Huntley’s Week 7 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>I was pretty good last week going 5-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WESTLAKE VS. THOUSAND OAKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westlake is 6-0 after going 0-10 last year and has already won their most games in a season since 2018. Freshman quarterback <strong>Ford Green</strong> has been one of the best freshmen in the state, completing 71 percent of his passes for 196 yards per game with 18 touchdowns. <strong>Demanie Bell</strong> is averaging 144 yards per game on the ground with 10 touchdowns. Thousand Oaks is 5-1 and has scored at least 28 points in five games. [player_tooltip player_id='212222' first='Jackson' last='Taylor'] has 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions and <strong>Jordan Johnson</strong> is running the ball well. [player_tooltip player_id='401251' first='Hayden' last='Vercher'] is a big tight end that can cause matchup problems for a lot of defenses. Thousand Oaks won this game 41-14 last year but this is a much-improved Westlake team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Thousand Oaks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='212222' first='Jackson' last='Taylor'] breaks Thousand Oaks High football record for career touchdown passes with this scoring strike vs. Simi Valley on Friday (video below).<br><br>ICYMI, I wrote a profile on <a href="https://twitter.com/jackson7taylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jackson7taylor</a> for the Los Angeles Daily News earlier this week: <a href="https://t.co/o9TvwBAhJw">https://t.co/o9TvwBAhJw</a> <a href="https://t.co/N4HFvO11kb">https://t.co/N4HFvO11kb</a> <a href="https://t.co/guNs315qo8">pic.twitter.com/guNs315qo8</a></p>&mdash; Eliav Appelbaum 🎗️ (@EliavAppelbaum) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliavAppelbaum/status/1969446408957935983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MILLIKAN VS. LONG BEACH POLY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poly is coming off a blowout loss to Mission Viejo but Mission Viejo can do that to most teams. The Jackrabbits have an impressive win over Tustin. [player_tooltip player_id='1655382' first='Deuce' last='Jefferson'] is averaging 200 passing yards per game with 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id='1517381' first='Savion' last='Day'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401297' first='Taj' last='Bordeaux'] can get into the backfield. Millikan was dominant early in the season but had to forfeit games and had a shocking loss to Wilson. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604109' first='Jonah' last='Tuaniga']</strong> has been one of the best freshman quarterbacks in the area with 210 yards per game with 16 touchdowns. <strong>Landon Ross</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1182931' first='Jude' last='Nelson'] are still on the Rams and are dangerous receivers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Long Beach Poly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Long Beach Poly football coach Justin Utupo said his returning players have had Friday's game against Millikan circled all year. <br><br>Coach Utupo said the standard and expectation at Poly is to win the Moore League every single year. <a href="https://t.co/ikg9VvIce4">pic.twitter.com/ikg9VvIce4</a></p>&mdash; John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnwdavis/status/1976375065940988162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MOUNT MIGUEL VS. GRANITE HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Granite Hills is coming off a much-needed bye after losing three consecutive games to great opponents: Mission Hills, Los Alamitos and Cathedral Catholic. The Eagles were competitive in all three of those games. [player_tooltip player_id='691923' first='Zachary' last='Benitez'] is throwing for 326 yards with 17 touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='992793' first='Noah' last='Walker'] has been very good at receiver. Granite Hills' defense has forced 13 turnovers and <strong>Cayden Phillips</strong> has been leading that unit. Mount Miguel is coming off a blowout win over Helix. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1923811' first='Jeremiah' last='Loper']</strong> had three touchdown passes in that game and [player_tooltip player_id='1000885' first='AJ' last='Logan'] had 135 yards receiving with two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1197595' first='Gianni' last='Porfilio'] had a pick-six and [player_tooltip player_id='401222' first='Brandon' last='Arrington'] returned a kickoff for a TD. Arrington may have to cover Walker in man coverage which would be a fun matchup. I like this as a get right spot for Granite Hills.</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">Another great team win! 2-0 on the season! 52-17<br>217Yds <br>4Tds <br>14/21 <a href="https://twitter.com/Daygofootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Daygofootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/granitehillsfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@granitehillsfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BlairAngulo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlairAngulo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SanSpotlight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SanSpotlight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDanny10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDanny10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CalHiSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CalHiSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Andy_Villamarzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Andy_Villamarzo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://t.co/lJXkcQbTFN">pic.twitter.com/lJXkcQbTFN</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='691923' first='Zachary' last='Benitez'] 3 🌟 (@ZacharyBenitez3) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacharyBenitez3/status/1962233077499130077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CARLSBAD VS. MISSION HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams are undefeated and the winner pretty much guarantees a spot in the Open Division playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='401244' first='Eli' last='MacNeal'] has throwsn for 965 yards with 16 touchdowns for Carlsbad and the running game is strong with <strong>Ian Wall</strong> and <strong>Kai Brown</strong>. Carlsbad's defense, led by <strong>Chase Harris</strong> is allowing less than 10 points per game. Mission Hills' [player_tooltip player_id='401299' first='Troy' last='Huhn'] is the best quarterback in San Diego and he has good targets in <strong>Myzeal Quackenbush</strong>, <strong>Josh Gonzales</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717679' first='Brayden' last='Roberson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3Q - 4:05 <a href="https://twitter.com/Troyhuhn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Troyhuhn</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/_RyanMackenzie_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_RyanMackenzie_</a> TD ! <br><br>Mission Hills 21 Granite Hills 7 <a href="https://t.co/8aqJBcxY09">pic.twitter.com/8aqJBcxY09</a></p>&mdash; San Diego Football (@Daygofootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Daygofootball/status/1966712886031441934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>JSERRA VS. SERVITE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JSerra was rolling up until a loss to St. John Bosco last week, which is expected and understandable. [player_tooltip player_id='1205702' first='Gino' last='Wang'] has been solid at quarterback for JSerra since taking the starting quarterback job and [player_tooltip player_id='1611307' first='Clark' last='Cokley'] is a tough matchup with his speed at receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='1841720' first='Rocco' last='Tompkins'] is the leading tackler in Orange County and leads the defense. Servite was very competitive against a good Santa Margarita team last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1717982' first='Kalé' last='Murphy'] showed some dual threat ability at quarterback with a rushing touchdown. The Friars are healthy on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='1197211' first='Isaiah' last='Leilua'] had a big game against JSerra last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1598381' first='Tristin' last='Real'] also had a big game against JSerra a year ago and [player_tooltip player_id='401239' first='Diego' last='Young'] was good against Santa Margarita last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Servite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1598381' first='Tristin' last='Real'] Early Season Highlights c/o ‘26 <a href="https://t.co/e8gszdHsgU">https://t.co/e8gszdHsgU</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ServiteFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ServiteFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachReino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachReino</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Redfern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Redfern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAMims?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAMims</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LTizle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LTizle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tyler21Williams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyler21Williams</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1598381' first='Tristin' last='Real'] (Ordaz) (@Tristin_Real) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tristin_Real/status/1969566217087434798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHAPARRAL VS. MURRIETA VALLEY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murrieta Valley had a nice come-from-behind win against Norco last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1907759' first='Jeremiah' last='Watson'] has been one of the top running backs in Southern California and ran for 256 yards with five touchdowns last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1717673' first='Ty' last='Isaia'] is a dual-threat quarterback and he can hurt you on a zone-read with Watson. <strong>Abelardo Leos</strong> cleans up tackles at linebacker and has great short-area quickness. [player_tooltip player_id='401237' first='Derrick' last='Johnson II'] is excellent in the secondary and has a tough test with the Chaparral receivers. [player_tooltip player_id='1611225' first='Dane' last='Weber'] may be the most valuable junior quarterback in Southern California right now for Chaparral and [player_tooltip player_id='1197277' first='Trevor' last='Schneider'] runs the ball well. <strong>Michael "Kiko" Farinas</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611298' first='Chase' last='Bonta']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1382571' first='Tycen' last='Johnson'] can all make big plays at receiver for the Pumas and Johnson had two interceptions last week against Vista Murrieta. The two teams have a common opponent in San Clemente. Murrieta Valley beat San Clemente and Chaparral lost to the Tritons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Murrieta Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final: Murrieta Valley 26, San Clemente 14<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1907759' first='Jeremiah' last='Watson'] (below) ran for 204 yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns. Murrieta Valley had 3 INT, [player_tooltip player_id='401237' first='Derrick' last='Johnson II'] had 2. MV is 4-1. SC is 3-3 <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CallMeEPJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CallMeEPJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tarek_Fattal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MVNighthawkFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MVNighthawkFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremiah_juice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jeremiah_juice</a> <a href="https://t.co/a1ZcssEAne">pic.twitter.com/a1ZcssEAne</a></p>&mdash; Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1971797019149930933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SANTA MARGARITA VS. MATER DEI</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be one of the more fun defensive matchups of the season. Santa Margarita has been outstanding on defense this season and has only allowed more than 14 points once this season. [player_tooltip player_id='283606' first='Dash' last='Fifita'] leads the Eagles in tackles along with [player_tooltip player_id='1553136' first='Leki' last='Holani']. [player_tooltip player_id='283645' first='Manoah' last='Faupusa'] is a load on the interior of the defensive line and [player_tooltip player_id='1182920' first='Simote' last='Katoanga'] can get after the passer. Mater Dei is hot after its upset loss to Centennial with back-to-back wins over Bishop Gorman and Orange Lutheran. [player_tooltip player_id='1284693' first='Ryan' last='Hopkins'] threw for 202 yards with a touchdown against Orange Lutheran last week and [player_tooltip player_id='401273' first='Kayden' last='Dixon-Wyatt'] had 92 yards receiving with a score. Mater Dei is young on defense but those young guys are playing very well. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1717686' first='Troy' last='Bishop'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438050' first='Ace' last='Leutele'] have been good in the secondary and freshman <strong>Sosene Schuster</strong> is a guy to keep an eye on. I think Mater Dei is better on the offensive line and much better at receiver which could be crucial in this game.</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">Santa Margarita claims their 1st trinity and 4th overall win with a 17-7 win over Servite. The Eagles look to build on the momentum next week versus rival Mater Dei back at the Santa Ana Bowl <a href="https://t.co/N5kkROz9NM">pic.twitter.com/N5kkROz9NM</a></p>&mdash; SM Eagles Football (@SMCHS_Football) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMCHS_Football/status/1974336710172688443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S SEASON RECORD:&nbsp;</strong>33-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->