Huntley’s Week 8 Picks

<p>Each week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California.</p>   <p>Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week:</p>   <h2><strong>LOS ALAMITOS VS. EDISON</strong></h2>   <p>This is the Sunset League championship game. Los Alamitos has been dominating opponents as of late and its offense seems unstoppable. [player_tooltip player_id='25419' first='Malachi' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25398' first='Makai' last='Lemon'] suffered injuries last week against Corona del Mar but both will play Thursday. [player_tooltip player_id='384703' first='Damian' last='Henderson'] has been a fantastic addition at running back and may be the difference maker in this game. Los Alamitos' defensive line is great led by [player_tooltip player_id='398382' first='T.A.' last='Cunningham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25362' first='Sinn' last='Brennan'], but Edison is one of the few teams that has the offensive line to hang with them, led by [player_tooltip player_id='383957' first='Nathan' last='Gates']. <strong>Parker Awad </strong>has been mistake-free for Edison this season and will need to have a huge game. I almost picked the upset here, but I think Henderson adds a whole new element to Los Alamitos' offense. By the way, I want to see both of these teams in the Division 1 playoffs. They deserve it.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Los Alamitos</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SteveFryer/status/1580250497008930816?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>DOWNEY VS. WARREN</strong></h2>   <p>This is a fun crosstown rivalry and both teams are led by two excellent quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id='25366' first='Aidan' last='Chiles'] of Downey has been very hot lately and <strong>Bryant Carey</strong> has been a real No. 1 receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='25390' first='Nico' last='Iamaleava'] of Warren is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. They have built a good receiving corps around him with <strong>Jeremiah Ingram</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='39430' first='Darius' last='Cowens']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='384774' first='Marcus' last='Higgs']</strong> had a huge game against Downey last season and the Vikings had trouble stopping the running game. This is likely the Gateway League championship game.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Warren</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tspeterson40/status/1580383850995150849?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>EL DORADO VS. EL MODENA</strong></h2>   <p>This may be a rare year where the North Hills League is more compelling than the Crestview League. Two of the top teams in the conference meet this week in this matchup. El Dorado proved a lot to me by hanging with Yorba Linda two weeks ago and they bounced back with a huge win over Brea Olinda last week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='943045' first='Nate' last='Bento']</strong> is efficient at quarterback and <strong>Isaiah Quintero</strong> is a quality running back. El Modena has an excellent running game led by <strong>Owen Smith</strong> and quarterback <strong>Xzavior Guess</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='384795' first='Mayson' last='Hitchens'] may be the best player on the field in this game. Both teams have excellent offensive lines. This will be a very close game and I just think El Modena has challenged itself a bit more in nonleague play.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>El Modena</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EDHSFOOTBALL/status/1580389308833275904?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>CHARTER OAK VS. AYALA</strong></h2>   <p>These are two of the best quarterbacks in the San Gabriel Valley/Inland Empire area. [player_tooltip player_id='25416' first='Richie' last='Munoz'] of Charter Oak has been destroying defenses and spreading the ball around effectively. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='25370' first='Solomon' last='Davis'] </strong>and <strong>Isaiah Johnson</strong> have been great at receiver. <strong>Langston Davis</strong> has been good on defense and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406674' first='Lavar' last='Arrington']</strong> is a great sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id='273597' first='Bryan' last='Wilson'] of Ayala has so much upside as a quarterback for Ayala. He was dominant against a very good Glendora team and his top target <strong>Dominic Alloway </strong>gets open against multiple coverages. Ayala has the advantage in the trenches and they are the best team Charter Oak has played so far.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Ayala</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/qb3wilson/status/1579243460028428288?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>RIO MESA VS. PACIFICA/OXNARD</strong></h2>   <p>This is another fun game in the chaotic Channel League. Rio Mesa's two losses are by a combined four points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406679' first='JJ' last='Bittner']</strong> is a very good sophomore quarterback and he completed passes to seven different receivers in a win over Oxnard last week. <strong>Jaden Washington</strong> is a great athlete at linebacker and Rio Mesa can tackle. Pacifica has marquee players and has dominated its last four games. They have two sophomore quarterbacks who are college prospects in <strong>Dominic Duran</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='282712' first='Tagg' last='Harrison']. [player_tooltip player_id='273596' first='Josh' last='Joyner'] is a playmaker at running back and [player_tooltip player_id='282760' first='Savion' last='Taylor'] may be the best sophomore receiver in the state. Pacifica is just too talented for Rio Mesa.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Pacifica</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TheMarcusAlford/status/1573737464862150656?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>CHAMINADE VS. BISHOP AMAT</strong></h2>   <p>The Mission League is so competitive and the top teams are close together. Bishop Amat got a two overtime win over Sierra Canyon and stumbled against Serra last week. [player_tooltip player_id='190351' first='Aiden' last='Ramos'] and <strong>Stacey Bey</strong> are solid at running back for the Lancers and [player_tooltip player_id='147734' first='Richard' last='Munoz Jr']. seems to be back to getting the most reps at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='145208' first='Delano' last='Franklin'] can make big plays but has been contained by the top teams. Chaminade has the edge at quarterback with San Diego State commit [player_tooltip player_id='145138' first='Javance' last='Tupouata-Johnson']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261749' first='Jaelon' last='Barbarin']</strong> has been great at running back for Chaminade. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261754' first='Isaiah' last='Chisom']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='115429' first='Marquis' last='Gallegos'] are two outstanding defensive backs that can make it tough on Amat's passing game.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Chaminade</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CalHiSports/status/1580036859652030465?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <h2><strong>MISSION VIEJO VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2>   <p>Mission Viejo has dominated San Clemente recently at home but is 0-2 at San Clemente under coach <strong>Chad Johnson</strong>. The Diablos passing offense is among the best in the county with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='25441' first='Kadin' last='Semonza'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='25408' first='Mikey' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='190360' first='Jackson' last='Holman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261773' first='KJ' last='Reed']. San Clemente can stop the run but we will see if the secondary led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168733' first='Brad' last='Gerken']</strong> and <strong>Ryder Insley</strong> can cover the Diablos receivers. San Clemente will need to pressure Semonza with [player_tooltip player_id='398387' first='Connor' last='Bachhuber'] and <strong>Nolan Reid</strong>. The Tritons will likely go with a two quarterback attack with [player_tooltip player_id='195580' first='Broderick' last='Redden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='273584' first='Dylan' last='Mills']. Running back <strong>Blake Allen</strong> has missed the past few games. [player_tooltip player_id='384830' first='Michael' last='Damato'] is an All-County candidate for Mission Viejo on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='261806' first='Jonathan' last='Becerra'] can get into the backfield. This will be for the South Coast League championship.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Viejo</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/1578407246874087424?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JacksonHolman4/status/1578832183548350464?s=20u0026t=qilcLDP1dQT-7HbtmzGFbw </div></figure>   <p><strong>Huntley's Record: </strong>36-20</p>

Each week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California.