GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 10 Calabasas (2-0) at No. 9 Agoura (1-2)
The only Daily News Top 10 matchup of the week makes this the Game of the Week locally.
Agoura has played the better schedule and will be more battle-tested for Friday night’s matchup after losses to Westlake and Thousand Oaks, both of which are still unbeaten this season. The Chargers are led by QB Gavin Gray (9 TDs, 826 yards) and two-way standout George Hastings.
Calabasas’ two wins were over Alemany (0-3) and Castaic (0-3). Friday will be the Coyotes’ toughest test yet, and they will look to athletes Kayne Miller and Dezmyn Hardy to put up points. Junior Dominik Hardy has been efficient at QB.
Tarek’s pick: Agoura
Servite (2-1) at No. 3 Notre Dame (2-1)
It’s the second straight week Servite will take on a Daily News team. Last week, the Friars rolled Chaminade in Orange County 46-3. Friday, Notre Dame hosts Servite in what will undoubtedly size up the Knights after seeing the Chaminade film in preparation.
As we head into Week 3, it’s obvious Notre Dame is a better team than anticipated after seeing its only loss come to a 3-0 Downey team that is expected to be competitive with Sierra Canyon this week.
Tarek’s pick: Servite. But Notre Dame gets better from it.
Heritage Christian (3-0) vs. Hart (1-2), at College of the Canyons
This game was created out of thin air. Hart was supposed to play Bishop Montgomery, which canceled its varsity season due to CIF violations. Heritage Christian was scheduled to play Pasadena Marshall, but it dropped out of the game.
Despite Hart not being the juggernaut the area is used to, if Heritage Christian can be competitive or beat Hart, it will show how dramatically better new coach Ben McEnroe has made the Warriors in his first year.
Pedigree matters, and that’s why Hart will probably win Friday night, but what a great opportunity for Heritage Christian to see how far it has come in such a short time.
Tarek’s pick: Hart.
Santa Margarita (2-1) at No. 6 Oaks Christian (1-2)
It’s likely this game isn’t very close, unfortunately. However, there’s a fun storyline worth mentioning in this one. Santa Margarita coach Carson Palmer was the longtime quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals and while he was there, the wide receivers coach was Charlie Collins, who is now the head coach at Oaks Christian.
Two former NFL guys (in their own right) going head-to-head on Friday nights.
Tarek’s pick: Santa Margarita
Granada Hills (1-2) at Kennedy (2-1)
A City Section showdown of two styles. Granada Hills will run the entire game with its stable of running backs, various sweeps and misdirections. Kennedy likes to air it out with quarterback Diego Montes.
The Highlanders’ two losses came to Venice and Palisades, two teams that like to pass. Kennedy’s loss came to San Pedro, a run-heavy team. This game could be a toss up, but leaning Cougars at home Friday night.
Tarek’s pick: Kennedy
From the Press-Telegram:
Sierra Canyon (3-0) at Downey (3-0)
The Vikings are hosting a Sierra Canyon team that outscored its first three opponents 143-0. Downey’s first task will be to put some points on the board. The Vikings are led by senior quarterback Oscar Rios, the Press-Telegram Boys Athlete of the Week and a four-star recruit who is committed to Arizona. The Vikings beat Millikan 55-7 last week. Rios’ dual-threat ability will be an asset against Sierra Canyon’s talented defense. Downey will rely on its ability to contain Sierra Canyon running backs Jaxsen Stokes (28 carries for 253 yards and four touchdowns) and Los Alamitos transfer Jerod Terry Jr. (24 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns). If Downey’s defense can stand up against the Trailblazers, it will have a chance to pull off the upset, but stopping Sierra Canyon for 48 minutes might be too much to ask.
John Davis’ pick: Sierra Canyon