Season Preview: Big VIII League
PREP FOOTBALL 2019
BIG VIII LEAGUE PREVIEW
(2018 records in parenthesis)
It’s a Corona Centennial world and we’re all just living in it. Seriously, have you seen the Huskies show any signs of slowing? Neither have we, especially after advancing to the CIF-Southern Section semifinals for the umpteenth consecutive season, and doing it with a so-so roster by their standards. Norco, on the other hand, could be on to something this season if its QB can exceed expectations. And since it would be the first time for that, nobody is holding their breath. Santiago has one of our favorite coaches in Scott Morrison, but they’re looking for a new QB and a whole lot more. Roosevelt continues to make gains in terms of its depth of talent, but it has yet to translate into sustained playoff success. Corona has a great coach who is still able to inspire players, and that’s important, but there’s been little playoff success so far. Riverside King shouldn’t even be in this league anymore. Seriously, get them out.
CORONA CENTENNIAL (12-1 overall, 5-0 Big VIII) enters this season with the same two QBs vying for snaps, or alternating snaps, or whatever. How that all shakes out will likely be a determining factor for the Huskies.
NORCO (9-3, 4-1) wants to reclaim its stake to the Big VIII League and may think that 2019 could be its year, but it’ll come down to that game against Centennial, just like it now seemingly always has.
CORONA SANTIAGO (7-5, 3-2) won a playoff game last season to vindicate some of the progress made by the Sharks. The trick now is to carry positive momentum forward.
EASTVALE ROOSEVELT (5-6, 2-3) will find it hard to shake the specter of inconsistency under Tommy Leach. They should’ve know that when they hired him.
CORONA (3-8, 1-4) has dropped so many divisions the Panthers are hardly recognizable in their attempt to rekindle Ron Gueringer’s magic.
RIVERSIDE KING (0-10, 0-5) is so bad that they should cede RUSD football to others schools. Just let the football players go elsewhere.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Corona Centennial
Norco
Eastvale Roosevelt
Corona Santiago
Corona
Riverside King
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
WR Gary Bryant, Sr., Corona Centennial
WR/SS Ceaser Gonzalez, Sr., Norco
FS J.T. Dozier, Sr., Corona Centennial
QB Carter Freedland, Sr., Corona Centennial
QB Shane Illingworth, Sr., Norco
WR Jackson Kurtz, Sr., Corona Santiago
DB Kenzel Lawler, Sr., Eastvale Roosevelt
QB Ala Mikaele, Sr., Corona Centennial
DE/WR/OLB Jaden Navarette, Sr., Norco
CB Chris Ogle, Sr., Corona
QB Patrick Ragan, Jr., Riverside King
WR/FS Gavin Sheffield, Sr., Corona
SS Ryan Williams, Sr., Corona Santiago
PROMINENT GAMES:
Aug. 23-Centennial vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei, 7pm
Sept. 6-Rancho Cucamonga at Norco, 7pm
Sept. 26-Menifee Heritage at Corona Santiago, 7pm
Sept. 27-MoVal Rancho Verde at Norco, 7pm
Oct. 18-Norco at Corona Centennial, 7pm
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 