RHS-REV soccer wars begin a little earlier than planned...
Coincidence or not. The Redlands and Redlands East Valley boys and girls' soccer teams will meet Friday in the San Gorgonio Winter Classic Tournament.
With the teams scheduled to play their first Citrus Belt League matches on Jan. 16, fate has taken over.
In the championship game of the 20-team boys' tournament, the Terriers and Wildcats will meet in Friday's 1 p.m. title game at the San Bernardino Soccer Complex.
RHS took a 2-1 victory over Cajon in one semifinal, while the Wildcats managed a 3-0 victory over Temecula Valley.
On the girls' side, RHS and REV will meet for third place in the 24-team field.
The Terriers played to a 1-1 tie with defending CIF champion Temcula Valley, but lost 4-2 on penalty kicks.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats allowed three first-half goals in a 3-0 loss to Serrano.
ACA dropped a 2-1 decision to King High School and took eighth place overall in the tournament.
In a morning quarterfinal match, the Terriers and Eagles played to a 1-1 tie that was decided on PKs. RHS prevailed in a wild 7-6 shootout victory.