Huntley’s Week 3 Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week I pick and break down seven of the top games in Southern California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some great matchups in week three including two perennial Division 1 playoff teams squaring off and a battle between a top OC team and top San Diego team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was decent last week going 4-3 on my picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PALISADES VS. BRENTWOOD</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Battle of Sunset features two excellent quarterbacks again this year in <strong>Jack Thomas</strong> (Palisades) and [player_tooltip player_id='1611270' first='Ben' last='Mikail'] (Brentwood). Thomas threw for 387 yards with six touchdowns and ran for another last week in Palisades' win over Granada Hills Charter. <strong>Skyler Walters</strong> had 22 tackles for the Dolphins and <strong>Enzo Allen</strong> had 18. Mikail threw for 309 yards with five touchdowns in Brentwood's win over Oak Park last week. <strong>Roman Lacgalvis</strong> had 123 yards receiving with three scores. Both teams score frequently and can give up a lot of points so expect the over to hit in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Brentwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eagles SOAR to a 48-28 victory over Oak Park in their season home opener. Brentwood will face Pali HS next Friday at home in “The Battle For Sunset”. BE THERE! <a href="https://t.co/DfqK7NXroE">pic.twitter.com/DfqK7NXroE</a></p>&mdash; Brentwood Athletics (@bwoodathletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/bwoodathletics/status/1964204337577807938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MIRA COSTA VS. LA HABRA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Habra has cruised to a 3-0 start with convincing wins over Upland, Northview and Ayala. [player_tooltip player_id='765936' first='DJ' last='Mitchell'] is averaging 200 yards per game with seven touchdowns and has run for three touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1557449' first='Blake' last='Rogers'] had 114 yards receiving with two touchdowns last week against Ayala. La Habra's defense had three interceptions last week. Mira Costa shutout Redondo Union 31-0 last week and <strong>Liam Meeker</strong> threw three touchdown passes. <strong>Luke Meeker </strong>had 101 yards receiving with a touchdown and had two sacks on defense. <strong>Kingston Davies</strong> had an interception and two touchdowns on offense. These teams are ranked one spot apart in the MaxPreps rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>La Habra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blaze is a great role model for the young players! <a href="https://t.co/lY8BV0NsDH">https://t.co/lY8BV0NsDH</a></p>&mdash; Coach Mazzotta LH FB (@LHHighlanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/LHHighlanders/status/1965487384126276030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TUSTIN VS. DAMIEN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Damien is off to a great start with three competitive wins against solid teams including a win over a Trinity League team. [player_tooltip player_id='212219' first='Isaiah' last='Arriaza'] has been one of the best quarterbacks in the Southern Section with 326 yards per game with eight touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698949' first='Malachi' last='McFarland']</strong> runs the ball well and [player_tooltip player_id='401246' first='Eric' last='Osorio'] is a tough matchup at receiver. Tustin suffered a one-point loss against Long Beach Poly last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1622362' first='Hayden' last='Koo'] has been excellent at receiver for the Tillers. Tustin's defensive line may be a tough matchup for Damien with [player_tooltip player_id='668740' first='Jeremiah' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197561' first='Jon' last='Ioane']. [player_tooltip player_id='1197214' first='Taven' last='Epps'] will be very active for Tustin stopping McFarland and Arriaza in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Damien</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3 games<br>61/96 ( 63.5%)<br>1,089 yards <br>8 passing TD<br>2 rushing TD<br>1 INT<br>120.0 QBR<br>3-0 record! Week by Week! <a href="https://twitter.com/DamienFootball_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DamienFootball_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDanny10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDanny10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JStew8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JStew8</a> <a href="https://t.co/21nntxfESd">pic.twitter.com/21nntxfESd</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='212219' first='Isaiah' last='Arriaza'] (@Isaiah_Arriaza) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Arriaza/status/1964535602600431920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>JSERRA VS. OAK HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JSerra got a much-needed win last week in Hawaii. New sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1205702' first='Gino' last='Wang'] had 131 passing yards with two rushing touchdowns in his first start. <strong>Will Fredericksen</strong> had two rushing touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='1841720' first='Rocco' last='Tompkins'] led the defense with 16 tackles and a blocked punt. Oak Hills was dominant against Bishop Amat two weeks ago but lost to Rancho Cucamonga 14-3 last week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1686199' first='Jacob' last='Webster']</strong> was very good in Oak Hills' first two games but struggled last week. [player_tooltip player_id='292489' first='JuJu' last='Parm'] has big play potential at receiver. The strength of Oak Hills is its defense led by [player_tooltip player_id='877001' first='Sione' last='Felila'] and <strong>Rudy De La Fuente LI. </strong>I doubt Oak Hills will turn the ball over as much as it did against Rancho Cucamonga, but I think JSerra's defense steps up here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>JSerra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COACHES CORNER: Fresh off their 38-20 win over Kamehameha School last week in Hawaii, the <a href="https://twitter.com/JSerra_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JSerra_Football</a> team heads back out on the road Friday, as the Lions visit the Oak Hills Bulldogs in a nonleague encounter at Oak Hills High School in Hesperia.<br><br>Lions Head Football Coach… <a href="https://t.co/UmYGQPZrv9">pic.twitter.com/UmYGQPZrv9</a></p>&mdash; JSerraAthletics (@JSerraAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/JSerraAthletics/status/1966303207774466288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>GRANITE HILLS VS. MISSION HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams are potential Open Division playoff teams down in San Diego. Granite Hills won a competitive game against Perry of Arizona last week and rolled over Mater Dei Catholic two weeks ago. [player_tooltip player_id='691923' first='Zachary' last='Benitez'] has been very good for Granite Hills and was offered by NAU this week. <strong>Anthony Mattar</strong> had two rushing touchdowns for the Eagles and [player_tooltip player_id='992793' first='Noah' last='Walker'] is one of the better receivers in San Diego. <strong>Braydon Wells</strong> leads a very good defense with <strong>Kyler Oberg </strong>and <strong>Hunter Hamilton</strong>. Mission Hills dominated Oceanside last week like Granite Hills did earlier in the season. Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='401299' first='Troy' last='Huhn'] threw for 240 yards with four touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns last week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Granite Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senior season 3 game highlights <br>18 total tackles<br>2 tfl <br>1 int for td<a href="https://twitter.com/Daygofootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Daygofootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneCA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachVinnieDC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachVinnieDC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachStevensGH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachStevensGH</a> <a href="https://t.co/QhdKke5kAH">https://t.co/QhdKke5kAH</a></p>&mdash; Braydon “Boogie” wells (@BraydonWells_) <a href="https://twitter.com/BraydonWells_/status/1965270511707193816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MISSION VIEJO VS. LINCOLN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln may be the top team in San Diego once again this year. The Hornets have won all three games by at least two touchdowns and running back <strong>Rashad Robinson</strong> has been excellent. [player_tooltip player_id='1197366' first='Jordan' last='Roa'] runs the offense well and <strong>Courtney Miller-Thompson</strong> gets a ton of targets at receiver. <strong>Seth Fanua</strong> has been racking up the tackles on defense and <strong>Clarence Tucker</strong> has two interceptions. Mission Viejo is coming off a statement blowout win over Folsom last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey'] has a case for being the best quarterback in the state thus far this season with 292 yards per game and 10 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1197564' first='Jack' last='Junker'] has been a big play threat at receiver for the Diablos and [player_tooltip player_id='1614528' first='JD' last='Hill'] has been causing problems for opposing offensive lines as an edge rusher. [player_tooltip player_id='283628' first='Jeron' last='Jones'] impressed me a lot at corner for the Diablos last week and <strong>Kane Nolte</strong> was very good. These are two of the best Southern California has to offer but I think Mission Viejo is the best public school team in the state.</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 53, Folsom 14<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey'] 21-31, 326 yards, 5TD. 8'sacks for Mission Viejo, 4 by [player_tooltip player_id='1614528' first='JD' last='Hill']. <br>[player_tooltip player_id='283683' first='Ryder' last='Lyons'] 21-32, 177 yards, TD, INT. <a href="https://twitter.com/OCRegSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OCRegSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveFryer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveFryer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CalHiSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CalHiSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tarek_Fattal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/missionfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@missionfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SacBee_JoeD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacBee_JoeD</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZLCqRcKiFu">pic.twitter.com/ZLCqRcKiFu</a></p>&mdash; Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1964188945018761375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MATER DEI VS. CENTENNIAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei beat Kahuku of Hawaii last week but not in its usual dominant fashion. [player_tooltip player_id='1284693' first='Ryan' last='Hopkins'] threw for 122 yards with a touchdown and the running back duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1686102' first='Justin' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401280' first='Malachi' last='Roby'] have been running the ball well. The interior of Mater Dei's defensive line: [player_tooltip player_id='283689' first='Tomuhini' last='Topui'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197614' first='Montana' last='Toilolo'], have been dominant as expected and [player_tooltip player_id='490799' first='Danny' last='Lang'] has been playing well in the secondary. Centennial is 2-1 with an overtime loss to Santa Margarita two weeks ago. <strong>Dominick Catalano</strong> is averaging 249 yards per game with eight touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='1598329' first='Keawe' last='Browne'] is physically one of the tougher matchups in the Section for most opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='1611201' first='Jaden' last='Walk-Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401263' first='Jonathan' last='McKinley'] II have been cleaning up tackles at linebacker. I think Centennial's offense will have trouble moving the ball against Mater Dei.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏈 Centennial welcomes Mater Dei to the Evil Empire as the “under dog” Huskies will try to knockoff the #1 team in the country!<br>🚨 It's the Ken's Sporting Goods “Must See Game” this week.<br>🍿 Ger your popcorn ready, Cen10 will be alive on Friday!!! <a href="https://t.co/QtziUw5lUQ">pic.twitter.com/QtziUw5lUQ</a></p>&mdash; The Inland_Sports Show (@Inland_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/Inland_Sports/status/1965242252684657108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S SEASON RECORD: </strong>14-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->