On Friday, Nov. 14, the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars lost to Murrieta Valley, 6-26, in the second round of CIF playoffs, ending their 2025 football season with an 8-4 record.
In their first CIF game on Friday, Nov. 7, in the Cougar Dome, Rancho defeated Tustin 45-8.
“I feel great about winning round one of the playoffs. We came into this game with high energy, so it feels great, and to go against Murrieta Valley next week, we’re ready for that. The only thing I wish for is to go all the way to the ship, and get us all a ring,” James Strong III said.
Rancho started the game kicking off to Tustin. Tustin went offside, which forced them to go back five yards. The Cougars forced the Tillers to punt, meaning the Cougars had a chance to score the first touchdown of the game.
The Cougars scored the first touchdown of the game, with an extra point, making the score 7-0. Rancho kicked off to Tustin, but quickly forced Tustin to punt back to the Cougars, letting Rancho score a field goal, increasing the score to 10-0.
Rancho forced Tustin to punt, leading Rancho to drive all the way to the three-yard line, scoring a touchdown, with an extra point, making the score 17-0.
Rancho began the second half with the ball and scored a passing touchdown, with a field goal, making it 31-8. Rancho stopped Tustin from scoring a touchdown, causing them to punt, letting Rancho have the chance to score more.
Rancho proceeded to march down the field, getting closer and closer to scoring a touchdown. Eventually, Rancho scored a passing touchdown and a two-point conversion, making the final score 45-8.
“Round one was just a tuneup game for Murrieta Valley, you know, we got to get our get back rival game. I think we played well all around. Going forward, everybody’s doubting us,” Carter Sweatt said. “They don’t think we’re going to win anything. We’re going to be playing against Murrieta Valley, so we have to show up.”
Senior and quarterback Jacob Chambers also shared his thoughts on the first round win against Tustin.
“I feel great I mean this is just a testament to our work effort I mean we have been putting in work all off season,” Chambers said. “We’re trying to get to the ship, so this year is just the first step and it really feels good to beat a team like this, this is a great team, they were 9-1, and they only lost one game to Damien, so they lost to a very good team, and beat them 45-8, which means a lot.¨
