Huntley’s Week 9 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>I had my worst week of the season in Week 8 going 2-4. One of the games was canceled due to the Norte fire in San Clemente. </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>CENTENNIAL VS. CHAPARRAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the two top teams in the Inland Empire and this game will decide the Big West North League championship. Centennial quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='709616' first='Jaden' last='Jefferson'] has thrown 14 touchdowns, ran for five and has scrambled for big yardage in league play. Centennial's running game has been excellent in league play with [player_tooltip player_id='427500' first='Malaki' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1514780' first='Braylin' last='Drake'], who has emerged as the team's leading rusher after being injured for much of the past two seasons. Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='1611201' first='Jaden' last='Walk-Green'] is back from injury and completely changes Centennial's defense. <strong>Matt Salmeron </strong>leads the defense in tackles and is having a breakout junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaparral is rolling on offense since Cal commit [player_tooltip player_id='1611225' first='Dane' last='Weber'] returned from injury. The Pumas are averaging 47 points per game since Weber's return and he is averaging 227 yards per game with eight touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1198367' first='Michael' last='“Kiko” Farinas'] has been the best playmaker in the Inland Empire with seven receiving touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1611263' first='Eli' last='Woodard'] has also been good at receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='1611298' first='Chase' last='Bonta'] is capable of big games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2448852' first='Caleb' last='Joy']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1604066' first='Kameron' last='Payne'] lead the defense and can get in the backfield frequently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Centennial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DaneWeber08/status/2111638866159661085?s=20","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/DaneWeber08/status/2111638866159661085?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ORANGE LUTHERAN VS. MATER DEI</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orange Lutheran has found a balance in its offense since turning things over to senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1197615' first='Reagan' last='Toki'], who is completing 72 percent of his passes for 638 yards with five touchdowns in league play. Toki began his high school career at Mater Dei and will be hungry to play well in this one. [player_tooltip player_id='1197219' first='Chris' last='Flores'] has been the top target for Toki and [player_tooltip player_id='1588182' first='Ryan' last='Christianson'] has ran the ball well in league play, even in the team's lone loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1146376' first='King' last='Rich Johnson'] leads the secondary with four interceptions and three pick-sixes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei lost two games in a row but has bounced back with two convincing wins over JSerra and Servite. [player_tooltip player_id='2450140' first='Paytyn' last='Guess'] has played well since taking over the starting job at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='1408794' first='Asir' last='Nembhard'] has run for three touchdowns in his last two games and ran for 211 yards last week. [player_tooltip player_id='2066025' first='Mark' last='Allen'] runs hard as well and is dangerous in the redzone. [player_tooltip player_id='1197325' first='Dailon' last='Clanton Jr.'] has four sacks in his last two games and had 10 tackles against Servite last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1197606' first='Ezekiel' last='Su'a'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197270' first='Mike' last='Davis'] are good run stoppers at inside linebacker and can cover backs out of the backfield. I think Mater Dei will be able to run the ball well against Orange Lutheran and avoid costly turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AsirNembhard/status/2111938447065878945?s=20","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/AsirNembhard/status/2111938447065878945?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN CLEMENTE VS. SAN JUAN HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Clemente didn't play last week due to much of its roster being displaced from their homes due to the Norte fire. San Clemente moves the ball well with its running game and can make big plays in the passing game once in awhile. [player_tooltip player_id='1858610' first='Ryan' last='Matheson'], a transfer from San Juan Hills, leads San Clemente in receiving and will want to have a big game against his former team. BYU commit [player_tooltip player_id='661909' first='Jaxson' last='Rex'] is the best two-way player in Orange County and I expect the Tritons to find creative ways to get him the ball in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Juan Hills had one of the best passing offenses in the Southern Section but will be without its quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1758285' first='Eiler' last='King'], who is a transfer from San Clemente. La Costa Canyon transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707773' first='Parker' last='Armstrong']</strong> will start at quarterback with some appearances by [player_tooltip player_id='1229814' first='John' last='Pintar']. Texas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1639259' first='Luke' last='Frith'] leads the Stallions in receiving with 894 yards with 14 touchdowns and <strong>Cooper Chila</strong> has been another good two-way player. [player_tooltip player_id='1698929' first='Maxwell' last='Porter'] has 19 tackles for a loss and [player_tooltip player_id='1658274' first='Noah' last='Howell'] is coming off a huge game against Yorba Linda. In a game that may feature two backup quarterbacks, defense may win the game and I like San Clemente's better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Clemente</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/2113250306935152791?s=20","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/2113250306935152791?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/luke_frith5/status/2111123167842595012?s=20","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/luke_frith5/status/2111123167842595012?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LONG BEACH POLY VS. MILLIKAN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will decide the Moore League championship and features two teams that had tremendous struggles to start the season but are playing very well recently. Long Beach Poly's offense has been great since Mater Dei transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2066034' first='Trevor' last='Scott'] became eligible and he has completed 73 percent of his passes for 304 yards per game with seven touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691313' first='Jayden' last='Coley']</strong> has been his top target and [player_tooltip player_id='551831' first='Zion' last='Anderson'] is a playmaker. Poly held Millikan to 122 passing yards when the teams met last season and [player_tooltip player_id='1197222' first='Donte' last='Wright'] was dominant in that game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millikan has scored 92 points in its last two games and the running game has been dominant with <strong>Ryan Carter</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2163942' first='Aden' last='Taufa']. [player_tooltip player_id='1604109' first='Jonah' last='Tuaniga'] has played well recently and [player_tooltip player_id='1197385' first='Jay' last='Williams'] is a receiver to watch for the Rams. I think this game will have a lot of points and I like Poly's offense a bit better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Long Beach Poly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/T_Scott4x/status/2109383047766548800?s=20","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/T_Scott4x/status/2109383047766548800?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN PEDRO VS. CARSON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be a preview of the LA City Section Open Division championship game and this game will decide the Marine League championship. Carson quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Chris' last='Fields III'] has 16 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns this season. He is the best quarterback in the City Section and one of the best uncommitted quarterbacks in the state after recommitting from Georgetown recently. Carson's defense has not allowed an opponent to score over 14 points in its last five games and is led by [player_tooltip player_id='2124192' first='Kingston' last='Sula'] and <strong>Preston Leomiti</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Pedro has a star quarterback of its own in [player_tooltip player_id='2136096' first='Seth' last='Solorio'] who has thrown for 219 yards per game with 23 touchdowns. Mary Star transfer <strong>Johnny Rivera</strong> has rushed for 226 yards with four touchdowns in its last two games. San Pedro's defense has 12 sacks and will try to force Fields into bad decisions with pressure. I expect Fields to scramble for big yardage in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Carson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CarsonColts_FB/status/2101202818044715219?s=20","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/CarsonColts_FB/status/2101202818044715219?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CARLSBAD VS. LA COSTA CANYON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlsbad can clinch the Avocado West League championship with a win against its crosstown rival La Costa Canyon. [player_tooltip player_id='1197620' first='Darian' last='Webb'] is the leading rusher in San Diego and has rushed for 509 yards with seven touchdowns in his last two games and has five multi-touchdown games this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1566773' first='Antonio' last='D'Alessandro'] has completed 79 percent of his passes for 163 yards per game with 17 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2457441' first='Luke' last='Labrum'] started at quarterback for La Costa Canyon last week and threw for 291 yards with four touchdowns in a win over El Camino last week. <strong>Blake Larson</strong> is a top receiver for the Mavericks and <strong>Ryder Montgomery</strong> is a playmaker out of the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2371068' first='George' last='Collins']</strong> leads La Costa Canyon's defense with 93 tackles. I think Carlsbad is the best team in San Diego and Webb is an All-State candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Carlsbad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DarianWebb2/status/2109499180230328432?s=20","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/DarianWebb2/status/2109499180230328432?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CREAN LUTHERAN VS. CORONA DEL MAR</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crean Lutheran can clinch a share of the Bravo League title with a win in this game. The Saints have rushed for at least 190 yards in each of its last four games with 12 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Caleb' last='Bey'] Jr. ran for 170 yards last week and has seven rushing touchdowns in his last two games. [player_tooltip player_id='1197336' first='Caden' last='Jones'] completed all 18 of his passes for 190 yards last week against La Habra and [player_tooltip player_id='1382581' first='Braylen' last='Ross'] has been his top target all season. [player_tooltip player_id='1199093' first='Ahmeer' last='Williamson'] is the top run stopper for Crean Lutheran and the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1611238' first='Evan' last='Mack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1293191' first='Troy' last='Roberts'] lead the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corona del Mar is coming off its first loss of the season to Capo Valley last week and suffered an injury to its starting quarterback. Backup [player_tooltip player_id='2004289' first='Luca' last='DiNapoli'] is more than capable of leading the offense and started some games to start the season. [player_tooltip player_id='2252683' first='JJ' last='Haley'] is a top receiver for the Sea Kings and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734922' first='Nolan' last='Scott']</strong> is a playmaker to watch on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1797946' first='Tucker' last='Murray'] is an All-County candidate on defense and is well-balanced as a run stopper and a cover safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Crean Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CadenJonesss1/status/2112745082994794870?s=20","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/CadenJonesss1/status/2112745082994794870?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S RECORD: </strong>42-20<a href="https://prepredzone.com/app/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->