DON'T THINK. IT CAN ONLY HURT THE BALLCLUB

Down to 14 healthy players, the La Verne Lutheran football team has elected to forfeit the remainder of its games this season.

In their first year as an 11-man football team, the Trojans simply couldn't withstand the ambitious schedule arranged by former coach Bobby Godinez, who quit late enough in the school year that Rob Castaneda was hired a little more than three months ago.

A roster consisting of four players in June increased to 23 in time for the season opener but by the time La Verne Lutheran lost its third game in as many tries 88-0 to Webb Sept. 19, seven players were lost to injury, one to disciplinary issues and one to Arizona.

"We just couldn't continue with our schedule because we would have gotten pummeled," Castaneda said. "Our only healthy players left were underclassmen and it wasn't fair to them and it wasn't fair to the teams we'd be playing. The whole school is disappointed but these things just weren't foreseeable."

La Verne Lutheran, which has scheduled games with four junior varsity teams the rest of the season, will not return to eight-man football. Rather, Castaneda is already planning for next season.

"This school has turned the corner and paid the dues to play 11-man football,"
Castaneda said. "Right now, we're probably about where we would have been at the start of the school year if I had been hired before June. And we think, now that we've gone to 11-man, those three to five kids we lose every year because we were eight-man, they're going to stay."

La Verne Lutheran, a school of 152 students, roughly 50 percent of which are male, will ease its schedule next season. Ideally, the Trojans will target schools with an enrollments of less than 500 as opposed to its season opener with Ontario, a school of more than 2,800.

Though the Trojans nearly defeated Ontario in a 28-21 decision on Sept. 5, the game cost the team dearly on the injury front. Three players sustained injuries that would shelve them for several weeks but that wasn't the worst of it. A starting tackle required an ambulance for a shooting pain in his neck and accompanying headaches, an injury diagnosed at the hospital as a neck stinger.

"We just didn't have the depth to handle many injuries," Castaneda said. "It wasn't just numbers, we'd have a starter who was an eight, nine or 10 type player but his backup was young and probably a two or three."

Castaneda finally drew the line when 14-year-old freshman were subjected to a 88-0 loss to Webb on Sept. 19 prior to the Trojans bye last week.

"They were going for two in the fourth quarter," Castaneda said. "I've never seen anything like that, never been a part of something like that. I wasn't going to let my kids go through that kind of stuff."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Eisenhower High School's own Victor Butler, a Dallas Cowboy by way of Oregon State, made a case to become a regular in pass-rushing situations with his Monday night performance.

The results of the rookie fourth-round pick's five snaps in Dallas' 21-7 win over Carolina last night: 2 sacks, 1 game-clinching forced fumble.

Think that's enough to earn some more playing time?

"I think so, yeah," Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips told the Dallas Morning News. "It's the number of plays those guys [Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware] are playing, but again, like I say, when you have 30-something passes or 40 passes a game, you really need somebody to come in and help some. He did an outstanding job."

The situation at strong side linebacker is shaping up nicely for Butler with the longtime occupant of that position, Greg Ellis, departed for Oakland. Starter Anthony Spencer, a former first-round pick, is a formidable run stuffer but hasn't shown the ability to rush the passer with any consistency. Butler, whose 12 sacks last season ranked second in the Pac-10, couldn't ask for a much better situation to sneak in the rotation as a pass-rushing specialist. He does, after all, have two thirds of the Cowboys' sacks this season.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"We haven't been down 14 points in a year and a half. You can't find out how your team is going to respond to a situation like that until they're in it."

- Rancho Cucamonga head football coach Nick Baiz after his team's 35-25 win over defending CIF champion and CIF-SS Southeastern Division No. 1 Charter Oak on Friday. Rancho Cucamonga, the defending CIF-SS Central Division champ, erased a 14-0 deficit by scoring 28 of the next 31 points.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• I think Rancho Cucamonga High School's Greg Watson inspired me to believe he could play quarterback in college more last year than he is this year. The primary reason for that doesn't have much to do with Watson himself. Rancho Cucamonga is truly a running team this season; plus the Cougars graduated their two track-star receivers (No, seriously... Charles Saseun is at Cal on a track scholarship and Irshad Stoden is playing football at UNLV), in the process losing much of the opportunity to utilize Watson's most obvious passing strength, the deep ball. The reigning CIF-SS Central Division MVP hasn't had enough opportunity to find a passing rhythm, averaging five less attempts per game this season than he did last year. He is throwing for less than 150 yards per game whereas he averaged 189 last season. The good news is Watson's team appears it will have him on a big stage again this year but if he is to secure a Division I scholarship to play quarterback (in a quality program) some things are going to have to change.
• I think Kaiser cemented the fact it has successfully made the transition from legendary coach Dick Bruich to his longtime defensive coordinator Phil Zelaya with a 20-0 win over Cajon on Friday. The Cats' defense may not have produced a more impressive performance under Bruich than holding a Cajon team, then-ranked No. 2 in the Central Division, 50 points below its average. Yes, Cajon was averaging 50 points. Granted, Kaiser appears to have as much talent this season than it has had in recent memory (USC-bound RB Anthony Brown, touted LB Josh Shirley, etc.), but its hard to say Zelaya isn't maximizing it. It doesn't get any easier for Kaiser, who has Colony and Colton next on the docket before delving into an improved Sunkist League.
• I think I'm more than a little surprised Pomona is ranked No. 3 in the CIF-SS Mid-Valley Division. I realize the Red Devils are 3-0 but I think Pomona coach John Brown would agree that doesn't tell the entire story. Brown, in fact, was nothing less than disgusted with his team after a sloppy 14-0 victory over Alhambra Keppel on Thursday. Pomona's three opponents thus far have ratings on calpreps.com of -6.4, -13.2 and -24.2. Pomona's rating is 3.9 while the top-rated team in the Valle Vista League, San Dimas, is 16.6. Of course, San Dimas was voted into the No. 4 spot in the Mid-Valley Division behind you know who. The good news for Pomona is five of their final seven opponents have negative ratings on calpreps.com, including three Valle Vista League teams.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (4-0) Last week: 1
2. Upland (4-0) Last week: 3
3. Wildomar Elsinore (4-0) Last week: 4
4. Colton (2-1) Last week: 5
5. Colony (3-1) Last week: 6
6. Chino Hills (3-1) Last week: 7
7. Cajon (3-1) Last week: 2
8. Etiwanda (2-1) Last week: 8
9. Ayala (3-1) Last week: 10
10. Arroyo Valley (3-0) Last week: NR
Dropped out: No. 9 Glendora (1-2).
Others receiving votes: Claremont (2-1), Glendora (1-2).

Click the link for other CIF-SS polls...

INLAND DIVISION
1. Redlands East Valley
2. Chaparral
3. Corona Centennial
4. Vista Murrieta
5. Norco
6. Rancho Verde
7. Riverside North
8. Riverside Arlington
9. Corona Roosevelt
10. Redlands

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Rowland
2. Walnut
3. Bell Gardens
4. Charter Oak
5. Crescenta Valley
6. South Hills
7. El Rancho
8. Burbank
9. Santa Fe
10. Diamond Ranch

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Citrus Hill
2. Kaiser
3. San Jacinto
4. Rim of the World
5. Palm Springs
6. Barstow
7. Palm Desert
8. Serrano
9. Victor Valley
10. La Quinta

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Monrovia
2. San Marino
3. Pomona
4. San Dimas
5. Azusa
6. Paraclete
7. Mission Valley Arroyo
8. Baldwin Park
9. Bassett
10. Rosemead

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. St. Margaret's
2. Santa Paula
3. Kern Valley
4. Aquinas
5. Campbell Hall
6. Sierra Canyon
7. Frazier Mountain
8. Brentwood
9. Villanova Prep
10. Sage Hill

Posted by Clay Fowler at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Kaiser High School junior safety intercepted three passes in the second half of the Cats' 20-0 win on Friday over Cajon, then the No. 2 team in the CIF-SS Central DIvision. Awolesi contributed to a defensive effort that limited a Cajon team averaging 50 points per game to 125 total yards.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There were copious game-changing plays during Rancho Cucamonga's 35-25 victory over Covina Charter Oak on Friday in a battle of defending CIF champions. Here are the five most important in descending order:

1.
Chayz Holt's field goal block and Sateki Finau's ensuing game-tying 68-yard return for a touchdown as time expired on the first half was the game's most pivotal moment.

While there were still two quarters to play, Rancho Cucamonga had been thoroughly outplayed to that point and faced a potential 17-7 halftime deficit had Charter Oak kicker Robert Poage, who demonstrated he had the leg for the 46-yard boot, made the attempt with 5 seconds left in the second quarter.

Instead, Finau corralled the ball off a high bounce and made a key cut inside of the few Charter Oak players between him in the end zone, allowing a wall of Rancho Cucamonga blockers to escort him to the touchdown that made the score 14-14.

Judging by each team's performance in the third quarter, that play likely did as much to inflate the Cougars as it did to deflate Charter Oak.

"It was a 10-point swing," Rancho Cucamonga coach Nick Baiz said. "More important than anything, it got our guys believing again."

2.
Randall Telfer's 62-yard gain on a shovel pass late in the second quarter set up Rancho Cucamonga's first touchdown and sparked an offense that had gained 46 yards prior to the 80-yard touchdown drive.

The Cougars' lowest point of the game occurred two plays before the 6-foot-4, 230-pound USC-bound Telfer shook off tacklers all the way to the Charter Oak 2-yard line when all-everything quarterback Greg Watson's fumble deep in Cougar territory was recovered in the end zone for a Charter Oak touchdown and 14-0 lead with 3:48 left in the first half.

To that point, the Rancho Cucamonga offense had an interception (that, coincidentally, slipped through Telfer's hands), Watson's fumble, a turnover on downs and a punt. Telfer's play ignited an offense that would gain 292 of its 338 total yards during the game's last 28 minutes.

"We needed a spark," Baiz said. "And we know he's a big part of our offense and we needed to get him the ball."

3.
The first of Finau's game-changing plays - the senior scored a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and the touchdown on the blocked field goal - was an interception that prevented what could have been a 14-0 hole for Rancho Cucamonga less than five minutes into the game.

After Charter Oak's 68-yard touchdown pass one minute into the game, Finau jumped a seam route that looked identical to the touchdown play, making the interception of Charter Oak quarterback Travis Santiago at the Rancho Cucamonga 11-yard line. Just four plays earlier, Charter Oak intercepted Watson's first pass of the game to set it up on the Cougars' 14-yard line already with a 7-0 lead.

"That stopped the bleeding," Baiz said. "That was just two good teams taking each other's punches."

4.
The second and final interception of Santiago came courtesy of Rancho Cucamonga senior Justen Jones, who was in coverage on Charter Oak's 68-yard touchdown pass one minute into the game.

With the Cougars trying to assume total control of the momentum, Jones cut in front of a curl route with 1:30 left in the third quarter after Rancho Cucamonga sandwiched a Charter Oak field goal with touchdowns to take a 28-17 lead. Jones also recovered a fumble on a botched hook-and-ladder exchange on Charter Oak's final possession of the game.

"He was adamant," Baiz said, "about making up for getting beat in coverage on that first touchdown."

5.
Following Jones' interception, Rancho Cucamonga officially assumed command with a 10-play 48-yard touchdown drive during which the key play was Donovan Harden's 15-yard reception on third-and-11.

The senior receiver hauled in his sixth catch of the year and only reception of the game on perfectly timed curl route that was the Cougars' first third-down conversion of the night. The second of their three third-down conversions came six plays later when James Zamarripa's 5-yard touchdown reception gave Rancho Cucamonga a 35-17 lead with 9:12 left in the game.

"We have so many weapons that Donovan and James aren't in the spotlight," Baiz said. "But they make big plays every week."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (4-0)
Previous ranking: 1. Last week: def. Charter Oak 25-35. Next: Oct. 9 at Temecula Valley (0-3).

2. Upland (4-0)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: def. Eastside 44-0. Next:
at Bloomington (2-1).
3. Ayala (3-1)

Previous ranking: 3. Last week: def. Los Altos 28-12. Next: at South El Monte (0-4).
4. Colony (3-1)

Previous ranking: 4. Last week: def. Alta Loma 30-10. Next: at No. 6 Kaiser (2-1).
5. Chino Hills (3-1)

Previous ranking: 5. Last week: def. Diamond Ranch 17-14. Next: vs. San G (1-2).
6. Kaiser (2-1)

Previous ranking: 7. Last week: def. Cajon, 20-0. Next: vs. No. 4 Colony (3-1).
7. Etiwanda (2-1)

Previous ranking: 6. Last week: idle. Next: Friday vs. Chino (0-3)

8. San Dimas (3-1)

Previous ranking: 8. Last week: lost to Monrovia, 36-17. Next: Oct. 9 vs. Bonita (1-3).
9. Los Osos (1-3)
Previous ranking: 10. Last week: lost to Vista Murrieta, 17-14 (OT). Next: Oct. 9 vs. Valencia West Ranch (3-1).
10. Diamond Ranch (1-3)

Previous ranking: 9. Last week: lost to Chino Hills, 17-14. Next: vs. Glendora (1-2).
Dropped out: none
Just missed the cut: Chaffey (2-2), Pomona (3-0), Damien (1-3), Claremont (2-1).

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, Sept. 25
Arroyo Valley 32, Eisenhower 14
Ayala 28, Hacienda Heights Los Altos 12
Bishop Amat 29, Damien 20
Bointa 9, Baldwin Park 3
Brea Olinda 20, Diamond Bar 12
Chaffey 34, La Puente Nogales 7
Chino Hills 17, Diamond Ranch 14
Claremont 42, El Monte Arroyo 21
Colony 30, Alta Loma 10
Colton 21, Palm Springs 12
Corona Roosevelt 51, Bloomington 0
Don Lugo 21, Oak Park 0
Fontana 23, San Bernardino 21
Garey 26, Ganesha 7
Granite Hills 35, Rialto 6
Kaiser 20, Cajon 0
Monrovia 36, San Dimas 17
Montclair 23, City of Industry Workman 22
Rancho Cucamonga 35, Covina Charter Oak 25
Redlands East Valley 20, Orange Lutheran 14
Riverside Rubidoux 20, Jurupa Valley 7
Serrano 35, Palmdale Highland 0
Temecula Linfield Christian 27, Ontario Christian 26
Upland 44, Lancaster Eastside 0
Vista Murrieta 17, Los Osos 14 (OT)
Western Christian 16, Sierra Vista 8
Yucaipa 33, San Gorgonio 24

Thursday, Sept. 24
Corona 34, Chino 3
Pomona 14, Alhambra Keppel 0

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Charter Oak coach Lou Farrar joked that he used to refer to nonleague games as practice games. With the Fox Prime Ticket cameras encircling the field tonight, Farrar allowed "they don't feel like practice games anymore."

When defending CIF champions Rancho Cucamonga (3-0) and Covina Charter Oak (3-0) clash tonight, it could have state-championship implications. Though neither of these teams, who tied 14-14 last season on the way to identical 13-0-1 records, is proclaiming it'll march to consecutive CIF titles, the significance of tonight isn't lost on either side.

"It may be just another nonleague game but it feels more like a CIF championship game," Rancho Cucamonga coach Nick Baiz said. "I don't know if it's because its on TV or its two defending CIF champions, but it feels big."

When Charter Oak has the ball:
The Chargers have not one but two Division-I caliber tailbacks in Adam Muema and Brandon Golden. The Washington State-committed Golden has spent most of his time playing cornerback thus far and, though you couldn't tell by his statistics, Muema has been limited on offense too. In roughly six quarters - Muema sat out the second half of two blowouts - Muema has 385 yards and four touchdowns on 50 carries.

The Rancho Cucamonga defense that held Charter Oak to 14 points last season graduated eight of its starters. Of course, Muema is just one of two offensive starters returning for Charter Oak.

"Our front seven versus their running game is going to be a deciding factor," Baiz said. "They'll try to control the ball and they're pretty big up front. I don't think they want our offense on the field and I know we don't want their offense on the field."

Baiz estimated the Charter Oak offensive line, whose only returning starter is its center, outweighs the Rancho Cucamonga defensive line by an average of 50 pounds a person.

Charter Oak is rotating two quarterbacks who will give the Cougars drastically different looks. Athletic sophomore Travis Santiago is a dual threat while 6-foot-5 junior Josiah Thropay is a pocket passer.

"One looks like Mark Sanchez," Farrar quipped, "and they other looks like Peyton Manning."

When Rancho Cucamonga has the ball:
Both teams are averaging over 35 points per game, but Rancho Cucamonga's offense didn't hit its stride until last week's 49-18 win over Carter. The Cougars, who Baiz professed to be a running team, have lived up to that billing so far. A healthy Michael Boyd, who was banged up all of last season, is averaging 137 rushing yards per game and he may not be one of the Cougars' top two dynamic weapons.

Dual-threat quarterback Greg Watson, the reigning CIF-SS Central Division MVP, is averaging over 200 yards of total offense and 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end Randall Telfer, who is committed to USC, broke out with a 100-yard performance last week.

"With a quarterback who is an outstanding athlete, they're an explosive football team," Farrar said. "And that monster they've got catching passes is pretty formidable too."

The same Charter Oak defense that held Rancho Cucamonga in check last season, including a key interception of Watson on the Cougars' final possession, returns eight starters.

"They're better on defense than they were last year," Baiz said. "And they were good enough to hold us to 14 points then."

Prediction: Rancho Cucamonga 24, Charter Oak 20

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, Sept. 24
Corona 31, Chino 13
Pomona 33, Alhambra Keppel 7

Friday, Sept. 25
Arroyo Valley 27, Eisenhower 17
Ayala 26, Hacienda Heights Los Altos 13
Colony 24, Alta Loma 7
Bonita 24, Baldwin Park 17
Cajon 23, Kaiser 17
Carter 32, Riverside Norte Vista 31
Chaffey 28, La Puente Nogales 10
Chino Hills 24, Diamond Ranch 20
Claremont 27, El Monte Arroyo 21
Diamond Bar 34, Brea Olinda 24
Fontana 16, San Bernardino 14
Ganesha 23, Garey 21
La Puente Bishop Amat 21, Damien 14
Montclair 28, City of Industry Workman 17
Oak Park 17, Don Lugo 13
Rancho Cucamonga 24, Covina Charter Oak 20
San Marcos 31, Ontario 14
San Dimas 23, Monrovia 21
Temecula Linfield Christian 35, Ontario Christian 24
Upland 22, Lancaster Eastside 3
Vista Murrieta 29, Los Osos 17
Western Christian 27, Baldwin Park Sierra Vista 24

Last week: 15-7
Season record: 36-18

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Etiwanda High School receiver Bobby Ratliff verbally committed to Washington State Tuesday night, according to Etiwanda head coach Steve Bryce. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver also had scholarship offers from Fresno State, Nevada and New Mexico.

Oregon and UCLA showed interest, the Bruins going so far as to invite Ratliff for an official visit, but the senior opted for the school that had been pursuing him for more than a calendar year.

"UCLA was one he was really interested in," Bryce said. "But he didn't want to wait after he talked with his dad and myself and we told him these other teams haven't offered you because they've got their 'A' list and their 'B' list and they're waiting to see what's going to happen with their 'A' list."

Bryce first turned Washington State onto Ratliff when it was recruiting former Etiwanda and current Cal receiver Marvin Jones two years ago. WSU has been in heavy persuit since before Ratliff's junior season (45 receptions, 617 yards, 5 TDs) until he broke Jones' single-game school record five days ago with 14 catches for 147 yards.

"He visited (Washington State) two weeks ago," Bryce said. "And it looks like he'll have an opportunity to play there pretty early."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"I was in the first graduating class at Don Lugo. So, how does it feel to break the so-called curse of the MIlk Can? It feels damn good."

- Don Lugo head coach Rick Martin after his Conquistadores ended a 17-year losing streak to crosstown rival Chino with a 35-0 win on Friday in the Milk Can game.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• I think Etiwanda QB Angel Santiago is ready to lead his team to contention for a Baseline League/CIF title (they're comparable accomplishments in the Central Division). Though this is his third year as a starter, I wasn't drinking the Kool-aid until I saw Santiago play Friday in a 37-27 loss to a Norco team anybody in the Central Division would have a tough time with. His numbers the past two seasons have been great but whenever I saw Santiago play, I was less than impressed. This year, not so much. He's got more zip on his passes, he's quicker to make decisions running and throwing and he's a better leader. Norco coach Todd Gerhart readily admitted nobody is going to stop Santiago for four quarters.
• I think Pomona has a realistic shot at the playoffs this season. The Red Devils liked to talk about the playoffs last year but really weren't terribly close to beating any of the three playoff teams in the Valle Vista League - their average margin of defeat to San Dimas, Northview and Covina was 17.7 points. Pomona has more visible talent this season than I can remember in my three years here. San Dimas will probably win the league but last year's champ, Northview, is having a rough season, to put it lightly. Pomona has a fightin' chance with Covina and Baldwin Park for those final two postseason berths.
• I think if Rancho Cucamonga beats Charter Oak in a battle of defending CIF champs, it could have the first real shot at a bowl game since California started the state-championship format. The odds are against Rancho running the table in the Baseline League with Etiwanda improved and Upland and Los Osos still strong. But they did it last year. Now they've got the star power to gain consideration for a bowl game. A win over a Charter Oak team that could win a second straight CIF title coupled with a second consecutive CIF championship for Rancho... there's a long way to go but for the first time the Inland Valley has a chance to land a team in a state championship game.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Claremont High School boys cross country team ascended to the top ranking in CIF-SS Division II this week. It's ranked fourth in the entire state, according to dyestatcal.com. While its CIF ranking hit the ceiling, coach Rob Lander expects the Wolfpack's state ranking to climb after it was the first D2 team across the finish line in a strong field at the Woodbridge invitational over the weekend.

CIF-SS DIVISION II RANKINGS
1. Claremont
2. Camarillo
3. Westlake
4. Foothill
5. Thousand Oaks
6. Anaheim Canyon
7. Saugus
8. Redondo Union
9. Loyola
10. Ayala

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS
DIVISION I
1. Royal
2. Arcadia
3. Trabuco Hills, Mission Viejo
4. Rancho Cucamonga
5. Dana Hills
6. Marina
7. Corona
8. El Toro
9. Yucaipa
10. Great Oak

DIVISION III
1. St. John Bosco
2. Palos Verdes
3. Golden Valley
4. Woodbridge
5. Granite Hills
6. Brea Olinda
7. Cabrillo/Lompoc
8. Orange Lutheran
9. Oak Park
10. Dos Pueblos

DIVISION IV
1. Laguna Beach
2. Morro Bay
3. Harvard/Westlake
4. Nordhoff
5. San Juan Hills
6. Notre Dame/S.O.
7. JSerra
8. Banning
9. Salesian
10. Big Bear

DIVISION V
1. Woodcrest Christian
2. Pasadena Poly
3. Flintridge Prep
4. Thacher, Ojai
5. Sage Hill, Newport Harbor
6. Chadwick
7. St. Margaret's, San Juan Capistrano
8. Oak Hills
9. Webb
10. Oakwood

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS
DIVISION I
1. Dana Hills
2. Great Oak
3. Trabuco Hills
4. Esperanza
5. King, Riverside
6. San Clemente
7. Warren
8. Chaparral
9. Tesoro
10. Vista Murrieta

DIVISION II
1. Saugus
2. Mira Costa
3. Sultana
4. Redondo Union
5. Foothill
6. West Ranch
7. Canyon/Ana.
8. Ayala
9. Serrano
10. La Mirada

DIVISION III
1. Orange Lutheran
2. Corona del Mar
3. Oak Park
4. St. Lucy's Priory
5. Northwood
6. West Torrance
7. Palos Verdes
8. Atascadero
9. Woodbridge
10. Agoura

DIVISION IV
1. La Reina, Thousand Oaks
2. Morro Bay
3. Harvard/Westlake
4. Mayfield
5. Laguna Beach
6. JSerra
7. San Juan Hills
8. Paraclete
9. Nordhoff
10. Oaks Christian

DIVISION V
1. Woodcrest Christian
2. Chadwick
3. Saddleback Valley Christian
4. St. Margaret's
5. Whittier Christian
6. Sage Hill, Newport Beach
7. Flintridge Prep, La Canada-Flintridge
8. Calvary Chapel, Downey
9. Linfield Christian
10. Arrowhead Christian Academy

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Albeit in a losing effort, Montclair running back Terrence Charles rushed for 284 yards on 33 carries Friday night. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior's lone TD gave Montclair a 7-6 second-quarter lead but Blythe Palo Verde Valley's 20 unanswered points dropped Montclair in too deep a hole during the Cavaliers' eventual 26-21 loss.

After he was ineligible for all but two games last season, Charles, a Division-I caliber talent, according to Montclair coach Rick Ward, is making his mark. The Cavaliers dropped to 1-2 on the season but that third playoff spot in the Mt. Baldy League could be within their grasp.

Runner-up: Damien's Phillip Sainz had 246 yards of total offense in the Spartans' 24-0 win over Claremont Friday. The senior running back rushed for 130 yards on 23 carries and caught two passes for 116 yards, including an 82-yard screen pass for a TD.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

X-rays were negative on Chino Hills High School quarterback Ryan Verdugo's non throwing arm after he took a helmet to the elbow in Friday night's 22-6 loss to Colony. The second-year starter left the game with about seven minutes remaining.

"We thought he broke his arm," Chino Hills coach Derek Bub said. "But it looks like he'll be able to go Friday."

That wasn't Chino Hills' only potentially devastating injury Friday. All-CIF junior safety Ifo Ekpre-Olomu missed the majority of the last three quarters after taking a helmet to the knee. His prognosis wasn't as rosy as Verdugo's.

"We have no idea if he'll be able to go (on Friday)," Bub said. "He has suited up but isn't participating in practice much. He'll probably play on a limited basis Friday."

After losing his starting center, Brandon Michalek, to a torn ACL three plays into the second game of the season, Bub was relieved both his QB and perhaps best player won't miss extended time.

"No matter if they can play this week, it was good news on both because they can play when league starts," Bub said. "We've just been hit hard by the injury bug. It's been one of those years."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (3-0) Last week: 1
2. Cajon (3-0) Last week: 3
3. Upland (3-0) Last week: 4
4. Elsinore (3-0) Last week: 5
5. Colton (1-1) Last week: 6
6. Colony (2-1) Last week: NR
7. Chino Hills (2-1) Last week: 2
8. Etiwanda (2-1) Last week: 7
9. Glendora (1-1) Last week: 8
10. Ayala (2-1) Last week: NR
Others receiving votes: Arroyo Valley (2-0), Damien (1-2), Los Osos (1-2).
Dropped out: No. 9 Chaffey (1-2), No. 10 Los Osos (1-2).

The rest of the CIF-SS polls to follow...

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Charter Oak
2. Rowland
3. Walnut
4. Bell Gardens
5. South Hills
6. Crescenta Valley
7. Wilson
8. Burbank
9. El Rancho
10. Diamond Ranch

INLAND DIVISION
1. Redlands East Valley
2. Chaparral
3. Corona Centennial
4. Vista Murrieta
5. Riverside North
6. Norco
7. Rancho Verde
8. Riverside Arlington
9. Corona Roosevelt
10. Redlands

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Citrus Hill
2. Barstow
3. Palm Springs
4. San Jacinto
5. Palm Desert
6. Kaiser
7. La Quinta
8. Rim of the World
9. Serrano
10. Victor Valley

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Monrovia
2. San Dimas
3. Arroyo
4. Paraclete
5. San Marino
6. Pomona
7. Rosemead
8. Baldwin Park
9. Workman
10. Temple City

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. St. Margaret's
2. Santa Paula
3. Kern Valley
4. Brentwood
5. Aquinas
6. Campbell Hall
7. Sierra Canyon
8. Ontario Christian
9. Frazier Mountain
10. Villanova Prep

MY CENTRAL DIVISION BALLOT:
1. Rancho Cucamonga
2. Upland
3. Cajon
4. Elsinore
5. Ayala
6. Colton
7. Colony
8. Chino Hills
9. Etiwanda
10. Glendora

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You do the math...

• Chino Hills is undoubtedly a CIF-championship caliber team.
• Colony beat Chino Hills, 22-6, on Friday.

By my calculations, Colony is, at the very least, back in the discussion. Friday was the Titans' second legit win in as many weeks. With a 25-20 win two weeks ago, they knocked Diamond Ranch from its perch atop the CIF-SS Southeast Division rankings.

"People thought we'd go 0-5 with this schedule," Colony head coach Anthony Rice said of a nonleague slate with Kaiser and Alta Loma remaining. "With what we're doing, I'm impressed."

Despite Colony's CIF-SS Central Division titles in '06 and '07, the question for some people is: would Colony have collected all that hardware had the Baseline and Sierra Leagues joined the Central Division prior to last season?

For the first time since their championship runs began, the Titans (2-1) defeated a Sierra/Baseline League team not named Alta Loma. Of course, a few things need to be qualified about the win over Chino Hills.

Chino Hills' best player, All-CIF safety/receiver Ifo Ekpre-Olomu missed the majority of the last three quarters with a leg injury I'm hoping to find out more about today. Quarterback Ryan Verdugo was knocked out of the game with about 7 minutes to play when he took a hit on the elbow. The Huskies turned the ball over FIVE times, a feat that would usually leave a team hopeless. But Chino Hills trailed just 7-6 entering the fourth quarter.

There wasn't much about the game that was conventional - Colony scored the back-breaking TD on a Brandon Flannigan 90-yard punt return - except for Colony's defense. If Colony is championship caliber, their defense is far and away the main reason. This is the unit that could carry the Titans deep in the playoffs despite an offense with its share of shortcomings. The defense is littered with at least three Division I players and includes a couple more probable college players.

Kenneth Scott, who will play receiver at Utah next year, isn't too shabby as a 6-foot-3, 198-pound safety. Cornerback Jered Bell already has two interceptions in three games to go with his handful of scholarship offers.

Middle linebacker Edward Todd is one of three Todd brothers who are heavy contributers (with the emphasis on heavy) and may be the best player on this talent-laden defense. The 6-1, 255-pound senior helped hold Chino Hills to 62 rushing yards and 79 passing yards on Friday. Greg Todd, a 6-0, 275-pound nose tackle is back after the senior missed all of last season with an ankle injury. Little brother Michael, a 5-10, 195-pound sophomore DB, already has two sacks and an interception this season.

"This is the most talented defense I've ever had," Rice said, after a moment of hesitation. (Remember, he's had defenses good enough to win two CIF titles and produce several Pac-10 players)

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (3-0)
Previous ranking: 1. Last week: def. Carter 49-18. Next: at Covina Charter Oak (3-0)
2. Upland (3-0)
Previous ranking: 5. Last week: def. 21-18. Next: at Lancaster Eastside (0-2)
3. Ayala (2-1)
Previous ranking: 6. Last week: def. Alta Loma, 33-19. Next: vs. Los Altos (1-1)
4. Colony (2-1)
Previous ranking: 10. Last week: def. Chino Hills, 22-6. Next: vs. Alta Loma (0-3)
5. Chino Hills (2-1)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: lost to Colony, 22-6 Next: vs. Diamond Ranch (1-2)
6. Etiwanda (2-1)
Previous ranking: 3. Last week: lost to Norco, 37-27. Next: bye
7. Kaiser (1-1)
Previous ranking: 4. Last week: lost to Riverside North, 28-12. Next: at Cajon (3-0)
8. San Dimas (3-0)
Previous ranking: NR. Last week: def. Magnolia, 41-12. Next: at Monrovia (3-0)
9. Diamond Ranch (1-2)
Previous ranking: 7. Last week: lost to Wildomar Elsinore, 15-3 Next: at Chino Hills (2-1)
10. Los Osos (1-2)
Previous ranking: 9. Last week: lost to Redlands, 17-10. Next: vs. Vista Murrieta (2-0)
Dropped out: No. 8 Chaffey (1-2)
Just missed the cut: Pomona (3-0), Damien (1-2).

Posted by Clay Fowler at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY, Sept. 18
Arroyo Valley 26, Rialto 6
Ayala 33, Alta Loma 19
Azusa 28, Ontario Christian 27
Beaumont 24, Big Bear 12
Blythe Palo Verde Valley 26, Montclair 21
Bloomington 53, Eisenhower 33
Cajon 41, Sultana 0
Charter Oak 48, Diamond Bar 0
Colony 22, Chino Hills 6
Colton 23, La Quinta 8
Crenshaw 59, Miller 12
Damien 24, Claremont 0
Don Lugo 35, Chino 0
Glendora 21, Anaheim Canyon 20
Granite Hills 49, Pacific 0
La Puente Nogales 42, Ontario 21
La Puente Bassett 20, Ganesha 7
Norco 37, Etiwanda 27
Rancho Cucamonga 49, Carter 18
Redlands 17, Los Osos 10
Redlands East Valley 56, San Gorgonio 12
Riverside North 28, Kaiser 12
San Dimas 41, Anaheim Magnolia 12
Santa Fe 43, Bonita 22
Silverado 33, Quartz Hill 13
Summit 32, Fontana 23
Upland 21, Serrano 18
Victor Valley 31, Yucca Valley 14
Walnut 47, Garey 17
Wildomar Elsinore 15, Diamond Ranch 3
Yucaipa 39, San Bernardino 12

THURSDAY, Sept. 17
Pomona 29, Duarte 0

Posted by Clay Fowler at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Besides making the playoffs, the Pomona High School football team has some lofty goals.

After a 29-0 win over Duarte Thursday night, Pomona's first-year head coach John Brown stated his desire for one player to give a college commitment every three weeks. Athletic quarterback Darrian Lewis has already committed to Eastern Michigan, where Ganesha HS grad Ron English is in the midst of his first season as a college head coach.

Next on the list, hopefully, is Pomona's 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end Deron Jefferson, said Brown.

Last year the Red Devils graduated cornerback Titus Teague to Louisville (where English was the defensive coordinator last season). His younger brother, Taj Teague, a promising looking junior, is hoping to continue the family tradition... and help build one that is apparently gaining steam at Pomona.

"A lot of people don't know about Pomona," Brown said, "and how we do things here."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fresh off the first CIF championship in school history, the Los Osos boys water polo team is set to embark on a run for another.

Coach Eric Cypher, who led the girls water polo team to the second CIF title in Los Osos history in the spring, chalks up the Grizzlies' No. 1 ranking in the CIF-SS Division V preseason poll to last season's accomplishments.

"That," Cypher said, "is just a courtesy ranking."

Los Osos graduated its top two defenders, including CIF player of the year Patrick Kellher, but five starters return from last year's team, including much of the offense and goalie Tyler Abbott.

While last year's team relied on a veteran defense during much of its run to the Division V championship, the Grizzlies were young on offense. This year it's the other way around.

As juniors last season, Sean Evans, Wade Bible, Matt Wong and Dominic Vicino represented the inexperienced offense that could afford to lean on the defense. This year the Grizzlies expect to be involved in some higher- scoring affairs.

Though they'd like to expect the same outcome as last season.

"I'm sure we have big targets on our backs," Cypher said. "To be honest, (the championship) is already behind us. We're moving forward and we have a job to do."

DIVISION 5 TOP 10
1. Los Osos
2. Troy
3. Santa Monica
4. Bonita
5. El Segundo
6. La Serna
7. Palm Desert
8. Upland
9. Palm Springs
10. Claremont
Others receiving votes: Fullerton, Sunny Hills Others: Santa Ynez, Westminster
Arlington

Posted by Clay Fowler at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY
Pomona 28, Duarte 17

FRIDAY
Ayala 31, Alta Loma 7
Ontario Christian 34, Azusa 28
Blythe Palo Verde Valley 28, Montclair 14
Chino Hills 30, Colony 12
Claremont 23, Damien 17
Covina Charter Oak 41, Diamond Bar 20
Diamond Ranch 21, Wildomar Elsinore 17
Chino 10, Don Lugo 7
Norco 26, Etiwanda 24
Summit 24, Fontana 10
Ganesha 16, La Puente Bassett 13
Los Angeles Crenshaw 42, Miller 17
La Puente Nogales 24, Ontario 16
Rancho Cucamonga 44, Carter 21
Los Osos 27, Redlands 20
Riverside Arlington 24, Chaffey 21
Riverside North 21, Kaiser 20
San Dimas 43, Anaheim Magnolia 14
Santa Fe 27, Bonita 24
Upland 16, Serrano 7
Walnut 28, Garey 17

Last week: 12-8
Season record: 21-11

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Los Osos High School grad Richard Brehaut may not be the only one to play quarterback for UCLA on Saturday in relief of injured starter Kevin Prince. Coach Rick Neuheisel told the L.A. Daily News he wouldn't be surprised to see both the true freshman and senior Kevin Craft play against Kansas State.

Neuheisel still hasn't announced who will start but Brehaut took the majority of the snaps with the first team in practice on Tuesday. In this L.A. Times story Brehaut is talking like somebody who thinks (or maybe even knows) he's going to start.

L.A. Daily News columist Jill Painter thinks Brehaut should start. In fact, save a few judicious Neuheisel quotes, I haven't read anything with an ounce of support for Craft, who threw a school-record 20 interceptions opposite 7 touchdowns last year.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• I think this year's Chino Hills team is the best I've seen at the school in three years. The second-ranked Huskies may not have the Division-I talent of two years ago - Corey Harkey (UCLA), Michael Harris (Fresno State), etc. - but they're strong in the right spots. The defense is the strength of the team, for a change. And Chino Hills is better at the quarterback position with Ryan Verdugo than it has been in three years.
• I think Los Osos' Sean Alston is a flat-out football player. He's only 5-10, 185 pounds and he probably doesn't have a blazing 40 time, but the two-way player simply knows how to play football. In two games he has 12 receptions for 208 yards and two TDs but that hardly does him justice. He has already shut down the best receiver in the Inland Valley, holding Colony's Kenneth Scott to 19 yards Week 0. But his impact isn't limited to offense and defense, he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score, the only touchdown in the second half of Los Osos 47-21 loss to a talented Riverside North team on Thursday.
• I think Chaffey might actually be equipped to add a passing element to its offense via the QB-TE duo of Jacob Ahmad and Christian Sanders. Tigers coach Chris Brown likes to talk about throwing the ball more but after watching the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Sanders haul in five receptions for 72 yards and a TD in Friday's 28-14 loss to Chino Hills, I think I actually believe him this year. Granted, Chaffey fell behind 28-0 but during the desperate comeback maybe the Tigers learned something about themselves when Ahmad passed for 105 yards in the second half.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Claremont High School junior receiver Tanner Kuramata caught 10 passes for 173 yards Friday night, including a 55-yard touchdown to set the tone in Claremont's 31-28 win over Bonita. Entering its season opener, Claremont had a combined two wins during its last two seasons while Bonita has made the playoffs three years running.

Runner up: Colony High School cornerback Jered Bell, who had two interceptions, including one that set up the game-winning drive in Colony's 25-20 win on Friday over the top-ranked team in the CIF-SS Southeast Division, Diamond Ranch.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bonita High School head football coach Eric Podley after his team's 31-28 loss to Claremont on Friday, which included a 24-point halftime deficit:

"We were misinformed about the game today. We thought it was a flag football game in the first half and didn't show up to play tackle football until the second."

The loss dropped Bonita, a playoff team the last three years, to 0-2 while Claremont moved to 1-0 after compiling a 2-18 record over the past two seasons.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Of course, he hasn't yet said the UCLA starting quarterback job is Los Osos High School graduate Richard Brehaut's on Saturday but coach Rick Nenheisel wouldn't say the job is Kevin Prince's when he returns from a broken jaw in 3 to 4 weeks.

"Certainly I don't like the notion of a guy losing his job because he gets hurt," Neuheisel told the L.A. Times in this story. "But you always make the decisions that are best for the team at the time you need to make them."

While Prince, a red-shirt freshman, led UCLA to a 2-0 start, including a monumental win at Tennessee, I think Neuheisel believes he isn't so far ahead of Brehaut in his development that the true freshman from Los Osos can't catch up with a few starts. With each quarterback retaining four years of elegibility, this is likely just the first chapter of this story.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (2-0) Last week: 1
2. Chino Hills (2-0) Last week: 2
3. Cajon (2-0) Last week: 4
4. Upland (2-0) Last week: 6
5. Elsinore (2-0) Last week: 8
6. Colton (0-1) Last week: 3
7. Etiwanda (2-0) Last week: NR
8. Glendora (0-1) Last week: 5
9. Chaffey (1-1) Last week: 7
10. Los Osos (1-1) Last week: 10
Dropped out: No. 9. Paloma Valley

Other CIF-SS Division polls to follow...

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Charter Oak
2. South Hills
3. Rowland
4. Crescenta
5. Diamond Ranch
7. El Rancho
8. Schurr
9. Bell Gardens
10. Whittier

INLAND DIVISION
1. Corona Centennial
2. Redlands East Valley
3. Chaparral
4. Vista Murrieta
5. Riverside North
6. Norco
7. Rancho Verde
8. Arlington
9. Murrieta Valley
10. Roosevelt

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Citrus Hill
2. La Quinta
3. Kaiser
4. Barstow
5. Palm Springs
6. Serrano
7. San Jacinto
8. Palm Desert
9. Rim of the World
10. Burroughs

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Paraclete
2. Rosemead
3. Monrovia
4. San Dimas
5. Arroyo
6. San Marino
7. Temple City
8. Pomona
9. Northview
10. Workman

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. Aquinas
2. St. Margaret's
3. Brentwood
4. Desert
5. Campbell Hall
6. Ontario Christian
7. Twentynine Palms
8. Maranatha
9. Santa Paula
10. Sage Hill

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With UCLA starting quarterback Kevin Prince out 3 to 4 weeks thanks to a broken jaw suffered in the final minutes of Saturday's 19-15 win over Tennessee, Richard Brehaut, who graduated from Los Osos High School in May, is expected to start against Kansas State, according to sources in this L.A. Times story.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel hasn't yet announced whether Brehaut or senior Kevin Craft will get the nod. Craft threw a school-record 20 interceptions as a fill-in starter last year.

Brehaut left Los Osos early to enroll at UCLA in time for spring practice, during which Prince, a red-shirt freshman, won the battle for the starting job. Everything I read cited Brehaut's unfamiliarity with the offense as the overwhelming reason he was relegated to a back-up role. And the race didn't exactly seem like Prince won in a run-away.

Since these two QBs are both freshmen, it will be interesting to see how their parallel career's play out. Is Brehaut ready to steal the job after Prince led UCLA to its most impressive road win in years? That's a tall task, to be sure. Having watched Brehaut plenty in high school, he doesn't seem like a practice player. While he has all the measurables (arm strength, accuracy, mobility) his best attribute is play-making ablilty, particularly under pressure - something that reveals itself most plainly in game situations. This may be his first opportunity to show it... who knows when he'll get another one.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (2-0)
Previous: 1. Last week: def. Canyon Springs Moreno Valley 31-9
Next: Friday at Carter (1-0)
2. Chino Hills (2-0)
Previous: 2. Last week: def. Chaffey 28-14
Next: Friday at No. 10 Colony (1-1)
3. Etiwanda (2-0)
Previous: 3. Last week: def. Temecula Valley 47-31
Next: Friday at Norco (0-1)
4. Kaiser (1-0)
Previous: 4. Last week: def. Apple Valley 21-7
Next: Friday vs. Riverside North (1-0)
5. Upland (2-0)
Previous: 7. Last week: def. Glendora 10-3
Next: Friday at Serrano (1-1)
6. Ayala (1-1)
Previous: 6. Last week: lost to West Covina South Hills 21-3
Next: Friday at Alta Loma (0-2)
7. Diamond Ranch (1-1)
Last week: lost to Colony 25-20.
Next: Friday at Wildomar Elsinore (2-0)
8. Chaffey (1-1)
Previous: 8. Last week: lost to No. 2 Chino Hills 28-14
Next: Friday vs. Riverside Arlington (0-1)
9. Los Osos (1-1)
Previous: 9. Last week: lost to Riverside North 47-21
Next: Friday vs. Redlands (1-1)
10. Colony (1-1)
Previous: NR. Last week: def. Diamond Ranch 25-20
Next: Friday vs. No. 2 Chino Hills (2-0)
Dropped out: No. 10 Miller (0-2)
Just missed the cut: San Dimas (2-0), Claremont (1-0)

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Friday Sept. 11
Arrowhead Christian 3, Webb 0
Arroyo Valley 33, Hemet West Valley 13
Barstow 38, Rialto 12
Bloomington 26, Ontario 7
Cajon 56, Eisenhower 12
Carter 40, Alta Loma 21
Claremont 31, Bonita 28
Chino Hills 28, Chaffey 14
Colony 25, Diamond Ranch 20
Etiwanda 47, Temecula Valley 31
Fontana 34, Pacific 0
Kaiser 21, Apple Valley 7
Los Angeles Carson 56, Miller 21
Rancho Cucamonga 31, Moreno Valley Canyon Springs 9
Redlands East Valley 39, Clovis East 13
Moreno Valley Rancho Verde 48, Yucaipa 15
Ontario Christian 40, Calvary Murrieta 30
Palm Desert 42, Sultana 7
Pomona 28, Montclair 13
Redlands 16, Summit 14
Riverside Notre Dame 21, Twentynine Palms 20
San Bernardino 51, Jurupa Valley 14
San Dimas 56, South El Monte 0
San Gorgonio 21, Hesperia 6
Serrano 10, Silverado 7
Upland 10, Glendora 3
Vista Murrieta 26, Colton 9
West Covina South Hills 21, Ayala 3
Whittier 35, Chino 13

Thursday Sept. 10
Riverside North 47, Los Osos 21
Los Angeles Franklin 35, Don Lugo 3
Covina Gladstone 35, Ganesha 6
La Puente Nogales 33, Garey 27

Posted by Clay Fowler at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY
Ganesha 14, Covina Gladstone 12
Garey 21, La Puente Nogales 13
Los Angeles Franklin 31, Don Lugo 17
Riverside North 28, Los Osos 21

FRIDAY
Ayala 21, West Covina South Hills 14
Bloomington 33, Ontario 20
Bonita 28, Claremont 24
Cajon 34, Eisenhower 14
Chino Hills 27, Chaffey 20
Diamond Ranch 17, Colony 14
Damien 22, Bellflower St. John Bosco 20
Upland 21, Glendora 13
Kaiser 17, Apple Valley 7
Los Angeles Carson 24, Miller 17
Rancho Cucamonga 27, Moreno Valley Canyon Springs 10
Montclair 31, Pomona 21
San Dimas 28, South El Monte 14
Summit 20, Redlands 17
Etiwanda 24, Temecula Valley 6
Carter 24, Alta Loma 21

Last week: 9-3
Season record: 9-3

Posted by Clay Fowler at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This game's determining factor is clear to Chaffey coach Chris Brown. Of course, games involving Chaffey usually aren't wrapped in perplexity.

Chaffey throws the ball a handful of times on a busy night; the rest of the time "you know what's coming, but they get the whole student body moving in the same direction," Chino Hills coach Derek Bub said.

The heavyweights of the class will be leading the way - Chaffey returned the entire hulking offensive line that helped it to a Mt. Baldy League title last year - but Chino Hills has a way to combat that.

"It'll be our size," Brown said, "against their athleticism."

"If you look at their Website, they're not really all that big but all of their kids are ripped," Brown continued. "They're in great shape."

With a similar cast on both sides, Chino Hills ran away with a 32-14 win last season at Chaffey. Huskies quarterback Ryan Verdugo, who threw for 90 yards and two touchdowns on just eight pass attempts in their meeting last year, returns with another year of experience. Replacing the crux of the 2008 Chino Hills offense is running back Nate Harris, who rushed for 89 yards and two scores on just 13 carries in the Huskies' 30-6 season-opening win over a Lakewood Mayfair team that reached a CIF championship game in '08.

The eye-popping statistics thus far, however, belong to the Chaffey running game. Ronald Douglas, who was taken out of a 34-10 win over Alta Loma following the first series of last week's second half, racked up 229 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries.

"That's by far the best he's looked since he's been here," Brown said. "Number one, he protected the ball well. Number two, he ran with power. He was making one cut and he'd go."

Of course, added Brown, an offensive line that includes four second-year starting juniors who weigh a combined 1,050 pounds looked pretty good too. Granted this was against an Alta Loma team converting to a new offense and defense under first-year coach Jose Fuentes. So, take those eye-popping stats for what they're worth.

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

While Chaffey's recovery from the loss to Chino Hills last year included eight consecutive wins and a Mt. Baldy League championship, it was missing a playoff victory.

Meanwhile Chino Hills, a tri-champion of the Sierra League, won one playoff game and was a Los Osos last-second comeback from the semifinals. Seeing as they are ranked second in the lastest CIF-SS Central Division poll, the Huskies may be better than they were in '08.

"It's no secret," Bub said, "I'm sure Chaffey would love to come in here and give Chino Hills a thumping. This year there are probably a lot of teams who would love to beat Chino Hills."

A win over a CIF-title hopeful would admittedly do big things for Chaffey's psyche.

"It'd would be huge knowing we could beat a team of that caliber," Brown said. "It's been a while since we won in the playoffs, so it would be good experience and hopefully it would help us in the playoffs."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The only movement from Week 0 to Week 1 was Paloma Valley from 10th to 9th, Los Osos from unranked to 10th and Colony from 9th to unranked.

1. Rancho Cucamonga (1-0) Last week: 1
2. Chino Hills (1-0) Last week: 2
3. Colton (0-0) Last week: 3
4. Cajon (1-0) Last week: 4
5. Glendora (0-0) Last week: 5
6. Upland (1-0) Last week: 6
7. Chaffey (1-0) Last week: 7
8. Elsinore (1-0) Last week: 8
9. Paloma Valley (0-0) Last week: 10
10. Los Osos (1-0) Last week: NR
Dropped out: No. 9 Colony

The rest of the CIF-SS polls to follow:

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Diamond Ranch
2. Charter Oak
3. South Hills
4. Rowland
5. Burbank Burroughs
6. Santa Fe
7. Crescenta Valley
8. Burbank
9. Muir
10. West Covina

INLAND DIVISION
1. Corona Centennial
2. Chaparral
3. Redlands East Valley
4. Norco
5. Vista Murrieta
6. Riverside North
7. Rancho Verde
8. Arlington
9. Murrieta Valley
10. Corona Santiago

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Citrus Hill
2. La Quinta
3. Kaiser
4. Barstow
5. Palm Springs
6. Serrano
7. Hesperia
8. San Jacinto
9. Silverado
10. Palm Desert

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Paraclete
2. Rosemead
3. Monrovia
4. Temple City
5. Northview
6. San Dimas
7. Azusa
8. Arroyo
9. San Marino
10. Pomona

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. St. Margaret's
2. Aquinas
3. Brentwood
4. Campbell Hall
5. Twentynine Palms
6. Maranatha
7. Santa Paula
8. Desert
9. Fillmore
10. Yucca Valley

Here's how I voted in the Central Division:
1. Rancho Cucamonga
2. Chino Hills
3. Colton
4. Etiwanda
5. Ayala
6. Cajon
7. Upland
8. Los Osos
9. Chaffey
10. Glendora

Posted by Clay Fowler at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Chaffey High School senior running back played just one half in Friday's 34-10 win over Alta Loma but still managed to pile up 229 yards and three TDs on just 19 carries. THAT'S 12 YARDS A CARRY. And he played defense.

Douglas' performance didn't come against stellar competition seeing as Friday marked the first game under new head coach Jose Fuentes for an Alta Loma team that went 4-6 last season. But Douglas was out of the game after the first possession of the second half. In other words, he was on pace for circa 400 yards and 6 TDs.

Chaffey's glued-to-the-ground offense is far from diverse, allowing Douglas to accumulate that many carries in two quarters. But the defense knows to play the run and still nearly a third of Douglas' carries went for over 10 yards. Splitting time as a junior last season, Douglas ran for 1,387 yards and 12 TDs. It'll be fun to see what he can do as the primary option this year.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVING UP... The Upland HS Scots' win over Miller earned them a spot in the top 10.

1. Rancho Cucamomnga (1-0)
Prvs: 1. Last week: def. Damien 27-14. Up next: Moreno Valley Canyon Springs (0-0)
2. Chino Hills (1-0)
Prvs: 3. Last week: def. Lakewood Mayfair 30-6. Up next: No. 8 Chaffey (1-0)
3. Etiwanda (1-0)
Prvs: 4. Last week: def. Summit 20-17. Up next: Temecula Valley (0-0)
4. Kaiser (0-0)
Prvs: 5. Last week: Idle. Up next: at Apple Valley (0-0)
5. Diamond Ranch (1-0)
Prvs: 6. Last week: def. Pasadena Muir 35-20. Up next: Colony (0-1)
6. Ayala (1-0)
Prvs: 7. Last week: def. Don Lugo 24-10. Up next: at West Covina South Hills (0-0)
7. Upland (1-0)
Prvs: NR. Last week: def. Miller 23-8. Up next: Glendora (0-0)
8. Chaffey (1-0)
Prvs: 8. Last week: def. Alta Loma 34-10. Up next: at No. 2 Chino Hills (1-0)
9. Los Osos (1-0)
Prvs: 9. Last week: def. Colony 31-12. Up next: at Riverside North (0-0)
10. Miller (0-1)
Prvs: 2. Last week: lost to Upland 23-8. Up next: Carson (1-0)
Dropped out: No. 10 San Dimas (1-0).

Also, here is a national prep poll...

The National Prep Football Poll is compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The national Top 25 and regional Top 10's follow with won-loss-tie records:

#1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aquinas (1-0-0), seeks third straight 5A crown
#2. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (2-0-0), whipped defending 3A champ Myrtle Beach, 65-14
#3. Miami, Northwestern (1-0-0), beat state-ranked Carol City, 27-6
#4. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (2-0-0), hammered state-ranked Peachtree Ridge, 51-17
#5. Cincinnati, Elder (2-0-0), beat rival Colerain, 20-7, on ESPN
#6. Cedar Hill, Texas (2-0-0), features Texas-bound LB Aaron Benson
#7. Chesapeake, Va., Smith (1-0-0), led by Alabama-committed QB Phillip Sims
#8. Bellevue, Wash. (1-0-0), plays defending Texas 5A champ Katy Saturday
#9. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline (1-0-0), shut out Ore. power Jesuit, 17-0
#10. Anaheim, Calif., Servite (1-0-0), blasted defending CIF-SS Pac-5 champ Poly, 30-7
#11. Cleveland, St. Ignatius (2-0-0), erased 20-point deficit to beat Northmont, 27-20
#12. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco (0-0-0), hosts No. 17 De La Salle Saturday
#13. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (1-0-0), led by blue chip RB Malcolm Jones
#14. Lakeland, Fla. (0-0-0), seeks fourth 5A title in six years
#15. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (2-0-0), 112 points in two games
#16. Miami, Central (1-0-0), thumped state-ranked Mainland, 34-3
#17. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (1-0-0), escaped Serra's upset bid, 14-7
#18. Loganville, Ga., Grayson (2-0-0), 11 straight games of less than 14 points allowed
#19. Dallas, Skyline (1-0-0), bombed Kimball in opener, 51-2
#20. Tulsa, Okla., Union (1-0-0), beat state-ranked Broken Arrow, 17-6
#21. Cincinnati, St. Xavier (2-0-0), topped Indiana No. 1 Cathedral, 19-10
#22. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (1-0-0), six-time defending WCAC titlist
#23. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (1-0-0), 19 consecutive in-state wins
#24. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (3-0-0), nipped South Pointe, 35-32
#25. Garland, Texas (1-0-0), led by Iowa St.-bound QB Jared Barnett

West Coast Top 10
#1. Bellevue, Wash., 1-0-0
#2. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline, 1-0-0
#3. Anaheim, Calif., Servite, 1-0-0
#4. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian, 1-0-0
#5. Concord, Calif., De La Salle, 1-0-0
#6. Mission Viejo, Calif., 1-0-0
#7. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame, 0-0-0
#8. Huntington Beach, Calif., Edison, 1-0-0
#9. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure, 1-0-0
#10. Kahuku, Hawaii, 4-0-0

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• I think Los Osos HS is glad to have offensive coordinator Matt Bechtel back after he spent a year at Chaffey College. The Grizzlies' short-passing scheme was nicely tailored for QB Blake Loncar in his first start, a 31-12 win over Colony Thursday. The play calling was exemplary too, capped by a wide-receiver pass for the game-clinching TD.
• I think Rancho Cucamonga tight end Randall Telfer looks like a different person after adding 20 pounds over the summer. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound USC-bound senior defied logic by getting bigger and faster (via speed training). He only caught two shovel passes in Rancho's 27-14 win over Damien Friday but he glided through the defense for a 33-yard TD with one of them. He's going to have a monster year.
• I think Colony is a better team than the squad that went 5-6 last season. The Titans have a talented defense and a good enough running game. Their 31-12 loss to Los Osos on Thursday was closer than the score indicated. It was 14-6 in the 4th quarter and 17-6 with 6:30 left in the game before Los Osos scored two long TDs. Colony plays a brutal nonleague schedule but it'll contend for a Mt. Baldy League title and have a better showing in the playoffs this season.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Those who glanced at the score - Rancho Cucamonga 27, Damien 14 - were assuredly not struck with apprehension.

Those in attendance for Rancho Cucamonga High School's first game since winning the CIF-SS Central DIvision championship, may have thought otherwise.

I was at the game but I'm with the first group. Despite some concerning developments in their first game, the Cougars have everything in place to compete for a CIF title again.

Speaking of the concerns...34 seconds before the fourth quarter, the Cougars were a holding call away from trailing a Damien team that went 3-7 last season. With two minutes left in the first half, reigning Central Division offensive MVP Greg Watson was 0-for-4 with one more completion to Damien than his own team.

There are good reasons for these (a resurgent Damien team, for one).

While not overwhelmingly talented, Damien effectively played keep away from a Rancho Cucamonga offense that IS overwhelmingly talented. Damien had the ball for 19 of the first 20 plays and strung together drives of at least 11 plays three times in the first three quarters.

The Rancho passing game was clearly out of synch, but that will return with time. The talent is absolutely there.

Despite graduating two track-star receivers, Watson will have ample targets this season. USC-committed tight end Randall Telfer (whose only two catches were shovel passes, one of which went for a 33-yard TD) looks like a different person now that he's put on 20 pounds (AND he's somehow faster). At 6-foot-4, 230, he is flat out scary. James Zamarippa emerged as a viable option Friday night with two touchdown catches and 101 receiving yards, including a huge 87-yarder at the end of the first half.

But Rancho coach Nick Baiz professed the Cougars to be a running team - and they didn't have any problems in that department.

Michael Boyd (13 carries, 152 yards) was nothing short of spectacular. Watson (5 carries 76 yards TD) looked good running the zone read, scoring the game clinching TD in the process. The Cougars bad the ball so little that back-up running back Sateki Finau only carried once.

Damien running back Phillip Sainz, however, may have put on the most impressive show on the ground, piling up 153 yards on 27 carries. Coupled with a short passing game that caught fire in the second half, the Spartans successfully played keep away much longer than expected.

Head coach Greg Gano, who won four CIF titles at Hacienda Heights Los Altos, clearly has Damien headed in the right direction. But he was far from satisfied with a loss Friday night.

"We should have won that game," Gano said. "We had the go-ahead touchdown called back. I'm disappointed we didn't win that game. We were one play away."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Friday night Sept. 4:
Rancho Cucamonga 27, Damien 14
Upland 23, Miller 8
Diamond Ranch 35, Pasadena Muir 20
Etiwanda 20, Summit 17
Ayala 24, Don Lugo 10
Chaffey 34, Alta Loma 10
Chino Hills 30, Lakewood Mayfair 6
San Diego Westview 21, Bonita 14
Whittier Christian 43, Ontario Christian 20
San Dimas 33, Hacienda Heights Los Altos 6
Covina Gladstone 33, Western Christian 12

Thursday, Sept. 3
Los Osos 31, Colony 12
Montclair 37, Ganesha 14

Posted by Clay Fowler at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY
Rancho Cucamonga 31, Damien 14
Miller 20, Upland 13
Don Lugo 17, Ayala 14
Etiwanda 27, Summit 21
Chino Hills 24, Lakewood Mayfair 21
Diamond Ranch 14, Pasadena Muir 10
San Dimas 31, Los Altos 21
San Diego Westview 35, Bonita 17
Chaffey 28, Alta Loma 7
Ontario Christian 21, Whittier Christian 6
Covina Gladstone 24, Western Christian 14
SATURDAY
Ontario 28, La Verne Lutheran 7

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Rancho Cucamonga (13-0-1 in 2008)
2. Miller (11-1)
3. Chino Hills (10-2)
4. Etiwanda (5-6)
5. Kaiser (6-4-1)
6. Diamond Ranch (7-7)
7. Ayala (9-3)
8. Chaffey (8-3)
9. Los Osos (10-3)
10. San Dimas (10-2)
Just missed the cut: Upland (11-3), Summit (8-3).

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

WEEK ZERO
Colony at Los Osos
After losing a QB to UCLA and RB to Northwestern, Los Osos will try to prove it won't experience the same growing pains Colony did during a 5-6 08' season trying to defend its second consecutive CIF championship.
Other notable games:
Miller at Upland
Summit vs. Etiwanda (at Colony HS)
Don Lugo at Ayala

WEEK 1
Chaffey at Chino Hills
Each of these teams won at least a share of a league title last season but Chino Hills ran away with a 32-14 win in last year's meeting.
Other notable games:
Los Osos vs. Riverside North (at King HS)
Glendora at Upland
Summit at Redlands

WEEK 2
Etiwanda at Norco
These two can relate thanks to membership in tough leagues. They'll add one more brutal game to an already difficult schedule when they face each other.
Other notable games:
Redlands at Los Osos
Upland at Serrano
Ayala vs. Alta Loma (at Chaffey College)

WEEK 3
Rancho Cucamonga at Covina Charter Oak
This matchup of defending CIF champs is without question the most significant non-league matchup in the Inland Valley. On their way to undefeated seasons, it was only fitting that their Week 3 meeting in 2008 ended in a 14-14 tie.
Other notable games:
Diamond Ranch at Chino Hills
La Puente Bishop Amat at Damien
Vista Murrieta at Los Osos

WEEK 4
Diamond Ranch vs. Glendora (at Citrus College)
This one isn't riviting on paper, but I have a feeling these two teams with a flair for the dramatic will produce a thriller. Diamond Ranch's historically stingy defense against a high-scoring Glendora offense should be fun matchup for the football purists.
Other notable games:
Chaffey at Colton
Damien at Covina Charter Oak
Summit vs. Silverado (at Victor Valley HS)

WEEK 5
Bonita at San Dimas
The Smudge Pot was a high-scoring thriller last year as San Dimas pulled away for a 50-33 win, its second straight in this heated rivalry after a three-year drought. The atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Texas; I'd rate it second to only the CIF-SS Central Division championship game.
Other notable games:
Etiwanda at Charter Oak
La Puente Bishop Amat vs. Diamond Ranch (at Ganesha HS)
Rancho Cucamonga at Temecula Valley

WEEK 6
Los Osos at Upland
For the first time in three years, this won't be Los Osos' Richard Brehaut (UCLA) vs. Upland's Josh Nunes (Stanford), but this rivalry won't cool down anytime soon. Without the departed college stars, this game will say a lot about who has built a better program.
Other notable games:
Bonita at Covina Charter Oak
Don Lugo at Chaffey
Chino Hills at Damien

WEEK 7
Covina Charter Oak vs. Diamond Ranch (at Ganesha HS)
What more motivation could Diamond Ranch ask for? Last season, Charter Oak beat the Panthers to win the Miramonte League title then defeated Diamond Ranch again in the CIF-SS Southeast Division championship game.
Other notable games:
Rancho Cucamonga at Los Osos
Damien vs. Glendora (at Citrus College)
Covina at San Dimas

WEEK 8
Colony at Chaffey
The winner of this game has claimed the Mt. Baldy League title every season since Colony joined the league in 2003. Chaffey won this matchup in overtime last season to end Colony's two-year run.
Other notable games:
Kaiser vs. Summit (at Miller HS)
Upland vs. Etiwanda (at Colony HS)
Diamond Ranch at Bonita

WEEK 9
Miller vs. Redlands East Valley (at University of Redlands)
This matchup has produced the champion of the rugged Citrus Belt League the last two years -- REV in '07 and Miller in '08 -- with games decided by an average of two points.
Other notable games:
Rancho Cucamonga at Upland
Chino Hills at Ayala
Covina Northview at San Dimas

WEEK 10
Ontario Christian at Aquinas
These two teams have finished one-two in the Christian League six years running, during which each has claimed three league championships. Aquinas, however, hasn't lost a Christian League game in two seasons.
Other notable games:
Etiwanda vs. Rancho Cucamonga (at Los Osos HS)
Ayala vs. Glendora (at Citrus College)
Riverside Patriot vs. Summit (at Miller HS)

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Justin Nunes would have a lot on his plate even if he weren't the younger brother of the quarterback that led Upland High School to the CIF championship game last season.

Before older brother Josh joined the Stanford football team in August, he digested Upland's offense for three years as a starter. The Highlanders are trying to keep it simple for their new QB.

"It's difficult to re-tool after having the same quarterback for three years," Upland head coach Tim Salter said. "There are so many things you can do when you're working with the same guy for that long. We're just asking (Justin Nunes) to run the offense and not turn the ball over."

Nunes, a 6-2, 195-pound junior, is undoubtedly the most important replacement but Upland is filling plenty of major holes, including that of departed RB Davion Fleming, who took his 1,700 all-purpose yards with him to Northwestern.

"Anytime you lose your quarterback, running back and two Division-I DBs, people are going to say 'How are you going to do it again?'" Salter said.

A good question.

Upland's history indicates it can withstand the departure of star players (evidenced by a single losing record this decade - the Highlanders have missed the playoffs just once in the last six years).

Whether any of their departed stars were as good or as important to the team - or both - as Josh Nunes remains to be seen.

Upland returns two receivers and three offensive linemen to a unit that averaged an astounding 36 points per game last season. The defense brings back six starters to a unit Salter says is much faster.

Similar to last season, the biggest question marks are on the defensive line. Upland answered those questions well enough to make an appearance in the CIF-SS Central Division title game last season.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Rancho Cucamonga
2. Chino Hills
3. Colton
4. Cajon
5. Glendora
6. Upland
7. Chaffey
8. Elsinore
9. Colony
10. Paloma Valley
Others receiving votes: Los Osos; West Valley; Ayala; Etiwanda; Alta Loma; Damien.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Diamond Ranch
2. Charter Oak
3. South Hills
4. West Covina
5. Muir
6. Rowland
7. Burroughs/Burbank
8. Santa Fe
9. Crescenta Valley
10. California
Others receiving votes: La Serna; Bonita; Schurr; Burbank; Walnut; San Gabriel.

INLAND DIVISION
1. Corona Centennial
2. Chaparral
3. Redlands East Valley
4. Norco
5. Vista Murrieta
6. North
7. Rancho Verde
8. Redlands
9. Miller
10. Arlington
Others receiving votes: Murrieta Valley; Moreno Valley; Roosevelt; Corona Santiago; Corona; Temescal Canyon.

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Citrus Hill
2. Serrano
3. Silverado
4. La Quinta
5. Kaiser
6. Barstow
7. Palm Springs
8. Hesperia
9. San Jacinto
10. Summit
Others receiving votes: Palm Desert; Banning; Ridgrecrest Burroughs; Rim of the World; Apple Valley; Victor Valley.

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. St. Margaret's
2. Twentynine Palms
3. Maranatha
4. Aquinas
5. Fillmore
6. Brentwood
7. Yucca Valley
8. Ontario Christian
9. Big Bear
10. Bishop Union
Others receiving votes: Santa Paula; Desert; Campbell Hall; Western Christian; Desert Mirage; Brethren Christian.

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Paraclete
2. Rosemead
3. Monrovia
4. Temple City
5. Northview
6. San Dimas
7. Valley Christian/Cerritos
8. Azusa
9. Arroyo
10. San Marino
Others receiving votes: Pomona; Los Angeles Baptist; Duarte; Workman; Whittier Christian; Baldwin Park.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)