Prep football game of the week: Chino Hills at Ayala
Though the standings rarely matter in this crosstown rivalry, a four-way tie for first place in the Sierra League only adds to the implications of tonight's meeting between defending Sierra League champions Chino Hills (6-2, 2-1), the No. 7 team in the CIF-SS Central Division, and No. 10 Ayala (6-2, 2-1).
TOP TO BOTTOM
Though they both suffered their first league losses last week, both the Bulldogs and the Huskies remain firmly in contention for the league title. The flip side of a league race with four teams tied for first place means the loser of this game is in danger of missing the playoffs, given that Damien and Glendora also have 2-1 league records.
Ayala has the toughest schedule of the four, with the other two defending tri-champions, Chino Hills and Glendora, remaining.
"It's unbelievable, this league," Chino Hills coach Derek Bub said. "Back to back years like this, you never know what's going to happen each week. We'll see how it all plays out."
UNDER-DOGS
Ayala has won each of the last two meetings between these two teams, 18-17 last season on the departed David Quiroga's two-point conversion -- a gutsy call by coach Tom Inglima -- following his late-game touchdown catch; and 19-10 in 2007 on the strength of a blocked field goal Ayala returned for a touchdown.
Ayala, however, has compiled it's 6-2 record this season against a softer schedule than Chino Hills.
"We're gonna be the underdog; We're the underdog every year," Inglima said. "None of that matters. You've still got to play."
It only seems fitting that the underdog has won the last two seasons in a rivalry that grows larger each year in the Chino Hills community.
"It's everything football is about," Bub said. "There was so much riding on this game last year."
SIZE VS. SPEED
While Ayala got bigger in the offseason, Chino Hills got smaller. Chino Hills is relying on its speed to combat the size advantage of Ayala's offensive front.
The Ayala offense relied heavily on the running game last season but has found balance with the addition of Orange Lutheran transfer quarterback Ryan Orozco. The senior has completed 62 of 119 passes for 982 yards and eight touchdowns with six interceptions.
The Bulldogs' running back duo of Maurice Reynoso (79 carries, 493 yards, 9 TD) and Michael Trujillo (46-272, 5 TD) will provide the rushing attack.
"We've been very balanced this year," Inglima said. "If their defense is loading up the box, we'll throw the ball and if they spread out with us we'll run it."
CHANGING ON THE FLY
Chino Hills' offense looks extremely different this season than the glued-to-the-ground attack of last season. Quarterback Ryan Verdugo is 87 of 147 passing for 1,170 yards and 11 TDs with six interceptions.
Last season the Huskies ran the ball 72 percent of the time compared to this year's 63 percent. The shift in philosophy is in no small part because of receiver Ifo-Ekpre Olomu (26 receptions, 549 yards, 6 TD), an all-CIF safety as a sophomore last season.
"Ifo's become a big part of our offense," Bub said. "We're trying to take advantage of Ryan where as we would just hand it off to (running back) A.J. (Johnson) a lot last year."
PREDICTION:
Chino Hills 21, Ayala 17
Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com
Comments
All I have to say is its gunna be a great game and the last two years have proved that.....Now this is what you call Friday Night Lights.... Go Bulldogs!
Posted by: Chino Hills Dogs... | November 5, 2009 9:38 AM
Is 47 eligible?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 5, 2009 10:07 AM
Good call Clay, but I have it 28-7 Huskies. The 2 transfers from CHHS (not O Lu) will do their best but come up short. The Bone will be ripped from the Ayala puppies along with their hearts.
Huskies own this city.
Go Huskies!
Posted by: Red Barron | November 5, 2009 10:50 AM
And how many players at Chino Hills live in Chino Hills' Area?
Posted by: Anon | November 5, 2009 11:02 AM
QB for QB, RB for RB, Line for line, and D for D, stats don't lie. Huskies are better across the board.
Huskies own this city.
Go Huskies!
Posted by: Red Barron | November 5, 2009 1:08 PM
How bout the Colton vs. San Gorgonio game, isn't that a quality game?
Posted by: Ben | November 5, 2009 3:11 PM
Allright Barron Ill play Your game:
QBs:
Verdugo:
Orozco:
Slight CH Advantage
RBs:
Harris+Olomu=
Trujillo+Reynoso=
Ayala Advantage
O Line:
Hamel+Ilag+Androus+Enriquez+ Aparicio= 1178 Total
235 Average
Kim+Mowery+Busch+Moore+Alfaro= 1385 Total
277 Average
Huge Advantage Ayala
Kicker:
Advantage Chino Hills
(And this could be a difference maker)
-------------------------------------
In the history of this game the game has been won by an average of 9 points.
Let the best dog win.
Posted by: AHSDawg | November 5, 2009 3:35 PM
Sorry Didn't Finish...
QBs:
Verdugo: 1170 Passing Yards 1438 TOTAL Yards
Orozco: 1197 Passing Yards 1163 TOTAL Yards
Slight CH Advantage
RBs:
Harris+Olomu= 759 Rushing Yards
Trujillo+Reynoso= 839 Rushing Yards
Ayala Advantage
Posted by: AHSDawg | November 5, 2009 9:10 PM
AHSS when you play cream puffs, stats mean nada! Passing leagues, linemen comp, vs. Damien, that's where we can look at comparisons. If your line lasts 3 qtrs. you'd be amazed. We are more athletic, more physical, better coached, with more class. Huskies ranked 131 in the state, bpups 334. Wow is that next to St. Marys flag fb team? Massey Sports has us winning, Daily Bulletin has us winning, Maxpreps has us winning, the Mayor of the City has us winning!
The Huskies run this city, you are just a guest. Get over it!
Posted by: Red Barron | November 5, 2009 10:45 PM
Very well done, sir.
I agree. CH wins this game.
Posted by: Dennis Pope | November 6, 2009 12:13 AM
That is certainly a decent game, but this is the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Prep Sports Blog and those two teams aren't in our coverage area. Check out T.J. Berka's San Bernardino Sun sports blog at http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/berka/
Posted by: Clay Fowler
|
November 6, 2009 11:50 AM
Go Huskies!
Posted by: JWC | November 6, 2009 3:22 PM