A battle for San Fernando Valley bragging rights commences Friday night when rivals Kennedy and Granada Hills clash in the LA Daily News Game of the Week.
Which teams are taking home victories?
Check out the Week 3 predictions for every team in LA Daily News area.
TOP WEEK 3 GAMES
(Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.)
Kennedy (3-0) vs. Granada Hills (2-1), Friday
Granada Hills looks to end its three-game losing streak to Kennedy with a heavy run game led by the combination of junior Wale Adeleye (111.3 yards per game, two touchdowns) and senior Matthew Cross (293 rushing yards, seven touchdowns). The Highlanders also have fullback/linebacker Matthew Farias and sophomore Savaun Kimbrough and junior Ruban Khudyan Jr. Granada Hills is averaging 8 yards per carry and has thrown the ball only twice this season.
But can the sturdy run game handle the versatility and speed of Kennedy? The attack for Kennedy is headed by improved junior quarterback Chaz Rodriguez and a run game fueled by senior Matthew Quintanilla.
Two good football teams with formidable fronts and playmakers. The drought ends for Granada Hills at home.
Prediction: Granada Hills wins, 21-20
Notre Dame (3-0) vs. Oaks Christian (0-3), Friday
It’s not must-win time yet for Oaks Christian, but progress in its offense has to show against Notre Dame. The Knights enter the game playing a balanced style of football led by running back junior Noel Washington (284 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 8.6 yards per carry) and his brother, freshman Nolen Washington (131 rushing yards, one touchdown). They also have the athleticism of quarterback and safety Tahj Skinner (19 of 32 passing, 372 yards, seven touchdowns) and junior wide receiver Emmanuel Pullins (nine receptions, 109 yards, two touchdowns). Notre Dame’s defense has forced seven turnovers, with Skinner leading the way with two interceptions.
Oaks Christian looks to find continuity in its offense, which didn’t score more than 20 points in its first three games. The Lions have tried to find a successful recipe with sophomores Niko Bladow, Talis Payne and freshman Cody Bird seeing the field. USC commit Alifeleti Tuihalamaka has performed at a high level, but there has to be some ground broken through with Bladow, Payne and Bird to balance out a defense that’s forced four turnovers in three games.
Prediction: Notre Dame wins, 35-14
Hart (2-1) vs. Heritage Christian (3-0), Friday
Heritage Christian receives its first true challenge of the season when it takes on Hart, led by senior Matix Frithsmith. Heritage Christian senior quarterback James Thompson (21 of 34 passing, 368 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception) has utilized seven different receivers. Hart’s offense has been complemented by junior Camren Ketner at quarterback and senior Josh Rogosik mixing in with Frithsmith in the run game. Hart senior defensive lineman Gabriel Degl’innocenti has four sacks. Hart has more signature wins and plays with a different level of speed and aggression.
Prediction: Hart wins, 35-21
Calabasas (3-0) vs. Birmingham (0-2), Thursday
Calabasas senior quarterback Dominick Hardy’s arm and footwork were on display last week. Hardy lit up Burbank for 109 rushing yards, 17 of 28 for 290 passing yards, and two touchdowns (one rushing, one throwing). Junior Jesse Belvin rushed for three touchdowns. The team also got big games out of senior defensive back Obi Yazdani, senior linebacker Obi Ofomata, junior linebacker Charles Davis, and sophomore linebacker Devin Beglari. UCLA commit Kingston Celifie ran back a punt return for 48 yards for a touchdown.
Birmingham looks to find some level of offensive continuity around junior quarterback Daniel Kakooza and senior wide receiver Paul Turner and an offensive line headed by Pablo Granados. Birmingham’s tough nonleague schedule is gearing the Patriots up for defending its reign in the West Valley League. Things don’t get easier for Birmingham against Calabasas.
Prediction: Calabasas wins, 49-10
Newbury Park (1-2) vs. Thousand Oaks (1-2), Thursday
Newbury Park freshman quarterback Daniel Tromello showed there’s legitimacy to the high expectations surrounding him. Tromello completed 9 of 13 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown while balanced by a run game. Tyler Stromsoe rushed for three touchdowns as the Panthers earned their first win of the season, 31-14 against Arroyo Grande.
Thousand Oaks hopes to stop Newbury Park after getting shut out last week by Agoura 33-0. Thousand Oaks is a young team that has just 12 seniors on its 47-man roster. The roster includes a pair of standout sophomores, defensive back Jacob Sprague and linebacker Micah Hill.
Prediction: Newbury Park wins, 27-13
OTHER WEEK 3 GAMES
Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.
THURSDAY
West Ranch vs. Moorpark. Prediction: Moorpark wins 21-17
Castaic vs. Oak Park. Prediction: Oak Park wins 56-7
Crespi vs. Canyon. Prediction: Crespi wins 42-7
Rio Mesa vs. Agoura. Prediction: Agoura wins 24-17
Hueneme vs. Saugus. Prediction: Saugus wins 36-21
FRIDAY
Arleta vs. Chatsworth. Prediction: Chatsworth wins 28-21
Sylmar vs. Sun Valley Poly. Prediction: Sylmar wins 31-24
Paraclete vs. Valencia. Prediction: Valencia wins 38-14
Panorama vs. El Camino Real. Prediction: Panorama wins 35-17
Grace vs. Fillmore. Prediction: Grace wins 24-7
Golden Valley vs. Burbank. Prediction: Burbank wins 27-13
San Fernando vs. Arroyo. Prediction: Arroyo wins 17-8
Hoover vs. Crescenta Valley. Prediction: Crescenta Valley wins 35-27
Dos Pueblos vs. Village Christian. Prediction: Village Christian wins 31-10
Laguna Beach vs. Westlake. Prediction: Westlake wins 28-20
Rosamond vs. Knight. Prediction: Rosamond wins 36-17
St. Genevieve vs. La Salle. Prediction: La Salle wins 21-14
Van Nuys vs. Lynwood. Prediction: Lynwood wins 34-14
Verdugo Hills vs. Washington Prep. Prediction: Washington Prep wins 28-17
Taft vs. Channel Islands. Prediction: Taft wins 28-21
Eastside vs. Jurupa Hills. Prediction: Jurupa Hills wins 27-17
North Hollywood vs. Roosevelt. Prediction: Roosevelt wins 34-10
Roybal vs. Monroe, 7 p.m. Prediction: Monroe wins 21-20
Rim of the World vs. Antelope Valley. Prediction: Antelope Valley wins 22-14
Rancho Dominguez vs. Canoga Park. Prediction: Rancho Dominguez wins 34-20
Reseda vs. Mendez. Prediction: Mendez wins 27-7
Franklin vs. Cleveland. Prediction: Cleveland wins 42-14
Highland vs. Pacifica. Prediction: Pacifica wins 31-14
Quartz Hill vs. Silverado. Prediction: Quartz Hill wins 21-10
Shadow Hills vs. Alemany. Prediction: Shadow Hills wins 27-20
La Canada vs. South Pasadena. Prediction: La Canada wins 28-17
Dorsey vs. Harvard-Westlake. Prediction: Dorsey wins 28-21
St. Louis (HI) vs. Sierra Canyon. Prediction: Sierra Canyon wins 42-7
Chaminade vs. Beaumont. Prediction: Chaminade wins 24-7
Simi Valley vs. Spanish Springs (Nev). Prediction: Simi Valley wins 35-17
Palmdale vs. Roosevelt (Eastvale). Prediction: Palmdale wins 28-14
St. Francis vs. Bishop Diego. Prediction: St. Francis wins 17-14
Burroughs vs. Arroyo. Prediction: Burroughs wins 31-24