Offensive Player of the Year: Taylor Ward, Shadow Hills
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Follett, Big Bear

First team
Owen David, Big Bear
Cody Ogg, Big Bear
Zakk Planz, Big Bear
Tyler Westplat, Big Bear
Adam Armijo, Desert Hot Springs
David Cortes, Desert Hot Springs
Nolan Hayes, Desert Hot Springs
David Newland, Desert Mirage
Gabriel Lopez, Shadow Hills
Daniel Mesa, Shadow Hills
Sean Lopez, Twentynine Palms
David Tuttle, Twentynine Palms
Colt Cooper, Yucca Valley

Second Team
Dylan Helme, Big Bear
Andrew Adair, Desert Hot Springs
Mike Miller, Desert Hot Springs
Ivan Alvarado, Desert Mirage
Javier Zazveta, Desert Mirage
Brandon Lemke, Shadow Hills
J.J. Uselton, Shadow Hills
Zach Belisle, Twentynine Palms
Zach Yantes, Twentynine Palms
Ethan Geeson, Yucca Valley

Honorable Mention
Rex Seamen, Big Bear
Josh Ballesteros, Desert Hot Springs
Ruben Magana, Desert Mirage
Tyler Wolfe, Shadow Hills
Jerek Silvas, Twentynine Palms
Jordan Eads, Yucca Valley

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Just got back in town from Thanksgiving and will get these done real quick before heading out to Ramona High School for Cajon-Arlington.

Inland Division

Corona Centennial at Upland
In the battle between defending CIF champions last week, Upland took down Chaparral to help the Baseline League to a 3-0 mark. While that victory was impressive, Centennial is a different, more potent beast. Upland will score some, but not nearly enough to keep up.
Centennial 52, Upland 21

Chino Hills at Etiwanda
Can the Eagles pull off another upset? The Etiwanda defense stepped up huge in the win at Redlands East Valley, but Chino Hills just put up 10 touchdowns on Corona. The Huskies are humming on that side of the ball and should win a shootout.
Chino Hills 45, Etiwanda 35

Rancho Cucamonga at Roosevelt
The Cougars are playoff-savvy and looked good against Murrieta Valley, while Roosevelt had to scratch and claw against Claremont. Look for Rancho to keep the Baseline contingent alive.
Rancho Cucamonga 34, Roosevelt 28

Vista Murrieta 41, Norco 27

Central Division

Rancho Verde at San Gorgonio
Rancho Verde is the top seed in the bracket, but they had to scratch and claw to get past the Spartans in week one. And that’s before San G caught fire with its current seven-game win streak. I still like Rancho Verde though.
Rancho Verde 29, San Gorgonio 21

La Quinta at Chino
This is easily the toughest test that 11-0 Chino has had to face this year, as La Quinta is perennially among the top teams in whatever division it is playing in. Chino has been quite the story, but I’m not sure it’s fully prepared for this.
La Quinta 28, Chino 22

Cajon at Arlington
The second-hottest team in the county goes against a red-hot player, as the Cowboys’ 8-game winning streak will be tested by Arlington and their star RB Superiorr Reid, who has 32 touchdowns. Cajon is good but I like Arlington’s smashmouth style.
Arlington 35, Cajon 24

Palm Springs at Colton
While both of these teams put up ridiculous point totals last week, I think we’ll see some defense in this one. Both of these teams are stout on that side of the ball, though I feel Palm Springs has a bit more oomph.
Palm Springs 20, Colton 14

Eastern Division

Kaiser at Granite Hills
The Cats have apparently declared war on the city of Apple Valley, as they took out Apple Valley High last week. Granite Hills is scrappy, but they don’t have the firepower to challenge Kaiser.
Kaiser 36, Granite Hills 6

Victor Valley at Elsinore
The Jackrabbits resurgence continued last week with another last-minute win, this time against Norte Vista. But Elsinore on the road is a tough task and I’m not sure if the Jackrabbits will be able to wave their magic wand again.
Elsinore 28, Victor Valley 24

Heritage at Summit
Heritage has been impressive this year, running off 11 wins to grab the No. 3 seed. But player for player, Summit might be the most talented team. I like the SkyHawks to come through with a mild upset.
Summit 30, Heritage 27

Serrano at Ridgecrest Burroughs
Going up to Ridgecrest is a tough task for anyone. But if there’s any team that can handle it, its’ the Diamondbacks. The Serrano D is playing at a high level, which should be the difference.
Serrano 17, Burroughs 9

East Valley Division

Paraclete 42, Grace Brethren 24

St. Margaret’s at Big Bear
This has already been played, with St. Margaret’s prevailing 17-6.

Twentynine Palms at Sierra Canyon
The Wildcats were impressive in rolling over Sage Hill, but going out to the San Fernando Valley from the High Desert is a lot to ask. Sierra Canyon will pull away late in this one.
Sierra Canyon 34, Twentynine Palms 16

Rubidoux at Yucca Valley
The Trojans pulled off the shocker of the playoffs, heading to San Bernardino and shocking No. 2 Aquinas. Now they face a Rubidoux team that they tied in September. I think Cinderella has another dance after this one.
Yucca Valley 20, Rubidoux 18

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Misfired on Upland and Chino Hills last week, among others. And Ayala of course.

Miller at Redlands East Valley
At halftime last week, it looked like we were in for another Miller-REV undefeated clash in the CBL. Then Redlands decided to ruin it by erasing a 20-point deficit to tip the Rebels 28-27. But despite that, this is a very important game in the CBL. The Wildcats lost to Miller 18-15 to give up the CBL title last season and are intent on getting some sort of payback. They will.
Redlands East Valley 34, Miller 17

Rancho Cucamonga at Upland
The rematch of last year’s Central Division championship game is basically an elimination game as far as the Baseline League title is concerned. Both have stumbled in recent upsets, with the Cougars falling to Los Osos and Upland losing to Etiwanda and it will be interesting to see which one steps up to the plate. I will go with the defending champs to put a complete game.
Rancho Cucamonga 21, Upland 15

Los Osos at Etiwanda
Gotta do the Baseline double dip this week. While the teams in the above game wonder what might have been, these teams are pointing and laughing at what has become. Etiwanda is the only undefeated team left and can put a hammerlock on things with a win and help, while Los Osos might be the most improved them from game 1 to game 8 in the county. I’ll go with the Eagles in a thriller.
Etiwanda 27, Los Osos 23

Colton at San Gorgonio
Normally there might be a letdown for the Yellowjackets after a win like they had against Cajon, as San G is struggling in an injury-filled 2-6 season. But the Spartans upset Colton last year at Colton, leapfrogging the Yellowjackets for second place in league. It’s doubtful that Colton has forgotten about that.
Colton 40, San Gorgonio 12

Chino Hills at Ayala
Ah yes, the battle of Chino Hills. There’s a lot more at stake than just bragging rights or “The Bone” as both of these teams need to right the ship after upset losses a week ago. The loser of this, especially if its Ayala, will be in trouble, as there’s no guarantee than the fourth-place team from the Sierra League will get the Central Division at-large bid. The Huskies seem more battle-tested than Ayala, so that’s who I’ll go with.
Chino Hills 23, Ayala 13

Silverado at Granite Hills
Silverado is arguably the hottest team in the county without the words “East Valley” in their school name, having won seven in a row to take control of the Desert Sky League. Granite Hills has already had its best year in school history and an upset win here would do wonders for its playoff chances. However, I think Silverado’s roll is too much for the Cougars to slow.
Silverado 31, Granite Hills 16

Don Lugo at Colony
The Conquistadores have two legitimate Division I players in George Uko and Steven Bethley. Colony has an entire team of studs it seems. The Titans have been marching over everyone in their path since an opening-week loss to Los Osos and it seems doubtful that Don Lugo can prevent that from happening to them.
Colony 34, Don Lugo 10

Riverside Norte Vista at Summit
This game is basically for second place, as Kaiser as the Sunkist League title basically in its grasp (What else is new) after beating these teams the last two weeks. Of the two games with Kaiser, Summit’s was the more competitive. Not sure how much you can read into that, but the SkyHawks seem to have the talent to overcome Norte Vista’s physical attack.
Summit 21, Norte Vista 18

Rim of the World at Hesperia
The Fighting Scots have rolled their last two opponents after losing their opener to Serrano and just need to beat the Scorpions to clinch a playoff spot. Despite what has been a tough go of it to date, Hesperia is in control of its playoff destiny even with a loss today. That’s good, because a loss is almost certainly going to happen.
Rim of the World 35, Hesperia 10

Twentynine Palms at Big Bear
These two East Valley powers seem to have found themselves after early struggles. The Wildcats have won five in a row since starting 0-4 and would love nothing more than to clinch a league title in Big Bear, which has won its last two and three of four. The Bears spoiled 29’s bid for an undisputed league title last year but won’t pull the trick twice.
Twentynine Palms 23, Big Bear 16

Other games of note:
Claremont 33, Alta Loma 7
Ontario Christian 28, Arrowhead Christian 17
Aquinas 45, Western Christian 13
Carter 34, Fontana 24
Redlands 38, Rialto 0
Yucaipa 48, Eisenhower 21
Barstow 20, Victor Valley 14
Apple Valley 42, Sultana 14
Chaffey 36, Garey 13
Montclair 38, Ontario 14
Arroyo Valley 45, San Bernardino 23
Cajon 51, Pacific 0
Kaiser 36, Bloomington 6
Glendora 40, Chino 7
Citrus Valley 24, Indio Shadow Hills 15
Oak Hills 48, Murrieta Mesa 6
Serrano 28, Ridgecrest Burroughs 13
Yucca Valley 30, Acton Vasquez 10

Week: 22-6
Overall: 201-55

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I took it in the chin last week, barely finishing above .500 at 10-9. While the first week is hard to judge sometimes, I have to do better than that. Here’s to a full slate and winning at least 75%. Cheers.

Los Osos at Riverside North
Life at Los Osos didn’t die with the losses of Richard Brehaut and Arby Fields after all. In fact, Blake Loncar made quite a convincing case at QB for the Grizzlies last week, passing for 200 yards and spreading the ball around nicely. However, North is one of the better programs in the area and are tough to beat at King High School. Don’t think Osos is quite ready at this juncture.
Riverside North 23, Los Osos 14

Chaffey at Chino Hills
This is a sneaky-good matchup – the best game of the week in my opinion. Chino Hills has some great defensive backs in Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Nate Harris, but the Tigers will keep this game on the ground thanks to RB Ronald Douglas and QB Jacob Ahmad. Chaffey needs a win in a game like this to prove that it can be a player in the Central Division, but that’ll be easier said than done against the Huskies.
Chino Hills 28, Chaffey 18

Kaiser at Apple Valley
The Phil Zelaya era at Kaiser starts in the desert, as the Cats head up the Cajon Pass to face an Apple Valley team that returns 16 starters from last year. Of course, Kaiser returns a bunch – including USC commit Anthony Brown and four-star D-I prospect Josh Shirley – and put a beating on the Sun Devils last year. It’ll be closer, but the ultimate result will be the same.
Kaiser 30, Apple Valley 13

Glendora at Upland
The Highlanders impressed me with their defense, completely smothering Miller at the point of attack and using the running game to play keep away. Upland isn’t flashy, but they could be quite effective. Glendora has been quite effectively offensively and these two teams tend to play classics. I’ll go with the home team in a coin-flip game.
Upland 21, Glendora 17

Summit at Redlands
This game lost a bit of luster, as Temecula Great Oak put it on the Terriers last week 24-7. Great Oak may be improved, but losing like that to one of the least effective teams in the Southwestern League isn’t a great way to start. Summit gave Etiwanda a run before falling and will get a big victory, in name at least, in this one.
Summit 19, Redlands 13

Colony at Diamond Ranch
The Titans’ schedule certainly doesn’t do them many favors, as Colony faces the Southeast Division runner-ups in between games against Central Division powers Los Osos and Chino Hills. Gus Viramontes threw for 254 yards against Muir last week for Diamond Ranch and will put up big numbers again.
Diamond Ranch 31, Colony 17

San Gorgonio at Hesperia
Two new coaches hit up programs that have had some recent success, as Jeremy Topete takes over a Hesperia program fresh off an Mojave River League championship and the best two seasons in Scorpion history while Ron Gueringer takes hold of a Spartan team that was second in the SAL. Hesperia won this 34-17 last year and I expect this matchup to be much of the same.
Hesperia 28, San Gorgonio 17

Vista Murrieta at Colton
The best part of playing four straight road games to start 2008 for Colton was that they get them all at home to start 2009. The opener of the Yellowjackets’ four-game homestand will be a tough one, as the Broncos are traditionally one of the tougher teams in southern Riverside County. Colton lost a nailbiter last year and will return the favor tomorrow.
Colton 21, Vista Murrieta 19

Serrano at Silverado
Both of these teams are coming off season openers to forget. Serrano was held to a field goal in a 13-3 loss to Paraclete while the Hawks would have killed to have that production, getting blasted 61-0 by Gardena Serra. Serrano was closer to winning and Silverado typically starts out slow, so I’ll take the Diamondbacks on the road.
Serrano 35, Silverado 14

Aquinas at Big Bear
This is always a must-see matchup among the small schools, with this year being no different. The Falcons will be making their first appearance under new head coach Nick Matheny while Big Bear is looking to get in the win column after losing a tough game to Simi Valley Grace Brethren. I think the Bears will be looking at two tough defeats.
Aquinas 24, Big Bear 20

The best of the rest:
Los Angeles Franklin 36, Don Lugo 14
Riverside Patriot 45, Citrus Valley 6
Victor Valley 27, Bellflower 10
Alta Loma 21, Carter 16
West Covina South Hills 28, Ayala 20
Bloomington 20, Ontario 17
Bonita 31, Claremont 20
Cajon 41, Eisenhower 7
Redlands East Valley 24, Clovis East 13
Rim of the World 35, Desert Hot Springs 10
Hemet West Valley 31, Arroyo Valley 21
Los Angeles Carson 21, Miller 13
Rancho Cucamonga 34, Moreno Valley Canyon Springs 6
Moreno Valley Rancho Verde 40, Yucaipa 10
Oak Hills 17, Rosamond 14
Ontario Christian 27, Calvary Murrieta 13
Fontana 17, Pacific 6
Montclair 31, Pomona 16
Barstow 38, Rialto 0
Riverside Notre Dame 21, Twentynine Palms 16
San Bernardino 23, Jurupa Valley 17
Palm Desert 37, Sultana 13
Etiwanda 27, Temecula Valley 21
Arrowhead Christian 20, Webb 7
Western Christian 21, Downey Calvary Chapel 14
Chino 25, Whittier 9
San Jacinto 34, Yucca Valley 14
Granite Hills 31, Riverside Rubidoux 0

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Missed the Broncos-Browns game and the college games tonight. Oh well. Maybe I should concentrate more on high schools anyway, as the upsets last week left me an unsatisfactory 16-8 last week. Gotta do better than that.

Redlands at Redlands East Valley
This should be one of the more animated games of the season, with vitrol coming from both sides. Can REV recover from its loss to Miller? Will Redlands hype itself way too much and hit a fatal lull? A couple of interesting things. This game has gone Red-REV-Red-REV-Red-REV the last six years and every year REV has won, its won a league title. It’s Redlands’ turn in the cycle and REV won’t likely win a title, so I’m going with the Terriers.
Redlands 21, Redlands East Valley 17

Ayala at Chino Hills
I pick against Chino Hills quite a bit. They end up making me look dumber than I already am. I’m sick of looking dumb, at least when it comes to Chino Hills. So yeah, I’m picking the Huskies this week. Are you happy? Are you not entertained? Wait, don’t answer the last one.
Chino Hills 27, Ayala 22

Arroyo Valley at Cajon
Michael Philipp was honored this week with a berth in the U.S. Army All-American game, a great achievement for the Arroyo Valley offensive lineman. Now if Philipp could carry the ball, the Hawks would be in business. Losing to San Berdoo was definitely a slap in the face, and Cajon is straight ballin’ right now. Probably too hard for Arroyo to turn it around this week.
Cajon 31, Arroyo Valley 10

Etiwanda at Upland
Upland should be all hyped-up for a showdown with Rancho Cucamonga next week but can hardly afford to overlook the Eagles in this game. Both of these teams can pass (seriously, who in the Baseline can’t?) but I think the Highlanders have a little more talent across the board.
Upland 38, Etiwanda 24

Patriot at Summit
Summit used a lifeline last week against Norte Vista, phoning a friend and getting a 26-point second half to eke out a 32-28 victory after being down 28-6. That isn’t going to work against a solid Patriot team that will almost assuredly be the first Patriot/Rubidoux/whatever team to get a playoff berth since 2001. Summit will disrupt a potential Sunkist showdown between Patriot and Kaiser next week with a win.
Summit 27, Patriot 20

Ontario at Chaffey
After the huge overtime win over Colony, it would be easy for the Tigers to strut down Euclid Avenue and feel high and mighty. But this Ontario team, also undefeated in the Mt. Baldy League, can bite them if Chaffey isn’t careful. QB Herman Huezo has been a dual-threat force for the Jaguars, but he won’t be enough.
Chaffey 34, Ontario 19

Hesperia at Rim of the World
A tricky game for the Scorpions after the big win over Serrano last week, as they have to face a physical Rim team up the mountain, where they are privvy to dealing with fog, snow, smoke and whatever other meterological annoyance is liable to crop up. I think Hesperia has too much depth and too many playmakers though.
Hesperia 35, Rim of the World 16

Aquinas at Ontario Christian
The Ontario Christian spread offense erupted against ACA this past week and just in time, as the Knights were on a four-game win streak. While the Knights have struggled with the new schemes, Aquinas is tossing the ball around effortlessly with QB Tyler Stirewalt and WR Jim Jones. Just way too much firepower on the Falcons’ side.
Aquinas 38, Ontario Christian 20

Big Bear at Twentynine Palms
While 29 is looking for its second straight championship, it still has a mountain to climb – figuratively, not literally – against Big Bear. The two teams didn’t play last year due to the wildfires in the San Bernardino Mountains and corresponding smoke, so Big Bear gets to defend its honor a bit. I say 29 completes this title though.
Twentynine Palms 28, Big Bear 23

Victor Valley at Barstow
Yes, the Desert Sky League needs love too, especially since Burroughs’ win over Silverado made it a four-team clusterbomb for three playoff berths. The Jackrabbits and Aztecs are essentially playing an elimination game in this one, especially Victor Valley, which has Ridgecrest Burroughs on the docket next week. Barstow takes this.
Barstow 32, Victor Valley 21

Other games of note, led by the one I have to leave for in a few minutes:
Miller 28, Eisenhower 6
Carter 24, Yucaipa 20
Fontana 20, Rialto 17
Western Christian 30, Arrowhead Christian 17
Rancho Cucamonga 35, Alta Loma 10
Los Osos 45, Claremont 7
San Gorgonio 31, San Bernardino 13
Colton 48, Pacific 6
Kaiser 45, Jurupa Valley 0
Bloomington 23, Norte Vista 21
Apple Valley 38, Sultana 12
Serrano 31, Ridgecrest Burroughs 23
Silverado 33, Granite Hills 14
Colony 41, Montclair 15
Yucca Valley 30, Acton Vasquez 10
Glendora 24, Chino 10

Overall record: 164-38-4

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