WEEK PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 5 and 3C2A Football Week 4

La Serna @ Edison

Friday 9/27 7pm

Cap Sheue Field

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW: We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2024 CIF-SS football season. While many teams are on their bye week, a few in Orange County still have games, including our JPWest Media Game of the Week, which features a compelling matchup between the Edison Chargers and the La Serna Lancers, both entering with 3-2 records.

We last saw the defending state champions, the La Serna Lancers, in Week 0, when they fell to Damien in their season opener, 42-21. La Serna’s offense was led by a two-quarterback system, with sophomores Grady Long and Jordan Bonilla combining for 235 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. After that, the Lancers won three straight games before being shut out last week by Crean Lutheran, 20-0.

The Edison Chargers, on the other hand, have been on fire in their last three games, with dominant wins over Lakewood, Palos Verdes, and Fountain Valley. Despite their 3-2 record, the Chargers could easily be undefeated. They’ll look to keep their momentum going against La Serna. JPWest Media’s Preseason No. 4, Julius Gillick, has been electric, rushing for 891 yards so far this season, including a monster 300+ yard, 4-touchdown performance against Lakewood.

PREDICTION: Chargers stay hot as Savelio Niumata and Julius Gillick combine for 6 TDs with a big win over the Lancers 42-21

St Paul @ Servite

Friday 9/27 7pm

LeBard Stadium (Orange Coast College)

Covering: Richard Do

PREVIEW: Both teams return from a bye week as the undefeated Servite Friars (4-0) prepare to host the St. Paul Swordsmen (2-2) at Orange Coast College. Last season, these two teams met in Week 4, with Servite earning a 34-13 victory.

Two weeks ago, the Friars secured their fourth win of the season with a commanding 38-17 victory over the Notre Dame Knights. Sophomore quarterback Colin O’Connor threw for 128 yards, while Servite’s ground game was dominant, racking up 289 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior Quaid Carr led the charge with two rushing scores.

In contrast, the Swordsmen suffered a tough 38-14 loss to Los Alamitos. Junior quarterback Gabriel Castaneda had a solid performance, completing 15 passes for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Griffins.

This Week 5 matchup sets up an intriguing battle as Servite looks to stay undefeated, while St. Paul aims to bounce back and even their record.

PREDICTION: Servite gets a big win at home to go into Trinity League play 5-0 with a 49-10 victory

Serra @ Los Alamitos

Friday 9/27 7pm

Boswell Field

Covering: Luke Lastra

PREVIEW: This game has been circled on the calendar for the Los Alamitos Griffins ever since the Serra Cavaliers eliminated them in the 2023 CIF-SS Quarterfinals with a 37-28 win. Now, the Griffins are looking for revenge.

Los Alamitos enters this matchup with a 4-1 record, coming off a convincing 35-14 road win against Clovis North. Their only loss this season came against Hawaii’s No. 1 ranked team, but the Griffins have otherwise been dominant. They’ll aim to settle the score with Serra and continue their strong 2024 campaign.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are 2-2 on the season, with two close losses to tough opponents, Oaks Christian and Orange Lutheran, both by margins of less than 8 points. Despite the setbacks, Serra will look to spoil the Griffins’ revenge plans in this much-anticipated rematch.

PREDICTION: Los Alamitos gets revenge in a close one 28-25

Southwestern @ Saddleback

Saturday 9/28 6pm

Saddleback College

Photographers: Jeremy Westerbeck and Richard Do

PREVIEW: Week 4 of the 3C2A football season has arrived, with the No. 19-ranked Saddleback Bobcats (2-1) returning home to face the winless Southwestern Jaguars (0-2). The Bobcats are aiming for their best start since 2019 as they look to improve to 3-1, while the Jaguars are still searching for their first win of the season. Last season, Saddleback dominated Southwestern in Chula Vista with a commanding 53-3 victory.

Last week, the Bobcats secured a big 44-28 road win over the Marauders, thanks to standout performances on both sides of the ball. Defensively and on special teams, Jackson Irwin led the way with 8 total tackles and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Quarterback Trey Kukuk also played a pivotal role, throwing for 166 yards on 15 of 18 completions with 2 touchdowns, while adding a 17-yard rushing touchdown. Saddleback is eager to carry this momentum into this week’s game as they eye a potential three-game winning streak heading into next week’s pivotal matchup against San Diego Mesa. 

As for the Southwestern Jaguars, they are coming off a tough loss to the Long Beach City Vikings. Quarterback Connor Underhill completed 15 of 29 passes for 137 yards and 1 touchdown, while defensively, Arath Leyva led the team with 8 total tackles. Southwestern will look to play the spoiler as they aim to surprise the Bobcats on the road in their conference opener.

PREDICTION: #19 Saddleback wins big on homecoming 49-3