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Staff writer Eric-Paul Johnson’s previews and predictions for this weekend’s top high school football games involving Inland teams
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Games at 7 p.m. unless noted. Dates, sites and times are subject to change.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Norco (4-0) vs. Santa Margarita (4-0) at Saddleback College
IE Varsity info: This is a major step-up game for Norco as it squares off against the defending CIF Southern Section and CIF State Open Division champions. Julian Medina has completed 85% of his pass attempts for 1,275 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Lee White leads the ground attack for the Cougars with 428 yards and seven scores. Linebacker Austin Williams has intercepted two passes. Santa Margarita has allowed only 27 points this season, and most of those came in a 21-20 victory over Centennial. Freshman linebacker Aydan Steen leads the Eagles on defense with 24 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks. Adrian Petero has been a workhorse on offense with 301 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Prediction: Santa Margarita
San Jacinto (3-0) at Great Oak (3-1)
IE Varsity info: These programs once played in the De Anza League when Great Oak opened in the mid-2000s. San Jacinto returned from a bye and held on for a 16-14 win over Chino Hills last week. Elijah Robinson has rushed for 316 yards and two scores, while Jordan Bernard has caught 18 passes for 242 yards. Kingston Tivao and Daevon Love lead the way for the Tigers on defense. Great Oak rallied last week for a 37-34 victory over former league foe Murrieta Mesa. Trent Lux has passed for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Matthew Crowson has a team-high six touchdown catches for the Wolfpack. Zackery de Leon leads the defense.
Prediction: San Jacinto
Rancho Cucamonga (2-2) at Centennial (1-2)
IE Varsity info: Rancho Cucamonga was a minute away from a win over Chaparral, but a late touchdown sent the Cougars back home with a 20-15 loss. Trey Towns Jr. has thrown for 760 yards and seven touchdowns, and Semaj Smith leads the receiving group with 200 yards. Beckam Amare leads the defense with 27 tackles. Centennial dropped a 10-9 decision to Mater Dei last week, the Huskies’ second one-point loss of the season. Jaden Jefferson has passed for 679 yards and four touchdowns and added two scores on the ground. Quentin Hale has caught 19 passes for 336 yards and three scores. The Huskies defense allowed only 140 yards in last week’s loss.
Prediction: Centennial
Cajon (2-2) at Oak Hills (2-2)
IE Varsity info: Cajon held on for a 28-21 victory over Aquinas last week, with Rob Jones intercepting a ball in the end zone to preserve the win for the Cowboys. Marcus Washington has passed for 908 yards and eight touchdowns and added 432 yards and five scores on the ground. Maleek Nolley has rushed for 504 yards and scored six times. Uziah Todd leads the defense with 32 tackles. Oak Hills looks to shake off last week’s 63-0 drubbing at the hands of JSerra. Maurice Council leads the ground attack for the Bulldogs with 243 yards. Oklahoma-bound lineman Sione Felila leads the defense.
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Prediction: Oak Hills
Fontana (3-1) at Banning (3-1)
IE Varsity info: Fontana bounced back with a 27-13 crosstown rivalry win over Miller last week. Sebastian Celedonio has racked up 572 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns for the Steelers. Jaden Wauls has caught 14 passes for 301 yards and three scores. Lineman Jimmy Burciaga has registered 27 tackles and a team-high six sacks. Banning will be looking to shake off last week’s 42-30 loss to Redlands East Valley. Jacob Anzaldua has thrown for 1,526 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Michael Gregory has hauled in 27 passes for 476 yards and seven scores. Nathan Maness has recorded four sacks for the Broncos.
Prediction: Banning
Norte Vista (1-3) at Elsinore (2-2)
IE Varsity info: Norte Vista looks to end a two-game losing skid Friday night. Damarcus Richardson is an all-purpose star for the Toros (230 rushing yards, 131 receiving yards and three touchdowns). The defense is led by Julius Howse and Sebastian Ruvalcaba (65 combined tackles). Elsinore outlasted Liberty 47-38 in a high-scoring affair last week. The Tigers are led on offense by running backs Lataevious Hernandez (426 yards, six touchdowns) and Xavier Stankevich (209 yards, seven touchdowns). Jacob Peterson has registered a team-high 33 tackles.
Prediction: Elsinore
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Aquinas (0-3) vs. Notre Dame (4-0) at Ramona HS, 7:30 p.m.
IE Varsity info: The “Holy War” rivalry series between these Catholic schools dates back to 1955. Notre Dame holds a 34-22-1 edge since 1966, but Aquinas has won eight straight meetings. Both programs are coached by an alumnus: Jordan Brusig (Aquinas) and Derrick Johnson (Notre Dame). Aquinas has lost back-to-back games by seven points. Freshman Josiah Whipp leads the offense for the Falcons, and Jordan Stewart and Dannicco Louie are two-way standouts. Notre Dame has experienced a revival this season and seeks the program’s first 5-0 start since 2015. Matteo Anelli has tossed 12 touchdown passes, while Seneca Givens leads the ground attack for the Titans. The defense is led by linebacker Azion Givens.
Prediction: Aquinas
Don Lugo (2-2) at Chino (3-1)
IE Varsity info: This marks the 47th installment of the “Milk Can Game” rivalry series. Chino reclaimed the trophy with a 34-7 victory last season and holds a 28-18 edge in the series. Don Lugo looks to bounce back from a 21-7 loss to The Bishop’s. Brandon Pinon has thrown five touchdown passes, and Brandon Elias has rushed for 405 yards for the Conquistadores. Chino rolled past Temescal Canyon 42-14 for its second straight victory. Isaiah Salinas and Donavon Chavez have combined to throw for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns, and Markell Monroe has caught 26 passes for 479 yards and four TDs. The Cowboys are led on defense by Andrew Ruiz (25 tackles)
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Prediction: Chino
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 2:21 PM.