Donte DJ Todd delivers on both sides of the ball, including the game-sealing interception, as Canyon Springs beats Patriot 25-21 and moves to 2-1.

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.

Veteran Canyon Springs squad travels to Long Beach and delivers a season-opening victory as Coach Kyle McFadden’s Cougars begin the year 1-0.

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

The Cougars open the 2026 season on the road at St. Anthony, where communication, disciplined tackling and offensive rhythm will be central to Week 0.

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.

Kyle McFadden was introduced as Canyon Springs’ new head football coach in 2021. The early years demanded patience, but the breakthrough has been real: after three straight 4-6 seasons, the Cougars surged to 9-3 in 2024 and followed with an 8-2 season in 2025. That is 17 wins over two years. Now entering 2026, Canyon Springs looks like a program that has moved from rebuilding to expecting to win.

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.

**500-Character Summary – By Valley Life 247Sports** When the lights come on at Canyon Springs High School, the energy shifts — and the heartbeat of the stadium is Canyon Springs Cheer. More than sideline performers, they create the atmosphere, ignite the crowd, and fuel belief when momentum wavers. Built on unity, discipline, and pride, this squad turns Friday nights into events. Football is the show — cheer is the experience. Canyon Springs Cheer doesn’t just bring noise;