Vista Murrieta by a nose in Southwestern League

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The more I scan the upcoming Southwestern League schedule, the more I’m convinced I should purchase a Fastrack pass.

Vista Murrieta, Murrieta Valley, Temescal Canyon and Chaparral are each playoff-caliber teams that feature playmaking quarterbacks. Kavon Seaton of Vista Murrieta and Jonathan Warzeka of Temescal Canyon are dangerous on the run, Colorado-bound Tyler Hansen of Chaparral might be the best pure drop-back passer in the Inland Empire and junior Lyle Negron of Murrieta Valley has been more than impressive since taking over this season.

Right off the bat is a game that could go a long way toward determining the league champion. Vista Murrieta (5-0) hosts Murrieta Valley (3-2) on Friday and I plan to be there, even if it takes 3 1/2 hours to reach my destination.

The Broncos are ranked No. 13 in our latest poll, but they haven’t played as strong a schedule as Murrieta Valley (3-2). Vista Murrieta’s five opponents are a combined 9-17 so far this season; Murrieta Valley’s opponents are 17-9.

The Nighthawks’ losses came by 11 points to No. 22 Esperanza and by 12 points to previously ranked Corona Santiago, which also defeated Temescal Canyon and lost to Chaparral.

I’ll predict Vista Murrieta drops a league game, most likely at Chaparral on Oct. 26, but still wins the title outright with a 4-1 record. Murrieta Valley, Temescal Canyon and Chaparral each finish with two losses, Great Oak earns an upset along the way and finishes fifth at 2-3 and Temecula Valley brings up the rear at 0-5.

If you’ve got another opinion, let’s read it.

- Dan Arritt

-- Image by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times