Huntley’s SoCal Picks (Week Two)
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Huntley’s season record: 8-6 Orange vs. Yorba Linda Analysis: Orange is already preparing itself for the playoffs by playing a nonleague schedule that is full of teams in the Top 25 in Orange County. They played a very competitive game against…
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Continue ReadingHuntley’s season record: 8-6
Orange vs. Yorba Linda
Analysis: Orange is already preparing itself for the playoffs by playing a nonleague schedule that is full of teams in the Top 25 in Orange County. They played a very competitive game against crosstown rival Villa Park last week and now take on Villa Park’s league rival Yorba Linda. Zachary Siskowic Zachary Siskowic 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Notre Dame | 2022 State CA was great in moments against Villa Park but made some mistakes which were understandable. Villa Park was able to contain Kobe Boykin Kobe Boykin 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Los Alamitos | 2024 CA and prevent big plays. Yorba Linda is a big play machine with quarterback Reyn Beal and Chase Jones. The key matchup here is Yorba Linda’s defense led by Wyatt Mosier against Orange’s rushing offense. If the Mustangs can shut down Orange’s running game like Villa Park did and make them one dimensional, it will be a nice night for the home team.
The pick: Yorba Linda
Culver City vs. Loyola
Analysis: Loyola is a hard team to get a read on because the offense isn’t playing to its full potential right now. Tahj Owens Tahj Owens 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Loyola | 2022 State CA is a good running back but was contained against Damien. San Diego State commit Jacoby Kelly Jacoby Kelly 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Loyola | 2022 State CA is an elite receiver who has been kept dormant this season. Loyola’s defense however has been great led by Patrick Sodl Patrick Sodl 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Loyola | 2022 State CA and Shawn Lin Shawn Lin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Loyola | 2022 State CA . Culver City is a very young team led by quarterback Alonzo Esparza that will win a lot of games this season. The question of the game is will Esparza and the young Culver City offense be able to move the ball consistently against Loyola’s defense?
The pick: Loyola
Mission Viejo vs. Long Beach Poly
Analysis: Poly suffered a disappointing loss to Serra in its season opener. Darius Curry Darius Curry 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Long Beach Poly | 2024 State CA played better than Shea Kuykendall Shea Kuykendall 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Long Beach Poly | 2022 State CA at quarterback and we will still see both this week against Mission. Donovan Yandall was great for the Jackrabbits on defense and gets in the backfield regularly. Mission Viejo lost to Servite but almost any team in the state would have. Mikey Matthews Mikey Matthews 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA is the best receiver that Poly will likely face all season. I don’t think that Long Beach Poly will be able to exploit Mission Viejo’s defense the way Servite did, but they may not need to in order to win this game.
The pick: Mission Viejo
Chaminade vs. Cathedral Catholic
Analysis: Cathedral Catholic lost to Centennial of Corona which surprised some fans in San Diego but it wasn’t surprising or shameful at all. Centennial is a powerhouse. The Dons passing game struggled against Centennial and faces a tough matchup with Chaminade’s young secondary this week, led by Marquis Gallegos Marquis Gallegos 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA and Ruben Gamboa Ruben Gamboa 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA . Lucky Sutton Lucky Sutton 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB Cathedral Catholic | 2022 State CA was great for Cathedral Catholic last week and he will need to have a big game again to beat The Nade. Chaminade isn’t as lethal offensively as Centennial is and the Dons have home field advantage. Kudos to Cathedral Catholic for scheduling top Southern Section teams in its nonleague schedule by the way.
The pick: Chaminade
Edison vs. Orange Lutheran
Analysis: Orange Lutheran’s defense is great but they faced a one-dimensional offense in Upland last week. The good news for the Lancers is that Edison is best when it runs the ball well and Orange Lutheran can stop the run. Troy Fletcher is a great running back but it is a question mark whether or not Edison’s offensive line can block Orange Lutheran’s front. Orange Lutheran has the QB advantage with Logan Gonzalez Logan Gonzalez 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Orange Lutheran | 2022 State CA over Parker Awad. This game is telling because if Edison beats Orange Lutheran, then the Lancers may be in trouble for Trinity League play.
The pick: Orange Lutheran
Lincoln vs. Mission Hills
Analysis: Lincoln should be feeling confident after playing a close game against Los Alamitos but how healthy are they after that tough game? Nathan Acevedo was great and Jalen Daniels Jalen Daniels 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2022 State CA was impressive going toe-to-toe with an elite Los Al quarterback. Lincoln’s defense stepped up to the plate with its corners Jalil Tucker Jalil Tucker 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Lincoln | 2022 State CA and Jahlil Florence Jahlil Florence 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Lincoln - San Diego | 2022 State CA . Mission Hills has another great quarterback in Gunnar Hensley Gunnar Hensley 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Mission Hills | 2022 CA . Matt Martin and Jordan Dwyer are great athletes that can hang with the Lincoln guys. This is one of the best games of the week.
The pick: Lincoln
Centennial vs. Sierra Canyon
Analysis: Centennial was fantastic against Cathedral Catholic last week. Izzy Carter Izzy Carter 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Centennial - Corona | 2023 State CA rushed for 148 yards with four total touchdowns and Carson Conklin Carson Conklin 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Centennial - Corona | 2023 State CA threw a touchdown as well. Jayson Cortes had a breakout game at running back and Malachi Riley Malachi Riley 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Centennial | 2023 State CA had two touchdown catches. Sierra Canyon’s defense matches up pretty well with pass rusher Ezekiel Larry Ezekiel Larry 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Sierra Canyon | 2022 State CA , and top defensive players Angelo Pulido and Kamari Ramsey Kamari Ramsey 6'1" | 200 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2022 State CA . It will be interesting to see if Daniel Duran Daniel Duran 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Sierra Canyon | 2022 State CA , Jason Jones Jason Jones 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Sierra Canyon | 2022 State CA and the Sierra Canyon offense can score consistently on Centennial’s defense.
The pick: Centennial