INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Fontana Miller-Corona Centennial first round CIF Inland Division playoff game tonight and wanted to get down some of my pre-game thoughts.

The Rebels (5-5) face the Huskies (8-2) in Corona at 7 p.m.

Watch video of Miller here. Watch video of Centennial here and here.

ON OFFENSE:
Each team features two prolific rushers. For Miller, which averaged 30 points per game, it’s senior QB Juan Flores (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) and senior RB David Dash (5-9, 180). Flores has passed for 16 TDs and more than 1,500 yards in addition to rushing seven TDs and more than 900 yards. He had five games in which he ran for more than 100 yards. Dash was the Rebels’ leading rusher, averaging more than 110 yards per game and finishing with 10 TDs and more than 1,100 yards for the regular season. He also had 31 receptions for six TDs and more than 500 yards.

For Centennial, which averaged more than 38 points per game, it’s senior Denzel Hawkins (5-7, 165) and junior Dion Bass (5-9, 190). Hawkins ran for 14 TDs and more than 900 yards. He had six game of more than 100 yards. Bass ran for seven TDs and more than 600 yards. He had five games of more than 90 yards. Senior QB Michael Arredondo (6-0, 175) and junior QB Michael Eubank (6-5, 220) shared time under center and totaled 14 TDs and more than 1,700 yards. When coach Matt Logan gets the mix right, it’s a lethal combination.

ON DEFENSE:
The Rebels, who allowed and average of 25 points per game, rely on the strong play of its experienced linebacking corps. Senior LB Ben Sanchez (5-10, 220) made 51 solo tackles and had nine sacks this season, the most among either team. Junior DB Kendall Chambliss (5-10, 170) had 65 total tackles (37 solo), five interceptions (one TD) and two forced fumbles.

The Huskies, who allowed an average of 22 points per game, play physical and fast. This means they give up the occasional big play. Junior LB Ryan Jack (6-1, 215) led the team with 110 total tackles (37 solo) while the team had five other players finish with more than 70 total tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Junior K Ruben Guzman (5-9, 180) had made three FGs and 21 PATs for the Rebels. Dash and senior WR/DB Kenneth Bell (5-8, 170) have proved effective returning kicks. Both average more than 21 yards per kickoff return.

For Centennial, senior K Trevor Romaine (5-11, 175) is the best prep kicker I’ve ever seen. He was 41 of 45 in kickoffs resulting in a touchback and made five FGs and 50 PATs. He’s committed to Oregon State.

THE COACHES:
Going forward, Miller’s Jeff Strycula will need Flores and Dash to play better than they already have if this is to be lengthy run. It’ll take some expert coaching from Strycula, or at the very least something more than in recent losses to Redlands and REV.

Centennial’s Matt Logan has all the plaudits that go with winning a CIF title and having one of the most successful programs in the Southern Section. Can he turn this year’s inconsistent team into a championship one?

THE LOWDOWN:
Although they’ve played well in most every game, the Rebels have lost every game against a team that finished better than .500. I can’t see them reversing the trend here.

The loss to Norco in Week 9 is in the rear-view mirror at this point though its effects still linger — no CIF seed. This is a good team that has as much team speed and depth of speed as any unit in the Inland Area. Will their speed be diminished against the aptly-named Dash and the Rebels? I think only poor performances from the Huskies QB combo can halt them from winning at least one playoff game.