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Here is a look at some of the top Week 0 high school football games involving Inland teams.
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Records in parenthesis are from the 2025 season, unless indicated.
Dates, sites and times are subject to change.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Murrieta Valley (9-4) at Rancho Cucamonga (8-4), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: This is the seventh meeting in four seasons, as these program have squared off in nonleague and playoff games each of the past three years. Rancho Cucamonga won the first one, but Murrieta Valley has rattled off five straight wins, including a rain-soaked 26-6 victory in last season’s playoffs. This game features a showdown of outstanding Class of 2028 quarterbacks. Murrieta Valley’s Ty Isaia is a returning starter who passed for 1,784 yards, ran for 530 yards while tallying 23 total touchdowns. Rancho Cucamonga hands the offense to Treyvone Towns Jr., a fast-rising prospect who will be making his first varsity start in Thursday night’s game.
Prediction: Rancho Cucamonga
Centennial (11-2) vs. Servite (6-5) at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Centennial kicks off Matt Logan’s 30th season at the helm with the first of three consecutive showdowns against Trinity League opponents. Jaden Jefferson started 33 games at Cathedral High and passed for 7,672 yards and 84 touchdowns while running for another 1,959 yards and 24 scores. Jefferson’s favorite target the past two years, Quentin Hale, also has made the move to Centennial. Malaki Davis scored 20 touchdowns last season and is back to lead the ground attack for the Huskies. Servite starts a new chapter with Rick Garretson in charge. The offensive line, led by Drew Felder, is a strength for the Friars.
Prediction: Centennial
Etiwanda (4-7) at Cajon (7-4), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Nick Baiz begins his second stint in charge of the program after stepping away from the varsity team last season. The Eagles have a solid group of receivers, led by Chad Wakumoto Jr. (636 yards) and track and field standout Brandon Andrade (429 yards). Linebacker Drew Toki led the team with 69 tackles last season and returns to anchor the defense. Cajon’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback Marcus Washington, who passed for 2,235 yards, ran for 681 yards and tallied 31 total touchdowns in his debut season. Uziah Todd registered 101 tackles for the Cowboys last season and is one of the Inland area’s best safeties.
Prediction: Cajon
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Chaparral (7-5) at Mission Viejo (9-2), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Chaparral has seven home games this season, but the Pumas start in the road against one of the top programs in the state. Chaparral’s passing game is stacked, led by senior quarterback Dane Weber, who passed for 3,645 yards, ran for 688 yards and recorded 55 total touchdowns last season. Michael “Kiko” Farinas and Eli Woodard lead a deep receiving corps. Senior lineman Kameron Payne and Caleb Joy are back to anchor the defense. Mission Viejo is seeking a third straight victory over the Pumas. Jack Junker is a deep-play threat who averaged 19.8 yards per catch with 14 touchdown receptions last year.
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Prediction: Mission Viejo
Beaumont (1-0 in 2026) at San Jacinto (10-4), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: These former league foes have continued their rivalry since Beaumont moved to the Citrus Belt League in 2020. Beaumont has won five straight meetings in the series, including a 51-14 victory last season. Beaumont opened the new season last week in Hawaii with a 49-6 win over Hilo. Brandon Cuellar passed for 188 yards and five touchdowns, and Quillan Davis ran for 152 yards and a touchdown. San Jacinto’s offense is led by Josue Estrada, who passed for 1,926 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. The ground attack gets a boost with the arrival of Elijah Robinson, who rushed for 878 yards last season at Tustin High.
Prediction: San Jacinto
Roosevelt (6-7) at Norco (1-9, six losses by forfeit), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Roosevelt and Norco will be playing in different Big West Conference divisions this season, but the schools from neighboring towns have kept the rivalry going. Linfield Christian transfer Charlie Bohmer (2,117 yards, 18 TDs) will be Roosevelt’s starting quarterback this year. The defense features cornerback Xavier Marshall, who is a rising star in the 2028 recruiting class. Norco’s offense has an outstanding pass-catch combo in quarterback Julian Medina (3,164 yards, 35 TDs) and receiver Blake Wong (1,470 yards, 20 TDs). This will be the 20th meeting in the series, and Norco holds a 15-4 edge in on-the-field outcomes.
Prediction: Norco
Aquinas (9-2) at Damien (8-3), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: These Catholic school powers square off in a season opener for the second straight year. Damien won last year’s meeting 20-15. Aquinas’ offense features senior running back Champ Brown (2,583 career yards) and junior wide receiver Jordan Stewart (636 yards, six touchdowns last season). Linebacker Dannicco Louie is a player to watch on defense. Damien’s offense is led by senior wide receiver Travon Garrison Jr. (1,989 career yards, 25 TDs) and running back Malachi McFarland (894 yards, 11 TDs last season). The defense is led by Gavin Williams, who is one of the top safeties in the 2027 recruiting class.
Prediction: Damien
Hillcrest (9-6) vs. Riverside Poly (8-4) at Ramona HS, 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Hillcrest won a CIF Southern Section championship last year and looks to ride the momentum into this season. Reyez Ortiz broke a handful of program records last season, rushing for 1,829 yards and 26 touchdowns. Nicholas Bernal is an all-purpose star for the Trojans (132 tackles, five kick returns for scores and five TD catches). Poly has won three straight games in the series, including a 33-27 victory last season. The offense is led by Marjok Gustafson, who passed for 1,945 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. The Bears’ defense is led by edge rusher Nicolai Todorovski (63 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks last season).
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Prediction: Hillcrest
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This story was originally published August 19, 2026 at 10:13 AM.