Season Preview: Baseline League
PREP FOOTBALL 2019
BASELINE LEAGUE PREVIEW
(2018 records in parenthesis)
The Baseline League is for quarterbacks, or it least it is this season as all six programs will feature QBs with big-time size, strength and smarts. Rancho Cucamonga has heaps of talent on both sides of the ball and a little more continuity on the coaching staff so we’re giving the Cougars the edge. Upland is ‘The Justin Flowe Show’ and everyone is in orbit around him this season, so we’ll see how that works. Chino Hills has an interesting mix this season and is getting some serious preseason support on social media. Etiwanda has a lot of hope hanging on its junior QB, while Los Osos looks to take a step forward in coach Alex Pierce’s second season. Damien has enough talent to surprise, but depth is an issue over a long season.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (7-5 overall, 5-0 Baseline) is expecting a monster season from senior QB C.J. Stroud (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) after a junior season in which he led the Baseline League in completions (180), yards (2,343) and touchdowns (19).
UPLAND (12-3, 4-1) has the leadership on the field to get to another CIF-Southern Section title game – and maybe even the state playoffs – but will new head coach Darryl Thomas be ready for the pressure moment?
CHINO HILLS (6-5, 3-2) is a playoff team and has some reason to think its offensive line is going to be very good, but what about the defense?
RANCHO CUCAMONGA ETIWANDA (4-6, 1-4) is young and experienced on offense and may be a year away from challenging for a postseason berth.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA LOS OSOS (4-6, 1-4) is making strides but needs a massive year from junior QB Donovan Smith (6-4, 210) to contend.
LA VERNE DAMIEN (4-7, 1-4) snuck in the playoffs on its strength of schedule but it didn’t do the Spartans any favors, really.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Rancho Cucamonga
Upland
Chino Hills
Los Osos
Etiwanda
Damien
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
ATH Jermaine Barner, Sr., Damien
QB Jordan Barton, Sr., Damien
LB Tucker Belville, Sr., Chino Hills
WR Silas Bolden, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
K Gabriel Chavers, Jr., Chino Hills
LB Justin Flowe, Sr., Upland
LB Kyle Floyd, Sr., Upland
RB Tyevin Ford, Sr., Upland
QB Matthew Geeting, Jr., Chino Hills
WR Destin Harston, Sr., Los Osos
RB/DB Quentin Moten, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
QB Brandon Patterson, Jr., Etiwanda
QB Evan Rowe, Sr., Upland
QB Donovan Smith, Jr., Los Osos
QB C.J. Stroud, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
PROMINENT GAMES:
Sept. 6-Rancho Cucamonga at Norco, 7pm
Sept. 6-Upland at Rancho Verde, 7pm
Sept. 20-Los Osos at Kaiser, 7pm
Oct. 18-Chino Hills at Los Osos, 7pm
Nov. 1-Rancho Cucamonga at Upland, 7pm
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 