Prep Impressions: Sept. 23, 2016
NORCO (Calif.) — Chuck Chastain unleashed a little bit of frustration after Norco High’s big win in Week 4.
The Cougars’ young coach was obviously excited about a 79-14 win over Riverside Poly on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016.
It’s Norco’s first win the three weeks, and the program’s most points in a game in more than 12 seasons.
“It’s real good. It’s good for our kids to feel good about themselves,” said Chastain, who quarterbacked the Cougars from to the a CIF-Southern Section Division 5 title in 1998.
Norco started this season with a low-scoring 14-10 win over Mesa (Ariz.) Desert Ridge but followed with loses at Rancho Cucamonga and at home vs. Orange Lutheran.
“We’ve done some really not-intelligent things the last two weeks, penalties and so forth, and we’ve yet to play a clean game,” Chastian said. “We still have to get better at that. We still have too many mistakes on little things that need cleaning up, but we’ll take (the win over Poly).”
An underrated part of the team this year has been its kicking game. Long snapper Kyle Gibbs and kicker Lucas Havrisik are capable to giving the Cougars and edge in special teams.
“I feel we have the best long snapper-kicker combo in the area. I don’t see one better. Full trust in them. They execute great,” Chastian said. “The strength of Havrisik’s leg (and) we’re money on the snap. Real comfortable with them any place on the field.”
Predicted to win by double digits vs. Poly, Norco gave Travis Dye the ball and followed with the passing game.
“We have to get him (Dye) going early and play physical and I’m proud of our kids tonight. It’s a big win for us going forward,” Chastain said.
Norco travels east to Chino Hills to play the Huskies in televised Week 5 game.
“Next week’s a big week for us. We get Chino Hills at Chino Hills,” Chastain said. “It’s going to be on Fox Sports. They’re a division ranked opponent so it’s a big step for us in the playoff division we’re in. We have to perform so we’re excited.”
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 