WEEK PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 9 and 3C2A Football Week 7

San Clemente @ Los Alamitos

Thursday 10/24, 7pm – Veterans Stadium

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW:

In what might be the biggest week of high school football in JPWest Media history, the action kicks off with an Alpha League matchup between the Los Alamitos Griffins (4-4) and the San Clemente Tritons (4-4).

Last week, Los Alamitos took on the Edison Chargers and suffered a tough loss to open league play. The Griffins have lost 4 of their last 6 games and are looking for a way to fix their offensive struggles. Running back Lenny Ibarra provided a spark, scoring the Griffins’ lone touchdown in that game.

San Clemente faced the nationally-ranked Mission Viejo Diablos last week, falling 23-7. Senior quarterback Dawson Martinez completed 7 of 14 passes for 62 yards and 1 touchdown against a tough Diablo defense, while linebacker Lee Puka Fuimaono led the Tritons with 10 solo tackles.

PREDICTION:

The Griffins break their three-game losing streak with a narrow 24-21 victory at Veterans Stadium.

San Juan Hills @ Villa Park

Thursday 10/24, 7pm – Fred Kelly Stadium

Covering: Richard Do

PREVIEW:

Our next Thursday night game takes us to Fred Kelly Stadium, where the San Juan Hills Stallions (7-1) face off against the Villa Park Spartans (6-2). Earlier this month, the Stallions secured a 31-28 victory over Corona del Mar, led by junior quarterback Timmy Herr, who threw for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns. Last week, San Juan Hills dominated Newport Harbor, winning 30-7.

Villa Park is coming off a 28-14 win over Corona del Mar after losing to Yorba Linda the previous week. Senior quarterback Nate Lewis threw for 218 yards and 1 touchdown in that loss, but bounced back in their recent victory.

PREDICTION:

San Juan Hills extends their winning streak to six with a 35-21 win.

Marina @ Kennedy

Thursday 10/24, 7pm – Handel Stadium (Western High School)

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW:

In our final Thursday night game, the undefeated Marina Vikings (8-0) take on the Kennedy Fighting Irish (5-3) in a key Lambda League contest. Marina’s quarterback Garrett Hunnicutt led his team to a 28-0 win over Fullerton last week, throwing for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Kennedy enters the game after a tough overtime loss to Beckman, 20-14. Junior quarterback Derek Almazan threw for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game.

PREDICTION:

Marina stays undefeated with a close 31-27 win.

JPWest Media Game of the Week: Crean Lutheran @ Huntington Beach

Friday 10/25, 7pm – Cap Sheue Field

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Dean Ferguson

PREVIEW:

This week’s Game of the Week features the Huntington Beach Oilers (5-3) hosting the Crean Lutheran Saints (6-2) in a crucial Epsilon League matchup. Last week, Huntington Beach stars Brady Edmunds and Troy Foster both broke school records in a 43-29 victory over Foothill. Edmunds threw for a record-breaking 414 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Foster set records with 4 receiving touchdowns and 204 receiving yards.

Crean Lutheran is coming off a narrow 15-13 loss to La Habra, despite a strong defensive showing from Taurian Nash and Ethan Haugsland.

PREDICTION:

Huntington Beach stuns Crean Lutheran with a 21-17 homecoming victory.

Edison @ Mission Viejo

Friday 10/25, 7pm – Diablo Stadium

Covering: Richard Do

PREVIEW:

The unbeaten Mission Viejo Diablos (5-0) host the Edison Chargers (6-2) in another high-stakes matchup. Edison’s Julius Gillick had a standout performance last week with 220 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in a 21-10 win over Los Alamitos.

Mission Viejo has been strong all season, led by a two-quarterback system with Luke Fahey and Drai Trudeau. Last week, they beat San Clemente 23-7 to continue their undefeated season.

PREDICTION:

Mission Viejo remains unbeaten with a 31-7 win.

Grossmont @ Saddleback

Saturday 10/26, 6pm – Saddleback College

Covering: Jeremy Westerbeck

PREVIEW:

In 3C2A action, the Saddleback Bobcats (4-2) return home to face the Grossmont Griffins (1-5). Grossmont struggled in a 62-10 loss to Riverside last week, with quarterback Jaden Green completing just 4 of 14 passes for 59 yards.

Saddleback also had a tough outing last week, losing to Palomar and snapping a four-game winning streak. Both quarterbacks, Trey Kukuk and Nicky Johnson, combined for four interceptions in that game. However, the return of defensive standout Jackson Hagopian, who had five solo tackles, should provide a boost.

PREDICTION:

Saddleback bounces back with a commanding 56-3 win.

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