INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Riverside Poly-Riverside Ramona varsity football game for The Press-Enterprise tonight. I covered this game last year and let me tell you, the best part about this assignment will be observing the top two quarterbacks in the city of Riverside.

THE LOWDOWN:
The Rams (1-0 overall) are looking to go 2-0 for the first time this century. This might just be the year with senior QB T.J. Miller and senior FB Zach Adkins playing like they did the last week in the Ramona’s 28-10 victory over Riverside King. The Bears (0-0) pounded the football last season in order to open up the passing game. This season, it will probably be the other way around. Senior QB Steven Hamm can make plays and is exiting to watch but is without much help.

KEY PLAYERS:
Poly — QB: Steven Hamm, Sr. (5-foot-11, 183 pounds); WR/DB: Matt Peck, Sr. (5-10, 185); DL: Greg Hale, Sr. (6-1, 197); TE/LB: Roy Hale, Sr. (6-0, 216); OL/DL: Andy Schouten, Sr. (6-1, 260).

Ramona — QB: T.J. Miller, Sr. (6-foot, 180 pounds); FB: Zach Adkins, Sr. (6-2, 188); WR: Casey Adkins, Sr. (6-1, 165) Austin Turner, Sr. (5-6, 165); K/P: Robert Corral, Sr. (5-11, 160); LB: Orlando Steffan, Sr. (5-8, 185).

THE DIFFERENCE:
Ramona (if you can believe it) has better offensive weapons than does Poly. Miller and Adkins are a formidable run-pass combo and could catapult into Inland Valley League play with thoughts on playing postseason football. The Bears are looking for an identity, especially on offense, which isn’t a recipe for success in the top-heavy Big VIII, where it should be another rough season for coach Jeff Huerta and Co.
PREDICTION: RAMONA 27, POLY 24