For the first time in years, don’t expect the Chargers to be practicing on Thanksgiving, not with a first-round game at No. 2 Vista Murrieta.
Fred’s explanation: A lot of folks will tell you that with all due respect to Pac-5 powers Mission Viejo and Servite, Corona Centennial is the best team in the Southland with a no-huddle that’s unstoppable because of their giant, mobile, offensive line and QB Michael Eubank. That means you can eliminate whoever stands in their way, like Upland in round two and Redlands East Valley in the semifinals. That’s right, I’m taking Redlands Easy Valley to eliminate the Huskies in round two for a couple reasons. One, Redlands East Valley would have the home game and two, Chino Hills beat them on the road in October, 14-3, and I’m sure a return trip won’t be as kind. For Claremont and Charter Oak, I’m afraid the road ends in the first round, though Claremont has a realistic chance of advancing while the Chargers is a long shot.
Inland Division Predictions
Top Seeds: 1. Corona Centennial (10-0), 2. Vista Murrieta (9-1), 3. Rancho Cucamonga (9-1), 4. Chino Hills (8-2).
Unseeded Sleepers: Norco, Redlands East Valley, Upland, Claremont.
Inland Division
Top Bracket
Yucaipa (6-4) at No. 1 Corona Centennial (10-0) — Centennial
Chaparral (4-6) at Upland (7-3) — Upland
Etiwanda (5-5) vs. Redlands East Valley (8-2) — Redlands East Valley
Corona (5-5) at No. 4 Chino Hills (8-2) — Chino Hills
Bottom Bracket
Murrieta Valley (6-4) vs. No. 3 Rancho Cucamonga (9-1) — Rancho Cucamonga
Claremont (7-3) at Corona Roosevelt (8-2) — Roosevelt
Norco (8-2) at Redlands (7-2-1) — Norco
Charter Oak (6-4) at No. 2 Vista Murrieta (9-1) — Vista Murrieta
Quarterfinals
Top Bracket
Centennial over Upland
Redlands East Valley over Chino Hills
Bottom Bracket
Rancho Cucamonga over Roosevelt
Vista Murrieta over Norco
Semifinals
Centennial over Redlands East Valley
Vista Murrieta over Rancho Cucamonga
Championship
Corona Centennial over Vista Murrieta
Charter Oak is a defending champion and if they believe they’re champions this is a speech they should keep close to the chest in Friday’s first-rounder that nobody thinks they can win.
