RANCHO CUCAMONGA — The race for the Baseline League title comes down to the season’s final week.
Rancho Cucamonga remains one of the two teams in contention after defeating crosstown rival Etiwanda 41-7 at home.
Rancho Cucamonga, after its fourth straight win, improved to 6-3 overall, 4-0 in conference, and Etiwanda fell to 3-6, 1-3. The Cougars welcome Chino Hills for their last regular-season game on Thursday for a chance to claim the conference for the first time since 2023. Chino Hills beat Damien 27-19 on Friday.
“It’s definitely one game after the next, but we knew Chino Hills and Damien were going to be a good game,” said Rancho Cucamonga senior quarterback Jacob Chambers. “Chino Hills comes here next week for our senior night, and I mean, that’s going to be the Baseline League championship. We are going to have to practice hard and work harder.”
Chambers sat out the first quarter because of some internal issues, but that didn’t stop him from putting on a show in the second quarter. Rancho Cucamonga sophomore quarterback Treyvone Towns Jr. took over in the first quarter.
Etiwanda had a difficult time trying to figure out the Cougars’ defense all night. Eagles freshman quarterback Jonathan Urquhart got his first varsity start and was constantly pressured, which caused him to throw two interceptions in the first half. His first turnover was a 65-yard pick-six from defensive back Nate Mensah to put the Cougars ahead 7-0 in the second quarter.
“To be honest with you, for your first-ever high school start is against Rancho Cucamonga, and not once did he have his head down. Not once did he fold after throwing a pick-six,” Etiwanda head coach Paul ‘Unga said. “Obviously, I have to watch the film, but there is nothing bad I can say about a freshman kid getting his first start against this team.”
Chambers got the start in the second quarter and immediately made an impact by running it in for a 28-yard rushing touchdown to put the Cougars ahead 14-0 on the next possession. The Fresno State University commit punched it in again on a quarterback sneak to put Rancho Cucamonga ahead 21-0 going into halftime.
The Cougars ‘ high-powered offense didn’t slow down in the second half. Senior running back James Strong III found the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown to extend the lead 28-0. Strong finished the night with over 100 yards on the ground.
“James and I have known each other since we were young,” Strong said. “At first we were playing against each other, but ever since then, our connection has been getting stronger.”
Chambers’ connected with senior wide receiver Tyree Wilson for a 28-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 34-0. Etiwanda struggled to get its offense going and was kept out of the red zone for most of the second half, but senior running back Jaleel Sutton found the end zone on a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
Cougars’ sophomore Jayden Hilliard found the end zone on a 30-yard rushing touchdown to put a stamp on the victory.
Winning a conference championship would mean a great deal to Rancho Cucamonga. Strong and Chambers have known each other since preschool and have grown into a dominating force that is difficult for any defense to stop.
Cougars head coach Alex Pierce noted it would mean a lot to the team if they were to come away with a victory against Chino Hills on Thursday.
Etiwanda plays its final regular-season game against Upland on Thursday.
