Upland-Rancho football CIF title game: December 2008 Archives

Upland - 14 first downs, 260 total yards, 5 turnovers

Josh Nunes - 12 of 33 passing, 141 yards, 4 INTs
Davion Fleming - 18 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
Osahon Irabor - 3 catches, 50 yards

Rancho Cucamonga - 10 first downs, 254 total yards, 1 turnover

Greg Watson - 12 of 17 passing, 142 yards, 1 TD; 8 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD
Charles Saseun - 2 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Randal Telfer - 4 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD

Jereme Schumacher intercepted Josh Nunes at the goal line for the 4th interception of the game for the Cougars, clinching a 21-7 victory. Rancho Cucamonga finished 13-0-1, its first undefeated season in school history, and wins its first CIF title since 1999. Upland finishes 11-3.

The Highlanders still are struggling to get anything going, having to punt in a fourth-and-long situation from their own 40. They pinned Rancho inside its 10, but with 6:54 left and the Cougars up 21-7, time is running out on the Highlanders as they take over at the Cougars' 45 after a short Rancho punt.

Greg Watson hit Randal Telfer on a fade route for a 9-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter, putting the Cougars up 21-7 with 11:55 remaining in the game.

Rancho still up 14-7, facing a third-and-goal from the Upland 9. Oh yeah, they are counting the 50/50 money behind me. If I'm lucky and can finagle some cash, drinks are on me tonight. I'll keep you posted.

Upland fumbled on a dive play at its own 23, which sophomore linebacker Kiki Kauvaka recovered, giving the Cougars prime field position in an attempt to grab a two-score lead. Just over a minute left in the third now.

After a couple of first downs, the Highlanders were forced to punt, a punt that was partially blocked by junior defensive back Chayz Holt. Rancho now has the ball near midfield, up 14-7 with 7:30 left in the third.

Rancho Cucamonga junior defensive tackle River Harris apparently also plays the trumpet as well as playing football. Harris, a 6-foot, 220-pounder, was in full uniform (except the helmet of course) marching and playing that trumpet with the rest of the Cougar band at halftime.

Also, Berwick's injury is a lower leg break, likely the fibia or tibia. Apparently Berwick is trying to tough it out and watch the rest of the game prior to going to the hospital.

Second half is about to start. Upland to receive.

This is what I got from the people actually keeping track of this stuff:

Upland - 6 first downs, 139 total yards

Josh Nunes - 7 for 17, 63 yards, 2 INTs
Davion Fleming - 8 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TDs
Gianni Olivas - 2 catches, 20 yards

Rancho Cucamonga - 7 first downs, 168 total yards

Greg Watson - 6 of 9, 74 yards; 4 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD
Charles Saseun - 2 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Irshad Stolden - 2 catches, 42 yards

Also, junior center Gary Berwick apparently broke his leg in the second quarter, which obviously puts him out of commission for the rest of the game. Rancho has already had a couple of high center snaps in his absence, so its something that bears watching in the second half.

After a crazy first period, the second period was scoreless, leaving the Cougars with a 14-7 lead. I'll get some stats from Lou Brewster and post them in a bit.

This game may be at Chaffey College, but there was no mistaking the loyalties of the PA guy. After Josh Nunes overthrew a receiver on 3rd-and-10 from the Rancho 37 on a miscommunication, the Rancho PA guy made a crack that Nunes' incomplete pass was intended for former coach Chris McEwen, who is apparently among the throng on the Cougar sideline.

4:30 left in the 2nd, still 14-7. Matt Calkins and John Murphy are drinking Diet Dr. Pepper out of a commemorative Indiana Jones cans. Awesome.

After throwing his second interception of the night, a pass that Daniel Fonua bobbled before catching it at the Upland 45, Josh Nunes was Johnny on the spot, picking up Fonua's fumble at the end of the return and advancing it 14 yards to the Upland 47. We'll see if Upland takes advantage of this break with just over 7 minutes left in the second.

Still 14-7 Rancho.

Rancho Cucamonga junior center Gary Berwick just limped off the field with an injury as the first quarter concluded with the Cougars up 14-7. At this rate, my pregame prediction is really going to suck as far as the over/under is concerned. If you are in Vegas, bet high.

Senior running back Davion Fleming gets the Highlanders back in business, breaking a 53-yard run up the middle to the Cougars 4-yard line. He was caught there, but finished it off with a 4-yard TD run off right tackle on the very next play. With Jake Van Ginkel's extra point, Upland is now down 14-7 with 1:23 left in the first.

And in other news, John Murphy's computer finally stopped beeping. The rest of the press box is thankful for that.

After the Rancho score, defensive back Andrew Lew intercepted Josh Nunes at midfield. Greg Watson then found Irshad Stolden on a 44-yard reception to the Upland 3 two plays later. Immediately after that, Watson took the zone read keeper up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown.

3:38 left in the first, Upland needs help after falling behind 14-0.

Just as I sent my last blog, Rancho senior WR Charles Saseun showed why he was second in state in the 100-yard dash. Saseun took at end around to the left side and sped down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown, easily outracing the Upland pursuit. Josh Wolfer's extra point gives Rancho a 7-0 led with 5:31 left in the first.

Upland won the toss and deferred. Rancho Cucamonga got one first down on its opening possession, but Greg Watson got sacked by Tim Helton on a key 3rd and 8, causing the Cougars to punt.

Upland ball, 8:46 left in the first, no score.

I found the faintest possible signal ever here at Chaffey for Upland-Rancho Cucamonga, so we'll try to get this done. In the house are Clay Fowler, Louis Brewster, Matt Calkins and the artist formerly known as the Prep-dog from the P.E. and special guest Lance Pugmire from the L.A. Times.

Weather is nice - temperature in the upper 50s with light wind - and they've already made at least two annoucements for fans to squeeze into the Chaffey bleachers. So it might be better to be watching at home on the ol' blog.

National anthem now.

Starting in an hour or so, I will have a live blog (barring any internet problems) from the Rancho Cucamonga-Upland game at Chaffey College. So if you can't make it out tonight, check out the action on here.