JOHN MAFFEI’S PICKS
U-T prep writer picks 10 of tonight’s top football games, highlighted by a crosstown rivalry
All games at 7 p.m., unless noted: Oceanside (3-2) at No. 8 El Camino (3-1) Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Preview: Oceanside went 0-10 last season and was dropped from the uber-competitive Avocado League to the Valley League. So the game with El Camino is a non-league affair. Still, this is one of the top rivalries in the county. New Oceanside coach Fale Poumele has the Pirates on the right path, winning two in a row. Sophomore QB Andrew Miller and RB Georgie Nua are the keys to the offense. The lines on both sides of the ball are vastly improved. … El Camino has won three games in a row since an openingweek loss to Mission Viejo. It outscored those three opponents 146-14, including a school-record-setting 69-6 win over Mt. Carmel last week. QB Carson Howard and RBs Devin Cerda and Leonidas Bell lead the offense. … El Camino has won the last three games in this series, taking last season’s game, 41-6.
Prediction: El Camino 31, Oceanside 13
Mission Bay (4-1) at Morse (2-2)
Preview: Mission Bay got off to a fast start but stalled last week, losing 14-7 to La Jolla. …. Morse has played good defense, allowing just 73 points in four games. But the Tigers have scored only 51 and have lost two in a row. Prediction: Mission Bay 28,
Morse 14 Valhalla (2-3) vs. Christian (3-2) At El Cajon High School Preview:
Led by Dominic Silva, Valhalla has rushed 136 times and thrown just 29 passes. Silva has 92 of the team’s 136 carries for 772 of 922 yards. … Christian likes to throw the
ball, with QB Spencer Johnson passing to Dylan Eads and Brady Eads. The Patriots have won two in a row, while Valhalla has lost two in a row. Prediction: Christian 24, Valhalla 21
Scripps Ranch (2-2) at Crawford (4-1)
Preview: Scripps Ranch had won two in a row before a 17-7 loss to Mira Mesa last week. The Falcons haven’t allowed more than 17 points in any game. …. Crawford has won three in a row since a loss to La Jolla Country Day. The Colts average 8.7 yards per rush, led by Joseph Minchello. Prediction: Scripps Ranch 24, Crawford 17
Escondido Charter (2-2) at Kearny (4-0)
Preview: Escondido Charter has a nice pass-run punch in QB Travis Grayson, who has thrown for 586 yards, and RB Nick Patterson, who has 96 carries for 650 yards. … Kearny attacks behind QB Brodie Stump (973 passing
yards) and four receivers, each with more than 100 yards. The Komets are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1973 CIF Championship team that went 12-0-1 and beat Patrick Henry in the title game. Prediction: Escondido Charter 24, Kearny 21
Montgomery (2-3) at Canyon Hills (0-5)
Preview: The teams have a common opponent. Montgomery lost to Coronado 22-21 in Week 1. Canyon Hills lost to the Islanders 21-14 last week. Prediction: Montgomery 31, Canyon Hills 28
No. 10 St. Augustine (3-2) at Mater Dei Catholic (1-3)
Preview: The young Saints are led by soph QB Brady Palmer, who has thrown for 521 yards. The Saints also have four top RBs in Parker Patterson, Humble Faalave-Johnson, William Flores and Parker Johnson. … Mater Dei Catholic has played one of the county’s toughest schedules, losing to No. 1 Lincoln (54-19), No. 2 Carlsbad 48-14 and No. 9
Cathedral Catholic (55-14) before beating Point Loma last week.
Prediction: St. Augustine 27, Mater Dei Catholic 21
Bishop’s (1-3) vs Classical Academy (2-3) at Del Norte High School Preview:
Bishop’s snapped a three-game losing streak by stunning Mount Miguel last week. QB Cash Herrera leads the Knights. … Classical Academy opened the season with a pair of wins, but lost to Morse and Hoover the last two weeks. QB Maverick Rochholtz is the leader.
Prediction: Bishop’s 24, Classical Academy 21
Patrick Henry (2-2) at Escondido (2-3)
Preview: Patrick Henry had a bye last week after back-toback wins over West Hills and Morse. … Escondido is coming off a loss to Oceanside. The Cougars attack behind freshman QB Caden Thompson; they have run the ball just 44 times in five games. Prediction: Patrick Henry 28, Escondido 24
No. 7 Madison (2-2) at No. 3 Granite Hills (4-0)
Preview: Madison has lost two in a row, then had a bye last week to regroup. QB Ryley Parenteau and RB Jaylon Brown are the leaders on offense. … Granite Hills, which has won 13 in a row, has outscored foes 120-51 and 69-13 the last two weeks, beating Eastlake (35-7) and Central Union (34-6), and is ranked No. 32 in the state. Frosh QB Zachary Benitez has thrown for 640 yards. RB Max Turner has 364 rushing yards and Pablo Jackson has 389 yards rushing and receiving. Brenden Lewis has 18 catches. Prediction: Granite Hills 31, Madison 27
Last week: 9-1
Season: 36-14