Still the gatekeeper in the Mt. Baldy League

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Ontario still bills itself as ‘The Gateway to Southern California,’ but anyone who has lived inside those gates for a while knows the boundaries have been extended. Ontario, whose airport is pictured on the right, is now a centerpiece in this suburban jungle, leaving towns like Blythe to throw out the welcome mat.

What the city can still boast is the best football teams in the Mt. Baldy League. Chaffey, the long established program that lists NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz among its graduates, and Colony, the new school on the block, are expected to challenge for the MBL title this fall.

City residents won’t have to wait until November to see these teams mix it up, either, as Chaffey (5-0) is scheduled to host the Titans (3-2) on Oct. 19.

Colony is the defending Central Division champion and returns quarterback Jeff Ginolfi, but he has struggled at times this season, completing just over 50% of his passes and totaling five interceptions against just three touchdown passes.

Tashad Johnson replaced increasingly ineffective running back Daniel Simmons last week and rushed for 151 yards in 30 carries and a touchdown in a 21-14 loss to Upland.

Through the halfway point of the season, the best player in the MBL is Chaffey junior running back/defensive back Deveion Bauman. His numbers don’t stand out, but he’s played huge in Chaffey’s biggest games.

In a 30-28 victory over La Quinta two weeks ago, Bauman scored two touchdowns receiving, including the game winner with seconds to play, scored another off an interception return and his fourth on a punt return. In a 30-23 victory last week over Hacienda Heights Wilson, he rushed for 213 yards in 28 carries and scored twice.

I think he’ll be the difference when the team’s meet next week, and I hope to see it in person.

- Dan Arritt

-- Image by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times