Inland Area Prep Football Top 10
1. Vista Murrieta (9-5) — Did the Broncos’ bowl hopes get hosed? Probably. We think it makes the mistique of this year’s team that much greater, and gives an answer to trivia question about which was the best team not to play in one.
LAST RANKED: No. 1.
LAST GAME: d. No. 3 Corona Centennial 31-28 in the CIF-Southern Section Inland Division championship game on Friday, Dec. 9.
2. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (14-0) — The Mustangs finally climbed the mountain, becoming the first MoVal school to win a football championship since Canyon Springs in the early 90s.
LAST RANKED: No. 3.
LAST GAME: d. Palm Springs 35-16 in the CIF-Southern Section Central Division championship game on Friday, Dec. 9.
3. Corona Centennial (12-2) — The Huskies never panicked in the championship game, and Coach Matt Logan’s offense almost pulled it off. Alas, it’s Logan’s first loss in seven title games.
LAST RANKED: No. 2.
LAST GAME: lost 31-28 in the CIF-SS Inland Division championship game on Friday, Dec. 9.
4. Fontana Summit (13-1) — The SkyHawks redeemed themselves in their second try at a section title, as Coach Tony Barile’s team pummeled its opponent with 323 rushing yards in a signature victory for the young program.
LAST RANKED: No. 6.
LAST GAME: d. No. 7 Menifee Heritage 24-17 in the CIF-Southern Section Eastern Division championship game on Saturday, Dec. 10.
5. Upland (12-1) — Is there an identity crisis here? Maybe they can spend the offseason sortin out the whole Highlanders/Scots thing.
LAST RANKED: No. 4.
LAST GAME: lost 39-18 to No. 1 Vista Murrieta in a CIF-SS Inland Division semifinal game on Friday, Dec. 2.
6. Rancho Cucamonga (11-2) — The Cougars will need to rebuild because their certainly not in a position to reload.
LAST RANKED: No. 5.
LAST GAME: lost 41-21 to No. 3 Corona Centennial in a CIF-SS Inland Division semifinal game on Friday, Dec. 2.
7. Menifee Heritage (12-2) — The Patriots now have the motivation. Can junior TB Jamal Morrow take it to the next level?
LAST RANKED: No. 8.
LAST GAME: lost 24-17 to No. 4 Fontana Summit in the CIF-SS Eastern Division championship game on Saturday, Dec. 10.
8. Redlands East Valley (10-2) — The Wildcats are going to be the best team in the Citrus Belt League so long as Kurt Bruich remains the coach.
LAST RANKED: No. 7.
LAST GAME: lost 9-6 to No. 6 Rancho Cucamonga in a CIF-SS Inland Division quarterfinal game on Friday, Nov. 25.
9. Riverside North (10-2) — Rumors that Coach Mark Parades may be headed back to the college ranks seem to be unfounded, for now.
LAST RANKED: No. 9.
LAST GAME: lost 58-14 to No. 1 Vista Murrieta in a CIF-SS Inland Division quarterfinal game on Friday, Nov. 25.
10. Palm Springs (13-1) — The Indians were forced to pack up their teepees and take it elsewhere.
LAST RANKED: No. 10.
LAST GAME: lost 35-16 to No. 2 MoVal Rancho Verde in the CIF-SS Central Division championship game on Friday, Dec. 9.
JUST MISSED: Perris Citrus Hill (12-1), Ontario Colony (11-2), Rialto Carter (10-3).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 