Chino Hills, Ayala are who we thought they were
Though the Chino Hills High School football team won its crosstown rivalry game with Ayala for the first time in three years, I think it may have been Friday's 14-7 loss with which Ayala proved the last two years were no fluke.
There seems to be a perception that the better team hasn't won the game the last two years. I don't believe that but I think I finally figured out why a lot of other people do on Friday.
Ayala plays ugly (like it did Friday). It wins on the strength of its defense and special teams (it blocked a field goal Friday; Ayala won this game two years when it blocked a field goal late in the game that would have given Chino Hills the lead).
We all get caught up in offensive firepower and gaudy statistics, creating the perception that because Ayala isn't flashy, it isn't good.
Chino Hills flashed its offensive talent Friday night, namely the QB-WR duo of Ryan Verdugo and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, but the primary reason I think Chino Hills is a better team this year than it was last year is its defense. The Huskies are allowing a league-low 12.6 points per game this season.
Guess who led the league in scoring defense last season? You guessed it... Ayala, with an allowance of 15.5 per game. It allowed Chino Hills a little over that number in an 18-17 win last season, but you get the point.
Chino Hills is the better team this season, but not by much. Though Ayala's offense was painful to watch for three quarters and Orange Lutheran transfer QB Ryan Orozco looked like he was running in molasses, the Bulldogs had numerous chances to score a second touchdown in the games waning minutes. (And you can guess what they were going to do after that. Hint: it wouldn't have involved a kicker.)
But it was the Chino Hills defense that won this game, evidenced no better than by the play of Expre-Olomu at safety - he batted away the final pass into the end zone as the game clock expired - even though it is his nine catches for 110 yards that stand out in the box score.
Now Ayala can only hope to help out its bitter rival. If the Bulldogs beat Glendora on Thursday, they'll secure a spot in the playoffs, handing Chino Hills the Sierra League's No. 1 seed in the process. If Ayala loses, Glendora, Damien and Chino Hills will tie for the league championship, requiring a coin flip to determine the seedings.
A loss wouldn't necessarily eliminate Ayala from the playoffs but the Bulldogs' only hope would be to claim the Central Division's lone at-large playoff berth. The winner of the Upland-Claremont game on Friday will be the biggest challenger for the at-large berth, which was awarded to the Baseline League's fourth-place team last season. If it is an 8-2 Upland team that finishes fourth in the Baseline League, a 6-4 Ayala team won't have a chance. If Claremont beats Upland, Claremont will be 6-4 too, giving Ayala a fightin' chance.
Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com
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About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
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Nice try Clay, but first of all you must play on a team to be considered from that team. Orosco is from CHHS (2 years), he chose not to come back after burning his bridge when he left. The way he ran, was his best (molasses). Is Ayala good enough to be in the playoffs? Not sure, with all the other talented teams in the central division. Maybe next year.
Clay, I can only say you are a very insightful man. You know this area and their football teams. Ayala had less talent but they play together, as a family, more than Chino Hills. Defense did win that game. Defense and Special Teams won the last two meetings as well. Dont forget the 85 yard punt return that went for a t.d. It was called back on a HORRIBLE call. The refere was hit on the play and had his back to the block. I was standing 15 feet from the play and I saw him get dtruck by the returner. Defense and special teams will always win out over offense and Chino Hills' defense was better than Ayala's offense for most of the game. Ayala ran 3 total plays in the 3rd quarter amassing a whopping -20 yards. You will not win many games with those kinds of efforts. I am just one guy, but I KNOW football and I know you KNOW this area and the teams in this area better than the band wagoners. GO CLAY!
Let me tell you something Mr. Red Barron. For your side of town their are many many kids that should be playing at Ayala so If I was you I would stop with the Mouth. Because many could put a stop to that. And yes Ayala Bulldogs are good enough to play in the playoffs. Chino Hills just got lucky. Many bad calls by the Referes is what cost Ayala the game. And no Ayala isnt over rated not at all. If Chino Hills was as good as they think they are, the score should have been higher Duh!!!!
CH DOG, your are talking about referees, kids crossing school borders, bad calls. What about the fact that your team didn't perform well for 3 quarters. My words are just facts that I know are true. I throw stones when stones are cast in my direction. I've coached many kids in this city and know the dynamics of what it takes to put a TEAM together. Ayala, highlights their stars and their coaches, and forgets that it takes a team to win championships or titles. I don't think Ayala is overrated, they are what they are, a 6-4 team. Why didn't we beat you by more? Cross town rival games will always be close games for the most part. Look at the history of Roosevelt vs. Garfield, SC vs. UCLA, and now Chino Hills vs. Ayala.
This is Husky Town, and Ayala is now the guest.
Go Huskies!!
Huskies will always be the little pups in town, this will never be their town. Ayala was the first dog, will always be the main dog and Chino Hills belongs to the Bulldogs! Enjoy you little win while it last huskies, you will always be the guest.
Im a firm believer that games are won and lost in the trenches. Bottom line, Ayala can't handle that Husky rush. With two of those kids coming back next year and even more depth in the Husky o-line I don't see this city going red for a while.
last i check ayala's qb and rb are from chhs and dont forget that ayala does do some illegal recruiting by recruiting kids that are spouse to go to chino and diamond bar. ayala's program is a dirty one and chhs runs theirs with class