2019 Norco Cougars Preseason High School Football Preview
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2018 season for Norco High School may prove to be that building platform off which great things were later achieved. The Cougars posted a 9-3 record ending with an in-state No. 21 ranking (MaxPreps). Two of the losses were by a total of 10 points, Servite (37-32) and Upland (33-28). Worth noting, Upland went on to win California’s CIF Division II Southern Section championship and Servite is a Division I team out of the Trinity League. The other loss was to crosstown rival Centennial, the No. 9 team in the country. The Cougars broke-in a new quarterback in 2018, Shane Illingworth. Good news for fans of Norco football, the four-star gunslinger returns for his senior season adding up to what should be a fantastic playoff run for the Cougars.
Illingworth (Oklahoma State) was as advertised during his junior season completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,739 yards with 29 touchdowns tossed. Keeping defenses honest, Illingworth proved more than willing to hit the open receiver spreading the ball out to five different targets with each securing at least 21 passes with 306 yards receiving or more. The leader of the group was 2020 receiver Marquis Ashley. Ashley turned in a 41-reception 736-yard nine-touchdown performance last season. The other receiver tearing apart defenses with two-way standout Jaden Navarrette (Oregon). The four-star athlete snagged 37 passes for 670 yards with seven scores posted.
As well as the Cougars offensive line did allowing time to their quarterback in the pocket, the beasts up front also helped freshman sensation Jaydn Ott rush for 1,096 yards off 151 totes with 13 touchdowns scored. In the rotation out of the backfield was then- senior DJ Ford amassing 850 yards with nine trips into the end zone.
The defense has a big void to fill after the graduation of linebacker Blake Beecher. Beecher put an end to 141 plays last season with 10.5 sacks. Fortunately, the team has second leading tackler, Brandon Bos, and his 107 stops from the safety position back. Another key senior that will be missed is Jeremiah Flores. Flores paced the secondary with four picks.
The Cougars 2019 Offense
With Illingworth back in the pocket, this Cougars’ team should be back scoring 40 points per game on average just like last season. Three of Illingworth’s top targets in the passing game return; Ashley, Navarrette, senior receiver Ceaser Gonzalez. The offensive line will be anchored by rising 2021 prospect Andrew Madrigal. With a year of varsity experience under his belt and an offseason of time put into the weight room, expect an even more productive season from Ott, especially in the passing attack. Ott began to show his all-purpose talents last season after recording six catches for 74 yards with a touchdown.
Andrew Madrigal on the Cougars offense: “Our offense is looking very solid. We have a great work ethic and we also have great chemistry. Our offense is going to put on a great show this year!”
The Cougars 2019 Defense
Now that Beecher has graduated, the tempo and flow of the defense will be set by Navarrette at linebacker. Navarrette was not featured on the defensive side of the ball as much during his junior campaign, but will be highlighted throughout the 2019 season. Another key piece returning in the box is Ethan Zentner. Zetner showed up with 69 tackles and forced two fumbles last season.
The Schedule
The Cougars schedule starts off in a challenging fashion going on the road to Arizona to face Williams Field High School. The Black Hawks were an 11-2 team last season against 5A competition ending with an in-state No. 10 ranking. Playing Rancho Cucamonga is never easy as they always have excellent athletes that can change the momentum of a given game in a heartbeat. The Rancho Verde game should be a wild one at Norco. The Mustangs were one of the top Division II teams in California a year ago with a 13-1 record.
The Rancho Verde game begins what could be a difficult four-game stretch going on the road after the Mustangs for three consecutive. The hardest game on the schedule is facing rival Centennial, the preseason No. 9 ranked team in the country. After the three-game swing, the Cougars return home for a two-game stand that should help them focus in on a deep playoff run.
2019 Norco Cougars Schedule
Aug. 23 at Williams Field – Gilbert, AZ – Williams Field High School
Sept. 6 vs. Rancho Cucamonga – at Norco High School
Sept. 13 vs. Vista Murrieta – at Norco High School
Sept. 20 vs. Redlands East Valley – at Citrus Valley
Sept. 27 vs. Rancho Verde – at Norco High School – No. 26 in CA
Oct. 4 at King – Riverside, CA – King High School
Oct. 11 at Santiago – Corona, CA – Santiago High School
Oct. 18 at No. 9 Centennial – Corona, CA – Centennial High School
Oct. 24 vs. Roosevelt – at Norco High School
Nov. 1 vs. Corona – at Norco High School
Photo credit: Mamarazzi; No. 16 Shane Illingworth in action