Chino Hills football team looking to rebuild after major departures

Chino Hills' Bradley Davis (27), right, gets by the diving tackle attempt of Norco's Michael Porter (6), left, during Friday night's game at Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, CA Friday, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Mark Dustin for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Wide receiver Bradley Davis is one of just two returning starters on offense for the Huskies.

The Chino Hills football team is used to challenging for a Baseline League title. This year that goal might be a little difficult.

Not only are Rancho Cucamonga and Upland loaded as usual but the Huskies (6-5, 3-2) graduated the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball. So it will be up to a completely new cast of players.

“The good thing about that is we have a lot of seniors that are really hungry for a chance to play because they sat behind some very good players,.” Coach Chris Stevens says. “They’re going to have their chance now.”

Among those departing are the athletes that made up the offensive and defensive lines that have been the foundation for success the last three years.

Huskies mascot photo.

On offense the only returning starters are junior running back Water Carl III and senior wide receiver Bradley Davis. Carl rushed for  1,391 yards and nine touchdowns last year as a sophomore, earning Inland Valley Newcomer of the Year accolades.

Davis caught 25 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns.

Stevens had hoped to have senior running back Sean O’Donnell back in the fold but a knee injury he sustained the first game of last season has yet to heal completely and his status is till up in the air.

There are two newcomers fighting for the quarterback spot -senior  James Linn, a transfer from Ayala, and junior Braydon Fawcett, a transfer from JW North.

Among those looking for time at wide receiver are seniors Anthony Cole and Curtis Smith and  junior Gio Isles.

Returning starters on defense are linebackers Frankie Flores, Mickey Rosales and Justin Barcenas – all seniors.

Other key contributors will be senior inside linebacker Jake Michael and senior nose guard Matt Fonomoiana.

“We’re definitely the underdog this year and that;’s OK,” Stevens said. “We have a lot of players that are unproven so far but we think we can surprise some people.”

CHINO HILLS SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – Ayala
Sept 1 – Diamond Ranch
Sept. 8 – At Newport Harbor
Sept. 15 – At Elsinore
Sept. 29 – At Norco
Oct. 6 – At Damien
Oct. 13- Etiwanda
Oct. 20 – At Upland
Oct. 27 – Los Osos
Nov. 3- at Rancho Cucamona

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