GAME OF THE WEEK: King at Santiago
THE DETAILS:
Riverside King vs. Corona Santiago
CIF-Southern Section – Week 6
At Corona (Calif.) Santiago HS
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 6
RIVERSIDE KING (2-3 overall, 0-0 Big VIII League) bounced back from an 0-2 start to defeat city rival Riverside Poly and then topple Elsinore on the road. Hopes of a winning record going into league play were dashed in an 18-10 loss to MoVal Rancho Verde in Week 5, so the Wolves will need a little luck if they are to return to the playoffs this season. Senior Matthew Sylvester and junior transfer Ty McCullouch have done a good job running the football — each averaging more than seven yards per carry — and the defense has improved, but staying on the positive side of the turnover battle will be critical.
HEAD COACH: Pat McCarthy
CORONA SANTIAGO (4-1 overall, 0-0 Big VIII League) has won three of its four games by a total of six points. Aside from the Sharks’ 38-0 bashing of Temecula Valley in Week 3, each of their three wins have come by two points apiece (30-28 vs. Murrieta Valley in Week 0, 43-41 vs. Chula Vista Eastlake in Week 2 & 23-21 vs. Etiwanda in Week 4). Junior QB Nate Castillo had a couple of big back-to-back games against Eastlake and Temecula Valley, respectively, passing for seven TDs and more than 600 yards between the two wins. Consistency against stronger defensive teams will be needed.
HEAD COACH: Scott Morrison
THE KEY PLAYERS:
King — QB Austin Stark, Jr. (5-foot-11, 150 pounds); SS/RB Matthew Sylvester, Sr. (5-10, 180); RB/OLB Darrian Bell, Sr. (5-11, 195); WR/CB Ty McCullouch, Jr., (6-1, 170); WR/CB Trey Anderson, Jr. (6-foot, 160); FB/MLB Kyle Sullenbarger, Sr. (5-11, 190); DE/T Etuate Moala, Jr. (6-2, 246); MLB/DT Mangisi Moala, Sr. (6-foot, 240); SS/OLB Ethan Degennaro, Jr. (6-1, 195); K/P Mason Mapes, Sr. (6-3, 185)
Santiago — QB Nathaniel Castillo, Jr. (5-foot-9, 160 pounds); RB Vincent Pacleb, Jr. (5-4, 135); RB/OLB Nick Camarena, Jr. (5-7, 180); WR Kaleb Patterson, Sr. (6-1, 171); WR Noah Atwood, Sr. (6-foot, 170); WR Donavan Witherspoon Sr. (5-7, 147); MLB Blake Siemsen, Jr. (5-11, 210); CB Marcus Nesby, Jr. (5-9, 120); FS/SS Phillip Le, Jr. (5-10, 160); K Damien Ornelas, Sr. (5-8, 165)
THE DIFFERENCE:
The Sharks defense has often resembled chum, leaving blood in the wake. It’ll be up to the Wolves to swim out and take advantage of a free meal.
THE PREDICTION:
Santiago 28, King 24
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 