Huntley’s Week 9 Picks
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Each week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California. I regained my momentum and went 6-1 last week. Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week: CANYON VS.…
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Continue ReadingEach week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California.
I regained my momentum and went 6-1 last week.
Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week:
CANYON VS. EL MODENA
Canyon is one of the most improved teams in Orange County from last season. Christian Lundsberg Christian Lundsberg 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Canyon | 2023 State CA is third in the state in passing with 2,664 yards with 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has two great targets in Fox Haugen and Kayvon Monfared. El Modena is one of the most physical teams in the county and can bully people. Xzavior Guess Xzavior Guess 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB El Modena | 2025 State CA is a dual threat quarterback and Owen Smith is a downhill runner. Mayson Hitchens Mayson Hitchens 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB El Modena | 2023 State CA is a beast on defense for the Vanguards. Troy Mills Troy Mills 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Canyon | 2023 CA leads Orange County in tackles and will be tasked with stopping the El Modena running game. Canyon has a chance because of its passing game but El Modena can impose its will on teams.
The pick: El Modena
OAK HILLS VS. APPLE VALLEY
This game is the likely Mojave River League championship game. Noah Celie is a quality junior quarterback for Apple Valley and the running game is strong as well with Xavier Salazar at running back and Raymond Pulido Raymond Pulido 6'7" | 345 lbs | OL Apple Valley | 2023 State CA on the line. NAU commit Dustin Reynolds Dustin Reynolds 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Apple Valley | 2023 State CA is a star on defense for Apple Valley. Karson Cox Karson Cox 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Oak Hills | 2025 State CA has been on fire lately at running back for undefeated Oak Hills. Diego Lopez is efficient at quarterback and doesn’t make many mistakes. CalPreps predicts Apple Valley but they are banged up and I like the balanced Oak Hills offense.
The pick: Oak Hills
WESTMINSTER VS. LAGUNA BEACH
This is the Pac 4 League title game and Westminster is undefeated. Ezekiel Cedillo is a quality running back who plays wildcat quarterback sometimes. Alex Solano is a dual threat quarterback and Jason Pham may be a 1,000 yard receiver this year and already has 11 touchdowns. Rafael Maldonado may be the best defensive player in the league. Santa Margarita transfer Jackson Kollock Jackson Kollock 6'4" | 220 lbs | QB Laguna Beach | 2025 State CA has been outstanding at quarterback since becoming eligible for Laguna Beach. Jackson Rodriguez is a good receiver for the Breakers and Ryner Swanson Ryner Swanson 6'4" | 240 lbs | TE Laguna Beach | 2024 State CA is a top prospect visiting Ohio State this weekend. Laguna Beach is at home in a tough place to play and has played a more challenging schedule.
The pick: Laguna Beach
SAN JUAN HILLS VS. TRABUCO HILLS
This is the Sea View League championship game and coming into the season San Juan Hills was the heavy favorite to win this league. Michael Tollefson Michael Tollefson 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Tustin | 2025 State CA is a top quarterback prospect and Sullivan Land is a solid running back. Jake Javorsky is an outstanding defensive player and Weston Port Weston Port 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB San Juan Hills | 2025 State CA is an elite pass rusher. Trabuco Hills has been hot and is led by Will Burns Will Burns 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Trabuco Hills | 2023 CA at quarterback. He is a dual threat guy and one of the best in the county. Ryan Luce has emerged as a quality sophomore receiver for the Mustangs and Lucas Short is a ball-hawk at cornerback. Trabuco Hills played Tesoro closer than San Juan Hills did, but I am sticking with my preseason prediction.
The pick: San Juan Hills
EL CAJON CHRISTIAN VS. LA JOLLA
If La Jolla wins this, they clinch a share of the Eastern League championship. Jackson Diehl has 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions for La Jolla. Ryan Weinberg is a very good receiver for the Vikings and Tommy Castronovo is the team’s leading tackler and leads the team in interception. Christian is coming off a huge win over league favorite Mira Mesa. Hunter Provience had 146 yards receiving with a touchdown last week and Aaron Shebloski had two touchdown passes. I think Christian is riding high and is slightly more talented.
The pick: El Cajon Christian
CORONA DEL MAR VS. NEWPORT HARBOR
This is a huge rivalry game that will determine third place in the Sunset League. Corona del Mar’s offense is firing right now with David Rasor David Rasor 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA at quarterback and Kaleb Annett playing well under center too. Colin Pene runs the ball well and Cooper Hoch Cooper Hoch 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA is a real No. 1 target. Newport Harbor can throw the ball well with quarterback Colton Joseph Colton Joseph 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA and receivers Kashton Henjum Kashton Henjum 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA and Josiah Lamarque Josiah Lamarque 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA . Henjum is banged up and if he doesn’t play, the Newport offense will be limited.
The pick: Corona del Mar
ROOSEVELT (LA) VS. GARFIELD
This is the East LA Classic and both teams are very good this year. Garfield is led by running back Damian Cornejo who already has over 1,000 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns this season. Juju Zamudio leads the defense with 80 tackles and a pair of sacks. Roosevelt has a well-balanced running attack and has rushed for 3,223 yards and 39 touchdowns. Alexander Arroyo is a quality defensive player for Roosevelt.
The pick: Roosevelt