Prep football game of the week: Upland at Rancho
The last two CIF-SS Central Division champions are the only remaining teams undefeated in the Baseline League, so much is on the line when CIF-SS Inland Division No. 3 Rancho Cucamonga (6-1, 2-0) takes on No. 7 Upland (5-2, 2-0) tonight at Los Osos High School.
Champions gala: Rancho Cucamonga went undefeated on its way to the 2008 CIF-SS Central Division title. Upland rode one of the best defensive units in the recent history of the Inland Valley to the 2009 CIF title.
Thus, there will be plenty of rings flashing under the Friday night lights but both of these teams are missing many of the players instrumental in bringing home those championships.
"The winner of this game is 3-0 and that's about it," Rancho Cucamonga coach Nick Baiz said. "That's all this game means."
Defense on the way Up? An Upland defense that replaced all but three of the starters from the unit that allowed 10.7 points per game in 2009 has been great this season but only in spurts, according to Upland head coach Tim Salter.
The Highlanders have steadily been improving but as recently as the first half of last week's game against Etiwanda Salter wasn't impressed. Upland played a strong second half in a 53-34 win over Etiwanda but ended up allowing 521 total yards.
"We've been up and down," Salter said. "I think we're putting together good play at certain times but what I'm looking for is a whole game from this defense."
On the offensive: Upland's defense will be facing a Rancho Cucamonga offensive line that averages over 300 pounds per member. Behind that offensive front, Cougars running back Sateki Finau, the other piece of the power running game, has compiled 961 yards and 11 touchdowns on 147 carries.
In addition, first-year starting quarterback Dimitri Morales, who hasn't been asked to throw the ball very much considering his team usually plays with a lead, has proven an effective runner by averaging six yards per carry.
"Their offensive line is big and they've got a great running back," Salter said. "They like to get on people early and once they've got the lead they can get in those two-tight end sets and give the ball to (Finau). It's going to be very important who has the lead going into the fourth quarter of this game."
Running in right direction: Upland's running game exploded last week as senior Cole Chapman and junior Donta Abron combined for 343 yards against Etiwanda.
With the experienced Justin Nunes quarterbacking a passing game featuring explosive wide receivers Kenny Lawler and Dylan Clark, an Upland offense averaging 338 total yards per game against a very difficult schedule has plenty of options.
"They've got a lot of backs and receivers they can throw at you," Baiz said. "They didn't even need their quarterback last week. (Nunes) is a polished player but the better their running game is the less he has to do."
Not out of their league: The winner of this game isn't out of the woods by any means considering the balance of the Baseline League. Though it required overtime, Rancho Cucamonga has already gotten past cross town rival Los Osos. And Upland ended up with a 19-point margin of victory against Etiwanda.
"Obviously whoever wins this game is the clear-cut first-place team in the league," Salter said. "You still have to play two games but in a way you control your own destiny."
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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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CORRECTION!
This game is on:
October 29, 2010 at 7:00PM @ the Los Osos Stadium