IE Varsity’s previews of the top high school football games Thursday, Oct. 19 – Press Enterprise

Here is a look at some of the top Inland high school football games for Thursday, Oct. 19.

Dates, sites and times listed below are subject to change.

THURSDAY’S TOP GAMES

CITRUS BELT LEAGUE

Cajon (5-3, 2-1) at Yucaipa (7-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.

IE Varsity info: Cajon looks to bounce back after seeing its 35-game league winning streak snapped in last week’s 32-26 loss to Citrus Valley. Evan Powell threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, while Jered Rennick had eight catches for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys. Taylor Johnson tops the defense with 53 tackles in six games. Yucaipa lost its league opener to Beaumont, but the Thunderbirds rebounded with shutouts of Redlands East Valley (48-0) and Redlands (34-0). Logan Barbour leads the ground attack with 561 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Deace Turner has passed for 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns. Tyler Price leads the defense with 55 tackles. Cajon has won seven straight against Yucaipa and holds a 9-2 edge since 2012.

Prediction: Cajon

IRONWOOD LEAGUE

Ontario Christian (7-1, 3-0) at Aquinas (5-3, 3-0), 7:30 p.m.

IE Varsity info: Ontario Christian has won six consecutive games, including a 29-9 victory last week over Village Christian. Hayden Slegers is shining in the team’s new spread offense, throwing for 1,971 yards and 26 touchdowns. Marquis Bradley has 50 receptions for 915 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Zander Lewis has nine touchdown runs. Jacob Bachar leads the defense with 59 tackles. Aquinas continued defense of its league title with a 48-0 win over Big Bear. Jusyis “Jojo” Solis has racked up 1,427 yards from scrimmage and scored 15 touchdowns. Malachi Jones, a transfer from Beaumont, has shined since returning from a sit-out period. Jones has passed for 536 yards and nine touchdowns in three games and added 210 yards and four more scores on the ground. Aquinas has won eight straight games over the Knights and holds a 13-8 edge in the series since 2001.

Prediction: Aquinas

MOUNTAIN WEST LEAGUE

Ayala (4-4, 1-0) at Charter Oak (2-6, 1-0), 7 p.m.

IE Varsity info: Ayala’s quest to reclaim the Mountain West League championship started well, as the Bulldogs defeated Bonita 29-26 in last week’s opener. Marquis Monroe rushed for 176 yards on 21 carries, caught six passes for 104 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the way for Ayala. Dominic Williams leads the defense with 51 tackles. Charter Oak’s defense of the league championship began with a 41-7 win over Alta Loma. Corin Berry has passed for 1,007 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Legend Lyons has six touchdown catches. Joel Sanchez leads the defense with 64 tackles.

Prediction: Ayala

RIVER VALLEY LEAGUE

Norte Vista (7-1, 3-0) vs. Patriot (5-3, 2-1) at Rubidoux HS, 7:30 p.m.

IE Varsity info: Norte Vista cruised to a 49-3 victory over Arlington last week to extend its winning streak to seven. The Braves have plenty of playmakers on offense, including Taejon Henderson (835 rushing yards, 583 receiving yards, 19 touchdowns) and Dreaddie Allain (978 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns). Seth Bolender has tossed 12 touchdown passes. Juan Garcia leads the defense with 65 tackles. Patriot looks to bounce back from a 41-38 loss to Hillcrest last week. Quarterback Isaiah Miramontes (887 passing yards, 816 rushing yards, 18 combined touchdowns) and running back Josiah Felix (890 yards, nine touchdowns) are the 1-2 offensive punch for the Warriors. Joshua Pearson leads the defense with 60 tackles. Norte Vista has won 15 of 16 meetings in the series, with Patriot’s lone on-the-field win coming in 2008. Norte Vista did have to forfeit its victory in 2013.

Prediction: Norte Vista

NONLEAGUE

Paloma Valley (5-3) at Hemet (5-3), 7:30 p.m.

IE Varsity info: Paloma Valley and Hemet are undefeated in the Sunbelt League and Inland Valley League, respectively, but the schools will square off in a Raincross Conference crossover game. Paloma Valley scored league wins over Riverside Poly and Vista del Lago before taking a bye last week. Brady Nelson has thrown for 2,237 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Arthur Clemons and Jefferey Blalock have combined to catch 80 passes for 1,119 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hemet routed Canyon Springs 49-0 last week to clinch at least a share of its league championship. Daniel Mendoza leads the ground attack for the Bulldogs, while Tanner Fye tops the defense in tackles and sacks.

Prediction: Paloma Valley