Huntley’s SoCal Picks (Week Zero)
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Narbonne vs. Reseda Analysis: Narbonne dominated the LA City Section for years until some violations made by the previous coaches led to Narbonne receiving a postseason ban. Many of the team’s top players fled for other schools. Malcolm Manuel is…
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Continue ReadingNarbonne vs. Reseda
Analysis: Narbonne dominated the LA City Section for years until some violations made by the previous coaches led to Narbonne receiving a postseason ban. Many of the team’s top players fled for other schools. Malcolm Manuel is the new coach at Narbonne and there is some excitement. Narbonne has more size than a lot of City Section teams and potential stars like Khamari Ephraim and Christian Walker. Reseda is the defending City Section Division 1 champion and has Kameran Charles and Kaden Jones returning. Narbonne is a program on the rise, but it is a year or two away from beating Reseda.
The pick: Reseda
Edison vs. Servite
Analysis: This is the game of the week in Orange County. Edison has a lot of skill guys back from last season including two-way star Nico Brown Nico Brown 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Edison | 2022 State CA . Austin Grbic is a defensive end to keep an eye on for Edison. Servite is the number two team in the county led by Arizona commit quarterback Noah Fifita Noah Fifita 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Servite | 2022 State CA and Oregon commit receiver Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Servite | 2022 State CA . Tight end and Arizona commit Keyan Burnett Keyan Burnett 6'5" | 225 lbs | WR Servite | 2022 State CA may cause matchup problems for Edison’s defense. The big question will be can Edison’s offense led by Parker Awad score against the Servite defense led by Jacob Manu Jacob Manu 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Servite | 2022 State CA ?
The pick: Servite
Foothill vs. Cypress
Analysis: Foothill is led by quarterback Brody Jones and he has lengthy receivers to throw the ball to. Foothill’s defense is led by lacrosse stars Roman Marchetti and Gavin Griswold. Cypress is always prepared and is led by its star quarterback Dylan Eldredge and receiver Matthew Morrell Matthew Morrell 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Cypress | 2023 State CA . Two-way player Trevor Monteleone Trevor Monteleone 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Cypress | 2023 CA is an ex factor for Cypress. Both teams will win a lot of games but I think the experience of Cypress should guide them to a win here.
The pick: Cypress
Orange Lutheran vs. Serra
Analysis: Serra quarterback and Texas commit Maalik Murphy Maalik Murphy 6'5" | 225 lbs | QB Serra - Gardena | 2022 State CA has all the tools but has yet to really impress in actual games. This is a big senior year for him to show he can put up numbers and lead Serra to big wins. Orange Lutheran is toward the bottom of the Trinity League under a whole new coaching staff who has had success in the past. Logan Gonzalez Logan Gonzalez 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Orange Lutheran | 2022 State CA leads the Lancer’s offense and Brendan Hale Brendan Hale 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Orange Lutheran | 2022 State CA is a fun player to watch for them. Orange Lutheran is on the rise but Serra is just a little bit better right now.
The pick: Serra
San Juan Hills vs. Santa Margarita
Analysis: San Juan Hills has one of the best receiving corps in the county with Braden Pegan Braden Pegan 6'4" | 200 lbs | WR San Juan Hills | 2022 State CA , Cole Monach Cole Monach 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR San Juan Hills | 2022 CA and Elijah Barclay Elijah Barclay 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Salpointe Catholic | 2022 CA . They have returning talent on defense as well and are led by junior quarterback Colton Joseph. Santa Margarita has new transfer quarterback Jaxson Potter from JSerra. Hero Kanu Hero Kanu 6'5" | 295 lbs | DL Santa Margarita Catholic | 2022 State CA will be tough for San Juan Hills to gameplan for on the interior defensive line. Kilian O’Connor Kilian O’Connor 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Santa Margarita Catholic | 2022 State CA will be the best offensive lineman on the field. I think Santa Margarita may be too good in the trenches for San Juan Hills in this one.
The pick: Santa Margarita
St. Augustine vs. El Camino
Analysis: The best game in San Diego this week by a mile. El Camino quarterback Kiah Reid is experienced and should be ready for a big game like this. Mackavelli Malotumau Mackavelli Malotumau 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL El Camino | 2022 State CA is a real star for El Camino’s defense. St. Augustine has a pair of stars on its defense too in Gracen Halton Gracen Halton 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL St. Augustine | 2022 State CA and Justin Stearns Justin Stearns 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB St. Augustine | 2022 State CA . Jeremiah McClure Jeremiah McClure 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Mater Dei Catholic | 2023 State CA , Ayo Shotomide and DJ Overstreet DJ Overstreet 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Mater Dei Catholic | 2023 State CA may cause matchup problems for El Camino’s defense. This game could come down to who has the ball last.
The pick: St. Augustine
Tustin vs. Capistrano Valley
Analysis: This was a really close game when the two teams played two years ago. It was the first game for Capo Valley coach Sean Curtis and the Cougars have grown since then. Dane Benedix Dane Benedix 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Capistrano Valley | 2023 State CA is the biggest playmaker on the field in this game. Owen Taylor is a talented receiver who will likely be often covered by talented Tustin cornerback Armon Fuller. Capo’s offense will look different this year with quarterback Trey Kukuk which makes it harder for Tustin to prepare. The same goes the other way. Tustin will look totally different on offense with quarterback Tobey Schmidt. This game will be super close and it’s pretty much a coin flip. I wouldn’t be shocked if Tustin pulled off the upset here.
The pick: Capo Valley