Inland Area Prep Football Top 10
1. Vista Murrieta (5-5) — The Broncos begin a third season with zero thought of anything but their last five games and another Southwestern League title. The earn the No. 2 seed in the Inland Division, setting up a potential blockbuster championship game.
LAST RANKED: No. 1. LAST WEEK: d. Murrieta Mesa 51-20 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. La Verne Damian on FRIDAY.
2. Corona Centennial (9-1) — The Huskies are as fine-tuned for the playoffs as ever, coming in having scored 45 or more points in their last seven games. With an tiny halfback and mercurial QB, is this coach Matt Logan’s best coaching job yet?
LAST RANKED: No. 2. LAST WEEK: d. Riverside King 58-3 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Redlands on FRIDAY.
3. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (10-0) — The Mustangs made it look easy in Week 10, easier than coach Pete Duffy’s team has ever had it against an old rival, but easy nevertheless. This team gets the most out of its players and clearly, they’re giving back.
LAST RANKED: No. 3. LAST WEEK: d. Riverside Arlington 28-0 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Chino Don Lugo on FRIDAY.
4. Redlands East Valley (10-0) — The Wildcats usually play to the level of their competition. That is, until last week’s shocker in the CBL title game. So what does coach Kurt Bruich’s team get for their massive performance? A date with the team no one wants to play.
LAST RANKED: No. 4. LAST WEEK: d. No. 7 Yucaipa 48-0 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Norco on FRIDAY.
5. Upland (10-0) — The Scots wrapped up an undefeated season and another Baseline League title by crushing a tomato can. The opponent will get markably tougher this week for coach Tim Salter’s crew, which merely earned the No. 4 seed in the Inland Division.
LAST RANKED: No. 5. LAST WEEK: d. Rancho Cucamonga Alta Loma 49-3 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Murrieta Valley on FRIDAY.
6. Riverside North (9-1) — The Huskies secured their best regular season since 2008 by throttling a Big VIII stalwart. Coach Mark Parades has the offensive tools at his disposal. It’ll be North’s defense that determines how far this team can go.
LAST RANKED: No. 7. LAST WEEK: d. Norco 45-14 on Friday, Nov. 11.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. No. 7 Yucaipa at Riverside City College on FRIDAY.
7. Fontana Summit (9-1) — The SkyHawks won the school’s first league title, stripping it away from the old guard impressively. Coach Tony Barile has worked near-miracles at other schools (San Bernardino Gorgonio, Riverside La Sierra) so it it any wonder he’s done it here, too?
LAST RANKED: No. 10. LAST WEEK: d. Fontana Kaiser 21-7 on Friday, Nov. 11.
WEEEK ELEVEN: vs. Menifee Paloma Valley at Fontana Miller HS on FRIDAY.
8. Rancho Cucamonga (9-1) — The Cougars enter the playoffs having just defeated a playoff team, and have what may be the toughest road to a title in the Inland Division. Coach Nick Baiz opens with an Inland Division semifinalist, only to play the Norco-REV winner in the quarterfinals.
LAST RANKED: No. 8. LAST WEEK: d. Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos 38-14 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Chino Hills at Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos HS on FRIDAY.
9. Yucaipa (9-1) — The Thunderbirds came crashing to the ground in Week 10. It’ll take some great coaching, and some even better defense, to have a chance against one of the Inland Area’s elite offense squads powered by a potential Player Of The Year candidate.
LAST RANKED: No. 6. LAST WEEK: lost to No. 4 Redlands East Valley, 48-0, on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. No. 6. Riverside North at Riverside City College on FRIDAY.
10. San Bernardino Cajon (9-1) — The Cowboys are hangin’ from their spurs thanks to a solid backup QB and a couple of Kazees. Coach Kim Battin’s team faces a reasonable return trip to the semifinals, where they could meet No. 3 Rancho Verde.
LAST RANKED: No. 9. LAST WEEK: d. Rialto Carter 24-7 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
WEEK ELEVEN: vs. Moreno Valley on FRIDAY.
JUST MISSED: Perris Citrus Hill (10-0), Riverside La Sierra (9-1), Ontario Colony (9-1).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 