Eisenhower Makes Run at Fontana : Prep football: Top two teams in Southern Section play for Citrus Belt League title, probable No. 1 seeding in playoffs.

The biggest high school football game of the season in the Southland is turning into a nightmare for fans hoping to buy tickets.

Tonight’s game between Fontana and Rialto Eisenhower, each with a 9-0 record, is expected to draw 15,000 at Fontana, which has a stadium capacity of 8,000. Fontana is No. 1 in the Times’ Southern Section poll, Eisenhower No. 2. Roger Reupert, Eisenhower athletic director, said his school’s allotted 3,000 tickets were sold in three hours.

“We had to kick out parents that were sneaking onto the campus before school was out and trying to get in line for tickets,” Reupert said. “Usually we have to monitor people trying to get out of school before it’s over. It’s been a strange week.”

Fontana students didn’t have an opportunity to buy tickets early, so they must get in line this afternoon.

“People that don’t get here early probably will be turned away,” Terry O’Keefe, Fontana athletic director, said. “We’ll try to accommodate as many fans as we can. We’ve roped off the end zones and we’ll have people standing all around. But the fire department probably will try to limit the size.”

Fontana, the defending Division I champion, is riding a 23-game winning streak. The team is ranked first in the state by Cal-Hi Sports. Eisenhower, ranked No. 5 in the state, is enjoying its finest season in years but is generally considered the underdog tonight.

The game is the regular-season finale for both teams and the stakes are high, with a Citrus Belt League title on the line and a probable No. 1 seeding in the playoffs. The loser, however, probably will still be seeded No. 2 or No. 3.

The game also renews a heated rivalry of schools in neighboring communities. Fontana is 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Eisenhower hasn’t beaten Fontana since 1978.

“This is what high school football is all about,” said Fontana Coach Dick Bruich. “I just hope the game lives up to everyone’s expectations.”

Eisenhower Coach Tom Hoak, who grew up in the area and is in his eighth year at the school, said: “In a game like this, you worry you’re not doing your best. You’re constantly evaluating your ability. It’s scary. The bottom line is you don’t get much sleep.”

The game will feature Fontana’s power running game and the passing of Eisenhower. The Steelers are averaging 300 yards rushing a game, led by David Griffin, a 5-9 sophomore who has 1,091 yards and 10 touchdowns. Eisenhower is led by quarterback Jason Davis, who has completed 81 of 127 passes for 1,233 yards and 18 touchdowns.