Inland Area Prep Football Top 10
1. Vista Murrieta (6-5) — The Broncos’ tandem of Nicholas Stevens and Su’a Cravens were a powerful offensive force in their playoff opener, but the defense allowed too many points to a team with which it should’ve had zero problems.
LAST RANKED: No. 1. LAST WEEK: d. La Verne Damien 38-13 in CIF-Southern Section Inland Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. No. 6 Riverside North at Riverside City College on FRIDAY.
2. Corona Centennial (10-1) — Is it any wonder the Huskies were involved in one of the highest-scoring games in the first round? Sure, the fans saw 84 points scored. But what they didn’t see was a defense that struggled against an above-average opponent.
LAST RANKED No. 2. LAST WEEK: d. Redlands 49-35 in CIF-SS Inland Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. Temecula Chaparral on FRIDAY.
3. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (11-0) — The Mustangs ran roughshod over an inferior opponent, hardly the type of preparation necessary for the later rounds. The offense continues to click, though, which may be enough.
LAST RANKED: No. 3. LAST WEEK: d. Chino Don Lugo 44-0 in a CIF-SS Central Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: at San Bernardino San Gorgonio on FRIDAY.
4. Redlands East Valley (11-0) — The Wildcats continue their trend of playing to the level of their competition, and barely escaped the first round as a result. To wit: Coach Jurt Bruich said he was “embarrassed” by his team’s offense performance.
LAST RANKED: No. 4. LAST WEEK: d. Norco 20-15 in a CIF-SS Inland Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. No. 7 Rancho Cucamonga at Redlands Citrus Valley HS on FRIDAY.
5. Upland (11-0) — The Highlanders/Scots put up the most points of any Inland Area team in the first round, with stud receiver Kenny Lawler catching three touchdown passes. Right now, Coach Tim Salter’s team is a state bowl contender.
LAST RANKED: No. 5. LAST WEEK: d. Murrieta Valley 59-21 in a CIF-SS Inland Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. Covina Charter Oak on FRIDAY.
6. Riverside North (10-1) — The Huskies have the toughest road to hoe if they are to win a CIF title. They disposed of previously-ranked Yucaipa in the first round, but Coach Mark Parades’ team now plays a reigning two-time division finalist.
LAST RANKED: No. 6. LAST WEEK: d. Yucaipa 27-13 in a CIF-SS Inland Division 1st Round playoff game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. No. 1 Vista Murrieta at Riverside City College on FRIDAY.
7. Fontana Summit (11-0) — The SkyHawks struggled to put away its first-round opponent, but thanks to do-everything senior Donte Deayon, are still in line as the top-seeded team in the division. If coach Tony Barile’s team had issues at home, will a trip over the Cajon Pass this week spell the end?
LAST RANKED: No. 7. LAST WEEK: d. Menifee Paloma Valley 26-18 in a CIF-SS Eastern Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. Victorville Silverado at Victor Valley HS on FRIDAY.
8. Rancho Cucamonga (10-1) — The Cougars did just enough to escape the first round, and if it wasn’t by their last whisker it was their second-to-last. Hard to say Coach Nick Baiz’s team doesn’t have a shot this week, though. Their next opponent has a tendency to almost beat itself.
LAST RANKED: No. 8. LAST WEEK: d. Chino Hills 39-38 in a CIF-SS Inland Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: vs. No. 4 Redlands East Valley at Redlands Citrus Valley on FRIDAY.
9. Perris Citrus Hill (11-0) — Though the scoreline doesn’t reflect it, the Hawks sputtered before finding their second gear in their opening-round game. Coach Eric Zomalt and Co. now travel several hours for their next game, where a slow start may mean disaster.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked. LAST WEEK: d. Riverside Norte Vista 55-28 in a CIF-SS Eastern Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: at Ridgecrest Burroughs on FRIDAY.
10. Riverside La Sierra (10-1) — The Eagles make their first-ever appearance in the Inland Area Prep Football Top 10 following their first playoff victory since 2005. Coach Mark Reckenwald has brought a sense of balance to a program seeking stability.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked. LAST WEEK: d. Ontario Chaffey 23-6 in a CIF-SS Central Division 1st Round game on Friday, Nov. 18.
WEEK TWELVE: at Rialto Carter on FRIDAY.
DROPPED OUT: Yucaipa (9-2), San Bernardino Cajon (9-2).
JUST MISSED: Menifee Heritage (10-1), Palm Springs (11-0), Elsinore (8-3).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 