PREP FOOTBALL: JOHN MAFFEI’S WEEK 10 PICKS
La Costa Canyon tries to prevent Carlsbad from running away with the Avocado League title in tonight’s showdown contest
No. 3 Carlsbad (7-1, 5-0) at La Costa Canyon (5-3, 3-2)
When: 7 p.m., today Preview: With a nonleague game against Vista next week, this is the last chance to catch Carlsbad in the Avocado League. Carlsbad QB Aiden Sayin has thrown for 1,832 yards with 21 TDs and two interceptions. He has completed 70 percent of his passes in the Lancers’ current six-game win streak. In Justin Johnson, Nico Arboit, Griffin Rosenbloom and Zach Marshall, Sayin has four big-time receivers. RB Mason Walsh has 765 yards and nine TDs. Carlsbad is ranked No. 21 in the state. … La Costa Canyon has won its last two. QB Conner Annicharico has returned from injury, and has RB Andrew Maes as a weapon. LB Cooper Mau is a stand out on defense.
Prediction: Carlsbad 28, La Costa Canyon 14
Mission Hills (5-3, 2-2) at No. 9 El Camino (6-2, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m., today Preview: Should Carlsbad stumble, this game will have a bearing on the Avocado League race. Mission Hills has won three in a row, outscoring Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo and Torrey Pines 94-13. RB Santiago Salas is the key to the offense. …El Camino has won four in a row, including a 29-0 shutout of San Marcos last week. QB Carson Howard has thrown for 1,009 yards. He has a top WR in Tate Reid and two reliable RBs in Zuriel Eatmon and Devin CerdaJohnson.
Prediction: El Camino 28, Mission Hills 21
No. 6 Cathedral Catholic (3-5, 0-2) vs. St. Augustine (3-6, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m., today at San Diego Mesa College
Preview: The game has no bearing in the Western League race, but it is the Holy Bowl, matching the two long-time Catholic school rivals. Cathedral has played a brutally hard schedule, losing the last two to
No. 2 Lincoln (31-17) and No. 1 Madison (28-14). QB Jack Stevens and RB Will Bond lead the Dons. … St. Augustine lost to Lincoln (54-0) and Madison (55-14). Freshman QB Brady Palmar is the future of the Saints. Cathedral has won the last four in the series by a combined score of 159-49. Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 37, St. Augustine 17
Escondido Charter (6-2, 1-0) at Francis Parker (4-4, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m., today
Preview: This is a Pacific League first-place showdown. Led by QB Skylar MacMahon, RB Nicholas Patterson and WR Aiden Volk, the offense has scored 325 points. Dominic Schwarm has 51 tackles, three sacks and 13 TFL. … Doeverything
Chris Williams leads Parker with 1,622 total yards. He has scored 158 points with 20 TDs. And he has 38 tackles and four interceptions.
Prediction: Escondido Charter 27, Francis Parker 21
Fallbrook (6-2, 3-0) at San Pasqual (5-3, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m., today
Preview: Fallbrook can put a stranglehold on first place in the Valley League with a win. QB Evan Thomas has thrown for 639 yards, but the Warriors rely on RB Chris Bausch, who has 1,260 yards and 16 TDs, rushing for more than 100 yards in all eight games. Kaleb Collings is the key to a defense that has allowed just 84 points. … San Pasqual has
won its last two, outscoring Rancho Buena Vista and Ramona. The Eagles count on the rushing attack of QB Eli Griffin and RBs Noah Snyder and Wes Parker.
Prediction: Fallbrook 21, San Pasqual 20
Rancho Buena Vista (5-3, 1-2) at Valley Center (3-5, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m., today
Preview: After a 5-0 start, RBV has lost three in a row. So the Longhorns are playing for playoff seeding and to knock Valley Center out of the Valley League race. RBV is led by QB Connor Underhill, who has thrown for 1,336 yards, and RB Gino Trapasso, who has 1,235 yards and 15 TDs. … Valley Center has lost its last two to
Fallbrook and La Costa Canyon. The Jaguars are led by QB Colton Paxton. Prediction: Rancho Buena Vista 28, Valley Center 21
University City (6-2, Morse (5-3, 1-1)
3-0) at
When: 7 p.m., today
Preview: University City can wrap up the City League title with a win. QB Samuel Cooper, who has been hobbled, appears to be healthy. He has 1,404 yards passing and running with 15 TDs. RB LaDainian Lawrence has 714 yards and 39 tackles. WRs Troy Bassler and Dreyden Garner are Cooper’s favorite targets. Jack Stahl has 54 tackles and six sacks … Morse is led by QB Johnny Mosti, who has 2,145 yards and 19 TDs. RB Damarion Wright has 972 yards and 15 TDs. WR Aleonte Logan has 37 catches for 853 yards. Tremeir Morrow and Omar Ramirez lead the defense.
Prediction:
Morse 21
University City 35,
Christian (4-4, 2-0) at La Jolla (5-3, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m., today
Preview: A first-place showdown in the Eastern League. Christian comes in after upsetting Mira Mesa last week. The Patriots are led by QB Jake Davila, RB Aidan Hypes, TE Hunter Provience and WR Joey Merritt. … La Jolla QB Jackson Diehl has thrown for 1,506 yards and 22 TDs. His favorite target is Ryan Weinberg. RB Justin Scully has 796 yards and seven TDs rushing and receiving. Tommy Castronovo leads the defense with 71 tackles and three picks. Prediction: Christian 21, La Jolla 20
West Hills (6-2, 4-0) at Santana (3-5, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m., today Preview: The winner rules the Grossmont Valley League. Under the leadership of QB Collin Dill, West Hills has won four in a row, scoring 132 points. … Santana has won three of its last four. Prediction: West Hills 28, Santana 21
Mar Vista (3-5, 1-1) at Castle Park (3-4, 2-0)
When: 6:30 p.m., today
Preview: A Castle Park win sets up a Metro Pacific League first-place showdown next week with Chula Vista. Led by QB Aleks Wojcik, who has 2,375 yards total offense, Mar Vista will try and spoil that party. … Castle Park is led by RBs Ladell Hampton and Jeremiah Simler. QB Dillan Villareal has 691 yards passing. DE Noah Mathews has 51 tackles.
Prediction: Castle Park 31, Mar Vista 28
Last week: 7-3
Season: 69-21