INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Eastvale Roosevelt-Riverside Poly varsity football game tonight for The Press-Enterprise. The best part of this assignment is the game’s relative significance as both team’s vie to stay in contention for fourth-place in the Big VIII League, and its coveted fourth-and-final playoff spot.

THE LOW DOWN:
The Mustangs (1-3 overall, 0-1 Big VIII) have been staggered by the absence of senior QB Aaron Crone. Rated among the best QBs in the Inland Area, Crone has been hampered by a right (throwing) shoulder injury that had forced him to miss every game before his return against Norco in Week 5, when he re-injured the shoulder having completed just 2 of 5 pass attempts. Senior Brandon Rogers, listed as a receiver, has been thrust into the starting role and has been intercepted 10 times, including three last week as Roosevelt lost, 42-7. Still, Rodgers has completed more than 50 percent of his passes for nearly 800 yards. There’s talent there.

There’s reason to worry about the Bears (2-2, 0-1), who got out to a 2-0 start but were defeated by Citrus Hill in Week 3 and demolished by Centennial in Week 4. Focus is now upon the offense, which scored just 19 combined points the last two weeks. Senior QB Steven Hamm has attempted more runs than passes, and has become coach Jeff Huerta’s leading rusher in the void that has been Poly’s running game. There are playmakers on this roster. Why seniors Greg and Roy Hale haven’t been given the ball more consistently is a mystery. Junior RB Matt Ybarra is a nice upright runner but lacks much upside. Sophomore RB Leighton Silva looks a season away from making a real contribution.

KEY PLAYERS:
Eastvale Roosevelt — QB: Brandon Rodgers, Sr. (6-foot-2, 190 pounds); RB: James Bernacchi, Sr. (5-7, 185); Charles Sanders, Sr. (5-9, 185); WR: Brandon Zuidema, Sr. (6-5, 190); Dvonte McKneely, Soph. (5-10, 190); OL/DL: Darius Jackson, Sr. (6-6, 215); Lamont Crawford, Sr. (6-5, 355); Jose Martinez, Sr. (6-5, 310); Evan Madrigal, Sr. (6-3, 305); LB: Stephon Williams, Sr. (6-3, 200); Ivan Williams, Sr. (5-9, 200); DB: Nathan Wiggins, Sr. (5-8, 165); Ron Robinson, Soph. (6-3, 172).

Riverside Poly — QB: Steven Hamm, Sr. (6-foot-1, 185 pounds); RB: Matt Ybarra, Jr. (6-foot, 170); Leighton Silva, Soph. (5-9, 180); WR: John Stuart, Sr. (6-2, 190); Matt O’Hara (6-foot, 297); OL: Andy Schouten, Sr. (6-1, 216); DL: Greg Hale, Sr. (6-1, 197); Sr. Joseph Oliver, Sr. (6-1, 225); Yancy Calhoun, Jr. (6-2, 265); LB: Roy Hale, Sr. (6-foot, 216); Aaron Thomas, Sr. (6-2, 190); DB: Matt Peck, Sr. (5-10, 185); Mark Badilla, Sr. (5-10, 172).

THE DIFFERENCE:
On it’s face, this doesn’t look like a good matchup for Poly. Roosevelt has a fast and emerging offense, while the Bears cannot keep up if its opponent scores more than 28 points. It’d be nice to say “This Could Be Poly’s Year!” but they simply lack the offensive weaponry. The Mustangs, led by hard-nosed coach Bill Stacy, will not lose to a team it dominates physically. Stacy will not allow it.
PREDICTION: Roosevelt 27, Poly 17