Rancho Verde needs to regroup in a hurry

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Rancho Verde won’t have time to dwell on its 18-14 loss Monday night to Moreno Valley in an Inland Valley League game. The Mustangs hit the road for their toughest opponent to date this season, a nonleague game Friday night at Norco, ranked No. 17 in the Southland by The Times.

After a little prodding, a few of my colleages finally joined me in listing Rancho Verde in their top 25 two weeks ago, helping the Mustangs debut at No. 25. They then moved up one spot last week before their upset loss to Moreno Valley. I’ll take a little bacon with that egg on my face.

Rancho Verde Coach Pete Duffy said Wednesday morning that the Mustangs entered the game overconfident, then struggled to execute. The game was twice rescheduled because of wildfires in the area, but Duffy wasn’t sure if that was a factor.

‘If we do what we normally do, we win that game,’ he said.

He pointed to a nine-minute possession by Moreno Valley in the third quarter that was kept afloat by three Rancho Verde penalties. The Vikings scored a touchdown on the drive to cut the deficit to 14-12, then added the go-ahead touchdown with eight minutes left in the game. Rancho Verde’s final drive ended inside the Moreno Valley 20-yard line, causing a massive celebration.

‘They celebrated like they won the Super Bowl,’ Duffy said.

I guarantee the Mustangs won’t underestimate Moreno Valley next season.

-- Dan Arritt