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The 2026 high school football season begins this week for a majority of Inland teams.
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Here are the IE Varsity preseason rankings heading into Week 0 games.
Records from the 2025 season are in parenthesis.
1. Centennial (11-2)
The Huskies have won five straight league titles and reached the Division 1 championship game last season. Quarterback Jaden Jefferson and receiver Quentin Hale, a pair of transfers from Cathedral High School, are key additions to the offense. Centennial’s defense has to overcome the loss of reigning IE Varsity Defensive Player of the Year Jaden Walk-Green (knee surgery).
2025 final ranking: 1
Season opener: Thursday vs. Servite at Orange Coast College
2. Chaparral (7-5)
The Pumas reached the Division 2 quarterfinals last season and can match many teams on paper with Division I recruits on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dane Weber, the reigning IE Varsity Offensive Player of the Year, leads the way on offense, while down linemen Kameron Payne and Caleb Joy are standouts on defense.
2025 final ranking: 3
Season opener: Friday at Mission Viejo
3. Rancho Cucamonga (8-4)
The Cougars reclaimed the Baseline League championship last season and advanced to the Division 2 quarterfinals. Treyvone Towns Jr. takes the reins of the offense and is one of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 recruiting class. The secondary is stacked with standouts like Nate Mensah and Jayden Hilliard.
2025 final ranking: 4
Season opener: Thursday vs. Murrieta Valley
4. Norco (1-9, six losses by forfeit)
The Cougars will be motivated after missing the postseason last year because of those six forfeited games. Julian Medina broke a handful of the program’s passing records last season, and Blake Wong did likewise in the receiving categories. Linebackers Henderson Carter V and Tony Gonzalez return to lead the defense.
2025 final ranking: 8
Season opener: Friday vs. Roosevelt
5. Murrieta Valley (9-4)
The Nighthawks advanced to the Division 2 semifinals for the third consecutive season. Quarterback Ty Isaia is back to lead the offensive, and Vincent Shields is one of the area’s best offensive linemen. Murrieta Valley lost key personnel on defense, but defensive lineman Wes Gomes returns up front.
2025 final ranking: 2
Season opener: Thursday at Rancho Cucamonga
6. Damien (8-3)
The Spartans look to rebound after finishing third in the Baseline League and getting bounced in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs. Running back Malachi McFarland and receiver Travon Garrison are playmakers on offense, and safety Gavin Williams is the leader of a star-studded secondary.
2025 final ranking: 9
Season opener: Friday vs. Aquinas
7. Vista Murrieta (8-4)
The Broncos finished fourth in the Big West Conference-North standings last year but still won a game in the Division 2 playoffs. Levi Dean steps in behind center on a full-time basis. The defense will be led by cornerback Nemirah Davidson.
2025 final ranking: 6
Season opener: Thursday vs. Great Oak
8. Chino Hills (10-3)
The Huskies finished second in the Baseline League standings and advanced to semifinals of the Division 3 playoffs. Quarterback Daniel Mielke II has arrived to take control of the offense. Linebacker Noah Curtin is back to anchor the defense.
2025 final ranking: 5
Season opener: Friday at Quartz Hill
9. San Jacinto (10-4)
The Tigers reached the Division 4 championship game last season. Josue Estrada returns behind center, and Tustin transfer Elijah Robinson will lead the ground attack. The Tivao brothers (Kingston and Kingslee) anchor a strong secondary.
2025 final ranking: 11
Season opener: Friday vs. Beaumont
10. Cajon (8-3)
The Cowboys stunned Beaumont last year to reclaim the Citrus Belt League championship. Quarterback Marcus Washington Jr. and running back Maleek Nolley are standouts on offense. Safety Uziah Todd is one to watch on defense.
2025 final ranking: 14
Season opener: Thursday vs. Etiwanda
11. Beaumont (8-3)
The Cougars got an early start to the season, traveling to Hawaii last week and posting a 49-6 victory over Hilo. Brandon Cuellar steps in at quarterback, and down linemen Braedon Valentich and Brian Shatswell return on defense.
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2025 final ranking: 7
Next game: Friday at San Jacinto:
12. Aquinas (9-2)
The Falcons have won 42 consecutive league games, the longest active streak among Inland teams. Running back Champ Brown looks to bounce back from injury-plagued junior season. Sosaia Aluesi is back to lead the offensive line.
2025 final ranking: 10
Season opener: Friday at Damien
13. Roosevelt (7-6)
The Mustangs advanced to the semifinals of the Division 6 playoffs last season. Linfield Christian transfer Charlie Bohmer takes over at quarterback, and sophomore defensive back Xavier Marshall is a rising star.
2025 final ranking: 20
Season opener: Friday at Norco
14. Etiwanda (5-6)
The Eagles welcome back Nick Baiz to the sidelines this season. Chad Wakumoto Jr. and Brandon Andrade are an elite receiving tandem, and linebacker Drew Toki is back to lead the defense.
2025 final ranking: 17
Season opener: Thursday at Cajon
15. Bonita (7-5)
The Bearcats reached the quarterfinals of the Division 5 playoffs last season. Joseph Lara is a two-way star as a running back and linebacker and might even see snaps at quarterback. Isaiah Lazarus is an elite edge rusher.
2025 final ranking: 16
Season opener: Friday vs. Muir
16. Murrieta Mesa (7-4)
The Rams begin a new chapter with Justin Evangelist taking the helm and the program making a move up to the Big West Conference-North. Linebacker Chris Flores and offensive lineman Jacob Escalera are key players.
2025 final ranking: 12
Season opener: Friday at Newport Harbor
17. Alta Loma (8-3)
The Lions will be the favorite in the Valle Vista League following Northview’s move to the Sierra League. The passing game will be a strength with quarterback Maximus Fierro returning. Linebacker Owen Fiorenza anchors the defense.
2025 final ranking: Bubble
Season opener: Friday vs. Colony
18. Great Oak (8-4)
The Wolfpack reached the Division 4 quarterfinals and will be looking to reclaim the Big West-South championship. Trent Lux returns at quarterback, and cornerback Anthony Clark is a standout on defense.
2025 final ranking: 13
Season opener: Thursday at Vista Murrieta
19. Summit (7-3)
The SkyHawks will be looking to capture a third consecutive Sunkist League championship. Chase Abdul-Wahab is a standout two-way lineman and long snapper. Defensive back Gavin Rister is back to lead the defense.
2025 final ranking: Bubble
Season opener: Friday at Ayala
20. King (6-5)
The Wolves will be among the title contenders in the Big West-South this season. Mark Cadena is a standout defensive lineman and tight end. The offensive line is also a strength, with center Zachary Vahidi leading the way.
2025 final ranking: 18
Season opener: Friday vs. Ramona
Teams on the bubble (in alphabetical order): Claremont (7-4), Hillcrest (9-5), Norte Vista (8-4), Orange Vista (9-3), Ramona (11-3), Riverside Poly (8-4), San Dimas (7-6), Upland (3-9), Vista del Lago (7-4), Yucaipa (3-7).
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This story was originally published August 17, 2026 at 3:29 PM.