REV eyes title after tie with Beaumont

BEAUMONT – A funny thing happened on Thursday night when the final seconds elapsed in Redlands East Valley High’s 1-1 boys’ soccer tie with Beaumont.

The REV side burst into cheers and players and coaches hugged while the Wildcat fans rejoiced.

Beaumont could only stare in frustration.

The reason was REV (12-3-4 overall, 7-1-1 league) and Beaumont (10-3-4, 7-1-1) came into the game with the same Citrus Belt League record, with one caveat: REV held the tie-breaker advantage over Beaumont because it beat the Cougars 4-1 earlier in the season.

Now all it will take for REV to clinch the title is a victory Tuesday against host Citrus Valley.

“A tie today was good for us,” Urbano said. “I wish my boys would have finished (with a victory). We made it a little more tense than it had to be because we had many opportunities early in the second half that we didn’t put away. But it was just a championship battle. They wanted it and we wanted it.”

REV’s only league loss was a 3-1 decision to Cajon on Jan. 13.

REV scored against Beaumont in the 11^th minute on a shot from in front of the goal by sophomore striker Jayden Perkins, a transfer from Wisconsin.

“I was on top of the box and beat my defender,” Perkins said. “I was hyped when the ball went in. Everybody else was hyped too. CBL title – my first year at the school. I’m glad I could contribute.”

REV will still have to defeat host Citrus Valley (6-12-2, 2-7) on Tuesday to claim the title. The Wildcats defeated the Blackhawks 2-0 on Jan. 16.   

Perkins said his parents Heather and Anthony recently got jobs at the Yaamava Casino in Highland, prompting their move to California. He could not play for the first half of the season because of the CIF-Southern Section sit-out period rule but he is making his presence felt now.

“As soon as he came in, he’s been really good for us,” Urbano said. “He’s been scoring goals and assisting and bringing that energy up top. He’s been a great player for us and a big part of why we’re in the position we’re in right now.”

REV’s first-half joy following Perkins’ goal was short-lived when Beaumont’s Caleb Carver scored from out front in the 18^th minute. Now, Beaumont was just one more goal away from taking control of the CBL race.

Said Urbano: “I thought we had way more opportunities than they did, but they’re very dangerous on set pieces and that’s what we were trying to avoid.”

Urbano complimented the play of Isaiah Harper, Perkins, Landon Garcia, Justin Hernandez, and Cristian Armenta.

Despite the uplifting result against Beaumont, Urbano is wary of Citrus Valley.

“It’s not going to be an easy game because it’s a rivalry game,” Urbano said. “The boys have got to be up for it.”