Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor:

It’s the moment they’ve been waiting for.

With two weeks remaining in the 2023 regular season, a pair of undefeated programs (RCHS & Damien) meet up on Friday night at DHS.

The Spartans (8-0, 2-0) have statistical advantages over the Cougars (8-0, 2-0) in points scored (309-255) and least points allowed (136-143).

If Damien were to secure a victory over RCHS on Friday, and next Thursday at Etiwanda (6-3, 0-3), the Spartans will claim their first league championship since 2009, which is when they shared the Sierra League title with Chino Hills.

It wouldn’t just be DHS’ first league crown in 14 years, it would also mark the first victory over Rancho Cucamonga since joining the Baseline League in 2014.

Aside from 2020, the COVID-19 shortened season in which DHS and RCHS didn’t meet, the Cougars are 8-0 against the Spartans, and over that stretch, Rancho Cucamonga’s total margin of victory is 391-170.

Looking at their strength of schedule, the eight RCHS victims are a combined 39-27, while Damien’s opponents are 32-32.

Damien has a 245-232-yard advantage through the air, and the Cougars average 205 yards on the ground, as compared to 154 for the Spartans.

Damien quarterback Isaiah Arriaza has completed 124-of-197 for 1,839 yards.

Arriaza has thrown for 21 TD’s, and he’s been picked three times.

Arriaza has six more TD’s than the three RCHS quarterbacks (combined) with at least 50 passing attempts.

Emiliano Villareal (50-of-84 for 747 yards, 7 TD’s & 3 INT) and Tyler Dudden (46-of-74 for 713 yards, 6 TD’s & 3 INT) have led the RCHS offense.

On the flip side, Rancho Cucamonga’s Trey Wilson (126 carries for 1,099 yards & 11 TD’s) has rushed for 175 more yards and scored one more TD than Damien’s top three rushers.

Zachary Eguia (76 carries for 516 yards & 3 TD’s), Jordan Young (50 carries for 266 yards & 4 TD’s) and Arriaza (42 carries for 142 yards & 3 TD’s) have carried the load for the Spartans ground game.

Jonah Dawson (34 catches for 723 yards & 7 TD’s) and Nehemiah Harrison (36 catches for 510 yards & 5 TD’s) lead the Cougars receiving corps, while Ayden Gutierrez (33 catches for 642 yards & 8 TD’s), Elijah Bechtel (25 catches for 326 yards & 2 TD’s) and
Gavin Lannon (18 catches for 246 yards & 3 TD’s) have been Arriaza’s favorite targets through the first eight games.

The common opponent has been Chino Hills.

RCHS had a 49-0 victory over the Huskies last week, and

DHS defeated CHHS, 34-7, back on October 6th.

The kickoff is set for 7 at Damien.

Stat Leaders:

Quarterbacks:
Emiliano Villareal (RC): 50-of-84 for 747 yards, 7 TD’s & 3 INT
Tyler Dudden (RC): 46-of-74 for 713 yards, 6 TD’s & 3 INT
Isaiah Arriaza (D): 124-of-197 for 1,839 yards, 21 TD’s & 3 INT

Running Backs:
Trey Wilson (RC): 126 carries for 1,099 yards & 11 TD’s
Stacy Bey (RC): 26 carries for 179 yards & 4 TD’s
Zachary Eguia (D): 76 carries fo 516 yards & 3 TD’s
Jordan Young (D): 50 carries for 266 yards & 4 TD’s
Isaiah Arriaza (D): 42 carries for 142 yards & 3 TD’s

Receivers:
Jonah Dawson (RC): 34 catches for 723 yards & 7 TD’s
Nehemiah Harrison (RC): 36 catches for 510 yards & 5 TD’s
Cameron Sermons (RC): 22 catches for 289 yards & 2 TD’s
Ayden Gutierrez (D): 33 catches for 642 yards & 8 TD’s
Elijah Bechtel (D): 25 catches for 326 yards & 2 TD’s
Gavin Lannon (D): 18 catches for 246 yards & 3 TD’s

Tackles:
Rahim Wright (RC): 65
Amaurey Brooks (RC): 57
Caden Arellano (D): 55
Elijah Gordon (RC): 42
Aaron Escarcega (D): 40
Stacy Bey (RC): 40
Chase Jackson (D): 34
Gavin Williams (D): 30

Sacks:
Kal-El Togafau (RC): 6
Lavaka Latu (RC): 3
Chase Jackson (D): 3
Austin Coronado (D): 3
Oscar Trevino (D): 3
Nasili Malere (RC): 2.5

Interceptions:
Gavin Williams (D): 5
Dakota Mendoza (RC): 3

By the Numbers:
Records: RC (8-0, 2-0); D (8-0, 2-0)
Points Scored: RC (255); D (309)
Points Allowed: RC (143); D (136)
Total Offense: RC (437); D (399)
Passing Yards Per Game: RC (232); D (245)
Rushing Yards Per Game: RC (205); D (154)
Strength of Schedule (records of opponents): RC (39-27); D (32-32)
Current Streak: RC (8W); D (8W)
Most Points Scored in a Game: RC (49 vs Chino Hills); D (59 vs Damien of Hawaii)
Most Points Allowed in a Game: RC: (31 vs Servite); D (29 vs Hawaii of Damien)
RCHS Road Record: 3-0
Damien’s Home Record: 3-0
MaxPreps State Ranking: RC (55); D (26)
Calpreps Projected Score: RCHS 31, Damien 21

Recent RCHS-DHS Scores:
2022: RCHS 42, Damien 13
2021: RCHS 45, Damien 44 (OT)
2020: COVID-shortened season, did not play each other
2019: RCHS 46, Damien 14
2018: RCHS 57, Damien 17
2017: RCHS 56, Damien 9
2016: RCHS 44, Damien 24
2015: RCHS 49, Damien 28
2014: RCHS 52, Damien 21

2023 Rancho Cucamonga Schedule-Results:
8/18: RCHS 29, Murrieta Valley 27
8/24: RCHS 34, Servite 31
8/31: RCHS 21, Norco 14
9/8: RCHS 22, Valencia 20
9/15: RCHS 31, Bishop Amat 21
9/22: RCHS 34, Vista Murrieta 24
10/6: RCHS 35, Etiwanda 7
10/13: RCHS 49, Chino Hills 0
10/20: RCHS at Damien
10//26: RCHS at Upland

2023 Damien Schedule-Results:
8/18: Damien 31, Yorba Linda 21
8/25: Damien 35, Loyola 14
9/2: Damien 59, Damien of Hawaii 29
9/8: Damien 56, Mira Costa 23
9/15: Damien 35, Charter Oak 0
9/22: Damien 35, La Serna 21
9/29: Damien 24, Upland 21
10/6: Damien 34, Chino Hills 7
10/20: RCHS at Damien
10/26: Damien at Etiwanda

This Week’s Schedule
Upland at Chino Hills
RCHS at Damien
** Etiwanda in on their bye week

Baseline League Standings:
RCHS (8-0, 2-0)
Damien (8-0, 2-0)
Upland (6-2, 1-1)
Chino Hills (5-4, 1-2)
Etiwanda (6-3, 0-3)