PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS FOOTBALL WEEK 8 EDITION

Week 8 of the CIF Southern Section season opens with a Thursday night doubleheader at SoFi Stadium, a Delta League road trip for the unbeaten Oilers, and a Friday night Trinity League showdown between the top two teams in the JPWest Media rankings. The slate also includes a ranked Sea View League matchup at Thalassa Stadium and a late kickoff back under the lights at SoFi.

Tustin (4-3) @ Villa Park (6-1)
Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 PM — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Photographer: Joey Gray

The Tillers arrive after a 28-14 loss to Corona del Mar that left them 0-2 in league play. Tustin has size and multi-position athletes such as senior running back Devon Benavente and junior quarterback Ayden Edwards, but the recent results show a team still searching for sustained drives against better opponents. Villa Park comes off a 36-33 win over La Habra in which sophomore quarterback Jacob Titchenal completed 25 of 34 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Coy Collins carried 29 times for 220 yards and three scores, including a 59-yard touchdown, while senior receiver Ben Hannah finished with 13 catches for 138 yards and a score. The Spartans totaled 511 yards and have won five of their last six.

Villa Park’s recent ability to finish drives after big plays, paired with the stage at SoFi, gives the Spartans the clearer path. Tustin will need to tackle Collins in the open field and force Titchenal into third-and-long if it hopes to stay within striking distance.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Collins gets loose early and Villa Park’s offense keeps the Tillers on their heels. Villa Park 34, Tustin 20.

#16 Huntington Beach (7-0) @ Western (0-7)
Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 PM — Handel Stadium (Western High School, Anaheim, CA)
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

The Oilers stayed perfect with a 21-16 road win at Dana Hills. Senior quarterback Brady Edmunds completed 17 of 27 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Dylin Bruce caught six passes for 115 yards and a score, while Skylar Robinson added five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Huntington Beach forced two interceptions despite being outgained. Western remains winless after a 36-7 loss to Troy. Junior quarterback Kingston Stokely completed 18 of 38 passes for 205 yards but threw three interceptions. Senior running back Kelton Strickland managed just 33 yards on 16 carries, and the Pioneers have now lost seven straight.

Huntington Beach’s experience in close games and its ability to generate explosive plays through Edmunds and Bruce should be decisive against a Western defense that has struggled to create negative plays or force turnovers.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Edmunds hits Bruce on a deep ball and the Oilers’ defense forces another early turnover. Huntington Beach 38, Western 13.

#17 Palos Verdes (6-1) @ Mira Costa (2-6)
Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 PM — Mira Costa High School (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Photographer: Joey Gray

Palos Verdes dropped a 26-23 decision to Inglewood last week, a one-score loss that cost ground in the rankings but did not erase a 6-1 overall record built on physical play. The Sea Kings still possess the size and depth to control the line of scrimmage. Mira Costa enters at 2-6 after a loss to Leuzinger. The Mustangs have seniors such as quarterback Wyatt Nucci and running backs Ethan Javahery and Jacob Casas, but the results have shown a team that has struggled to finish drives and limit big plays.

Palos Verdes should be able to lean on its front and force Mira Costa into long-yardage situations. A bounce-back performance on the road remains the expectation for a Sea Kings team that is still firmly in the playoff picture.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Palos Verdes wins the line of scrimmage and limits Mira Costa to short gains. Palos Verdes 27, Mira Costa 10.

Newport Harbor (5-2) @ Aliso Niguel (2-5)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 PM — Aliso Niguel High School (Aliso Viejo, CA)
Photographer: Joey Gray
Reporter: Justin Lee

The Sailors put up 44 points in a 44-19 win over Tesoro. Senior quarterback Jordan Spigarelli completed 7 of 12 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Pepe Tena rushed for 119 yards and a score on 19 carries, while senior receiver Ryan Palmer caught four passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns. Newport Harbor has shown the ability to score in bunches through both the run and the pass. Aliso Niguel fell 28-17 to Brea Olinda and sits at 2-5. The Wolverines have seniors such as receiver Tate Fettig and running back Nick Bisaccia, but recent results indicate a defense that has struggled to slow efficient offenses.

Newport Harbor’s explosive receivers and complementary run game should create problems for an Aliso Niguel secondary that has allowed chunk plays in recent weeks.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Palmer scores early and Spigarelli keeps the chains moving against a Wolverines defense that has given up big plays. Newport Harbor 35, Aliso Niguel 14.

JPWest Media Game of the Week: #1 Santa Margarita (7-0) @ #2 St. John Bosco (6-1)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 PM — Panish Family Stadium (St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, CA)
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck
Reporter: Justin Rosette

This is the matchup the county has been pointing toward. Santa Margarita enters as the top-ranked team in the JPWest Media Top 25 after a 27-3 win over Servite, a game in which the Eagles’ defense limited the Friars to a single field goal and junior Jaion Smith scored from the 1-yard line late. The Eagles have now started 7-0 with signature wins that include a 14-7 victory over Mater Dei. St. John Bosco is 6-1 after a 28-14 win over Orange Lutheran. The Braves have the talent and the home-field advantage at Panish Family Stadium, a facility that has hosted some of the biggest high school games in the state.

Santa Margarita’s defense has been the constant, holding opponents to low scoring outputs while the offense has found ways to finish drives. Bosco’s size on both lines and its ability to create explosive plays through its skill players make this a true national-level clash. The winner will solidify its place at the top of the Trinity League and the JPWest Media rankings.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Santa Margarita’s front forces a late stop and the Eagles escape with a narrow road win. Santa Margarita 21, St. John Bosco 17.

Los Alamitos (0-7) @ Edison (2-5)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 PM — Cap Sheue Field (Edison High School, Huntington Beach, CA)
Photographer: John Clingan
Reporter: Zachary Grech

Los Alamitos was shut out 40-0 by San Clemente last week and remains winless. The Griffins have struggled to generate consistent offense or stop the run. Edison fell 28-20 to San Juan Hills but has shown flashes with senior quarterback Sam Thomson and a group of seniors on both sides of the ball, including running back Samuel Edmisten and defensive back Blaise Burwell. Cap Sheue Field has been a place where the Chargers have competed in close games this season.

Edison’s experience and the home-field setting should allow the Chargers to win the line of scrimmage and force Los Alamitos into long-yardage situations.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Edison generates short fields off defense and finishes drives with the home crowd behind them. Edison 24, Los Alamitos 6.

#8 Mission Viejo (6-1) @ #7 San Clemente (7-0)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 PM — Thalassa Stadium (San Clemente High School, San Clemente, CA)
Photographer: Marco Beltran
Reporter: Colin Costigan

This is the Alpha League game that could decide the league title race. San Clemente blanked Los Alamitos 40-0 last week. Junior quarterback Preston Beck completed 13 of 22 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Jaxson Rex caught six passes for 65 yards and two scores while also returning an interception 53 yards for a touchdown. Senior running back Darion Ranuga added 75 yards on the ground. Mission Viejo edged Yorba Linda 27-26. Senior Jack Junker rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore quarterback Brett Burnor completed 10 of 16 passes for 110 yards and added a rushing score.

Both teams have playmakers capable of changing a game. San Clemente’s home-field advantage at Thalassa Stadium and its ability to generate takeaways give the Tritons a slight edge, but Mission Viejo’s ground game with Junker can keep this close if the Diablos control the clock.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Rex scores on defense again and San Clemente’s secondary makes the decisive play. San Clemente 28, Mission Viejo 21.

La Habra (5-2) @ #18 Crean Lutheran (5-2)
Friday, Oct. 16, 8:30 PM — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Photographer: Tank Valenzuela

La Habra fell 36-33 to Villa Park in a high-scoring affair last week. The Highlanders have the athletes to score points but have shown vulnerability against teams that can both run and pass effectively. Crean Lutheran defeated Capistrano Valley 30-22. Senior quarterback Talon Spencer completed 16 of 25 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 71 yards and two scores. The Saints have now won three of their last four and enter with momentum.

Crean Lutheran’s dual-threat quarterback and the late kickoff under the lights at SoFi give the Saints the edge in a matchup of 5-2 teams. La Habra will need to contain Spencer’s legs and force the Saints into obvious passing downs if it hopes to pull the upset.

PREDICTION: JP’s Pick: Spencer scores on the ground twice and Crean Lutheran’s defense forces a late stop. Crean Lutheran 31, La Habra 24.

UPSET WATCH

La Habra at Crean Lutheran. The Highlanders just went punch-for-punch with Villa Park in a 36-33 game and have the athletes on the perimeter to stress a Crean Lutheran secondary. If they can limit Talon Spencer’s designed runs and force him into obvious passing downs, the late kickoff at SoFi gives them a realistic path to a one-score road win.

Mission Viejo at San Clemente. Jack Junker just ran for 180 yards and two scores against Yorba Linda, and the Diablos have shown they can stay in games with their ground game even when the scoreboard gets tight. If Mission Viejo wins the early-down efficiency battle and protects the ball, Thalassa Stadium has the atmosphere to turn a ranked road favorite into a one-possession contest.

Tustin at Villa Park. The Tillers still have size up front and multi-position players who can create negative plays. If they bottle up Coy Collins on early downs and force Jacob Titchenal into longer third downs, Tustin’s ability to generate pressure could keep this closer than the records suggest, especially if Villa Park’s recent high-scoring form cools off under the lights at SoFi.

Palos Verdes at Mira Costa. The Sea Kings just lost a one-score game to Inglewood and are coming off the road. Mira Costa has seniors who have been in the program long enough to play with urgency at home. If the Mustangs can create one or two explosive plays early and force Palos Verdes into third-and-long, the home crowd can turn a ranked favorite uncomfortable for three quarters.

Newport Harbor at Aliso Niguel. The Sailors just hung 44 on Tesoro behind Ryan Palmer’s three scores, but Aliso Niguel is at home and has shown the ability to compete in games when it gets a few stops. If the Wolverines can limit the big plays to Palmer and Pepe Tena and keep the game in the 20s, the home field gives them a chance to make it a one-score finish.