(Fontana, CA / Correspondent, Jeremiah Smith)
In the third edition of Inland Valley Hall of Fame Classic—produced by the 501(c)3 non-profit, Inland Valley Classic—the West team picked up its first victory in the series having lost the previous two meetings. Fontana’s A.B. Miller High School served as host on the windiest night of the year, which allowed San Bernardino County’s brightest football stars to be seen better by all in attendance.
Alex Pierce, Head Football Coach at Los Osos High School led the Western squad, and Nick Rogers, Head Coach at Cajon High School directed the Eastern county troops.
The West, dressed in white jerseys and pants, began the scoring on the efforts of starting quarterback Brett Cabral (Los Osos HS), who connected on three straight throws. Cabral connected with Kamar Brown (Rancho Cucamonga HS) for a big catch on sideline to get the Eastern team in scoring position, then capped off the drive with throw to Augie Arellano (Diamond Ranch HS) out of the backfield for a 10 yard score to, make it 7-0.
The first impact play on offense for the East came on the ensuing drive, when Silverado High School quarterback Levi Taylor completed a pass to Cajon’s Omar Perkins on the sideline, where he hurdled over a pair of defenders for a 25 yard gain.
The West defense was inspired early on by Almani Bishop’s (Los Osos HS) play-making in holding the East squad scoreless on their first two drives of the game.
After an East punt, Cabral would lead the West down the field on their second scoring drive of the game. Running back Justyn Alexander (Rancho Cucamonga HS) got thing going with a 15 yard scamper. Jacob Nielson (Los Osos) made a catch across the middle to get into scoring position. Alexander showed versatility making a catch out the backfield on 4th & 8 from 21 yards out for a score that made it 14-0.
Coach Rogers made a change at quarterback in favor of Summit’s Troy Temmick, who led a two-play scoring drive. Temmick linked up with Gavin Norris (Yucaipa HS) for 41 yards to get into Western territory.
DJ Thomas (Carter HS) got the Maroon jersey clad Eastern squad on the board with a spectacular 30 yard run to make it 14-7 just before the end of first quarter.
Jacari Williams (Rancho Cucamonga) took the ensuing kickoff into Western territory; Brown also had a 15-yard catch before the West turned the ball over on downs.
Tre Noriega (Cajon HS) had a 20 yard catch on 3 & 15, they didn’t score, but the East did pin the West inside the 20.
On first down, linebacker Donal Aluesi (Fontana HS) had a scoop and score from 15 yards line on sack fumble by a teammate, to tie the game, 14-14. “It was incredible. The ball bounced perfectly to me in stride… I never scored in my four-year career.”
With a minute left in the half, Latavion Staples (Silverado HS) had big catch down the left sideline, but was stripped by Joseph Ruelas (South Hills HS), and recovered by Ben Constable (Rancho Cucamonga HS).
The team went into the locker room at the half tied, 14-14.
The first score in the second half was by the West’s Alexander, who took an inside handoff, made a move on the safety, and scored from 27 yards out to the West ahead, 21-14.
Fontana Kaiser’s Devyn Reece had pair of catches on the East’s next drive, but the team failed to score, as Anthony Tiuernia (Chino HS) recovered a fumbled snap to end East’s drive.
The West got creative with a flea flicker for a 40-plus yard gain on a completion to Brown. On the next play, Cabral’s pass floated in the wind, but found its intended target for a score (#80) for TD, the PAT was no good. 27-14.
The East attempted to mount a comeback led spurred by Jonta McMullen’s clutch on 4th & 20, when made a great catch and spun away from numerous tacklers.
Williams came up with a pick on a deep pass attempt to stifle red drive, and seal the first victory for West in the history of the game, 27-14. “It was an honor to be selected. My two picks came from two of the best quarterbacks in the county. I’m glad they tested me, and that I was able to score on the offense side of the ball as well.”
Los Osos quarterback Brett Cabral was named the game’s MVP and received a scholarship. “We had the best of the best out there… we had tons of confidence on the field… The wind was factor, but it couldn’t take away from this special moment… Being on the same side of the ball with guys I’ve admired from afar was awesome.”
The future for Cabral, “I’ve applied to a bunch of highly regarded academic schools, academics is number one for me… Would like to study business, but not set on it.”
Coach Nick Rogers, “It was great to be a part of this for these guys, who get a last time to play their buddies as well. It something they will remember forever.
Coach Alex Pierce, “A lot of these kids haven’t played together since Pop Warner or Jr. All American league, it was special to be a part of it… It’s a great opportunity; easy to call plays/defenses when you have such a great collection of players and people on the field.”
As bonus treat for fans in attendance, at the half, the Inland Valley Sports Hall of Fame inducted its second class, as well as honoring the San Bernardino County Player and Coach of the Year.
The 2018 Inland Valley Hall of Fame Classic class included Coach Ray Maholchic and Coach Mike Maynard.
Retired Football Coach, Ray Maholchic over the course of his career at Serrano, which began with the 1987 season, and him ascending to Head Coach in the 1992 season, was the epitome of success.
During his stint at the helm of the football program, he led the program to its only CIF‐SS title, compiling a 222‐84‐2 record along the way. In Maholchic’s 25 years with Serrano, his teams won 16 MRL titles and made six trips to section title games. He started his coaching career as an assistant at El Camino Real High in Woodland Hills, then moved to California State University Northridge and Burbank High before moving to at Serrano as an assistant in 1987.
Mike Maynard, Head Football Coach, University of Redlands, with three decades at the helm of the Bulldog football program, Mike Maynard has consistently established himself as one of the top small college coaches in the West Region, if not the entire nation.
Maynard’s teams have posted an overall record of 190‐87, with an overall winning percentage of 69%. This includes an impressive 141‐36 (81%) in conference play. Maynard’s teams have produced the highest winning percentage and won more conference championships than any four‐year school in California over the past three decades.
The Bulldogs posted championships in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2013, and again in 2016. Maynard continues to build on the pride and tradition of Bulldog football, including eight NCAA play‐off appearances. Further, Maynard’s graduation rate is 100% for all four‐year players over his 30 years at Redlands. During this time, he has coached multiple All‐Americans, All‐SCIAC honorees, and academic stand-outs.
The 2018 Inland Valley Hall of Fame Classic Coach and Player of the year were Coach Nick Rogers and Jayden Daniels of San Bernardino Cajon High School.
Coach Rogers was honored as the Inland Valley (San Bernardino County) Prep Football Coach of the Year, awarded the Coach Dick Bruich award. Jayden Daniels was honored as the Inland Valley (San Bernardino County) “Prep Football Player of the Year.” Both Rogers and Daniels were selected in large part to their guiding Cajon High School to a CIF‐SS Division 4 title, with a blowout win in the Southern Section Championship game over Downey, 54‐28. A victory that would lead to a state playoff berth, and the team would reach the state championship game.
The Inland Valley Classic is fully invested in the growth of youth sports in San Bernardino County and this year the organization partnered with Velocity Elite Cheer. During the all-star games, funds were raised to support youth sports in San Bernardino County, as well as the Inland Valley Scholarship fund.
“We are committed to high school sports in the Inland Empire,” said game co-coordinator, Brian Arrington. “Regardless of what division these fine student-athletes compete within, they deserve to be honored as all-stars.” Eddie Talbert, Jr. who also served as the game co-coordinator added, “What I am most proud of, is our ability to give back to Inland Empire youth and prep sports. For the third year, we were able to award a scholarship to one lucky student-athlete, and donate to a youth sports program at the game.”
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