is a Moreno Valley product who played at Canyon Springs, starred at Cal, reached the NFL, won championships as a head coach and chose to pour that experience back into young people in the city that helped shape him. Now leading Rancho Verde, Zomalt brings credibility, championship standards and a deeply local connection to a Mustang program looking to rise again.

Moreno Valley Falcons By Valley Life 247Sports Staff Championship teams are built with plays.Championship cultures are built with people. This season, the heart behind one of the city’s most respected youth programs was Coach Chris — named 13U Coach of the Year for his leadership with the Moreno Valley Falcons. Currently a coach at Rancho Verde High School, Coach Chris has become a powerful voice in youth sports across the city. His impact stretches far beyond wins and losses