Season Preview: Big VIII League
PREP FOOTBALL 2021
BIG VIII LEAGUE PREVIEW
(Spring 2021 records in parenthesis)
Change may be on the horizon for “The Big Two-and-a-Half” known as the Big VIII, but for now it’s, well, wilder than usual. Norco is riding high in Horse Country after its first Big VIII League title since 2009. Coach Chuck Chastain must sustain (sorry) the momentum in the fall. Corona Centennial is looking for redemption, no doubt about it. The Huskies have a chip on their furry little shoulders. Eastvale Roosevelt is looking to shake things up and put some respect on the Mustangs’ name. Riverside King has an all-league linebacker but has yet to show much potential on offense. Corona Santiago will ask more from its junior QB and its hard-nosed defense. Corona averaged 6.5 points per game in the spring season and will be looking for its first win of ’21.
NORCO (5-0 overall, 3-0 Big VIII) had a great spring campaign highlighted by its 38-36 win over Centennial, but now the questions begin. Can the Cougars do it again? Is Kyle Crum destined for super stardom? Will Jadyn Ott prove to be the difference maker on Oct. 15? Can the defense step up to the challenge two years in a row?
CORONA CENTENNIAL (4-1, 4-1) continues to play with two quarterbacks. This year it’s seniors Izzy Carter and Carson Conkin. But seriously, who has time for that? Matt Logan, that’s who, and he likes it this way as it’s the third or fourth or fifth time he’s alternated and utilized two QBs at his discretion.
EASTVALE ROOSEVELT (3-2, 3-2) has access to a ton of talent every season and it’s just a matter of putting it all together to win a championship. That may never happen in the Big VIII but the Mustangs were getting closer, pre-pandemic, and making deep playoff runs.
RIVERSIDE KING (2-3, 2-3) ended its spring season on a high note and is probably thinking about taking a next step and even a potential playoff spot this season.
CORONA SANTIAGO (1-4, 1-4) took a balanced view of the spring season and will have some very experienced players on defense returning.
CORONA (0-5, 0-5) had a rough go in the spring and Ron Gueringer and his staff have a lot of work ahead.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Norco
Centennial
Roosevelt
Santiago
Riverside King
Corona
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Israel Carter, Sr., Centennial
QB Carson Conklin, Sr., Centennial
QB Kyle Crum, Sr., Norco
WR Grant Gray, Sr., Norco
DB Chris Johnson, Sr., Roosevelt
DT Gavriel Lightfoot, Sr., Centennial
RB Jaydn Ott, Sr., Norco
QB Daniel Roche, Sr., Riverside King
LB Chase Shackleford, Sr., Riverside King
QB Dominic Tubbs, Jr., Santiago
QB Julian Viramontes, Jr., Roosevelt
PROMINENT GAMES:
Aug. 20 – Vista Murrieta at Norco
Sept. 4 – Centennial at Sierra Canyon
Sept. 17 – Heritage at Roosevelt
Sept. 24 – Norco at Rancho Verde
Oct. 14 – Santiago at Roosevelt
Oct. 15 – Centennial at Norco
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 