Chaffey preps for tough test

The Chaffey Panthers passed their first National Division Central Conference test last week, beating Cerritos in overtime. But it's about to get even tougher.

The Panthers (4-1, 1-0) will trek to El Camino (5-0, 1-0) for a 6 p.m. game Saturday against the Warriors who are ranked third in Southern California.

Chaffey coach Carl Beach knows his team is facing a juggernaut but hopes his team's showing against the Warriors in recent years will bode well even though personnel has changed.

"We have played them three times in the last five or six years and they have all been pretty close games," he said. "They're a solid program year in and year out. But they haven't blown us out of the water. We're going to go and play hard and compete and see what happens."

Beach said last week's 16-9 win will go a long way in boosting his team's confidence because it came against the best his team has beaten thus far.

"That was something to build on," he said. "There is definitely a difference when guys feel good about themselves. We also know this one will be tougher."

El Camino is unbeaten but has been pushed the last two weeks, squeaking out three-point wins over Bakersfield and Riverside, with last week's coming in overtime.

The Panthers lone loss came two weeks ago to Grossmont 51-16 but they regrouped in time for a solid showing last week.

Beach said he will keep using both quarterbacks - with Greg Sprowls starting and A.J. Springer entering in relief. The two are so different it presents a problem for the defense and Beach wants to keep using that to his team's advantage.

The team has other offensive weapons though. Running back Mark Chase, ranks eighth in the state in rushing at 101.6 yards per game.

Aaron Mays has been the Panther top receiver but also ranks fourth in punt return average at 22.9 per try.

El Camino's James Coy ranks eighth in the state in passing at 223.8 yards per game. He also does the punting and is ranked second at 43.3 yards per kick.

The Warriors kicking game is also solid with Brian Blumberg making seven of eight field goal tries, the longest of 40 yards.

"We need to contain the big play. We can't let them get easy scores quickly. We want to make them have to work for whatever they get," Beach said. "On the other side we need to be able to make a couple because that's what big games come down to."

Victor Valley (2-3, 2-0) and San Bernardino Valley (0-5, 0-2), both in the Mountain Conference of the American Division, are idle this week.