Prep football game of the week: Chino Hills at REV

"In a lot of ways I think people are going to do everything they can to stop Ifo and let our other guys try to hurt them," Chino Hills coach Derek Bub said. "We were struggling with that early, but I think our other guys have gotten a lot better with that."

Ekpre-Olomu is averaging 65 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards and has accounted for two touchdowns thus far. Not exactly the pace he was expected to be one after rushing for 188 yards and five TDs against Etiwanda in the playoffs last season, one of his few games at running back.

Nate Harris, the tailback last season who's being recruited primarily as a defensive back, has rushed for 145 yards and scored three touchdowns this season, and receiver Scott Calles has nine receptions for 93 yards thus far, providing the assistance to which Bub was referring. It will be interesting to see how the Chino Hills offensive stars match up against a Redlands East Valley defense allowing 6.3 points per game.

"It's tough to look at (REV) and this guy or that guy is the one to watch out for," Bub said. "They're all outstanding and they know how to play a team game."

Just the next in line: Both of these teams have challenged themselves against teams from outside the area during nonleague play. Redlands East Valley is coming off a 10-6 win over Orange County power Orange Lutheran, and defeated an accomplished Clovis East team, 21-6, in its season opener.

Chino Hills knows a little about Orange County, having outlasted Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro two weeks ago in a 14-13 victory aided by a Tesoro missed extra point. Tonight, however, represents the first significant game for each team against a potential playoff opponent in the Inland Division.

"For us this is a chance to play a playoff-caliber team," REV coach Kurt Bruich said, "and see where we're at."

Given Redlands East Valley's familiarity with the Inland Division, and the fact that Chino Hills has been in the Central Division the last two seasons, the Huskies may have a little more to prove.

"(REV) is a great representative of the Inland Division," Bub said. "We're not putting all our eggs in one basket on whether or not we lose this game, but it's always fun to face a divisional opponent and see where you stand."