INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Temecula Chaparral-Corona Santiago varsity football game tonight, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, for The Press-Enterprise, HSGametime.pe.com & @pecom_preps.

The best part of this assignment will be getting out of Riverside to see a game for the first time since Week 0.

THE LOW DOWN:
The Pumas (2-2 overall) had lost back-to-back competitive games in Weeks 1 & 2, but got back to winning with a 35-13 victory over Chino Don Lugo in Week 3. Junior RB Austin Bacher only has played two of the four games but totaled 50 carries and 287 yards in his two appearances, including last week’s win. Junior QB Quentin Barry was handed the job before Week 3 and had his best game of the season last week vs. Don Lugo, completing 13 of 19 attempts for 190 yards and three TDs.

The Sharks (1-3 overall) couldn’t get a win for new coach Scott Morrison until last week when they went to the High Desert and put a 51-7 whooping on Victorville Silverado. They’ll look for their first home win tonight then take off Week 5 in preparation for their Big VIII League opener. Senior QB Jacob Hennie has been solid through the air (67 for 109, 690 yard & six TDs) while rushing for three more scores and gaining 290 yards on the ground. Complimenting senior RBs Kamari Carter and Mason Hale have combined for four TDs and more than 425 yards.

THE KEY PLAYERS:
Chaparral — QB Quentin Barry (Jr., 5-foot-9, 165 pounds); RB Austin Bacher (Jr., 6-1, 205); WR/FS Wes Long (Sr., 6-1, 170); SB/FS Lloyd Hightower (Sr., 5-9, 180); DE Cameron Stroder (Jr., 6-3, 210); K Cameron Mettler (Jr., 6-foot, 185)

Santiago — QB Jacob Hennie (Sr., 5-foot-11, 183 pounds); RB Mason Hale (Sr., 5-10, 165); RB Kamari Carter (Sr., 5-9, 170); WR Jacob Ricard (Sr., 5-9, 170); WR Andreau Benny (Sr., 6-1, 175); OLB Terrell Sayles (Sr., 6-1, 215)

THE DIFFERENCE:
Chaparral looks bigger and better in the trenches but lacks skill position threats, so the edge goes to Santiago. The Sharks are small on size and strength but they can make big plays.

THE FINAL SCORE:
Corona Santiago 28, Temecula Chaparral 24