Huntley’s Week 0 Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week I will pick and break down seven of the top games in Southern California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of the best games this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OAKS CHRISTIAN VS. CHAMINADE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaminade has some star power back this season led by sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1506294' first='Jeremy' last='Mellalieu'] who was the MVP at the Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase. [player_tooltip player_id='1475823' first='Cameron' last='Blackman'] is back at running back after leading the Eagles in rushing as a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='2106911' first='Andrew' last='Cordero'] led the team in receiving last season and had 151 yards receiving in Chaminade's season-opening win in Hawaii. Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='1611242' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] leads the offensive line. Chaminade is big on the defensive line as well with [player_tooltip player_id='1611212' first='Kingston' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1611410' first='Hudson' last='Manning'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2065933' first='Elijah' last='Williams']</strong>. Oaks Christian returns sophomore quarterback <strong>Niko Bladow</strong>. USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='1291235' first='Alifeleti' last='Tuihalamaka'] is one of the best defensive linemen in the state and defensive backs <strong>Xavier Burkett</strong> and <strong>Josh Tyler </strong>can make things tough for Chaminade's receivers. I think Chaminade already playing a game to get rid of first game jitters will be beneficial here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Chaminade</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jeremymellalieu/status/2090246301875396842?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jeremymellalieu/status/2090246301875396842?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOYOLA VS. CREAN LUTHERAN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola eliminated Crean Lutheran from the playoffs in 2024 and the Saints haven't forgotten that game. The Cubs have two returning quarterbacks in <strong>Gavin Grabe</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2137664' first='Jc' last='Rising']. <strong>Tobias Thuss</strong> is back at receiver for Loyola and [player_tooltip player_id='2106928' first='Kane' last='Casani'] is a very talented two-way player who ran for seven touchdowns last season and led the team with 166 tackles. Crean Lutheran has five Arizona commits on its roster but one of them has incomplete paperwork according to CIF. [player_tooltip player_id='1197336' first='Caden' last='Jones'] is back at quarterback after having just one turnover last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1561275' first='Ty' last='Johnson'] figures to be the leading receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Caleb' last='Bey'] is back at running back. [player_tooltip player_id='1382581' first='Braylen' last='Ross'] is a big tight end transfer from Lincoln. [player_tooltip player_id='400917' first='Ace' last='Herman-Dawson'] leads the offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1333150' first='Erick' last='Cruz'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382029' first='Demetrius' last='Panapa']</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='2098782' first='Nasir' last='Walker'] is a top edge rusher in the junior class and Crean Lutheran is loaded in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1197333' first='Damari' last='Hall'], [player_tooltip player_id='1611238' first='Evan' last='Mack'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717750' first='Kinley' last='Victorian']</strong> patrol the secondary and can make it tough on Loyola's receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Crean Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CadenJonesss1/status/2089180749211844622?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CadenJonesss1/status/2089180749211844622?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LONG BEACH POLY VS. DOWNEY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poly hasn't won a season-opener in a few years and is loaded at the skill positions. Mater Dei transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2066034' first='Trevor' last='Scott'] is not cleared by CIF yet to play quarterback so <strong>Ace Fa'agata</strong> or <strong>Kingston Stokely</strong> may see the reps at quarterback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691313' first='Jayden' last='Coley']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='551831' first='Zion' last='Anderson'] are expected to be top receivers for the Jackrabbits. Poly has the two top cornerback prospects in the class in [player_tooltip player_id='1197222' first='Donte' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197229' first='Julius' last='Johnson']. Downey will matchup with them with a very talented receiver in New Mexico commit [player_tooltip player_id='1611185' first='Damani' last='Porras']. Servite transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1717982' first='Kalé' last='Murphy'] will be the quarterback for the Vikings but one of their talented linebacker transfers isn't cleared by CIF yet. I think Poly is a bit deeper at the skill spots in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Long Beach Poly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/zion_anderson5/status/2086078490387091693?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zion_anderson5/status/2086078490387091693?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>YORBA LINDA VS. LAGUNA BEACH</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laguna Beach returns nearly everyone from its stellar team last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1545888' first='Jack' last='Hurst'] is back at quarterback after a monster junior season and has a loaded crop of returning receivers to throw to like Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id='2106868' first='Brady' last='Stringham'], Portland State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2124184' first='Wyatt' last='Bogdan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1953141' first='William' last='Kimball']. <strong>Charlie Christian</strong> is a sophomore running back who I'm very high on and the pass rushing duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2106912' first='Grayson' last='Kazmouz'] and <strong>Garrett Byerly</strong> will cause problems for opposing quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id='2100424' first='Isaiah' last='Trujillo'] is one of the best two-way players in Orange County for Yorba Linda at linebacker and running back. The Mustangs have a new coaching staff and a lot of question marks on the roster, but they are always disciplined and good in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Laguna Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Laguna_Football/status/2085163336568877531?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Laguna_Football/status/2085163336568877531?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHAPARRAL VS. MISSION VIEJO</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game took a bit of a blow when it was announced [player_tooltip player_id='1611225' first='Dane' last='Weber'] would miss the game with an injury. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2069847' first='Caden' last='Sterba'] will get his first start at quarterback and what a tough opponent to debut against. He has help with the best receiving corps in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1611263' first='Eli' last='Woodard'], <strong>Michael "Kiko" Farinas </strong>and [player_tooltip player_id='1382571' first='Tycen' last='Johnson']. [player_tooltip player_id='958772' first='Caeden' last='Weaver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1717740' first='Axton' last='Lange'] are two good linemen for the Pumas and [player_tooltip player_id='1604066' first='Kameron' last='Payne'] can get into the backfield on defense. Mission Viejo has a sophomore quarterback as well in [player_tooltip player_id='1291532' first='Brett' last='Burnor']. [player_tooltip player_id='1197564' first='Jack' last='Junker'] will lead the Diablos in receiving with their three big tight ends: [player_tooltip player_id='1382575' first='Luke' last='Karby'], [player_tooltip player_id='1344462' first='Max' last='Markofski'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2231348' first='Kole' last='Davis']</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='1621228' first='Jordan' last='Hicks'] leads Mission Viejo's secondary and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2127028' first='Desmond' last='Maxwell'] is a defensive back the coaches are high on. Chaparral will miss Weber's experience at quarterback but the Diablos are young and inexperienced at a lot of spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Brettburnor/status/2079369747880448159?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brettburnor/status/2079369747880448159?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TUSTIN VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Clemente already played a game and got a win in Hawaii to shake off the offseason rust. [player_tooltip player_id='2121939' first='Preston' last='Beck'] is 7-1 as a starting quarterback for the Tritons and did not play when San Clemente lost to Tustin in the season-opener last year. [player_tooltip player_id='661909' first='Jaxson' last='Rex'] had a touchdown catch for the Tritons and [player_tooltip player_id='1858610' first='Ryan' last='Matheson'] can rack up catches. Defensive end <strong>Gunnor Bachhuber</strong> had a nice game in the opener and Santa Margarita transfer [player_tooltip player_id='958815' first='Jonas' last='Hurley'] is a high-upside guy on the defensive line. Tustin is very good in the trenches with Washington commit Jon Iaone and BYU commit [player_tooltip player_id='668740' first='Jeremiah' last='Williams']. [player_tooltip player_id='1455302' first='Ayden' last='Edwards'] is back for his third year as the starting quarterback along with top receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1622362' first='Hayden' last='Koo'], who had an incredible offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='2106852' first='Jeremiah' last='Salvant'] is a very good receiver who doesn't get enough credit. [player_tooltip player_id='1197214' first='Taven' last='Epps'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197207' first='Khalil' last='Terry'] are four-year starters on Tustin's defense which gave San Clemente fits last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Tustin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tiller_Football/status/2089132112800805231?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tiller_Football/status/2089132112800805231?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ST. JOHN BOSCO VS. BISHOP GORMAN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some people have called this an early National Championship game. Bosco will have an excellent passing attack with [player_tooltip player_id='959174' first='Koa' last='Malau'ulu'], [player_tooltip player_id='408739' first='Darren' last='Tubbs Jr']. and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2065926' first='Kuika' last='Moaalii'] may have a breakout game on the national stage. This should be a defensive battle and the Braves have the horses on defense to hang with anyone. USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='1197597' first='Josiah' last='Poyer'] is one of the best linebackers in the state and [player_tooltip player_id='800123' first='Isala' last='Wily-Ava'] has big game experience in the secondary. Bishop Gorman has two quarterbacks in junior [player_tooltip player_id='551874' first='Ace' last='Amina'] and Western (Anaheim) transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1197380' first='Chance' last='Thomas']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='560923' first='Zyren' last='Menor']</strong> will be the top receiver for the Gaels. The defense is led by Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='560862' first='Hayden' last='Stepp'] at corner and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1992400' first='Brayley' last='Manning']. [player_tooltip player_id='940635' first='Tamatoa' last='Gaoteote'] is back after leading the team in tackles last season. Bishop Gorman is a tough opening game for Bosco but I'm not picking against this Bosco team this season barring injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. John Bosco </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/boscofootball/status/2089816553164562748?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/boscofootball/status/2089816553164562748?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->