Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now.
Here are previews and predictions for the top local games Friday night
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 Oaks Christian vs. St. Bonaventure, at Ventura College, 7 p.m. (Thursday)
GAME PREVIEW: Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure clash in Marmonte League football title game
FRIDAY’S TOP GAMES
(All games start 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise)
Sierra Canyon (5-4) at Notre Dame (4-5)
The Trailblazers are playing their best football at the right time, and with one game left on the schedule, there’s no way they’ll squander the opportunity to win a Mission League title by taking the Knights lightly.
Sierra Canyon can claim sole possession of the league crown with a win in Sherman Oaks and a Chaminade loss (to Serra). If Sierra Canyon and Chaminade are victorious, they’ll be crowned co-champions at 4-1. However, for playoff seeding purposes, Sierra Canyon will be the league’s No. 1 team due to it head-to-head victory over Chaminade.
Prediction: Sierra Canyon. Too much at stake to lose.
Tarek’s Takes: Sierra Canyon football eyes Mission League title after 2-4 start
Serra (5-4) at Chaminade (8-1)
The Eagles’ loss to Sierra Canyon might have been a good thing. It’s possible that was fans will see Friday night when Chaminade hosts a very strong and fast Serra team, led by Rodrick Pleasant and Cincere Rhaney.
Chaminade’s ego has been checked, and at the right time. If the Eagles can stop Serra’s powerful run game, it shouldn’t need too many points to win. The lower the score, the better for Serra. The more points, the better for the Eagles.
If Chaminade loses Friday night, it will drop to third place in the Mission League.
Prediction: Chaminade. Eagles are re-focused.
LA Daily News high school football rankings, Oct. 24
Newbury Park (8-1) at Camarillo (7-2)
The winner of this game will produce the second-place finisher in the Canyon League behind 9-0 champion Thousand Oaks.
Freshman quarterback Brady Smigiel has already thrown 36 touchdowns this season, which is a CIF State record for a freshman in the regular season. The overall record (including playoffs) is 40 touchdowns thrown by Rancho Verde’s AJ Duffy in 2016.
No matter the result, both teams will automatically qualify to the playoffs from the eight-team league. However, a second-place finish would earn a better seeding than third place.
Newbury Park hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017, and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2014. There’s a buzz swirling around town with a belief that, that could change this year.
Prediction: Newbury Park. Panthers find a way on the road.
Golden Valley vs. Saugus, at Canyon High
Golden Valley wants this one badly, well, at least coach Dan Kelley does. The Grizzlies have been part of a three-way tie in 2019 and 2021, and it could be a third time in four years if they don’t win Friday night.
Golden Valley will secure the Foothill League’s sole possession of second place with a win, but if not, it will fall into a three-way tie for third with Valencia and Hart at 3-2 (with likely wins over Canyon and Castaic, respectively). A coinflip will decide which team will earn that third, automatic qualification into the postseason.
Prediction: Saugus wins the game. Golden Valley wins the coinflip.
St. Francis (6-3) at Loyola (4-5)
The Golden Knights, similar to Sierra Canyon, have turned their season around after starting 1-3. St. Francis has won five straight, including four straight Angelus League games. A win Friday night over Loyola (3-1 Angelus) will give St. Francis the league crown outright.
Even with a loss, St. Francis has done enough to earn a share of the league title. A team like St. Francis will be dangerous in the postseason.
Prediction: St. Francis. QB Jack Jacobs leads the way.
Related Articles
Daily News’ high school football schedule for Week 10, Oct. 27-28
CIF-SS girls volleyball playoffs: Wednesday’s game scores, updated schedule for Saturday, Oct. 29
Oaks Christian girls volleyball teams takes down Chino Hills in Division 3 quarterfinal match
St. Joseph girls volleyball loses to Chaminade in CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinals
Mission League boys, girls basketball will showcase country’s best talent