INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I got several crucial games wrong last week, which proves, well, mostly one thing: Don’t pick against Norco. In all, I went 12-3 in Week 9. A slew of decent games this week, highlighted by REV v. Redlands for the CBL title. I covered Fontana Summit-Riverside Patriot on Thursday and will be covering Eastvale Roosevelt at Riverside King on Friday for the Riverside Press-Enterprise. Game starts at 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL:

Rialto Carter at Yucaipa — This game is for fourth place in the Citrus Belt League, not an enviable place to be considiring the league gets just three playoff spots. But any coach will tell you that a 4-3 record in league is worlds better than 3-4. The Knights (4-5 overall, 3-3 Citrus Belt) disposed of Fontana, 53-27, in Week 9. Sophomore QB Bryan Harper (5-11, 145) passed for two TDs in the victory. The Thunderbirds (5-4, 3-3) won a barnburner, 50-41, last week over Rialto Eisenhower to save their season. Senior RB Brandon Leach (5-8, 180) ran for 154 yards and one TD in the victory.
YUCAIPA 32, CARTER 29.

Corona Centennial at Corona — Are the Huskies (7-2 overall, 5-1 Big VIII) wounded? Will their narrow loss to Norco in Week 9 carry into this week and beyond? We’ll find out here. Senior RB Denzel Hawkins (5-9, 190) ran for 114 yards and two TDs in the loss. The only good news for the Panthers (2-7, 1-5) is the announcement that all-everything senior Jordon James (5-10, 194) has committed to play for UCLA. Look to see him in the Bruins defensive backfield as early as next season. View video of James and Corona here.
CENTENNIAL 38, CORONA 16.

Perris Citrus Hill at Hemet Tahquitz — The Hawks (9-0 overall, 5-0 Mountain Pass) are a march towards history behind senior RB Deontae Cooper (6-3, 190), who averages more than 270 rushing yards per game. View video of Cooper and Citrus Hill here. The Titans (4-5, 3-3) have won their last two games, including a 28-0 victory over a Nigel Barksdale-less San Jacinto in Week 8.
CITRUS HILL 56, TAHQUITZ 21.

Rialto Eisenhower at Fontana Miller — (THURSDAY) The Eagles (1-8 overall, 1-5 Citrus Belt) kept it close but lost to Yucaipa, 50-41 last week depsite 289 yards and two TDs from senior QB Richard Redd (6-2, 195). Redd had 327 total yards in the game. The Rebels (4-5, 4-2) have lost two consecutive to the Redlands schools, falling last week, 28-20, to Redlands. Senior QB Juan Flores (5-8, 190) passed for 168 yards and two TDs in the loss. View video of Flores and Miller here.
MILLER 48, EISENHOWER 37.

Riverside La Sierra at Moreno Valley — The Eagles (5-4 overall, 3-3 Inland Valley) looked helpless in a 49-6 loss to Arlington in Week 9. Game story here. Blog here. Video here. It wasn’t a sight anyone should see. If La Sierra manages a victory and Moreno Valley Valley View loses then it means the last Inland Division playoff spot for the LSHS and a date with destruction against the Inland Division No. 1 seed — likely Redlands East Valley. The Vikings (2-7, 2-4) gave up a late touchdown in losing, 14-12, to Moreno Valley Valley View last week.
LA SIERRA 16, MORENO VALLEY 12.

Maryland School for the Deaf Frederick at California School for the Deaf Riverside — The Orioles (9-0 overall, 2-0 Freelance) have outscored opponents 414-97 this season. MSDF won last week, 56-18, over Maryland Silver Oak Academy. The Cubs (4-5 overall, 3-3 San Joaquin) have won five of their last seven games but lost last week, 35-20, to Bloomington Christian. Junior Ryan Baldiviez ran for two long TD runs (33, 67) and senior Galvan Drake also had TD run in the loss.
CSDR 28, MSDF 21.

Murrieta Valley at Vista Murrieta — The Nighthawks (6-3 overall, 3-1 Southwestern) have won three consecutive to put themselves in prime playoff position. A victory here would not only be a large upset but also a league crown. Senior QB Nathan Matlock (5-10, 175) and senior RB A.J. Moore (5-11, 190) have the quality to get it done. The Broncos (9-0, 4-0) had issues with Temecula Great Oak last week and won but just one score. Is Coley Candaele’s squad scuttling in the playoffs?
MURRIETA VALLEY 28, VISTA MURRIETA 21.

Riverside Poly at Norco — The Bears (3-5 overall, 1-5 Big VIII) have now lost four consecutive since defeating Corona, 32-27, in Week 5. Senior RB Jaron Farmer (5-8, 165) scored Poly’s only TD in a 12-6 loss to Riverside King last week. View videos of Poly here and here. The Cougars (8-1, 6-0) are the toast of Northern Corona. The last thing coach Todd Gerhart’s team needs right now is a let-down in Week 10 against a lesser opponent. Coach Gerhart will see that it doesn’t happen. View video of Norco here.
NORCO 32, POLY 12.

Riverside Ramona at Valley View — The Rams (2-7 overall, 1-5 Inland Valley) can spoil any hopes Valley View (4-5, 3-3) has of making the playoffs by winning here. One problem, it will not happen. The Eagles have won three straight — including wins over Riverside La Sierra and Moreno Valley Vista del Lago, who schools that have defeated Ramona.
VALLEY VIEW 27, RAMONA 14.

Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda at Rancho Cucamonga — (THURSDAY) The Eagles (6-3 overall, 3-1 Baseline) lost badly last week to Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos, 58-35. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak. The Cougars (8-1, 3-1) are one victory away from a second consecutive Baseline League title and a No. 1 or 2 seed in next week’s playoffs.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA 31, ETIWANDA 24.

Redlands East Valley at Redlands — This game is played annually for a local artifact called “The Smudge Pot.” May the game actually live up to all the mythology? The Wildcats (9-0 overall, 6-0 Citrus Belt) are the area’s consensus top team and are led by the elite tandem of senior QB Tyler Shreve (6-4, 220) and senior RB A.J. Fernandez (6-0, 190). The Terriers (8-1, 6-0) are again having a terrific season under long-time head coach Jim Walker. (Walker is one of FOMB’s favorite area coaches.) Senior RB Cameron Villalobos (6-1, 185) had 106 total yards and two TDs last week as Redlands defeated Rialto, 31-14, to set up this chance at a league title.
REDLANDS EAST VALLEY 38, REDLANDS 35.

Eastvale Roosevelt at Riverside King — The Mustangs (7-2 overall, 4-2 Big VIII) won a close game, 27-21, over Riverside North last week. Senior WR Austin Hill (6-4, 200) caught six passed for 123 yards and a TD in the victory. The Wolves escaped with a 12-6 victory over Riverside Poly in a Week 9 contest between Riverside’s blue bloods. Senior RB Todd Handley (5-10, 175) ran for 100 yards and also caught a TD pass in the victory. View video of King here.
ROOSEVELT 24, KING 21.

Corona Santiago at Riverside North — (THURSDAY) The Sharks (4-5 overall, 3-3 Big VIII) can smell the blood in the water. A win here sends them to the playoffs. The Huskies (3-6, 1-5) are coming off a tight loss to Eastvale Roosevelt, 27-21, in Week 9. Senior RBs E.J. Schexnayder (6-2, 230) and Sadale Foster (5-10, 185) will be looking to end their prep careers on a high note. View video of North here.
NORTH 35, SANTIAGO 32.

Fontana Summit at Riverside Patriot — (THURSDAY) Both teams need a victory to secure a playoff spot. It’s that simple. The SkyHawks (4-5 overall, 2-2 Sunkist) have taken a pounding the last two weeks, losing to Fontana Kaiser and Riverside Norte Vista, respectively. The Warriors (4-5, 2-2) demolished everyone’s whipping boy, Jurupa Valley, 56-7 last week behind 265 yards and three TDs from junior RB Damar Sowell (5-9, 190).
PATRIOT 27, SUMMIT 21.

Moreno Valley Vista del Lago at Arlington –The Ravens (4-5 overall, 1-5 overall) haven’t won since Week 5 over Riverside Ramona. Junior QB Trent Hedlund (6-3, 195) passed for his team’s only score in a 34-7 loss to Moreno Valley Canyon Springs. Conversly, yhe Lions (8-1, 5-1) haven’t lost since Week 4 to Moreno Valley Rancho Verde. Junior RB Superiorr Reid (6-3, 215) ran for 245 yards and four TDs as Arlington whalloped Riverside La Sierra, 49-6, last week.
ARLINGTON 35, VISTA DEL LAGO 14.

LAST WEEK: 12-3. SEASON: 81-24.