Prep Preview: Poly at Ramona
I’m covering the Riverside Poly-Riverside Ramona varsity football game tonight, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, for The Press Enterprise. The best part of this assignment is it’ll be the first time I cover a Vinny Fazio-coached team.
THE LOW DOWN:
The Bears (1-0 overall) are riding high after avenging their playoff loss to Colony with a 24-14 victory over the Titans in Week 1. Coach Dennis Brown’s calm and reliable personality has created a can-do spirit at Poly best exemplified by senior RB Devontre Hale, who may the best upright runner to emerge from the City of Riverside since Arlington’s Superiorr Reid three years ago.
The Rams (0-2 overall) have been competitive under new coach Vinny Fazio thus far but have been unable to break through into the win column despite being within seven points in the fourth quarter of both losses. Junior QB Izzy Darnell commands the offense, and an improving and dynamic backfield led by junior RB Paul Garcia have kept Ramona in games despite allowing an average of 31 points per.
THE KEY PLAYERS:
Poly — QB Chandler Drachslin (Sr., 6-foot-3, 189 poinds); RB Devontre Hale (Sr., 5-10, 195); WR Ykili Ross (Sr., 6-2, 185); LB Evan Telliard (Sr., 6-1, 210); FS Quentin Carter (Sr., 5-10, 176); WR/CB LaMet Fowler (Sr., 5-10, 160); OL/DL Jesse Ybarra (Jr., 6-1, 278); DE Ben Tualega (Sr., 6-foot, 218); DT Justen Moore (Sr., 5-11, 265).
Ramona — QB Izzy Darnell (Jr., 6-2, 185); RB Paul Garcia (Jr., 5-9, 195); DE/TE/RB Hosea Huff (Sr., 6-3, 240); WR/LB Byron Mayes (Sr., 6-2, 185); RB Michael Bown (Jr., 5-11, 200); RB/WR/DB Skylar Salcedo (Sr., 5-9, 160); OL/DL Jon Valdovinos (Sr., 6-foot, 240); RB/WR/DB Anthony Butts (Sr., 5-9, 155).
THE DIFFERENCE:
Too much Poly offense. And when was the last time that could be written without a snicker?
THE FINAL SCORE: Poly 38, Ramona 13
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 