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Here are previews and predictions to the top local games Friday night.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Chaminade at Bishop Amat, 7 p.m.
GAME PREVIEW: Chaminade takes perfect record on the road to face Bishop Amat
FRIDAY’S TOP GAMES
(All games start 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise)
No. 4 Sierra Canyon (3-4) at Gardena Serra (4-3)
This game feels like a must-win for Sierra Canyon, which is 1-1 in the Mission League after its win over Alemany last week. A win over Serra would give the Trailblazers (3-4) some breathing room before taking on Chaminade next week. A loss would put even more pressure on next week’s game against Chaminade and potentially knock them out of contention for an automatic playoff spot.
Serra is also 1-1, even though it’s 2-0 on the field. The Cavs win over Notre Dame Sherman Oaks was deemed a forfeit for an ineligible player. Serra is coming off a win over Bishop Amat, which beat the Trailblazers.
Sierra Canyon has yet to win a big game this season.
Prediction: Serra. It’s a toss up, but I like the Cavs at home.
Santa Barbara Bishop Diego (4-3) at No. 10 Calabasas (5-2)
This could be Calabasas’ biggest game of the season after showing what it’s capable of in a 39-32 win at Simi Valley last week. Bishop Diego is still in search of its first Marmonte League victory, but it may not have the weapons to keep up with the high-powered offense of the Coyotes.
Friday night is Calabasas’ league home opener. I expect the Coyotes to put on a show for the home crowd.
Tarek’s Takes: Calabasas football isn’t settling for last place in Marmonte League
Prediction: Calabasas. Coyotes move to 2-1 in league play.
No. 14 Moorpark (5-2) at No. 5 Thousand Oaks (7-0)
The Lancers have a chance to clinch at least a share of the Canyon League title Friday night at home, and it’s likely to happen with Chase Martin leading the way. Clinching the league title would be quite the story after the program endured a 26-game losing streak before coach Evan Yabu took over.
Prediction: Thousand Oaks. Lancers stay unbeaten.
Notre Dame (3-4) at No. 15 Alemany (2-4)
This game will determine who doesn’t finish last in the Mission League. For those who’ve been following San Fernando Valley high school football for a long time, it’s a sore sight to see two programs struggling so mightily – including Crespi at 0-7 which used to be in the Mission League.
Alemany doesn’t have a quarterback. Advantage, Notre Dame.
Prediction: Notre Dame. Knights win with more versatility.
Taft (3-4) vs. El Camino Real (4-3), at Cleveland High
The battle of Woodland Hills … in Reseda.
El Camino Real will look to move to 3-0 in the West Valley League when it faces Taft in a rivalry game that will be played at Cleveland High due to ECR’s turf field being deemed unplayable this season.
The Royals are scheduled to play every game away from its campus this season, including the playoffs.
Prediction: El Camino Real. ECR wins to set up showdown with Birmingham next week.
Kennedy at Canoga Park, 7:30 p.m.
It’s the battle of unbeatens in the Valley Mission League. Kennedy is 2-0 and Canoga Park is 3-0. However, the Hunters strength of schedule is what will make the difference in this game.
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Canoga Park has played two Southern Section schools (Canyon and Village Christian) and a City Section Open Division team in Garfield this season. Kennedy did play Franklin (also a City Open-caliber team) on October 7, but I think the more battle-tested team will win Friday night.
Both teams like to run the ball.
Prediction: Canoga Park. Corie Ruell leads the way.