Huntley’s Week 5 Picks
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Each week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California. I don’t want to boast, but I am on a hot streak going 12-2 the past two weeks. Here is a look at what I think…
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Continue ReadingEach week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California.
I don’t want to boast, but I am on a hot streak going 12-2 the past two weeks.
Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week:
MIRA COSTA VS. VILLA PARK
Mira Costa is hot and coming off three dominant wins over Mayfair, Hart and West Torrance. Sophomore quarterback Nicolas de la Cruz has been a pleasant surprise, completing 72 percent of his passes for 1402 yards and 13 touchdowns through four games. Matthew Kraskouskas is having a nice season at running back with 454 yards and six touchdowns. Reese Leonard Reese Leonard 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Mira Costa | 2024 State CA and Cole Crotty are reliable receivers who also contribute on defense. It looks like Villa Park found its quarterback in sophomore Nate Lewis but the Spartans want to run the ball. Villa Park’s defense is fast and physical and flew around the field last week against Eastlake of Chula Vista. Villa Park is the best team that Mira Costa has seen so far this season and if they can pressure de la Cruz, they should get a win at home.
The pick: Villa Park
EL TORO VS. TESORO
El Toro is coming off a massive upset win over Capo Valley where Thomas Frum had six touchdowns and well over 300 all-purpose yards. Josh Vivonia is an excellent two way player for the Chargers, who narrowly beat Tesoro last season. The rest of El Toro’s team is really young but it appears something has clicked after its disastrous 0-3 start. Tesoro is coming off a bye after a heartbreaking loss to La Serna where they led by 21 points in the second half. Travis Wood has quietly been one of the best running backs in Orange County this season. Gavin Shaigineik Gavin Shaigineik 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Tesoro | 2023 State CA has been solid at quarterback and Evan Pierce Evan Pierce 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Tesoro | 2023 State CA adds a different look when he plays quarterback. Mason Wolfe Mason Wolfe 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Tesoro | 2023 CA is a quality receiver and I am high on junior receiver Todd Nelson. Dylan Riley Dylan Riley 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Rancho Verde | 2024 State CA has been good on defense and Jack Brundage is the team leader on that side of the ball. Owen Burnside Owen Burnside 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Tesoro | 2023 CA can get into the backfield and may be hard for El Toro to stop. This game will be telling for both teams but I think Tesoro bounces back at home.
The pick: Tesoro
EL MODENA VS. SAN JUAN HILLS
El Modena dominated La Habra last week and is off to a 4-0 start. The running game is the key to El Modena’s offensive success along with its dual threat quarterback Xzavior Guess. Owen Smith gets the most carries and Mayson Hitchens Mayson Hitchens 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB El Modena | 2023 State CA is a very good two-way player who is hard to bring down. San Juan Hills is finally healthy on the offensive line with Enzo Benzan Enzo Benzan 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL San Juan Hills | 2023 State CA and Ryan MacDougall returning. They played their best game of the season last week against Corona del Mar and were competitive. With a healthy offensive line, Michael “Butter” Tollefson is a dangerous quarterback and Weston Port Weston Port 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB San Juan Hills | 2025 State CA is always dangerous on defense. San Juan Hills is the best team that El Modena has faced so far, but they have been so polished on both sides of the ball that I think they win a close one here.
The pick: El Modena
CITRUS VALLEY VS. AYALA
Citrus Valley is all that stands in the way between Ayala and a perfect season. Ayala has one of my favorite junior quarterbacks in Bryan Wilson Bryan Wilson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Roosevelt | 2024 State CA who has offers from Florida State and Texas A&M. They have a well-balanced offense with Marquis Monroe at running back and Dominic Alloway at receiver. Ayala is coming off a one point win over rival Chino Hills. Citrus Valley is also very good and won convincingly against a very good Norco team last week. Brock Lium Brock Lium 6'4" | 195 lbs | DB Citrus Valley | 2023 State CA had a massive game against Norco and quarterback Hunter Herrera has had a solid year. Dominic Douglas is a good running back and the balanced offense makes Citrus Valley tough to prepare for. These teams are ranked next to each other on MaxPreps and they have never played each other before.
The pick: Ayala
ALISO NIGUEL VS. FOUNTAIN VALLEY
This game was a blowout last year but this Fountain Valley team is much better than it was last year. Noa Banua is a significant upgrade at quarterback from last season and Scott Peshke is a big and athletic tight end. Matthew Mena Matthew Mena 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Fountain Valley | 2023 CA will be the best lineman on the field Friday. Aliso Niguel is 3-1 and before its bye week had a nice comeback win over Dana Hills. Quarterback Hunter Najm Hunter Najm 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Aliso Niguel | 2024 State CA has eight touchdowns with no interceptions this season. Jack Gill is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Wolverines and CJ Besuzzi has the potential to play at the college level. Aliso Niguel’s defense has forced 10 turnovers and has not had a turnover on offense. This game may come down to which team avoids a late mistake or which team has the ball last.
The pick: Aliso Niguel
VISTA MURRIETA VS. RANCHO CUCAMONGA
Vista Murrieta is off to a hot start and dominated Heritage last week. Akili Smith Jr. Akili Smith Jr. 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2025 State CA Jr. is quickly rising up the rankings of sophomore quarterbacks. He is averaging 260 yards per game and has 13 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Grant Wayne Grant Wayne 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Vista Murrieta | 2023 State CA is emerging as a top receiver and this team has completely flipped its identity from last season. Rancho Cucamonga lost to JSerra last week and returns home for this one. Jason Harris Jason Harris 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Centennial | 2024 State CA is a real number one receiver and CJ Tiller CJ Tiller 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Rancho Cucamonga | 2023 State CA is capable of leading scoring drives. Christian Pierce Christian Pierce 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Rancho Cucamonga | 2023 State CA is a very good defensive player and Lavaka Latu can get into the backfield. I am going against the rankings here and picking the hot team.
The pick: Vista Murrieta
SAN CLEMENTE VS. MURRIETA VALLEY
These two teams have played each other a handful of times the past six years and they always have fun and competitive games. San Clemente is coming off its first loss of the season against a great Edison team. Blake Allen is a workhorse at running back and Broderick Redden Broderick Redden 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE San Clemente | 2024 State CA manages a game well at quarterback. Defensively, Brad Gerken Brad Gerken 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB San Clemente | 2023 CA flies all over the field and the linebackers Cole Robertson and Kyle Yamano Kyle Yamano 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB San Clemente | 2023 CA are sure tacklers. Murrieta Valley has an elite receiver in Stanford commit Tiger Bachmeier Tiger Bachmeier 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Murrieta Valley | 2023 State CA . ASA Chatman ASA Chatman 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Murrieta Valley | 2024 State CA runs the ball well for the Nighthawks. If San Clemente’s defense can show young quarterback Bear Bachmeier Bear Bachmeier 6'2" | 225 lbs | QB Murrieta Valley | 2025 State CA different looks and pressure him, they can cause trouble.
The pick: San Clemente
HUNTLEY’S RECORD: 24-11