The 2025 high school football season begins this week for a majority of Inland teams.
Here are the IE Varsity preseason rankings heading into Week 0 games.
Records from the 2024 season are in parenthesis.
1. Centennial (9-3)
The Huskies are the four-time defending champs of the Big West Conference’s North Division. The defense is strong with reigning IE Varsity Defensive Player of the Year Jonathan “JD” McKinley II back at linebacker.
Season opener: Friday vs. Servite
2. Murrieta Valley (11-3)
The Nighthawks are coming off a trip to last season’s CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship game. Siblings Derrick Johnson II and Darius Johnson headline one of the area’s best secondary units.
Season opener: Friday vs. Rancho Cucamonga
3. Chaparral (7-4)
The Pumas have a strong offensive unit, led by quarterback Dane Weber and receiver Michael “Kiko” Farinas. The offensive line received reinforcements with a handful of noteworthy transfers.
Season opener: Friday at San Juan Hills
4. Damien (8-3)
The Spartans captured the Baseline League championship for the first time since joining the league. Isaiah Arriaza returns at quarterback, and Gavin Williams is one of the area’s top two-way stars.
Season opener: Friday at Aquinas
5. Rancho Cucamonga (6-5)
The Cougars start anew this season with veteran coach Alex Pierce now at the helm. Jacob Chambers is one of the area’s best quarterbacks, and Malik White is back to lead the offense line.
Season opener: Friday at Rancho Cucamonga
6. Vista Murrieta (8-5)
The Broncos advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 semifinals last season. Quarterback Bryson Beaver begins his third season under center, and Sean McCullough is one of the area’s best slot receivers.
Season opener: Friday at Great Oak
7. Beaumont (9-2)
The Cougars captured the Citrus Belt League championship for the first time since joining the league in 2020. Jeremiah Duhu is one of the area’s best dual-threat quarterbacks.
Season opener: Thursday vs. San Jacinto
8. Cajon (9-3)
The Cowboys will be looking to reclaim the CBL title this season. The offense will feature many new faces, but USC-bound linebacker Taylor Johnson is back to lead the defense.
Season opener: Friday at Norco
9. Chino Hills (7-4)
The Huskies are coming off a second-place finish in the Baseline League. Quarterback Alex Medyn looks to build on last year’s strong campaign.
Season opener: Thursday vs. Glendora
10. San Jacinto (6-4, two losses by forfeit)
The Tigers shared the Mountain Pass League title last season. The defense should be a strength with linebacker Jeremiah D. Brown and safety Jeremiah Brown leading the way.
Season opener: Thursday at Beaumont
11. Upland (4-6)
The Highlanders look to bounce back from the program’s first losing campaign since the pandemic season. Roman Ponce returns to lead the offensive and defensive lines.
Season opener: Friday at La Habra
12. Bonita (11-1)
The Bearcats captured the Sierra League championship last season. Quarterback Travis Lippert returns under center, and Joseph Lara will remain a two-way standout.
Season opener: Friday at Muir
13. Aquinas (8-3)
The Falcons are the three-time defending champions of the Ironwood League. The offense will be led by Champ Brown, one of the area’s most exciting running backs.
Season opener: Friday vs. Damien
14. Norco (3-7)
The Cougars will be looking to snap a two-year playoff drought. Junior receiver Blake Wong will be a player to watch this season.
Season opener: Friday vs. Cajon
15. Orange Vista (6-5)
The Coyotes, the three-time defending Ivy League champs, start a new chapter under coach Sean Fleming. Khalil Abdul-Aziz will be under center for the fourth straight season.
Season opener: Thursday at Apple Valley
16. Murrieta Mesa (10-5)
The Rams won the Big West Conference’s South Division title and claimed the CIF Southern Section Division 6 crown. Daniel Ritchie is a two-way standout at linebacker and running back.
Season opener: Friday vs. Newport Harbor
17. Summit (11-2)
The SkyHawks are the defending Sunkist League champions and reached the Division 5 semifinals last year. Evan Ramos is back at linebacker to lead the defense.
Season opener: Thursday vs. Ayala at Miller HS
18. Etiwanda (3-6-1)
The Eagles are another team with a new leaders, as Paul Unga takes over at his alma mater. Quarterback Keegan Campuzano looks to build off a strong season.
Season opener: Friday vs. Grand Terrace
19. Rancho Verde (7-5)
The Mustangs look to win the Ivy League crown after back-to-back runner-up finishes. C.J. Thompson returns under center to lead the offense.
Season opener: Friday at Corona del Mar
20. Roosevelt (2-8)
The Mustangs look to take a step forward in Aaron Crone’s second year at the helm. The defense will benefit from new faces like Dareon Edwards and Arden Benson.
Season opener: Friday at King
Teams on the bubble (in alphabetical order): Alta Loma (5-5), Ayala (2-9), Citrus Valley (3-7), Colony (0-10, four losses by forfeit), Great Oak (6-7), King (8-4), Los Osos (7-4, one win by forfeit), Norte Vista (9-2), Ontario Christian (6-5), San Dimas (9-3), Vista del Lago (8-3), Yucaipa (8-5).
