The HSPN West crew travels to Huskie Stadium [Corona, CA] this Friday night [September 14 — 7:00 PM PST kickoff]for its first appearance and coverage of Corona Centennial High School hosting Valley View High School [Moreno Valley, CA]. The contrast between the two schools could not be more significant, although Dan Barlage, Valley View Head Coach has already lead the Eagles to a CIF Southern Section 5AA Championship in 2016 since returning to the school in 2015 for his second coaching stint.

Coach Barlage and his Eagles face off against perineal state and nationally acclaimed Corona Centennial Huskies coached by Matt Logan, who has been recognized as the USA Today High School Coach of the Year back in 2015. The Eagles have lost three out of their first four games this season, yet are averaging close to 39 points a game despite the losses.

Valley View’s head coach Daniel Barlage celebrates with Valley View’s Joshua Johnson (53) and Valley View’s Jonathan Salas (88) after a score in the first half of the 5AA state football championship game in Moreno Valley, CA. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.
TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

Coach Barlage knows that his guys will need every bit of their points and more to overcome the Huskies. In fact, Barlage noted that many have asked, “is he crazy?” for taking the game with Centennial. He calmly and confidently responded to me stating that, “my guys are young and they need this experience to see what it takes to compete against the best.”

12/16/15 15:50:27 — Corona, CA, U.S.A — Matt Logan of Corona Centennial poses for a portrait for the ALL USA TODAY high school football coach of the year. — Photo by Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 134237 Matt Logan 12/14/2015 [Via MerlinFTP Drop][/caption]Matt Logan and his Huskies will prepare as they always do for any opponent. Their intensity in practice is fueled by depth in their coordinators and assistants that is unmatched. At least five or more of their assitant coaches have been head coaches in high school at some time or another in their careers. I witnessed last night’s practice and the intensity of coaches and players was impressive.

Ultimately, the players will decide the outcome of the game on the field friday night and each school has their share of impact players. Meet some the HSPN West “Impact Players” for tomorrow nights game: