PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 6 Edition

La Habra @ El Dorado
Thursday, 10/2, 7 PM – Valencia HS (Placentia)
Photographer: Bailey Sanchez

PREVIEW:
Week 6 kicks off Thursday night as La Habra (4-1) travels to Placentia to face El Dorado (3-2) in a non-league matchup.

The Highlanders rolled into the bye week with a 35-10 win over La Mirada. QB DJ Mitchell passed for 220 yards and 2 TDs, while RB Kevika Mata’Utia-Martinez rushed for 127 yards and 2 scores. WRs Blake Rogers (121 yards, TD) and Bryce Vasquez (88 yards, TD) gave La Habra plenty of explosive plays. The defense dominated with 10 tackles for loss, led by Noah Barajas and Barrett Blied.

El Dorado fell 28-14 to undefeated Laguna Beach in Week 4. QB Hudson Shaddow threw for 120 yards and a TD to J. Karg, while RB Cameron Romero added 58 yards and a score. The Golden Hawks’ defense played tough with 19 tackles for loss, paced by Cooper Larson and Micah Cavalluzzi.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: La Habra stays hot, 31-17.

Fountain Valley @ Orange
Thursday, 10/2, 7 PM – Fred Kelly Stadium
Photographer: Joey Gray

PREVIEW:
The Foxtrot League opens Thursday night at Fred Kelly Stadium as Orange (3-2) hosts Fountain Valley (1-4).

Orange last played in a narrow 14-12 loss to Redondo Union before the bye. QB Star Thomas threw for 225 yards and a TD while rushing for 66 yards and a score. WR Kingston Hunter had 74 yards, and WR Malahki Allen added 45 yards and a touchdown. On defense, LB Nathan Marquez totaled 8 tackles and Joshua Flores added a sack.

Fountain Valley enters off its bye after falling to Edison 34-7 in Week 4. The Barons will try to regroup and make a push to start league play.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Orange pulls away late, 27-13.

JPWest Media Game of the Week: #4 Mater Dei @ #12 Orange Lutheran
Friday, 10/3, 7 PM – LeBard Stadium (OCC)
Photographer: Richard Do | Reporter: Isabella Lyons | Videographer: Tank Valenzuela

PREVIEW:
The JPWest Media Game of the Week returns to Costa Mesa as #4 Mater Dei (3-1) opens Trinity League play against #12 Orange Lutheran (3-2).

Mater Dei comes in off a 27-24 win over Bishop Gorman before the bye. QB Ryan Hopkins continues to lead an offense loaded with playmakers, while the Monarchs’ defense tightened late to seal the win.

Orange Lutheran had a bye last week after their 41-9 loss to Sierra Canyon, which was featured as our JPWest Media Game of the Week in Week 4. QB Reagan Toki leads the Lancers’ offense, while RB Jae Nembhard added 69 yards on just 6 carries in that game. LB Christian Panapa (12 tackles, 3 TFL) anchors a defense that must slow Mater Dei’s speed.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Mater Dei controls the night in a 38-17 win.

#14 Serra @ #2 Sierra Canyon
Friday, 10/3, 7 PM – Sierra Canyon HS
Photographer: Tajuan Netterville

PREVIEW:
Mission League play begins in Chatsworth as #2 Sierra Canyon (5-0) hosts #14 Serra (3-2). Both teams are coming off byes after Week 4 wins.

Sierra Canyon handled Orange Lutheran 41-9 behind QB Laird Finkel’s 273 yards and 2 TDs. WRs Sir Homer King Webb and De’Markus Barnes each scored, while the defense dominated with 7 sacks and 2 INTs.

Serra knocked off Oaks Christian 19-10, fueled by RB Daylawn Reed’s 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cavaliers’ defense forced 3 interceptions, with LB Joe Bolder and DL Khary Wilder leading the charge.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Sierra Canyon flexes its depth and rolls 55-14.

Laguna Hills @ Huntington Beach
Friday, 10/3, 7 PM – Cap Sheue Field
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

PREVIEW:
Homecoming night at Cap Sheue Field also marks the start of Epsilon League play as the Huntington Beach Oilers (4-1) host the Laguna Hills Hawks (3-2).

The Oilers return from their bye week riding momentum after a 48-12 rout of Mayfair. QB Brady Edmunds was nearly flawless, going 17-of-20 for 272 yards and 3 TDs, while also adding 25 rushing yards. WR Troy Foster (131 yards, TD) and ATH Dylin Bruce (76 yards, TD; 55-yard INT return) provided the fireworks for the Oilers.

Laguna Hills edged St. Margaret’s 31-30 last week, improving to 3-2 in tight fashion. The Hawks have leaned on resilience, and their ability to stay composed in late-game situations will be tested under the lights of Cap Sheue.

For Huntington Beach, the stakes are clear — homecoming, league opener, and a chance to extend their win streak to four. For Laguna Hills, it’s about proving they can steal a big one on the road.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Huntington Beach rides their balance on both sides of the ball to a 42-21 homecoming win.

Newport Harbor @ Tesoro
Friday, 9/26, 7 PM – Tesoro HS
Photographer: Joey Gray

PREVIEW:
Bravo League play opens Friday night in Rancho Santa Margarita as the Newport Harbor Sailors (2-3) visit the Tesoro Titans (2-3). Both teams are coming off a bye week following their Sept. 19th games.

Newport Harbor rolled into the bye with momentum after a 45-14 rout of Colony. Senior QB Jake Meer put together his best outing of the year, throwing for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR Shane McKibbin stretched the field with 110 yards and 2 TDs, while WR Jackson Stremick added 65 yards and a score. WR Ryan Palmer chipped in 56 yards and 2 TDs, and RB Jonah Takamori balanced the attack with 62 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. On defense, LB Glenn Baranoski made a statement with 13 tackles and an interception return for 37 yards, while DL Adam Csanyi added 12 tackles and a sack.

Tesoro looks to regroup after their 47-15 setback to undefeated Dana Hills. QB Vaughn Steinert passed for 165 yards and 2 TDs, connecting with WR Braiden Vaca (53 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Brayden White (52 yards). RB Nic Brubaker provided a steady ground game with 85 rushing yards. Defensively, LB Wyatt Owens spearheaded the effort with 9 tackles and 4 tackles-for-loss.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Newport Harbor stays sharp after the bye, 38-21.

#10 San Juan Hills @ #23 Corona Del Mar
Friday, 10/3, 7 PM – Davidson Field
Photographer: John Clingan

PREVIEW:
Our final game of the week heads to Davidson Field as the #10 San Juan Hills Stallions (4-1) visit the #23 Corona Del Mar Sea Kings (5-0) in a Bravo League opener.

Corona Del Mar enters riding a wave of confidence after last week’s 35-13 win over Trabuco Hills in our JPWest Media Game of the Week. Senior QB Brady Annett was nearly flawless, throwing for 231 yards and 2 TDs, connecting early and often with WR Dorsett Stecker, who exploded for 150 yards and 2 scores. RB Chase Kuchera powered the ground game with 120 yards and a touchdown, while RB Trejan Nixon chipped in 73 yards and another score. Defensively, LB Alexander Nickin and DL Finn Grimstad set the tone up front, each notching a sack.

San Juan Hills had last week off, but two weeks ago the Stallions made a statement with a 38-28 road win at Mira Costa. QB Timmy Herr shined with 260 yards and 3 passing TDs while also rushing for 82 yards and 2 scores, showing his dual-threat ability. WR Luke Frith hauled in 120 yards and a TD, while RB Elijah Ayala contributed 149 all-purpose yards. On defense, LB Jonah Sanchez racked up 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks, with DL Roman Paseka dominating the trenches with 4 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

Both teams boast high-powered offenses with playmakers across the board, but this one could come down to who controls the line of scrimmage. CdM’s balance and efficiency will be tested against a San Juan Hills squad that thrives in physical, up-tempo football.

PREDICTION:
JP’s Pick: Corona Del Mar upsets the Stallions late to stay undefeated in an offensive matchup 35-31.

UPSET WATCH

• Corona Del Mar over #10 San Juan Hills: The Sea Kings are at home, undefeated, and fresh off a statement win. If their defense can slow Herr’s dual-threat ability, CdM could prove their 5-0 start is no fluke.
• Orange Lutheran vs #4 Mater Dei: The Lancers had a bye week after their loss to Sierra Canyon in our JPWest Media Game of the Week, giving them extra time to regroup and prepare. If Reagan Toki and Jae Nembhard can establish rhythm early, O Lu could push Mater Dei deeper into the fourth quarter than expected.
• Laguna Hills at Huntington Beach: On paper, the Oilers look like clear favorites. But Laguna Hills’ ability to grind games out and keep it close late makes this a dangerous homecoming test if HB starts slow.