Huntley’s Week 8 Picks
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Each week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California. Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week: LOS ALAMITOS VS. EDISON This is the Sunset League championship game.…
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Continue ReadingEach week I will breakdown and make predictions for seven games in Southern California.
Here is a look at what I think are the top games of the week:
LOS ALAMITOS VS. EDISON
This is the Sunset League championship game. Los Alamitos has been dominating opponents as of late and its offense seems unstoppable. Malachi Nelson Malachi Nelson 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA and Makai Lemon Makai Lemon 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA suffered injuries last week against Corona del Mar but both will play Thursday. Damian Henderson Damian Henderson 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA has been a fantastic addition at running back and may be the difference maker in this game. Los Alamitos’ defensive line is great led by T.A. Cunningham T.A. Cunningham 6'6" | 270 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2024 CA and Sinn Brennan Sinn Brennan 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , but Edison is one of the few teams that has the offensive line to hang with them, led by Nathan Gates Nathan Gates 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Edison | 2023 State CA . Parker Awad has been mistake-free for Edison this season and will need to have a huge game. I almost picked the upset here, but I think Henderson adds a whole new element to Los Alamitos’ offense. By the way, I want to see both of these teams in the Division 1 playoffs. They deserve it.
The pick: Los Alamitos
DOWNEY VS. WARREN
This is a fun crosstown rivalry and both teams are led by two excellent quarterbacks. Aidan Chiles Aidan Chiles 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Downey | 2023 State CA of Downey has been very hot lately and Bryant Carey has been a real No. 1 receiver. Nico Iamaleava Nico Iamaleava 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Warren | 2023 State CA of Warren is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. They have built a good receiving corps around him with Jeremiah Ingram and Darius Cowens Darius Cowens 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Warren | 2023 State CA . Marcus Higgs Marcus Higgs 5'11" | 220 lbs | RB Warren | 2023 State CA had a huge game against Downey last season and the Vikings had trouble stopping the running game. This is likely the Gateway League championship game.
The pick: Warren
EL DORADO VS. EL MODENA
This may be a rare year where the North Hills League is more compelling than the Crestview League. Two of the top teams in the conference meet this week in this matchup. El Dorado proved a lot to me by hanging with Yorba Linda two weeks ago and they bounced back with a huge win over Brea Olinda last week. Nate Bento Nate Bento 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB El Dorado | 2024 State CA is efficient at quarterback and Isaiah Quintero is a quality running back. El Modena has an excellent running game led by Owen Smith and quarterback Xzavior Guess. Mayson Hitchens Mayson Hitchens 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB El Modena | 2023 State CA may be the best player on the field in this game. Both teams have excellent offensive lines. This will be a very close game and I just think El Modena has challenged itself a bit more in nonleague play.
The pick: El Modena
CHARTER OAK VS. AYALA
These are two of the best quarterbacks in the San Gabriel Valley/Inland Empire area. Richie Munoz Richie Munoz 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Charter Oak | 2023 State CA of Charter Oak has been destroying defenses and spreading the ball around effectively. Solomon Davis Solomon Davis 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Charter Oak | 2023 State CA and Isaiah Johnson have been great at receiver. Langston Davis has been good on defense and Lavar Arrington Lavar Arrington 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB Charter Oak | 2025 State CA is a great sophomore. Bryan Wilson Bryan Wilson 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Roosevelt | 2024 State CA of Ayala has so much upside as a quarterback for Ayala. He was dominant against a very good Glendora team and his top target Dominic Alloway gets open against multiple coverages. Ayala has the advantage in the trenches and they are the best team Charter Oak has played so far.
The pick: Ayala
RIO MESA VS. PACIFICA/OXNARD
This is another fun game in the chaotic Channel League. Rio Mesa’s two losses are by a combined four points. JJ Bittner JJ Bittner 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Rio Mesa | 2025 State CA is a very good sophomore quarterback and he completed passes to seven different receivers in a win over Oxnard last week. Jaden Washington is a great athlete at linebacker and Rio Mesa can tackle. Pacifica has marquee players and has dominated its last four games. They have two sophomore quarterbacks who are college prospects in Dominic Duran and Tagg Harrison Tagg Harrison 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Tolleson | 2025 State AZ . Josh Joyner Josh Joyner 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Pacifica - Oxnard | 2024 State CA is a playmaker at running back and Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Pacifica | 2025 State CA may be the best sophomore receiver in the state. Pacifica is just too talented for Rio Mesa.
The pick: Pacifica
CHAMINADE VS. BISHOP AMAT
The Mission League is so competitive and the top teams are close together. Bishop Amat got a two overtime win over Sierra Canyon and stumbled against Serra last week. Aiden Ramos Aiden Ramos 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Bishop Amat | 2023 State CA and Stacey Bey are solid at running back for the Lancers and Richard Munoz Jr Richard Munoz Jr 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Bishop Amat | 2024 State CA . seems to be back to getting the most reps at quarterback. Delano Franklin Delano Franklin 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Bishop Amat | 2023 State CA can make big plays but has been contained by the top teams. Chaminade has the edge at quarterback with San Diego State commit Javance Tupouata-Johnson Javance Tupouata-Johnson 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Chaminade | 2023 State CA . Jaelon Barbarin Jaelon Barbarin 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Chaminade | 2023 State CA has been great at running back for Chaminade. Isaiah Chisom Isaiah Chisom 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Chaminade | 2023 State CA and Marquis Gallegos Marquis Gallegos 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA are two outstanding defensive backs that can make it tough on Amat’s passing game.
The pick: Chaminade
MISSION VIEJO VS. SAN CLEMENTE
Mission Viejo has dominated San Clemente recently at home but is 0-2 at San Clemente under coach Chad Johnson. The Diablos passing offense is among the best in the county with quarterback Kadin Semonza Kadin Semonza 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA and receivers Mikey Matthews Mikey Matthews 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA , Jackson Holman Jackson Holman 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA and KJ Reed KJ Reed 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA . San Clemente can stop the run but we will see if the secondary led by Brad Gerken Brad Gerken 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB San Clemente | 2023 CA and Ryder Insley can cover the Diablos receivers. San Clemente will need to pressure Semonza with Connor Bachhuber Connor Bachhuber 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL San Clemente | 2024 State CA and Nolan Reid. The Tritons will likely go with a two quarterback attack with Broderick Redden Broderick Redden 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE San Clemente | 2024 State CA and Dylan Mills Dylan Mills 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB San Clemente | 2024 State CA . Running back Blake Allen has missed the past few games. Michael Damato Michael Damato 6'0" | 205 lbs | DB Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA is an All-County candidate for Mission Viejo on defense and Jonathan Becerra Jonathan Becerra 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA can get into the backfield. This will be for the South Coast League championship.
The pick: Mission Viejo
Huntley’s Record: 36-20