HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Here are previews and predictions for the area’s biggest games tonight, highlighted by the City Section matchup between Chatsworth and Granada Hills. Also, two Mission League duels in Alemany-Notre Dame and Chaminade-Serra.
TODAY’S GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m. ALEMANY AT NOTRE DAME
Usually this Mission League matchup has a certain luster to it. Two traditional programs that share the same valley, battling for league supremacy. But Alemany has sputtered to 2-3 and Notre Dame (1-5, 0-1) is on a five-game losing skid.
Alemany has been picked to win the league, but the performance it put forth in nonleague play has left much to be desired. A statement win to start league play is a good way to show you’re a serious contender. The Warriors need to do that Friday night.
Prediction: Alemany
CHAMINADE AT SERRA
The Eagles (4-0, 1-0) are the sleeper team in the Mission League. Chaminade will look to go 2-0after topping Cathedral last week 43-6. Coach Ed Croson’s defense is stout and full of playmakers at each level. His offense is sound, led by a committee of athletes at almost every skill position, including two quarterbacks, Amari Powell and Indiana Wijay, who share time. Serra (2-3) had to pull out of its game last week against Alemany due to COVID-19. Not only will it be the Cavaliers’ first league game, but the team only returned to the field this week after going through quarantine. Prediction: Chaminade
ROYAL AT SIMI VALLEY
This game is always good for the community. Royal is 4-2 and Simi Valley is unbeaten at 7-0. But here’s what makes the game even more interesting: the Pioneers will be without Oregon State commit Travis Throckmorton. Which means promising freshman quarterback Steele Pizzella will start in a big Canyon League opener in front of 3,000 people, minimum.
Despite Pizzella’s inexperience, the key threat that Royal will have to stop is All-Area running back Caleb Alvary. I don’t see that happening. Prediction: Simi Valley
CHATSWORTH AT GRANADA HILLS
The Chancellors (5-1, 1-0West Valley) will have their hands full if Granada Hills running back Dijon Stanley makes his return Friday. Stanley has been out since the season opener, but he is expected to make his return.
The junior is a high-major NCAA Division I prospect with an offer from Michigan. If he plays, the Highlanders (2-3) will start their West Valley League campaign 1-0, even if it’s in front of no fans.
Granada Hills Charter is not permitting anyone to attend home athletic events this fall. It is the only school in Los Angeles County doing so. Maybe the lack of energy coming from the stands will be in favor of Chatsworth, which is trying to win on the road. We’ll see... Prediction: Granada Hills
WESTLAKE VS. SIERRA CANYON AT LA VALLEY COLLEGE
Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse will look across the field Friday night and see a familiar face in Westlake’s new coach Mark Serve. Serve was a longtime assistant at Sierra Canyon (3-3) before being hired at Westlake this past summer.
The Warriors (4-2) are having success under Serve, but they have played opponents that are a combined 11-19this season. Sierra Canyon, which is likely to be a CIF Southern Section Division 1playoff team, has faced the state’s best in Corona Centennial, Servite, Norco and Mission Viejo - which have a combined win-loss record of 22-2.
Prediction: Sierra Canyon
WEST RANCH VS. GOLDEN VALLEY AT CANYON HIGH
This game is worth keeping an eye on. West Ranch (5-1) is coming off an emotional win over Valencia, 23-20, which marked the first time in program history it has defeated the Vikings.
Led by junior quarterback Ryan Staub, the team’s dynamic offense is proving to be difficult to stop. But can Staub and teammates keep up the scoring with the added pressure? Once you knock off the big dog, you become the big dog. Can West Ranch keep its Foothill League title hopes alive in a game against a pesky Golden Valley (3-2) team that’s always well coached and tough?
Prediction: West Ranch