GAME OF THE WEEK: Norco at Santiago
THE DETAILS:
Norco vs. Corona Santiago
CIF-Southern Section – Week 8
At Corona (Calif.) Santiago HS
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 20
NORCO (4-3 overall, 2-0 Big VIII League) is riding a four-game winning streak and a three-game shutout streak. In fact, the Cougars defense has not allowed a point since Week 4, posting three consecutive zeros against Chino Hills (45-0), Corona (42-0) and Riverside King (49-0), and while that’s REALLY good there’s now way they can keep the streak going against one of the top-rated offenses in the Inland Area. Right? Junior LB Blake Beecher will have a say in the outcome. A terror at middle linebacker, Bleecher has 10.5 TFLs, five sacks, one interceptions and three forced fumbles.
HEAD COACH: Chuck Chastain
CORONA SANTIAGO (5-2 overall, 1-1 Big VIII League) has really found its groove on offense, and has exalted the team into the realm of one of the best in the program’s recent history. Despite losing the Rumble on Rimpau for the umpteenth time, the Sharks offense is putting up points in bunches and junior QB Nathaniel ‘Nano’ Castillo continues to find ways to keep everyone involved. Castillo is completing more than 57-percent of his pass attempts and is averaging two passing TDs and more than 200 passing yards per game.
HEAD COACH: Scott Morrison
THE KEY PLAYERS:
Norco — QB Nick Lasher, Jr. (5-foot-11, 185 pounds); RB Travis Dye, Sr. (5-10, 170); RB/CB D.J. Ford, Jr. (5-6, 160); WR Jorge Alvarado, Sr. (6-1, 170); WR Noah Bogardus, Sr. (6-3, 175); WR/TE Matae Thomas, Sr. (6-4, 190); OL/DL Jarrett Bell, Sr. (6-5, 290); OL Brandon Kemper, Sr. (6-4, 260); MLB Blake Beecher, Jr. (5-11, 210); K Zach Survillas, Sr. (6-foot, 160)
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:
This game is going to turn into a shootout. For all the good things both teams do on defense, it’ll likely come down to which one has the ball last.
THE PREDICTION:
Norco 55, Santiago 49, OT
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 