Week 4 predictions

I guess I’m a little slow – which Victor Valley fans would agree with after I incorrectly picked against the Jackrabbits in the Bell Game – but I seem to be stuck in a rut of mediocre prognosticating.

Chino Hills at Redlands East Valley
The first step of REV’s Bataan Death March-like four-game stretch went well, as the Wildcats subdued Orange Lutheran. It gets a bit harder this week, as the Wildcats play a Chino Hills team that’s responded nicely after an upset loss to Corona Santiago. However, I’m not sure the Huskies are quite ready to come to Redlands and leave with a victory. The Wildcat defense will prevail here.
Redlands East Valley 19, Chino Hills 7

Arroyo Valley at Rialto
San Andreas League play gets going this week with several intriguing matchups, but when the season started, I don’t think anyone would have identified this one as the most intriguing. But thanks to Arroyo Valley’s QB issues and Rialto’s surprising 3-0 start, it has been. Michael Yearwood is questionable due to injury and the Knights have some mojo going. Rialto continues its surge.
Rialto 16, Arroyo Valley 10

Rancho Cucamonga at Redlands
The Terriers have proven themselves to be outstanding scrappers, outlasting Los Osos in triple OT and defeating Carlsbad La Costa Canyon without starting QB Jojo Hernandez. Rancho has been on a pretty big roll and seems to thrive on playing away from home (or Los Osos if you want to get technical) and should have enough to put away the Terriers.
Rancho Cucamonga 24, Redlands 16

Kaiser at Palm Desert
The cliche’ “the irresistible force against the immovable object” may be annoying, but it is completely appropriate here. The Kaiser defense has been completely dominant, allowing a garbage-time TD to Barstow in its opener and that’s it. Meanwhile, Palm Desert’s defense has put 113 points up the last two weeks. In these cases, I almost always go defense, so that’s what I’ll do here.
Kaiser 28, Palm Desert 18

Carter at Colton
One team is undefeated going into this game and surprisingly, it isn’t Colton. Carter has been stout on the defensive end, giving up only 28 points in its first three games. But then again, Bloomington was cruising last week before getting backhanded 42-6 by the Yellowjackets. I expect the Lions to go through the same thing, though not nearly as savagely. Colton is awake and aware.
Colton 36, Carter 13

Silverado at Summit
The bye week couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for the SkyHawks, who got an extra week to rest up Devon Blackmon’s ankle and separate RB Montigo Alford further from a Week 0 concussion. I expect both players to play and be effective against Silverado, which will fight valiantly but doesn’t quite have the big guns to pull the upset.
Summit 27, Silverado 17

Chaffey at Chino
This game looked like a dud before the season, but Chino’s resurgence has made it pretty interesting. This will be the Cowboys’ first Mt. Baldy League game since moving over and they’ll try to exploit a struggling Chaffey squad with explosive senior Promise Amadi. I promise that it will be successful, as Chino moves to 4-0.
Chino 28, Chaffey 20

Big Bear at Rim of the World
This should be a fun one. For years I’ve wondered why this matchup didn’t happen, so now that it’s here, I expect it to be pretty fun. The Bears have been gashing people with their triple-option offense behind a stout offensive line, while Rim of the World has scuffled due to an injury bug that has taken out RB Dillon Pretzinger. However, I’m going with the home team to show a little something in this one.
Rim of the World 24, Big Bear 22

Miller at Oak Hills
Miller’s nonleague gauntlet comes to a merciful end, as they play an Oak Hills team that, while good, isn’t in the league of an Upland or a Carson at this point. The Bulldogs will be hungry in this game though, as they failed their first test of the season against a big school from down the hill, falling to Rialto. This should be a good one, but I think Miller is due to pull one of these close ones out.
Miller 27, Oak Hills 21

Riverside Notre Dame at Aquinas
The Holy War is always one of the more spirited rivalries in the area, as the IE’s top two parochial schools face off. The Falcons have been impressive, especially defensively, since losing their season opener to Desert Hot Springs. I expect this to be a physical, ground-oriented, low-scoring game and am going with the home team.
Aquinas 19, Notre Dame 16

Other games of note:
Cajon 25, San Gorgonio 14
San Bernardino 35, Pacific 18
Colony 33, Don Lugo 13
Garey 26, Montclair 14
Granite Hills 24, Alta Loma 7
Yucaipa 38, Beaumont 20
Bloomington 28, Fontana 14
Ontario Christian 24, Cerritos Valley Christian 20
Temecula Great Oak 37, Eisenhower 6
Arrowhead Christian 30, Irvine Crean Lutheran South 12
Jurupa Valley 26, Hesperia 20
Claremont 42, Ontario 13
Serrano 28, Santa Clarita Golden Valley 13
Ayala 31, Santa Fe Springs St. Paul 24
Victor Valley 36, Sultana 10
Palm Springs 35, Twentynine Palms 9
Upland 23, Los Angeles Loyola 17
Rubidoux 21, Western Christian 17
Apple Valley 34, Indio 14
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 30, Bloomington Christian 14

Last week: 26-10
Overall: 86-38-3

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Recruiting picking up at Colton

With the high school football season in high gear, recruiting of local athletes is starting to pick up as well. That’s definitely the case at Colton High School, as several Yellowjackets are jumping headfirst into the recruiting process.

Star running back Tyler Ervin and linebacker/tight end Rodney Hardrick made unofficial visits to Arizona State and Boise State this weekend. Ervin went to check out the Oregon-Arizona State, while Hardrick flew up to see the Oregon State-Boise State clash.
“Rodney was taking care of two birds with one stone, as he’s looking at both of those schools,” Colton coach Rick Bray said. “It’s an exciting time for all of these kids.”

Another Yellowjacket receiving a large amount of interest is Devan Hussey, who is being pursued by several Ivy League schools. The University of Colorado has also been around the Colton campus a lot recently according to Bray.

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REV, Rim compete in Las Vegas

The Redlands East Valley volleyball team finished sixth place overall in the championship bracket of the Durango Tournament this past weekend in Las Vegas. The Wildcats went 3-4 during the two-day tourney, losing to Mira Costa in the quarterfinals in three games before defeating Los Alamitos in consolation play and falling to Louisville (Ky.) Assumption in the fifth-place game. The Wildcats went 1-2 in their pool, defeating Thousand Oaks while losing to Covina Northview and Long Beach Poly, and defeated Lakewood in the knockout round to reach the championship bracket.

Rim of the World also competed in the tournament, reaching the championship game of the contender’s bracket before losing to Clovis Buchanan in the championship game. The Fighting Scots went 2-1 in pool play and lost their knockout game to Port Coquitlam (B.C.) Riverside before defeating Durango and Vancouver (B.C.) Sequam in the contender bracket.

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Week 4 CIF football rankings

INLAND DIVISION
1. Vista Murrieta (3-0)
2. Centennial/Corona (3-0)
3. Norco (3-0)
4. Redlands East Valley (3-0)
5. Chino Hills (3-1)
6. Rancho Cucamonga (4-0)
7. Upland (3-1)
8. Redlands (3-0-1)
9. Roosevelt (3-0)
10. Ayala (4-0)
Dropped out: No. 8 Charter Oak (2-2), No. 10 Glendora (3-1)
Others receiving votes: Charter Oak (2-2), Glendora (3-1), Claremont (3-1), Corona (2-1).

CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Rancho Verde (3-0)
2. Palm Desert (3-1)
3. Rialto (3-0)
4. Colton (2-1)
5. Coachella Valley (3-0)
6. La Quinta (2-1)
7. Palm Springs (3-1)
8. Arlington (2-1)
9. La Sierra (2-1)
10. Chino (3-0)
Dropped out: No. 10 Valley View: (1-2)
Others receiving votes: Garey (3-1), Carter (2-0-1), Vista del Lago (2-1), Colony (2-2), Valley View (1-2), Don Lugo (1-3).

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Summit (2-0-1)
2. Kaiser (3-0)
3. Wildomar Elsinore (4-0)
4. Serrano (3-1)
5. Victor Valley (3-0)
6. Heritage (4-0)
7. San Jacinto (3-1)
8. Ridgecrest Burroughs (3-1)
9. Oak Hills (2-1)
10. Citrus Hill (2-2)
Dropped out: No. 9 Bloomington (2-1), No. 10 Tahquitz (2-2).
Others receiving votes: Bloomington (2-1), Tahquitz (2-2), Silverado (1-2-1), Apple Valley (2-2), Beaumont (2-1), West Valley (2-2).

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
1. Sierra Canyon (3-0)
2. Paraclete (2-1)
3. Brentwood (3-0)
4. St. Margaret’s (2-2)
5. Aquinas (3-1)
6. Sage Hill (4-0)
7. Rim of the World (1-2)
8. Twentynine Palms (2-1)
9. Linfield Christian (2-1)
10. Riverside Notre Dame (2-1)
Dropped out: none
Others receiving votes: Campbell Hall (3-0), Big Bear (3-1), Desert Hot Springs (3-1), Grace Brethren (2-1).

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Week 4 Top 25

1. Alabama (1) – Crimson Tide pass first real test of adversity with flying colors. Hugh game with Florida next.
2. Ohio State (2) – Buckeyes roll Eastern Michigan and will likely do the same with Illinois.
3. Boise State (6) – Broncos whip Oregon State to move back up to where they were two weeks ago.
4. Oregon (3) – Defense looked shaky in win over Arizona State
5. Nebraska (4) – Huskers moved down after sleepwalk win over South Dakota State.
6. TCU (5) – Uneven win over SMU drops TCU a spot.
7. Florida (9) – The Gator defense is starting to grow on me. They’ll sell me outright with an upset of Alabama this week.
8. Stanford (12) – Stanford keeps killing everyone in its path. Huge game with Oregon is on deck.
9. Oklahoma (8) – Another scare against an inferior team drops the Sooners again.
10. Arizona (10) – Wildcats survive letdown against Cal to stay undefeated.
11. Auburn (15) – Sweep of the state of South Carolina vaults Tigers.
12. Utah (13) – Another rout bumps Utah up a step.
13. Wisconsin (14) – Badgers have best test on the road at Michigan State.
14. LSU (20) – Tigers’ defense is one of the best in the nation. If only they had a QB.
15. Arkansas (10) – Razorbacks fall after blowing golden opportunity to Alabama.
16. USC (16) – Hey, at least the Trojans didn’t drop this week.
17. Miami (Fla) (18) – The U’s defense was impressive in victory over Pitt.
18. Iowa (19) – Hawkeyes responded nicely from Arizona loss with 45-0 rout of Ball State.
19. Michigan (22) – Wolverines didn’t need Denard Robinson to gain over 700 yards this week.
20. South Carolina (17) – Tough loss to Auburn drops Gamecocks.
21. Florida State (23) – Seminoles get shutout over Wake Forest.
22. Penn State (25) – PSU outlasts Temple in deceivingly tough test.
23. Texas (7) – UCLA’s “Rout 34” causes Longhorns to plummet.
24. Michigan State (NR) – Spartans defeat Northern Colorado without coach Mark Dantonio.
25. Nevada (NR) – Wins over California and BYU bring Wolfpack into poll.

Dropped out: No. 21 West Virginia, No. 24 Oregon State

Under consideration: Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Missouri

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Week 4 top 10

We got a new No. 1, as Redlands East Valley moves up with a win over Orange Lutheran and Upland’s loss to Norco. Rancho Cucamonga continues its ascent as well.

1. Redlands East Valley (3-0)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: def. Orange Lutheran, 10-6. Up next: Friday vs. No. 4 Chino Hills (3-1).

2. Rancho Cucamonga (4-0)
Previous ranking: 3. Last week: def. Covina Charter Oak, 40-28. Up next: Friday at No. 9 Redlands (3-0-1).

3. Upland (3-1)
Previous ranking: 1. Last week: lost to Norco, 35-21. Up next: Friday at Los Angeles Loyola (1-3).

4. Chino Hills (3-1)
Previous ranking: 4. Last week: def. Pomona, 48-13. Up next: Friday at No. 1 Redlands East Valley (3-0).

5. Kaiser (3-0)
Previous ranking: 5. Last week: def. Cajon, 35-0. Up next: Friday at Palm Desert (3-1).

6. Colton (2-1)
Previous ranking: 6. Last week: def. Bloomington, 42-6. Up next: Friday vs. Carter (2-0-1).

7. Serrano (3-1)
Previous ranking: 7. Last week: def. Palmdale Highland, 17-14. Up next: Friday vs. Santa Clarita Golden Valley (2-1).

8. Summit (2-0-1)
Previous ranking: 8. Last week: idle. Up next: Friday vs. Silverado (1-2-1).

9. Redlands (3-0-1)
Previous ranking: 9. Last week: def. Carlsbad La Costa Canyon, 23-17. Up next: Friday vs. No. 2 Rancho Cucamonga (4-0).

10. Victor Valley (3-0)
Previous ranking: 10. Last week: def. Apple Valley, 38-30. Up next: Friday vs. Sultana (1-2).

Just missed the cut: Ayala (4-0), Rialto (3-0), Carter (2-0-1).

Dropped out: None.

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Week 3 scores

Just got back from Apple Valley and The Bell Game.

Aquinas 55, Indio Shadow Hills 12
Arrowhead Christian 24, Bloomington Christian 16
Arroyo Valley 49, Eisenhower 7
Ayala 34, Hacienda Heights Los Altos 7
Big Bear 42, Western Christian 28
Carter 14, Riverside Norte Vista 8
Chino 47, Covina Northview 30
Chino Hills 48, Pomona 13
Colony 38, Alta Loma 7
Colton 42, Bloomington 6
Desert Hot Springs 58, Jurupa Hills 0
Etiwanda 33, Miller 28
Kaiser 35, Cajon 0
Norco 35, Upland 21
Oak Hills 30, Lancaster 7
Oak Park 21, Don Lugo 7
Ontario Christian 31, Jurupa Valley 0
Palm Desert 63, Hesperia 0
Quartz Hill 24, Barstow 0
Rancho Cucamonga 40, Covina Charter Oak 28
Redlands 23, Carlsbad La Costa Canyon 17
Redlands East Valley 10, Orange Lutheran 6
Rialto 20, Granite Hills 13
San Bernardino 33, Fontana 27
Serrano 17, Palmdale Highland 14
Silverado 24, Valencia West Ranch 20
Sultana 34, Pacific 20
Victor Valley 38, Apple Valley 30
Vista Murrieta 30, Los Osos 7
Yucaipa 25, San Gorgonio 13

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Week 3 predictions

Did virtually the same this past week as I did the week before. I blame the Mt. Baldy League. I think i’m 2 for 20 on Mt. Baldy predictions.

Redlands East Valley at Orange Lutheran
It’s always fun to see county powers go against the elite from other parts of the Southland. REV pulled a fast one on O-Lu last year, scoring two touchdowns in the final minute to pull the shocker. I’m not sure how many players on either team remember it, as both teams have a ton of new starters. It should be a great game though. I expect REV to pull another one out.
Redlands East Valley 17, Orange Lutheran 13

Norco at Upland
Another meeting of the powers, as the No. 3 team in the Inland Division hosts the No. 4 one. It should be an outstanding matchup, as Norco has taken to its new-found spread offense like a duck to water, scoring 74 points in two games, while Upland’s new-look defense seems to get better every week. There should be some scoring in this game, as Norco’s D will give up points. I think Upland is a bit more experience.
Upland 28, Norco 27

Cajon at Kaiser
Kaiser has been flying under the radar thus far this year, but it won’t for year much longer, as the Cats have been straight filthy on defense thus far, giving up six points in two games. Cajon has been uneven, getting worked by Claremont before destroying Eisenhower, but had its bye week last week to work out some kinks. I expect the Cowboys to be competitive, but I’m really liking Kaiser right now.
Kaiser 24, Cajon 9

Victor Valley at Apple Valley
The Bell Game is one of the most hotly-contested games in the High Desert and, recently, one of the most thrilling. The last two meetings between the Jackrabbits and Sun Devils have been decided by a combined four points, with Victor Valley winning by 3 last year and Apple Valley pulling out a one-point win in 2008. I’m heading up there and I’m expecting much of the same, with the host Sun Devils pulling it out late.
Apple Valley 26, Victor Valley 24

Miller at Etiwanda
These teams are a combined 1-5, so why am I featuring this game? Because these teams are a lot better than their record gives them credit for. Etiwanda’s three-game stretch of Summit, Vista Murrieta and Norco may be the toughest in the Southland, while Miller hasn’t exactly had a picnic with Upland and Carson. Having seen both of these teams in person, it’s a coin flip, but I think Miller’s D is a little bit better. But not much.
Miller 33, Etiwanda 29

Charter Oak at Rancho Cucamonga
This has been a hard-fought game the last two years and I don’t see why it would be any different this year. Charter Oak has equipped itself admirably in the Inland Division thus far, going 2-1, while Rancho Cucamonga is perfect despite having to spend its first three games on the road. It is the first “home” game for Rancho – who doesn’t play on campus – and I expect it’ll show up well.
Rancho Cucamonga 27, Charter Oak 17

Bloomington at Colton
Although they reside in the same school district, these two teams don’t play very often. This could be a surprisingly good game, as Bloomington has looked pretty good in going 2-0 while Colton sputtered quite a bit last week in a 14-3 loss to La Quinta. But I think Colton will be just fine in the home opener, overpowering the Bruins in the second half.
Colton 30, Bloomington 14

San Gorgonio at Yucaipa
This should be a pretty solid game, as both of these teams are in a bit of purgatory. The Spartans are 0-2, but they’ve had to play Rancho Verde and REV, so its hard to really have a true handle on them. Yucaipa stomped Canyon Springs, only to be stomped by Rancho Verde. I hate using the transitive scores property, but San G was a lot more competitive against Rancho Verde than Yucaipa was. I’ll go with that.
San Gorgonio 31, Yucaipa 26

Redlands at Carlsbad La Costa Canyon
The Terriers played arguably the game of the year last week against Los Osos, gutting through a triple-overtime victory against the Grizzlies despite losing their quarterback Jojo Hernandez. I would imagine that Redlands is going to rest Hernandez for this one, which will be a tough one, as La Costa Canyon can ball. I’ll go with the home team.
La Costa Canyon 23, Redlands 10

Granite Hills at Rialto
It might be time to start getting on the Knights’ bandwagon. Rialto has won three in a row dating pack to last year, including an impressive 28-14 victory at a tough Oak Hills team last week. Granite Hills has been up and down this season and should be an opponent that Rialto can use to build momentum. Look for four in a row from the No. 5 team in the Central Division polls.
Rialto 26, Granite Hills 12

Other games of note:
Diamond Ranch 33, Chaffey 10
Aquinas 35, Shadow Hills 13
Arroyo Valley 28, Eisenhower 7
Ayala 31, Los Altos 20
Twentynine Palms 19, Banning 14
Quartz Hill 27, Barstow 12
Big Bear 37, Western Christian 20
Rim of the World 18, Bishop 14
Bloomington Christian 23, Arrowhead Christian 9
Yucca Valley 24, Calexico 16
Chino 30, Covina Northview 14
Murrieta Mesa 28, Citrus Valley 24
City of Industry Workman 23, Montclair 17
Colony 33, Alta Loma 14
Desert Hot Springs 45, Jurupa Hills 6
Don Lugo 24, Oak Park 14
Fontana 28, San Bernardino 21
Palm Desert 49, Hesperia 13
Ontario Christian 27, Jurupa Valley 22
Oak Hills 29, Lancaster 13
Vista Murrieta 38, Los Osos 16
Carter 27, Norte Vista 23
Chino Hills 31, Pomona 15
Serrano 34, Palmdale Highland 7
Sultana 27, Pacific 20
Silverado 21, Valencia West Ranch 18

Last week: 24-9-1
Overall: 60-28-3

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Ontario High seeking girls basketball coach

Two months before the basketball season is set to tip off, the Ontario High School athletic department is looking to fill its varsity girls head coaching position. The position is open to in-district and out-of-district candidates and inquires can be sent via e-mail to OHS athletic director Rhonda Purwin at rhonda_purwin@cjuhsd.net.

The previous coach of the Jaguars was Bryan Grant, who led Ontario to an 18-5 record last year and a second-place finish in the Mt. Baldy League. Grant was 34-35 in three seasons at Ontario, leading the Jaguars to playoff berths the last two years.

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Yearwood to play this week

After sitting out the first two games due to paperwork from his transfer from Los Angeles University High School being processed, Arroyo Valley quarterback Michael Yearwood is set to make his season debut Friday, as the Hawks play at Eisenhower.

“We are excited,” Arroyo Valley coach Marcus Soward said after his team’s 10-0 loss to Miller this past Friday. “I think we have a good team, but Michael is a special player that makes everyone better. I can’t wait to put him out there.”

Yearwood was a killer for Arroyo Valley as a dual-threat quarterback last year, combining for 36 touchdowns rushing and passing for an Arroyo Valley team that went 7-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Yearwood originally moved from Los Angeles during his sophomore year, moved back during the spring to help with his ailing grandmother and moved back this summer after his grandmother had passed away.

The quarterback takes the reins of an offense that’s struggled mightily in its first two games, scoring only three points in losses to Palm Springs and Miller. The Hawks only touchdown was a defensive one, as its shuffled three different guys at quarterback.

Yearwood was actually cleared right before the Miller game last Friday, but Soward held him out because he felt that he didn’t have enough practice time.

“Michael was getting on me, yelling to get in the game because he’s a competitor, but we didn’t want to risk it,” Soward said. “We wanted to get him some more practice time to knock off some rust.”

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