Huntley’s Week 5 Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week I will pick the top seven games in Southern California and break them down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I stumbled a bit again last week and went 5-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MIRA COSTA VS. VILLA PARK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mira Costa suffered its first loss last week at the hands of San Juan Hills and returns to Orange County this week to play a tough Villa Park team. <strong>Liam Meeker</strong> has been solid for Mira Costa at quarterback and his brother <strong>Luke Meeker</strong> is a top receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611360' first='AJ' last='McBean']</strong> is an effective running back but San Juan Hills contained him. <strong>Nate Lewis</strong> is a great athlete at quarterback for Villa Park and <strong>Dominic Ancich</strong> is a good scorer at running back. Villa Park has a solid offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='595795' first='Ethan' last='Sickles'] and [player_tooltip player_id='595798' first='Henry' last='Wonderlick'] leading the pack. The Spartans won this game by two touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Villa Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VPHSathletics/status/1834806154251370553","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/VPHSathletics/status/1834806154251370553 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN CLEMENTE VS. MURRIETA VALLEY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Clemente got a much-needed win last week over a good Chino Hills team. [player_tooltip player_id='723866' first='Dawson' last='Martinez'] had a nice game at quarterback and receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582147' first='Cole' last='Herlean']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='270882' first='Max' last='Kotiranta'] had big games. <strong>Colin Kohl</strong> has been scoring at running back despite not having big runs. [player_tooltip player_id='820596' first='Matai' last='Tagoa'i'] and [player_tooltip player_id='976882' first='Lee' last='Fuimaono'] cover a ton of the field at linebacker. Murrieta Valley is missing star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='282686' first='Bear' last='Bachmeier'] but running back [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] has picked up the offensive slack. This will be a lower scoring game than when these two teams usually meet and I think San Clemente can make Murrieta Valley one dimensional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Clemente</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/1838025201457721509","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/1838025201457721509 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOYOLA VS. MOUNT MIGUEL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola beat St. Francis of La Canada last week to earn its first win of the season. [player_tooltip player_id='212212' first='Ashton' last='Pannell'] had his best game of his young career at quarterback and Mission Viejo transfer [player_tooltip player_id='780469' first='Markus' last='Kier'] can cause matchup issues at receiver. Loyola has some good playmakers on defense like [player_tooltip player_id='401223' first='Brandon' last='Lockhart'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158474' first='Scott' last='Taylor'], <strong>Henry Casani</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260509' first='Zion' last='Scrivens'].</strong> Mount Miguel is one of the bestter teams in the San Diego Section but has only played one somewhat challenging opponent. I'm high on junior [player_tooltip player_id='401222' first='Brandon' last='Arrington'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1182921' first='Parris' last='Vernon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1000885' first='AJ' last='Logan']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Loyola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LoyolaFB/status/1839472566353997992","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/LoyolaFB/status/1839472566353997992 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ST. PAUL VS. SERVITE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Servite is coming off a bye after an impressive win over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. [player_tooltip player_id='723744' first='Quaid' last='Carr'] has been one of the top running backs in Orange County for the Friars. I don't expect Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id='406664' first='Leo' last='Hannan'] to play but <strong>Colin O'Connor</strong> is a solid sophomore quarterback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158489' first='Tomas' last='Cernius']</strong> can get in the backfield for Servite's defense and while the defense lacks big names, the Friars fly around. St. Paul is coming off losses to tough Damien and Los Alamitos teams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338540' first='Gabriel' last='Castaneda']</strong> played well at quarterback against Los Alamitos and <strong>Octavio Ramos</strong> had 19 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Servite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ServiteFootball/status/1839364713270083715","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/ServiteFootball/status/1839364713270083715 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1834815565879448044","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/mikehuntley63/status/1834815565879448044 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LAKEWOOD VS. LONG BEACH POLY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long Beach Poly got its first win of the season last week against Jordan and has some help coming in. UCLA commit [player_tooltip player_id='282717' first='Madden' last='Iamaleava'] transferred in from Warren and may be eligible for this game. [player_tooltip player_id='780273' first='Kamarie' last='Smith'] is the best receiver on the field and I like senior receiver<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='723757' first='Ezekiel' last='Orozco']</strong>. Lakewood recovered from a tough overtime loss to Mayfair with a rout of Compton. <strong>Kade Casillas</strong> is one of the better quarterbacks in the Long Beach area and <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/josiah-jojo-pouono-apisala/">[player_tooltip player_id='667151' first='Josiah' last='“Jojo” Pouono Apisala']</a></strong> has had a nice year at running back. <strong>Nasir Jenkins</strong> has three interceptions to lead Lakewood's defense. Poly has not lost to Lakewood since 2009 and is 20-1 against Lakewood dating back to 2004.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Long Beach Poly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LBPoly_Football/status/1837373077023334834","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/LBPoly_Football/status/1837373077023334834 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SERRA VS. LOS ALAMITOS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Los Alamitos has been red hot with two convincing wins over St. Paul and Clovis North. [player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'] is a gamer at quarterback and the two-headed backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221860' first='Jerod' last='Terry Jr']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598356' first='Lenny' last='Ibarra']</strong> has been racking up numbers. [player_tooltip player_id='976879' first='Arion' last='Lang'] had a big game receiving against Clovis North and the Griffins have some good defenders like [player_tooltip player_id='1158481' first='Justice' last='Croffie'], [player_tooltip player_id='1344401' first='Jackson' last='Raguse'], [player_tooltip player_id='595802' first='James' last='Bishop Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='499772' first='Matthew' last='Williams']. Serra receiver [player_tooltip player_id='723769' first='CJ' last='McBean'] committed to Idaho this week and quarterback <strong>Jimmy Butler</strong> is a dual threat guy. [player_tooltip player_id='485966' first='Skylar' last='Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282751' first='Jadyn' last='Robinson'] can make plays after the catch for Serra. The defense is full of stars like [player_tooltip player_id='780328' first='Khary' last='Wilder'], [player_tooltip player_id='282713' first='Tre' last='Harrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283646' first='Marcellous' last='Ryan']. Serra's losses are close ones to good Orange Lutheran and Oaks Christian teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Serra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cjmcb3an/status/1838755984195649755","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/cjmcb3an/status/1838755984195649755 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHAPARRAL VS. MISSION VIEJO</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaparral is a surprising 4-0 team that lost a legitimate Division 1 quarterback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611225' first='Dane' last='Weber']</strong> has been very good as a sophomore quarterback for Chaparral and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='350825' first='Caden' last='Butler']</strong> has emerged as a top receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582158' first='Justin' last='Selway']</strong> leads the defense and [player_tooltip player_id='358419' first='Shane' last='Klingelberg'] had a big game last week against Great Oak. Mission Viejo is the best public school team in the state and has a pick-six in every game besides one. [player_tooltip player_id='723683' first='Dijon' last='Lee'] is a top player in the state and [player_tooltip player_id='283628' first='Jeron' last='Jones'] is a lockdown corner. [player_tooltip player_id='406731' first='Draiden' last='Trudeau'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey'] run the offense very well with quality receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='283692' first='Vance' last='Spafford'], [player_tooltip player_id='282688' first='Phillip' last='Bell'] and <strong>Cash Semonza</strong>. No public school team is beating Mission Viejo right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mtorressports/status/1837327251907740017","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/mtorressports/status/1837327251907740017 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S RECORD: </strong>27-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->