WEEK PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 6 and 3C2A Football Week 5

Villa Park @ Yorba Linda 

Thursday 10/3 7pm

Yorba Linda High School

Covering: Richard Do

PREVIEW: We’ve reached a new era of high school football in Orange County with the Bravo League opener in Week 6 of the CIFSS football season, as Villa Park travels to Yorba Linda to face the undefeated Mustangs.

The last time we saw the Villa Park Spartans was in Week 2, when they took on Upland. Villa Park’s versatile star, quarterback, kicker, and free safety Nate Lewis, secured the victory with a game-winning field goal. In that game, Lewis also completed 14 of 22 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Since then, the Spartans have dominated Ayala in a 57-13 win and shut out Mira Costa 18-0. Over those two games, Lewis has thrown for 406 yards, completing 18 of 27 passes with 5 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Yorba Linda Mustangs enter this game undefeated at 5-0. Their season began with a win over Edison in Week 1, and they’ve continued to edge out close victories, with their last four games being decided by 5 points or fewer against some of the toughest teams in the CIF Southern Section, including San Jacinto, Charter Oak, and Tustin. Senior quarterback Holden Nagin has thrown for 778 yards, completing 57 of 78 passes with 4 touchdowns so far this season. Junior running back Vaughn Sharp will also be key for the Mustangs, having rushed for 257 yards on 42 carries and scored 7 touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Villa Park knocks off the undefeated Mustangs in a thriller 28-25

Trabuco Hills @ El Modena

Thursday 10/3 7pm

Fred Kelly Stadium

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW: It’s the Delta League opener as the 5-0 El Modena Vanguards return from their bye week to host the 4-1 Trabuco Hills Mustangs.

The Vanguards closed out non-league play with a commanding 48-21 win over Mission College Prep. Senior quarterback Xzavior Guess had a standout performance, completing 18 of 24 passes for 209 yards and 4 touchdowns. Guess also dominated on the ground, rushing for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, the Vanguards were led by senior Alex Leonard, who recorded 11 total tackles. El Modena will aim to keep their undefeated season alive as they enter league play.

As for the Trabuco Hills Mustangs, their season began with a thrilling Week 1 win over Huntington Beach, where junior transfer Tristan Zale, in his varsity debut, completed 22 of 32 passes for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Ryan Luce was his top target, with 2 touchdown receptions. Since that debut, Zale has thrown for 1,072 passing yards, completing 82 of 128 passes with 12 touchdowns. However, the Mustangs are coming off a tough 51-38 loss to Corona Del Mar last week and will look to bounce back on the road against the Vanguards.

PREDICTION: Trabuco Hills gets back on track and wins in an high scoring offensive shootout 49-45

Corona Del Mar @ San Juan Hills

Friday 10/4 7pm

San Juan Hills High School

Covering: Richard Do

PREVIEW: As Bravo League play continues into Day 2, the San Juan Hills Stallions host the Corona Del Mar Sea Kings in their first meeting since September 2022, when the Sea Kings edged out a 27-22 victory.

San Juan Hills enters league play with a 4-1 record, fresh off a bye week and a dominant 28-7 home win over Mira Costa. Junior quarterback Timmy Herr was efficient, completing 11 of 14 passes for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense, the Stallions were led by senior Gavin Blum with 9 solo tackles, along with seniors Chris Williams and Grant Kitteredge, who both added 6 solo tackles each.

The Corona Del Mar Sea Kings come into this game at 3-2, looking to bounce back after a tough 28-0 loss to San Clemente in Week 3. Last week, they rebounded with a big win over the Trabuco Hills Mustangs. Senior running back Wyatt Lucas had a record-breaking performance, rushing for 352 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns. Quarterback Max Nashed also connected with receiver Dorsett Stecker for all 3 of his passing touchdowns, as Stecker finished with 88 receiving yards.

PREDICTION: San Juan Hills opens league with a close win 28-21

Huntington Beach @ Laguna Hills

Friday 10/4 7pm

Laguna Hills High School

Photographers: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW: Both teams enter Epsilon League play this Friday night following their bye week, with matching 3-2 records, as the Laguna Hills Hawks host the Huntington Beach Oilers.

The Hawks are coming off a high-scoring game two weeks ago against Canyon on September 21st, where senior running back Krystopher Entrala had a standout performance, rushing for 278 yards on 24 carries and scoring 4 touchdowns. Entrala is expected to have another big night against the Oilers this Friday.

On the other side, the Huntington Beach Oilers are riding high after a major upset win over the Mayfair Monsoons, which snapped their nine-game road losing streak dating back to October 2022. Sophomore quarterback Brady Edmunds had a breakout performance, throwing for 274 yards on 18-of-32 passing and 3 touchdowns. His primary target, wide receiver Troy Foster, also shined with 157 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Edmunds and the Oilers will look to kick off Epsilon League play with another statement victory.

PREDICTION: Huntington Beach wins in an offensive shootout 35-28

JPWest Media Game of the Week: #14 Saddleback @ #5 San Diego Mesa

Saturday 10/5 6pm

San Diego Mesa College

Photographers: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Isabella Lyons

PREVIEW: Week 5 of the 3C2A Football season is officially here as the #14 Saddleback Bobcats travel south to face the #5 San Diego Mesa Olympians in our JPWest Media Game of the Week.

The last time we saw the Olympians was back in Week 3, when they traveled north to Huntington Beach and upset the Golden West Rustlers. This came just a week after the Rustlers had defeated the number one team in the state, the Riverside City Tigers. In that game, San Diego Mesa quarterback Jax Leatherwood completed 22 of 33 passes for 242 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. On defense, the Olympians were led by Jayden Cortell and Thomas Graham, who combined for 13 solo tackles, with Cortell adding 2.5 tackles for loss. The Olympians also forced two interceptions from quarterback Will Burns, courtesy of Johnny Shepard and Jacob Benavante.

The Olympians come into this week undefeated after a commanding 40-14 homecoming win over Grossmont. They will look to continue their winning streak against the Bobcats.

As for the Saddleback Bobcats, they are off to their best start since 2019 under head coach Kerry Crabb. Last week, they secured a dominant 38-10 victory over Southwestern. The Bobcats utilized a two-quarterback system, with Trey Kukuk throwing for 187 yards on 13-of-17 passing with 2 touchdowns, while Nicky Johnson added 79 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-10 completions. Saddleback is aiming to extend their strong start by upsetting the Olympians on the road.

PREDICTION: Game lives up to the Game of the Week expectations as San Diego Mesa continues their unbeaten season and wins in a close one 28-24