Tough football schedule is helping Corona Centennial develop

In his 18 years as football coach at Corona Centennial, Matt Logan has never started a season with the type of schedule he put his players through — games against powers Santa Ana Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman and Long Beach Poly.

“This has to be the toughest preseason by far,” Logan said.

For the Huskies to have a 2-2 record after a 42-34 victory over Long Beach Poly on Friday night represents a huge achievement, considering they started the season Aug. 30 with a 38-18 loss to Mater Dei.

“I think the kids have improved tremendously from four weeks ago,” Logan said. “I credit the kids in believing what we’re doing and listening to criticism, which is hard, responding and getting it done.”

Centennial rolled up 543 yards against Poly, which has one of the best defenses in Southern California. Junior running back J.J. Taylor rushed for 197 yards. The Huskies’ quarterback rotation of Nate Ketteringham and Anthony Catalano continues to evolve into a workable situation. Camryn Bynum had two interceptions for a defense that was outsized but found a way to stop the Jackrabbits when needed.

“If we don’t play those teams, we don’t improve as much,” Logan said. “They’ve made us better. They have us headed in the right direction.”

Showdown in Las Vegas

The stage is set for one of the best football games of the season. Bellflower St. John Bosco (3-0), ranked No. 1 by USA Today, will travel to Las Vegas on Friday to play No. 2 Bishop Gorman (5-0) in a 6 p.m. game on ESPNU.

Since Centennial lost to St. John Bosco last season and lost to Bishop Gorman this season, what is Logan’s pick?

“I don’t know,” he said. “That will be a heck of a game. I wonder if Bishop Gorman’s schedule will catch up to them.”

Bishop Gorman has already beaten Centennial, Anaheim Servite and Santa Margarita, 41-10, on Friday night.

As for the best team Corona Centennial has played this season, Logan said it’s Mater Dei (3-0).

“Mater Dei brings that level of physicality,” he said.

Perfection

In San Clemente’s 49-20 victory over Atascadero, USC-bound Sam Darnold completed 13 of 13 passes for 173 yards and five touchdowns in the first half.

Oxnard Pacifica (4-0), Thousand Oaks (4-0) and North Hills Monroe (4-0) remained surprise unbeaten teams.

Greg Johnson of Los Angeles Hawkins rushed for 368 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Hawks’ 74-0 victory over L.A. Jordan.

Redlands East Valley handed Moreno Valley Rancho Verde its first defeat, 35-19. Joey Harman rushed for 163 yards and Armando Herrera passed for 219 yards.