Huntley’s State Championship Picks (Friday Games)
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DIVISION 7-AA FERNDALE VS. FAIRFAX Ferndale has allowed an average of eight points per game during its five-game winning streak. The Wildcats beat Portola 32-7 in their Regional Championship game. Quarterback Tanner Pidgeon, running back Trent Titus and athletes Isaak…
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Continue ReadingDIVISION 7-AA
FERNDALE VS. FAIRFAX
Ferndale has allowed an average of eight points per game during its five-game winning streak. The Wildcats beat Portola 32-7 in their Regional Championship game. Quarterback Tanner Pidgeon, running back Trent Titus and athletes Isaak Kasso and Wes Benner. Fairfax is led by prolific quarterback Ivan Levant Ivan Levant 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Fairfax | 2024 CA . He has thrown for 3,563 yards with 44 touchdowns. His top targets are Sebastian Ikolo and Darvens Joseph. Fairfax is deeper and coming off a bye week, but Ferndale has more talent.
The pick: Ferndale
DIVISION 6-AA
St. Vincent de Paul vs. Wasco
Wasco beat Cerritos 7-6 in its Regional Championship game. The Tigers feature two 1,000-plus yard rushers in Noah Lopez and Michael Dominguez. St. Vincent beat Palo Alto 28-26 in its Regional Championship game. Robert Rooks Robert Rooks 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL St. Vincent | 2025 State CA had two sacks and a blocked field goal in that game. Gabe Casanovas Gabe Casanovas 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB St. Vincent de Paul | 2026 State CA is an effective quarterback with 34 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions. He’s a dual threat quarterback with 12 rushing touchdowns as well.
The pick: St. Vincent
DIVISION 5-AA
PLEASANT VALLEY VS. RAMONA
Pleasant Valley dominated Miramonte 31-12 in its Regional Championship game. Lucas Benson had four touchdowns for Pleasant Valley in the win and had an interception on defense. Gavin Garretson Gavin Garretson 6'7" | 240 lbs | DL Pleasant Valley | 2025 State CA had 4.5 sacks and Daniel Barriga added two. Ramona of Riverside beat crosstown rival Riverside Poly in its Section Championship game and beat Torrance in its Regional Championship game. Sincere Tolbert had a big running game against Torrance and Royce Mendoza has been dominant on defense lately racking up interceptions.
The pick: Pleasant Valley
DIVISION 4-AA
SOQUEL VS. JURUPA HILLS
Soquel dominated Christopher in its Section Championship game and also dominated Casa Roble in its Regional Championship game. Sophomore Sam Whelan completed 14 of 15 passes for 184 yards with a touchdown in the Regional Championship game. The Knights ran for 295 yards with five touchdowns in the game. 6-foot-4 two-way star Justice Grauel-Tebong may be the best player on the field. Jurupa Hills upset Charter Oak in the Section Championship game and beat Torres 41-14 in the Regional Championship game. Jordan Pernillo is the workhorse running back for Jurupa Hills and Caleb Ruiz doesn’t make a lot of mistakes at quarterback. Daniel Maccharles Daniel Maccharles 5'10" | 210 lbs | LB Jurupa Hills | 2026 State CA leads the team in tackles.
The pick: Soquel
DIVISION 2-AA
GRANT VS. LA SERNA
La Serna has scored at least 49 points in each of its last four games. The Lancers beat Orange Vista 49-32 in its Regional Championship game. CJ Ceron had one of the best games of his career at quarterback and Idaho commit Owen Long Owen Long 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB La Serna | 2024 State CA is one of the best two-way players in the area. Jayden Northrup Jayden Northrup 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR La Serna | 2024 CA is also a two-way star for La Serna and Adrian Castro has over 150 tackles. Grant also dominated its last two championship games with scores of 40-14 and 41-14. Wayshawn Parker Wayshawn Parker 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Grant | 2024 State CA and Devin Green Devin Green 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Grant | 2024 State CA are great ball carriers and Jeremiah Tuiileila Jeremiah Tuiileila 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL Grant | 2025 State CA leads the defense along with Kingston Lopa Kingston Lopa 6'4" | 185 lbs | DB Grant | 2024 State CA .
The pick: La Serna
DIVISION 1-AA
DE LA SALLE VS. MISSION VIEJO
De La Salle is back in the State Championship games for 16 of the last 17 years. The Spartans dominated Clovis North 41-0 in the Regional Championship. Derrick Blanche Derrick Blanche 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB De La Salle | 2025 State CA had a big running game against Clovis North and Jaden Jefferson Jaden Jefferson 5'9" | 160 lbs | QB Cathedral | 2027 State CA had 40-yard touchdown run. Mission Viejo dominated Servite in its Section Championship and previously undefeated Granite Hills in the Regional Championship. The sophomore connection between Luke Fahey Luke Fahey 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Mission Viejo | 2026 State CA and Vance Spafford Vance Spafford 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2026 State CA is one of the most dominant duos in the Southern Section. Jack Matranga Jack Matranga 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Mission Viejo | 2024 State CA had 14 tackles against Granite Hills. Travis Anderson Travis Anderson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Mission Viejo | 2024 State CA and Jeron Jones Jeron Jones 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2026 State CA each had interceptions.
The pick: De La Salle