Here is a look at the top games involving Inland high school football teams on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Sites and times of games are subject to change. Records are from the 2024 season.
THURSDAY’S TOP GAMES
San Jacinto (6-4, two losses by forfeit) at Beaumont (9-2), 7:30 p.m.
IE Varsity info: These former league rivals have continued to play since being separated. San Jacinto has a 16-9 edge in the series since 2000, but Beaumont has won four straight games, including a 28-20 victory in last year’s season opener. San Jacinto has offensive weapons with senior receiver Daishaun Davis (768 yards, seven TDs) and senior running back Jomini Ransom (969 yards, nine TDs). Seniors Jeremiah D. Brown and Damere Coleman lead a strong linebacker corps. Senior quarterback Jeremiah Duhu is back to lead Beaumont’s offense. He threw for 2,004 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for 743 yards and 10 more scores last season. Senior receiver Braedon Miller hauled in 10 touchdowns. Leading the defense again will be senior linebackers Matthew Casas and Christian Cooper.
Prediction: Beaumont
Glendora (9-5) at Chino Hills (7-4), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: This is a matchup between two programs that had strong campaigns in 2024. Glendora reached the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship game, while Chino Hills placed second in the tough Baseline League. Senior Alex Medyn begins his second season at quarterback for Chino Hills. He passed for 2,271 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Senior Calum Ferrell once again will be a favored target for Medyn. Senior Dawaun Nettington, a transfer from Ayala, will give the secondary a boost. Sophomore quarterback Sebastian Lawrence is back to lead the offense for Glendora. The Tartans return several defensive standouts, including senior linebackers Aidan Yamazaki and Aspen Surprenant.
Prediction: Chino Hills
Vista Murrieta (8-5) at Great Oak (6-7), 7:30 p.m.
IE Varsity info: These former Southwestern League football foes are squaring off for the 20th time. Vista Murrieta has won the past seven meetings and owns an 18-1 edge in the series. Great Oak’s lone win came in 2017. Oregon-bound quarterback Bryson Beaver will lead Vista Murrieta’s offense for the third straight season. Beaver passed for 3,214 yards and 33 touchdowns last season and added 411 yards on the ground. Senior slot receiver Sean McCullough (1,291 yards, 15 TDs) is coming back from an ACL injury, so senior Tyler Caldwell (834 yards, nine TDs) should see more targets at the start of the season. Senior linebacker Brennan Martinez is back to lead the defense. Great Oak features one of the Inland area’s top two-way stars with Idaho State-bound Ryder Smith. He ran for 1,369 yards and 16 touchdowns and also racked up 133 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks from his linebacker position. Senior Ryder Parks caught 44 passes for 440 yards last season.
Prediction: Vista Murrieta
Ayala (2-9) vs. Summit (11-2) at Miller HS, 7:30 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Ayala begins a new chapter, as former assistant coach Terrance Smith took the reins after AJ Gracia took an administrative position at Chino High School. The program suffered heavy losses to graduation and transfers, but the Bulldogs do return senior receiver Brenton Smith and senior defensive end Isacc Eleyae. Summit looks to build on last year’s run to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 semifinals. The SkyHawk roster features several two-way stars, including senior running backs and linebackers Evan Ramos and Maximus McCarthy. Senior Jayden Dunn returns to lead the secondary after intercepting five passes last season.
Prediction: Summit
Tahquitz (2-8) at Hemet (10-2), 7:30 p.m.
IE Varsity info: The battle between crosstown rivals will determine who takes home the McGowan Cup this season. Hemet owns a 7-3 edge in the series and has won six straight, including a 17-7 victory last season. Tahquitz is led by Boise State-bound senior Jacob Arbuckle, who is a standout receiver and cornerback. Another player to watch for the Titans is senior running back Terrell Strong, who averaged more than 100 yards per game on the ground last season. Hemet is led by junior running back Drew Neal, who ran for 713 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Also returning for the Bulldogs is junior linebacker Russell Huser, who led the defense last season with 122 tackles.
Prediction: Hemet
