Huntley’s Week 8 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 had another mediocre week last week going 4-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TUSTIN VS. EL MODENA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game may decide the Delta League championship and both offenses are firing on all cylinders right now. Tustin is coming off a convincing win over Trabuco Hills where [player_tooltip player_id='976921' first='Eimesse' last='Essis'] ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns. El Modena is undefeated and is led by the best dual threat quarterback in Southern California, [player_tooltip player_id='484293' first='Xzavior' last='Guess']. Tustin's defense has speedy athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='1197214' first='Taven' last='Epps'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197207' first='Khalil' last='Terry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401277' first='Lennie' last='Brown'], and big defensive linemen like [player_tooltip player_id='668740' first='Jeremiah' last='Williams']. Both teams are well-coached but I think El Modena gets one more stop than Tustin does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>El Modena</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Worth the price of admission 💸💰 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mrgoyam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mrgoyam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rainman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rainman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/D1bound?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#D1bound</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nfl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nfl</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Y59W0zyBD">pic.twitter.com/2Y59W0zyBD</a></p>&mdash; xzavior.guess (@XzaviorQB1) <a href="https://twitter.com/XzaviorQB1/status/1845557416680951838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MURRIETA VALLEY VS. CENTENNIAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The people that wrote off Centennial after its 0-2 start made a big mistake. Centennial has won its last two games by a combined score of 124-0. [player_tooltip player_id='406636' first='Husan' last='Longstreet'] completed 10 of 13 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns last week in a 63-0 win over a good Vista Murrieta team. [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] has been dominant at running back for Murrieta Valley behind star offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='976878' first='Drew' last='Nichols']. Centennial ran for 359 yards and seven touchdowns last season against Murrieta Valley so expect a big game for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1514780' first='Braylin' last='Drake']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Centennial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1514780' first='Braylin' last='Drake'] Mid-Season Highlites<br>Cen10 RB 6' 210 lbs 🔨 C/O 2027 <br>3 GP <br>Cen10 3-0<br>61-586 8TDS (9.60 ypc 195 ypg)<a href="https://t.co/zMJ2CPXCmg">https://t.co/zMJ2CPXCmg</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SWiltfong_</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1514780' first='Braylin' last='Drake'] (@BraylinDrake) <a href="https://twitter.com/BraylinDrake/status/1838738770474209572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOS ALAMITOS VS. EDISON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The former Sunset League foes now meet in the Alpha League. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598356' first='Lenny' last='Ibarra']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='221860' first='Jerod' last='Terry Jr']. have been running the ball well for Los Alamitos and have combined for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1344401' first='Jackson' last='Raguse'] leads Los Alamitos' defense with 62 tackles and two forced fumbles. [player_tooltip player_id='348172' first='Julius' last='Gillick'] of Edison has been one of the top running backs in the Southern Section. The Montana commit ran for 224 yards and six touchdowns in Edison's last game against Helix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Los Alamitos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From 2 former league rivals a season ago in the Sunset League to now league rivals in the Alpha League, as our JPWest Media Game of the Week heads to Huntington Beach for the Alpha League Opener, as the Edison Chargers will host the Los Alamitos Griffins.<br><br>Our photographer Luke… <a href="https://t.co/zJqERuSmde">pic.twitter.com/zJqERuSmde</a></p>&mdash; JPWest Media (@JPWestMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JPWestMedia/status/1845990394171216296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MISSION VIEJO VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mission Viejo has the longest winning streak in the Southern Section and the last team to beat the Diablos was San Clemente last season. San Clemente has both its quarterbacks, [player_tooltip player_id='723866' first='Dawson' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1149075' first='Jack' last='Ferguson'], healthy. The Tritons have a solid secondary with [player_tooltip player_id='1149017' first='Max' last='Bollard'], <strong>Riley Kelley</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='270882' first='Max' last='Kotiranta'] to match up against Mission Viejo's passing offense. The Diablos also have two quarterbacks in [player_tooltip player_id='406731' first='Draiden' last='Trudeau'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey']. Receivers [player_tooltip player_id='282688' first='Phillip' last='Bell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283692' first='Vance' last='Spafford'] have been hot and [player_tooltip player_id='841044' first='Jaden' last='Williams'] is the best pass rusher in the county. I think Mission Viejo's defense will make it tough for San Clemente to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final: Mission Viejo 49, Long Beach Poly 14<br>378 rushing yards for Mission Viejo. 170 rushing yards for Hinesward Lilomaiava. 109 with 3TDs for Davonte Curtis. Diablos are 7-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/OCRegSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OCRegSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/missionfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@missionfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveFryer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveFryer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsityguy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tarek_Fattal</a> <a href="https://t.co/N1PEqwdOQn">pic.twitter.com/N1PEqwdOQn</a></p>&mdash; Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1842422516465471798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MIRA COSTA VS. INGLEWOOD</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mira Costa is coming off a game where the Mustangs ran for 575 yards and eight touchdowns in a win over Culver City. <strong>A.J. McBean</strong> has been one of the better running backs in the Section and <strong>Liam Meeker</strong> is a playmaker. <strong>Brady Nuthall</strong> had four sacks in that game. Inglewood dominated Lawndale last week and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='406730' first='Kingston' last='Tisdell'] has been playing very well. The Sentinels can run the ball as well with star running back [player_tooltip player_id='283693' first='Victor' last='Santino']. It should be a big game for [player_tooltip player_id='282773' first='Venilaite' last='Wolfgramm'] III who should rack up tackles against Mira Costa's running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Inglewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Team is coming together! <br>Lot&#039;s to improve on, but we are rollin!<br>Great win this week over Pacifica 54 -21 <br><br>Stats:<br>18/22, 343 yds, 3 TD<br><br>Back to work<br>Bye week then Leuzinger 10/4<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/championshipmindset?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#championshipmindset</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QB10?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QB10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ilovethisgame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ilovethisgame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Throw_2_Win?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Throw_2_Win</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/InglewoodFBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InglewoodFBall</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mmental7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mmental7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBUniverseQBU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBUniverseQBU</a> <a href="https://t.co/atvUsw9pxL">pic.twitter.com/atvUsw9pxL</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='406730' first='Kingston' last='Tisdell'] (@Kings10Tisdell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kings10Tisdell/status/1838312200370532777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ST. JOHN BOSCO VS. SERVITE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bosco had a close call against Santa Margarita last week and didn't score until there were less than six minutes left in the game. A major positive for Bosco is that its defense is making a case that it's one of the best in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='723690' first='Epi' last='Sitanilei'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401241' first='Dutch' last='Horisk'] are elite edge rushers and <strong>Lance Olive-Enos</strong> is having a great junior season. Freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='959174' first='Koa' last='Malau'ulu'] has the reigns as the starting quarterback and can make big plays. Servite lost to Mater Dei last week and is struggling offensively without its starting quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='723744' first='Quaid' last='Carr'] can make big plays but Bosco should be able to neutralize him. This game will be played at SoFi Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. John Bosco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the biggest High School Football games in the country kicks off at SoFi Stadium this Friday 🔥<br><br>SoCal powerhouses St. John Bosco and Servite meet in Friday Night Lights Presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/LABowlGame?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LABowlGame</a> and the Los Angeles Rams. <br><br>Don't miss it 🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/FoSGqjYgZq">https://t.co/FoSGqjYgZq</a> <a href="https://t.co/SwrVvG2kUb">pic.twitter.com/SwrVvG2kUb</a></p>&mdash; SoFi Stadium (@SoFiStadium) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoFiStadium/status/1846703438987473286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINCOLN VS. CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the best two teams in San Diego and I don't think anybody else is really close. Cathedral Catholic is coming off a dominant win over defending champion Granite Hills and [player_tooltip player_id='1000878' first='Brady' last='Palmer'] made huge plays at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='780269' first='Bronx' last='Letuligasenoa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1344387' first='Sidney' last='Dupuy'] are very good defensive players and can cause problems in the backfield. Lincoln had a major win over Los Alamitos two weeks ago and dominated Point Loma last week. [player_tooltip player_id='406658' first='Akili' last='Smith Jr.'] is a top quarterback in the Section along with Palmer. [player_tooltip player_id='406718' first='Ty' last='Olsen'] will be the best receiver on the field and <strong>Dylon Dunn</strong> has been hot defensively. Lincoln won this game 40-14 last season but Cathedral Catholic is much better than it was last season. The Hornets have played the tougher schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game Week‼️<br>🍀 vs Cathedral Catholic (<a href="https://twitter.com/Donsfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Donsfootball</a>)<br>🍀 Game Will Kickoff Friday @ 7pm<br>🍀 Battle Between Top Two SD County Teams<br>🍀 Previous Meeting: 2023 Lin 40 - CC 14<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LincolnCertified?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LincolnCertified</a> 🍀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepTheHive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepTheHive</a> <a href="https://t.co/pl9TWpYY3B">pic.twitter.com/pl9TWpYY3B</a></p>&mdash; LINCOLN HORNETS FOOTBALL (@THEHIVEFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEHIVEFB/status/1845848000704221653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S RECORD:&nbsp;</strong>41-15<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->