Temecula Valley, Chaparral and Great Oak all sat out Friday, Sept. 25, Week 5 action with bye weeks, giving each program a week off before Big West League play begins Thursday, Oct. 1.

The Golden Bears carry the best record of the three into the break. Temecula Valley is 5-0 after grinding out a 10-7 road win at Temescal Canyon on Sept. 18, according to MaxPreps. The Golden Bears have outscored opponents 104-68 across five games, though four of those five were decided by a touchdown or less. They open league play at Santiago on Oct. 1.

Great Oak enters the bye at 3-2 after a 40-28 home loss to San Jacinto on Sept. 18, per MaxPreps. The Wolfpack have been prolific on offense, scoring 161 points through five games, but have allowed 151. Quarterback Trent Lux drew praise from Press-Enterprise analyst Michael Huntley ahead of the San Jacinto game. "Trent Lux is one of the best quarterbacks in the Inland Empire," Huntley wrote in a Sept. 18 preview, also calling receiver Kannon Terracciano "a playmaker." Great Oak opens league play at Roosevelt on Oct. 1.

Chaparral sits at 2-3 after dropping two of its last four, including a 54-41 loss to Mountain Ridge of Utah on Sept. 18, according to MaxPreps. The Pumas remain ranked No. 18 in the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) by SI.com, which noted Sept. 20 that Chaparral has been playing a demanding nonleague schedule without its starting quarterback. Dane Weber has stepped in at the position. The Pumas host Murrieta Valley in their Big West North Division opener on Oct. 1.

Linfield Christian also had a bye in Week 5. The Lions are 1-4 after a 23-20 home loss to Carter on Sept. 18, per MaxPreps. They host Brawley on Oct. 1.

IE Varsity's Inland area rankings published Sept. 21 placed Great Oak at No. 9 and Temecula Valley at No. 20 in the Inland Empire heading into the bye.

Meanwhile, two Southwestern League rivals played Friday, Sept. 25. Murrieta Valley fell to San Clemente 42-13, and Vista Murrieta edged El Camino 24-21.

All four Temecula programs open league play Thursday, Oct. 1.