Huntley’s Week 0 Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week, I pick the top seven games in Southern California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the top games this week and who I think will come out victorious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MATER DEI VS. CENTENNIAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody came closer to beating Mater Dei in 2021 than Centennial did in the Division 1 semifinals. Mater Dei has a new coach but 19 returning starters on the field. [player_tooltip player_id='683642' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] is back for his fourth year at quarterback and all of his running backs: [player_tooltip player_id='273546' first='Nate' last='Frazier'], [player_tooltip player_id='282698' first='Jordon' last='Davison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115462' first='Ajon' last='Bryant'] are back. His top receivers [player_tooltip player_id='282711' first='Marcus' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='683685' first='Marcus' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115472' first='Jack' last='Ressler'] are back along with four of the five starting offensive linemen. Mater Dei's strength on defense is its edge rushers [player_tooltip player_id='282774' first='Nasir' last='Wyatt'] and a returning [player_tooltip player_id='195568' first='Tanner' last='Williams']. Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='147715' first='Zabien' last='Brown'] leads the strong secondary. Centennial has a strong secondary of its own with [player_tooltip player_id='595826' first='Tayten' last='Beyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282775' first='LaRue' last='Zamorano']. The Huskies have their best quarterback in years in Inglewood transfer [player_tooltip player_id='406636' first='Husan' last='Longstreet']. He has a good receiving corps as well with [player_tooltip player_id='406637' first='Cory' last='Butler'], [player_tooltip player_id='406661' first='Noah' last='Westbrook'] and Rancho Cucamonga transfer [player_tooltip player_id='398454' first='Jason' last='Harris']. Centennial is a top five team in Southern California, but I've learned to never pick against Mater Dei.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Cen10Football/status/1691138891963826176?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cen10Football/status/1691138891963826176?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SERRA VS. ORANGE LUTHERAN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orange Lutheran was a young team last season and still tied for third place in the Trinity League and made the Division 1 playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='282728' first='TJ' last='Lateef'] is back at quarterback along with a good offensive line featuring super sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='780266' first='Samuelu' last='Utu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283610' first='Dustin' last='Foisia']. The defensive line is also strong with [player_tooltip player_id='780311' first='Auma' last='Jennings'] and [player_tooltip player_id='723736' first='Jireh' last='Moe']. [player_tooltip player_id='283686' first='Talanoa' last='Ili'] can really rack up the tackle numbers and the Lancers added Servite's top defensive player, [player_tooltip player_id='283599' first='Christian' last='Panapa']. Serra has some star power including one of the best running backs in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='147716' first='Cincere' last='Rhaney']. Rhaney ran for 1666 yards with 15 touchdowns last season and ran for 171 yards with a pair of touchdowns in last season's game against Orange Lutheran. Serra also has Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='195513' first='Dakoda' last='Fields'] in the secondary and top receiver [player_tooltip player_id='115478' first='Zacharyus' last='Williams']. This will be one of the more competitive games of the week and I expect Orange Lutheran to narrowly edge Serra.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Orange Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Serra__Football/status/1689734824393850883?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Serra__Football/status/1689734824393850883?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CARLSBAD VS. INGLEWOOD</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlsbad is a top two team in San Diego and is making a rare trip up north to play one of the better teams in Los Angeles. The Lancers are led by Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='115456' first='Julian' last='Sayin'] at quarterback who won the Elite 11 competition. [player_tooltip player_id='1128336' first='Mason' last='Walsh'] is back at running back for Carlsbad but most of Sayin's returning receivers are gone. They responded by adding [player_tooltip player_id='1128116' first='Will' last='Cianfrini'] from Texas who was the top receiver on day two of the Elite 11. Inglewood has a new quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='273557' first='Damon' last='Wrighster'] who transferred in from Alemany. They have a pair of outstanding senior receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='115468' first='Terrell' last='Bradshaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='195538' first='Bain' last='Eiseman'], the latter just committed to Cal Poly last week. Inglewood is ranked way too low on the MaxPreps state rankings in my opinion, but I give Carlsbad a slight edge here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Carlsbad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/aedmondstv/status/1686838894069940229?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/aedmondstv/status/1686838894069940229?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>JSERRA VS. SIERRA CANYON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JSerra has a new coach in <strong>Victor Santa Cruz</strong> who most recently coached at the college level at Azusa Pacific. We will see what the Lions do at quarterback with returning starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='943035' first='Zander' last='Singh']</strong> and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='282761' first='Michael' last='Tollefson'], a junior committed to Arizona State. The Lions will look to run the ball frequently with [player_tooltip player_id='406721' first='George' last='Perez'], <strong>Kamar Gabourel</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='780472' first='Sean' last='Morris'] in addition to the running ability of Tollefson. Defensively, junior [player_tooltip player_id='723691' first='Luke' last='Webb'] is one of the best edge rushers in Southern California and Cathedral Catholic transfer [player_tooltip player_id='282705' first='Madden' last='Faraimo'] is one of the top players in the 2025 class. Sierra Canyon has a ton of new faces as well, including quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='282687' first='Wyatt' last='Becker']. [player_tooltip player_id='282703' first='Dane' last='Dunn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='147709' first='Terrell' last='Cooks'] are two very good running backs Faraimo will have to attempt to contain. Sierra Canyon has the edge at receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='398422' first='Xavier' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='683607' first='Kwazi' last='Gilmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='115476' first='Jaylen'Dai' last='Sumlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='273551' first='Cameron' last='Mitchell']. [player_tooltip player_id='398383' first='Eugene' last='Brooks'] is the best offensive lineman in this game. The secondary duo of [player_tooltip player_id='147748' first='Ruben' last='Gamboa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115429' first='Marquis' last='Gallegos'] is one of the best in the area. These are two teams that could potentially be Division 1 playoff teams in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Sierra Canyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SouthOCsports/status/1691540623822630912?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SouthOCsports/status/1691540623822630912?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LIBERTY/NEVADA VS. ST. JOHN BOSCO</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty is one of the top teams in Nevada and has a lot of Division 1 prospects. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='817705' first='Tyrese' last='Smith'] is back along with running back [player_tooltip player_id='817731' first='Isaiah' last='Lauofo']. Smith's top receivers are Arizona committ [player_tooltip player_id='942309' first='Landon' last='Bell'] and UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='811158' first='Jae' last='Beasley']. [player_tooltip player_id='817703' first='Jayden' last='Robertson'] is a two-way player at receiver and defensive back with an offer from Weber State. UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='811153' first='Kahekili' last='Paaoao'] is one of the top linebackers in the state. Bosco's linebackers are the best in the country in [player_tooltip player_id='115443' first='Kyngstonn' last='Viliamu-Asa'], [player_tooltip player_id='273572' first='Khmori' last='House'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115469' first='Jordan' last='Lockhart']. The Braves also have a linebacker who transferred from Liberty is [player_tooltip player_id='689918' first='Ashtin' last='Lopes'] who is committed to Utah. [player_tooltip player_id='115455' first='Caleb' last='Sanchez'] will start at quarterback and I expect the Braves to air it out a bit to receivers [player_tooltip player_id='209113' first='Madden' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='115470' first='Tommy' last='Maher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='398478' first='Stacy' last='Dobbins']. Bosco matches up well against Bell and Beasley with a strong secondary featuring [player_tooltip player_id='115432' first='Marcelles' last='Williams'], Frankie Edwards and Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='115433' first='Peyton' last='Woodyard']. Liberty is a very good team but is in over its head against Bosco.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. John Bosco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal/status/1691919151210873091?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal/status/1691919151210873091?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHAPARRAL VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaparral looked good at the Mission Viejo passing tournament and the Pumas have one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='270900' first='Dash' last='Beierly']. The Pumas have a big tight end in [player_tooltip player_id='282683' first='Jacob' last='Alvarez'] who can cause matchup problems especially with San Clemente's young linebackers. San Clemente has big tight ends of its own in top recruit [player_tooltip player_id='195580' first='Broderick' last='Redden'] and <strong>Brock Della Vedova</strong>. I expect some two tight end sets to also help block for running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976882' first='Lee' last='Fuimaono']</strong>. San Clemente's secondary is young but features transfer safety [player_tooltip player_id='820596' first='Matai' last='Tagoa'i']. These are two physical programs and this should be a close game, but I think San Clemente is tough to beat at home and Fuimaono may have a breakout game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Clemente</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/1691802537845031179?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1691802537845031179?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CREAN LUTHERAN VS. CANYON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the better games in Orange County between two rising programs. Canyon was the top passing team in the county last season but lost its quarterback and top receivers. Senior <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/top-15-senior-quarterbacks-in-orange-county-11-15/">Corin Rynders</a></strong> fills in at quarterback for Canyon and has a lot of upside. No returning players for Canyon caught a pass last season except for Rynders. Linebacker <strong>Noah Eckenrode</strong> leads the defense. Crean Lutheran is a team loaded with transfers including starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='270859' first='Jeremiah' last='Finaly'], a transfer from Los Alamitos. The Saints also have transfers [player_tooltip player_id='282745' first='Tyler' last='Parker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282778' first='Taurian' last='Nash'] from Santa Margarita. <strong>Ben Buettell</strong> is a big two-way player who is the best returner from last year's team. Crean will compete with Tustin and Cypress for the Empire League title this season and should roll in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Crean Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/creanlutheranhs/status/1692235699276149153?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/creanlutheranhs/status/1692235699276149153?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->