Photo by Gwen Pointer

Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

The late-great Lou Farrar was a pretty analytical guy.

But even ‘Big Lou,’ a five-time CIF-SS champion, would have a hard time believing this one.

Charter Oak graduated a number of talented and stat-sheet stuffing seniors, who went 10-0 in the 2022 regular season.

The Chargers bowed out after a ridiculous formula had them travel to 10-0 Yorba Linda in the first round of the D-3 playoffs.

Among all 14 divisions, it was the only head-t0-head showdown between two 10-0 programs.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Chargers finished the regular season at 2-8.

And that included a 1-2 mark in Mountain West League play after a disappointing 27-18 loss at Bonita in the regular season finale.

It was good for third place in the four-team MWL.

Those who despise the program were jubilant about a miserable 2023 season for the boys in blue and yellow.

But the same formula that hurt COHS in 2022, helped them in 2023.

Charter Oak’s strength of schedule allowed the Chargers to sort of back-door their way in.

Of their 13 games thus far, 11 of their opponents had a record of .500 or above, and one of the two teams, Temecula Valley, was one win shy of the .500 mark.

Apparently, going to battle against teams like Damien, Upland, Yorba Linda and Laguna Beach did wonders for COHS, because the 5-8 Chargers now find themselves just one win away from a potential CIF-SS D-8 championship.

Charter Oak travels to Fontana to face Jurupa Hills on Friday night.

If successful, it would be their first CIF championship since 2009.

As mentioned, COHS narrowly got into the playoffs.

And as they trailed 14-7 at North Torrance in the second half, many believed the Chargers would be making an early postseason exit.

COHS would tie the game in the third quarter and claim a 21-14 victory in overtime.

The next week saw Charter Oak host a 9-2 Covina team that led the entire area with their 42 point-per-game average and a quarterback (Jake Duronslet) that had been carving up opposing defenses.

Not a problem.

The athleticism and speed of the COHS defense allowed them to pressure Duronslet all night, and the Chargers secured a pretty comfortable 23-7 victory.

Charter Oak went on to dominate visiting Highland, 42-16, last Friday, and earned itself a spot in Friday’s title game.

The 42 points was a season best, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Perhaps most importantly, sophomore quarterback Corin Berry had the best game of his young career.

Berry had thrown 18 picks in 12 games.

But last Friday, he completed 15-of-18 for 220 yards.

Berry threw for three scores, rushed for another, and he didn’t turn the ball over.

COHS led 35-0 at the half, and they never allowed Highland to mount a challenge.

To those who know him, Berry is a quiet, intelligent and an impressive young man.

He spends his lunches with head coach Dominic Farrar, and they go over film.

On the other side the ball, the Chargers defense is allowing just 12 points per game in the postseason.

They held North Torrance, Covina and Highland to a combined 59 points under their weekly scoring average.

How does COHS match up statistically against Jurupa Hills?

The Spartans have advantages in points scored (320-272) and allowed (302-329).

Charter Oak is slotted 17 points higher (184-201) in the MaxPreps state rankings, and Calpreps has projected a 21-20 victory for the Chargers.

Ten of Jurupa Hills’ 13 opponents have a record at or above the .500 mark.

JHHS rushes for 54 more (151-97) yards per game than COHS, and they have a slight 167-145 edge through the air.

Caleb Ruiz is 160-of-274 for 2,134 yards.

The Spartans quarterback has thrown 21 TD’s & seven interceptions.

Berry has completed 137-of-278 for 1,872 yards.

He’s tossed 16 TD passes and 18 picks.

Ruiz has also done some damage with his legs, rushing for 474 yards and a team-high 12 TD’s.

Charter Oak’s Aaron Rivera (92-for-400 yards & three TD’s) and Curtiss Taylor (47-for-240 & six TD’s) have anchored the Chargers ground game.

Legend Lyons has been outstanding for the Chargers, catching 68 passes for 900 yards and seven TD’s.

Sean Munoz (25-for-440 & four TD’s) and Isaiah Perez (33-for-350 & one TD) have also been key for the Charter Oak receiving corps.

Jaylen Ephraim leads Jurupa Hills with 38 catches for 630 yards and seven TD’s.

The COHS defense has a number of key contributors.

And it’s led by sophomore JD Sanchez, who has a team-high 112 tackles.

Curtiss Taylor (70 tackles, six sacks), Jacob Martinez (60 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Michael White (60 tackles, and a team-high four picks),
LaVar Arrington (60 tackles, 11 sacks), Julian Salmon (56 tackles, one interception), Tristan Taylor (55 tackles, 2.5 sacks), Jacob Herrera (55 tackles, one sack), Aaron Rivera (45 tackles, 3.5 sacks), Michael Moronez (45 tackles, two picks) and Mateo Gonzalez (44 tackles, two picks) have all been key in keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone.

If Charter Oak were to prevail on Friday, it is believed that Dominic and Lou Farrar would either be on the shortest of short lists or by themselves as a father and son duo to both win CIF-SS football titles, let alone for the same school.

By the Numbers:
Records: CO (5-8); JH (7-6)
Points Scored: CO (272); JH (320)
Points Allowed: CO (329); JH (302)
Average Points Scored Per Game: CO (21); JH (25)
Average Points Allowed Per Game: CO (25); JH (23)
Passing Yards Per Game: CO (145); JH (167)
Rushing Yards Per Game: CO (97); JH (151)
Most Points Scored in a Game: CO (42 vs Highland); JH (40 vs Carter)
Most Points Allowed in a Game: CO (48 vs Yorba Linda); JH: (45 vs San Jacinto)
League Finish: CO (third in Mountain West); JH (third in Sunkist)
Charter Oak’s Road Record: 2-5
Jurupa Hills Home Record: 3-4
Current Streak: CO (3W); JH (3W)
MaxPreps State Ranking: CO (184); JH (201)
Calpreps Game Prediction: Charter Oak 21, Jurupa Hills 20

Stat Leaders:

QB’s:
Caleb Ruiz (JH): 160-of-274 for 2,134 yards, 21 TD’s & seven picks
Corin Berry (CO): 137-of-278 for 1,872 yards, 16 TD’s & 18 picks

Running Backs:
Jordan Pernillo (JH): 109-for-595 & two TD’s
Caleb Ruiz (JH): 137-for-474 & 12 TD’s
Aaron Rivera (CO): 92-for-400 yards & three TD’s
Curtiss Taylor (CO): 47-for-240 & six TD’s

Receivers:
Legend Lyons (CO): 68-for-900 & seven TD’s
Jaylen Ephraim (JH): 38-for-630 & seven TD’s
Sean Munoz (CO): 25-for-440 & four TD’s
Isaiah Perez (CO): 33-for-350 & one TD
Malachi Reed (JH): 15-for-337 & three TD’s

Charter Oak’s Defense:
JD Sanchez 112 tackles
Curtiss Taylor 70 tackles, six sacks
Jacob Martinez 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks,
Michael White 60 tackles, and a team-high four picks.
LaVar Arrington 60 tackles, 11 sacks
Julian Salmon 56 tackles, one interception
Tristan Taylor 55 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Jacob Herrera 55 tackles, one sack
Aaron Rivera 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks
Michael Moronez 45 tackles, two picks
Mateo Gonzalez 44 tackles, two picks

Charter Oak’s Schedule & Results:
8/18: COHS 24, Temecula Valley 14
8/25: Chino Hills 21, COHS 17
9/1: Glendora 46, COHS 22
9/7: Yorba Linda 48, COHS 27
9/15: Damien 35, COHS 0
9/22: Upland 31, COHS 10
9/29: Laguna Beach 18, COHS 17
10/13: COHS 41, Alta Loma 7
10/19: Ayala 45, COHS 10
10/26: Bonita 27, COHS 18
11/3: COHS 21, North Torrance 14 (OT)
11/10: COHS 23, Covina 7
11/17: COHS 42, Highland 16
11/24: COHS at Jurupa Hills

Jurupa Hills Schedule & Results:
8/24: Glendora 27, Jurupa Hills 13
9/1: Downey 30, Jurupa Hills 27
9/8: Etiwanda 34, Jurupa Hills 7
9/15: Jurupa Hills 34, Los Altos 13
9/22: San Jacinto 45, Jurupa Hills 27
9/29: Jurupa Hills 21, Kaiser 14
10/5: Jurupa Hills 40, Carter 21
10/13: Eisenhower 30, Jurupa Hills 20
10/20: Jurupa Hills 35, Grand Terrace 20
10/27: Summit 14, Jurupa Hills 13
11/3: Jurupa Hills 28, Irvine 6
11/10: Jurupa Hills 28, Aliso Niguel 27
11/17: Jurupa Hills 31, St. Pius 21
11/24: Charter Oak at Jurupa Hills