Huskies Return to Spotlight

Corona Centennial won the Southern Section Division V title last season, but no one paid much attention to the Huskies when it came to preseason rankings this year. They weren’t in the section’s top-10 poll and they weren’t in The Times’ top 25.

But amid an emotionally charged, playoff-like atmosphere in its opener at Rialto Eisenhower, Centennial delivered a 27-23 upset of a team ranked second in The Times’ top 25 and among the top teams in the nation in several publications.

But hype doesn’t win games

Centennial’s Terrell Jackson, a sophomore tailback in his first varsity start, rushed for 158 yards in 26 carries. Two of Jackson’s biggest carries were draw plays during the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. On third and eight at the Eisenhower 45, he gained 34 yards. On third and six from the Eisenhower seven, Jackson scored.

Centennial’s offensive line was nearly as inexperienced as Jackson. Only one lineman, right guard Tom Morgan (6 feet, 280 pounds), played appreciably in 2000, and Morgan didn’t become a starter until the eighth game. Morgan, left tackle Ricky Arredondo (6-3, 265), left guard Darryl Jeter (6-0, 260), center Richard Silva (6-2, 230) and right tackle Shane Hartman (6-0, 215) paved the way Friday for Jackson.

With Eisenhower targeting Jackson, Centennial’s Terry Richardson gained 38 yards in four carries, including a 17-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Cory Campbell completed 10 of 19 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

So what does it mean?

“We’re probably better than most people thought,” Logan said.